7 Killer Strategies To Help You Downsize With Ease

Killer Strategy #1

Start The Process Ahead Of Time

By starting early, you’ll Facilitate the process. You will have more time to sell the larger items alleviating the stress of waiting until the last moment.

Killer Strategy #2

Keep In Mind Where You Are Going

Keeping in mind your new home is extremely important, since it will determine how extensively you need to simplify your life.

Killer Strategy #3

Start With The Easy Stuff

There are certain places in your home that accumulate more clutter than others. Places like the garage, the attic and the basement. Start with areas of the house with little or no emotional attachment such as laundry room, linen closet, yard or home gym.

Killer Strategy #4

Scale Up Your Efforts

Now that you have gone through the easy(er) stuff, it’s time to tackle the harder stuff. Before you begin, it’s essential to define the differences between needs and wants. When deciding whether you should keep an item or not, try asking the following questions.

1.  Do I need to keep it, or do I just want to keep it.
2. Does it hold sentimental value? Why? Is taking a photograph enough to keep its memory?
3. How often do I use it? Has it been months or even years since I used it last?
4. Do I have another item that performs the same function, possibly even better? Keeping these questions in mind when sorting through your items will simplify the decluttering process.

Killer Strategy #5

Find A New Home For Items You’re Not Keeping

Moving is expensive, especially if you hire professional movers. The fewer items you take with you, the lower the cost for your move.

Once you know which items you will be getting rid of, you can find a new home for them.

Some ways of doing so are,

• Hold a yard sale
• Give away items to friends and family members
• Donate to charities, schools, day care centres ETC.

Take note: If charities accept your donation most if not all will issue a receipt for tax purposes.

Killer Strategy #6

Say Goodbye To Your Home

Take your time saying goodbye, it’s ok to bask in the nostalgia or to even shed a tear or two. Take pictures if you must creating a beautiful album.

It’s extremely important that the entire family supports each other during the downsizing process.

Once it’s time to say goodbye, the goodbye should be final. It’s ok to feel sad, but don’t lose focus on all the exciting things to come in the future.

Killer Strategy #7

Make The Transition

No matter how smoothly you manage to make the downsizing process, it won’t feel like home right away.

Once you get to your new home, make sure to unpack those items that make your new home feel comfortable and familiar.

Accept help from family and friends even if you did hire professional movers. Try to keep the entire occasion happy and optimistic.