Downsizing In Retirement | 6 Stress Saving & Expert Tips
Downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home is an excellent way to simplify life after retirement. Moving into a smaller home means less cleaning, maintenance, and yard work. You’ll have less stress and more time for the things that matter. And you’ll be able to save some money, too! Since the downsizing process can be stressful, planning and staying organized is essential. Today, Tidied By K shares some tips to help you navigate each step of the downsizing process.
This blog post will explore the important steps to take when considering downsizing in retirement, helping you to simplify your life and make the most of your golden years. First, evaluating your current living situation allows you to determine what you truly need, helping you decide on a home that fits your new lifestyle. Second, decluttering before the move makes the process smoother and ensures you only bring what you love and use.
Third, creating a retirement budget helps you manage your finances, ensuring that downsizing leads to savings rather than unexpected costs. Finally, embracing a smaller, more manageable space can lead to a more fulfilling and stress-free retirement. Set yourself up for success by following these key steps to downsizing in retirement!
Here are 6 things you can do for downsizing in retirement without the stress, overwhelm, and confusion.
1. Decluttering & Downsizing Your Things
The most time-consuming part of downsizing is sorting through your belongings and getting rid of stuff you no longer need. Ask friends and family if they would be interested in any of your things before you start decluttering; this should reduce some of the work ahead. Next, identify items you love and cherish, and pack all of these into a box. As you sort through the rest of your things, create piles to gift, sell, donate, or trash. Tackling your home room-by-room is an excellent way to stay organized.
2. Evaluating Your Assistance Needs
Retirement is the perfect time to determine whether you need extra help at home or are looking for a community that lets you keep your independence.
If you are looking to stay at home, having the right contractors who know how to remodel a bathroom, bedroom, or living room to meet your very specific needs can be invaluable to maintaining your well-being as you can stay in your home as long as possible. Nobody should feel like they have to leave their home if they don’t have to, and therefore having the appropriate reasonable adjustments can make all the difference. But if you have to move into a home, you need to be aware of what that home can do for you, rather than you having to fit their mold.
Knowing what level of care you might need will help narrow down your options and point you toward places that fit your needs. Once you’ve figured that out, dig deeper into each nursing home by checking inspection reports, reading online reviews, and taking a tour to see how it feels in person. Watch for amenities that can make a big difference in your daily life, like fitness programs, social events, and good dining options. Location matters too—being close to family, doctors, and local spots you enjoy can make your experience much better.
3. Finding Local Storage (Only As Needed)
Now as a professional organizer, I am a hug advocate in only keeping what can naturally fit in your downsized home. However, I recognize that may be harder to execute for some.
So, if you want to keep more belongings than will fit in your downsized home, you can consider renting a local storage unit. This is also a good solution for storing your belongings during your move. Research nearby self-storage facilities and find the best rates for the size you need. These days, online marketplaces for moving and storage make it much easier to compare prices and find deals.
As an expert, I would be remissed to say, this is not my favorite recommendation as sometimes utilizing a storage unit can be more of a hindrance to not truly declutter before you move and properly downsizing in retirement. Leverage local storage options after fully decluttering and only if you have a plan and timeline for how ling you plan to invest in a storage unit.
4. Tips For Efficient Packing
When it comes to packing your things, stick to a plan. Label your boxes carefully and avoid packing things from different rooms in the same box. Pack early so you have nothing left to box up on moving day. When you’re working with movers, let them know which boxes you need in your new home first so they can load these onto the truck last. You’ll also want to use a variety of box sizes to pack your possessions, with heavier things in smaller boxes and vice versa.
5. Arrange The Space
Organizing your new place after downsizing can feel like a lot, but setting things up just right is critical to enjoying your new space. Start by putting your go-to items in easy-to-reach spots, and think about clever storage ideas to maximize your space. As you unpack, keep only the stuff you genuinely love and use—no need to hold onto things that don’t serve you anymore. Tidied By K is here to take the stress out of this process!
6. Selling Your Home
Downsizing also involves selling your current home. If you’re competing with many other sellers, making a few upgrades before listing your home may be a good idea. Research area listings to better understand which home improvement projects are likely to increase the value of your home. Check the age of your appliances, as well! Simple, inexpensive upgrades like installing a kitchen backsplash and adding outdoor lighting will give you the most bang for your buck! Just make sure you give some thought to your renovation timeline.
Downsizing is a rewarding process that can improve your golden years in many ways. If you’d like to live in a smaller space, start the downsizing process immediately. Make a plan to sell your home and business, look for local storage solutions, and devise an efficient decluttering and packing plan. You might be surprised by how much time and stress a bit of preparation can save.
This post is all about sharing tips for downsizing in retirement to help make the process simpler and stress free.
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