LEARN TO DOWNSIZE BEFORE A MOVE
Senior men and women often take inventory of their lives in an effort to focus on activities or lifestyle changes that can ensure happy retirements. According to the 2011 Census, 9.6 million persons, or close to three Canadians out of 10 (29 per cent), were baby boomers. With the youngest of the boomers in their mid-50s and the majority having already reached retirement age, many boomers are trying to decide if it’s time to move out of their family homes and into smaller, more manageable abodes.
Many older adults find they do not need the same amount of space as they did when they had children living at home. Retirees and those on the cusp of retirement may find that downsizing is a smart financial move that frees up more time for recreation. However, it can be challenging to cut down on living space and then deal with figuring out how to make furniture, belongings and stored items fit in more condensed areas. Moving can be stressful even without having to cut down on prized items. Taking an inventory of belongings can help the process go smoothly.
Before moving, go room by room, making piles of items that will be kept, donated, sold or discarded. This can be a tedious task, but necessary to avoid clutter in a new home.
You can attempt to sell items you do not need via newspaper classified sections or online classified sites. Appliances and furniture in excellent shape may fetch good prices. Any extra cash can be put toward buying new items that are sizeappropriate for the smaller home.
Another way to clear out clutter is to sort duplicates. You may no longer need multiple sets of dishes or silverware. If the move involves switching from a king-sized to a queen-sized bed, donate or trash bed linens that will no longer fit. Pay close attention to kitchen and bathroom items that tend to accumulate over. People moving from a detached home to a condo or townhouse may learn that homeowner’s association fees cover everything from snow removal to lawn maintenance to pool upkeep. If so, it’s unnecessary to bring lawn and garden supplies.
Look at the floor plan of your new dwellings and pay attention to storage space. Having a plan in place can make unpacking and settling in go smoothly. Downsizing can free up time and money. When done right, downsizing can make retirement easier and create more leisure time for retirees.