17 Comments. That means über-cozy beds, antique furniture or the wonky side table from your kid’s middle school shop class. If your wardrobe is making you feel overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, bad about your body, guilty or just plain frustrated, those are good signs it’s time to declutter your clothes and downsize your wardrobe. They can be donated to hospitals, jails, or homebound persons. If you haven’t used something and it has been sitting in a box for years, maybe it’s time to get rid of the item. Simplicity is the path.” You can live a simplified, downsized life, even in a big home in the suburbs. I see no reason to purchase it now”. This experience ignited a … It'll make you a healthier person and force you to re-heat your leftovers on the stove, which tastes better anyway. It helps to start planning your furniture and other large items first. Remember, some items may require climate … How do you put a 100 -150 year old book on an electronic reading device? An essential space, it should reflect your tastes and fit your lifestyle, especially when you’ve reached empty nester status. Downsizing For Tiny Life will show you... How to immediately identify what can be thrown away without guesswork or thought. Click here for the current AT&T DSL and U-VERSE promotion codes and promos and see if you can save more money every month from now on. But this is where you can truly dig in and change your life. Pin Share Email LightFieldStudios / Getty Images . To part with those beautiful books, many still in near pristine condition (speaks for the value I place on them) and some are old leather bound with gold leaf page edges, I cannot so easily part with – yet! I can live without them. If lifestyle deflation is your aim, you will need to take the proper steps, setting smaller goals that can be achieved in stages. If you’re moving in-state, poundage matters less. Then she files them in a special accordion folder dedicated to nostalgia and discards the rest. The following questions should help. I think it started in my late 40s after my parents passed away and my siblings and I were cleaning out their house that was full of stuff. There is a lot to be said for a little more simplicity, as many people are discovering in this recession. It’s often possible to find smaller, streamlined versions of what you have that take up less space. It frees up space in an already small home, which in turn brings more peace to my home. →, (I hate spam and promise that your information will never be shared.). Obviously you’ll need furniture in your new home. Instead of focusing on what to get rid of, though, set your sights on what you can’t live without or what you would replace if it were gone. Choose distinct corners or rooms for each pile. I’m working up the desire to declutter my life by getting an electronic reading device so that I don’t have so many books. Although I know that my husband would love it if there were fewer books to move…. Once you start pulling a few items, you’ll be able to really assess what you wear and don’t wear. Does your new home have a fridge already? Steps to Downsizing Your Home Tips for Sorting and More. It also helps to consider whether you need what you are buying, or even want it. Technology can make your life easier in this regard as well. This includes spaces such as: These niches often contain a) unused items (AKA junk), b) memories and c) larger items for sale. Subscribe to our newsletter to grab free amazing content and have it delivered to you, 5 Ways to Spend Less Money by Avoiding Temptation, Defi vs Cefi – How to Earn Income with Cryptocurrencies, 5 Creative and Fun Ways to Reach Your Financial Goals, 9 Better Ways to Use Your Tax Refund Instead of Spending It. Next, consider your priorities. An inventory will also help for any future estate concerns. However, books can be passed along to others when you’re finished, or traded for ones you haven’t read. Of course, I had to do this … Instead, go through your drawers and pull out the pieces you really can’t live without: your food processor, your well-loved pans, your silverware. With everybody basically stuck at home, now is a great time to declutter since we have so much time on our hands. Instead, scan your photos and save them to a computer or external hard drive. It was an old library and smelled of old books and oil cloths, which they used to polish all the wood. Hopefully we’ll be open by June, when the weather is nice and everybody can cash in on that yard sale. The same is true of budget travel when it’s finally safe to go on vacation. If you are ready to downsize your lifestyle, you can do so, with a little thoughtful planning. Written by. I am at the point that due to changes and sickness i need to learn how to cut back more . You can plan for a yard sale (and get a little extra cash) when we finally open up, donate to charity (and get a tax deduction), or pass your items along to relatives and friends who might need them (and feel good about helping someone else). i have always been really good about getting rid of items i don’t need. My own journey of discovering—and actually doing—my dream involved a lot of focus. You are asking the right question Jewel. If all of basic needs have been fulfilled ( primer sectors ), second sectors are ok. TIP 2: Determine your lifestyle needs . Either way, you’re trying to figure out how to downsize your life. Updated 07/20/20. Certain factors have come into play where it may very well be possible that I will be moving out of the country from the USA to the Dominican Republic. When I was a child, I would slip away to the library and spend hours there. If so, are you truly able to make space for them. Not only will it reduce the confusion, but it will provide a good reality check when you feel like “you’ve accomplished nothing.”. By doing this I narrowed my book collection significantly and now am reclaiming my wall space. Aye, I am currently in the beginning stages of downsizing my lifestyle in more ways than one. You don’t, however, have to wait before you start decluttering your current space. I wish I could cut the TV subscription but my husband is not ready to. Diane Schmidt. Don’t forget that you can also sell all your stuff online. . But, if you reduced that to 15% of your income, … This is the point at which most people say, “I can’t.” Most people don’t want to move to a smaller house, get an old car, or go without premium cable. This is proving more difficult than I would have thought since I love to read, but it’s something to consider if I want to downsize my lifestyle. What if it required you to do less, not more? If you're experiencing the empty … Here are eight great reasons for downsizing your life and enjoying happiness in a smaller home. How to Downsize: Take Inventory of What you Have Making a move is always a good time to create a list of items you own. It’s definitely easy to evaluate those important things and eliminate things that don’t really matter. First, you don't need a microwave. This will help you figure out which large furniture pieces you should get rid of before the move. Good for you. The ratio of income to housing costs is on average recommended to be around 28%. Several of my friends signed up and they are able to eat at home more because the instructions are easy to follow, making everything convenient. most PF sites i check out say get rid of cable. In my opinion, in all depend on personal or family economics factors. Think about what lifestyle you want to embrace as you move forward, suggests professional organizer Mary Dykstra, CPO, president elect for … And do let us know if you actually end up downsizing! The kitchen, more than any other room in the home, contains items you use every single day. 1. So, one college tee shirt and one snow globe from your every-state-in-the-continental-U.S. collection. Hopefully you will share some more in future. When you come across possessions that meet one of these descriptions, immediately place them at the designated station so you can dispose of them in batches, saving major time. Ask if each object “sparks joy,” as Marie Kondo explains it in her fabulous book. It’s hard to get a warm feeling with an electronic reader. You’ll also reduce your personal consumption and subsequently your ecological footprint, in the form of the energy and raw materials used in producing the plastic products. Take a look at each area of your life and write down all of your commitments. For couples and families, make sure everyone is on the same page to eliminate conflicts and hurt feelings down the road. Here’s a step-by-step guide to quell the ulcers and simplify the process. Does your new place have washer and dryer sets, or just hookups? If so, would you prefer to keep, gift or sell them? Additionally, some books cause me to recall memories (like photographs) of a time when I purchased the book and first read it – such as the times I spent with my husband while we each read quietly together. Or, have you perhaps already experienced the benefits of downsizing your life. Any time she has to sort through papers, she pulls out truly special pieces (best-in-class artwork, special family photographs, momentous b-day invitations). That said, I am culling some of my university texts (now 6 years post-grad and the information is becoming outdated), while I am preparing to downsize and retire. A smaller space may not allow seniors to keep everything, but they should be allowed to hold onto sentimental items. If so, would you be happier taking them with you, passing them on to family members. In this article, we will explore how to make the transition from a regular home, and how to downsize to allow your life to fit into an RV. While all attempts are made to present accurate information, it may not be appropriate for your specific circumstances. Make sure to account for doorways; sometimes even if your furniture would fit inside the space, you can’t get it in there to begin with. no rule is universal when it comes to PF, everything will work differently for every person. That would be so awesome! It wasn’t air conditioned but the old building remained comfortable even on the hottest summer days. And, of course, just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Just toss it! Ditto one pair of baby shoes, one item from the costume jewelry you no longer wear, one amazing trophy from your golf days. I think many people who want to downsize their life will benefit from volunteering, because it gives their life (and time) a productive boost. I have been over spending and living beyond my means for too long. In the month leading up to your move, it’s too late to do a proper job of decluttering and removing everything not coming with you. Ahh yes, the sensuality and uplifting feelings of owning, holding, smelling, reading and seeing books in my home! Thnks for posting. Priceless! Before long, you will have the simpler, less expensive lifestyle you want. The college tee shirts! For me, downsizing means de-cluttering my house. Capsule wardrobes—wardrobes edited down to just a few key pieces that can be mixed and matched—are an easy way to whittle down your clothing options and part with what you don't need. Practical Bathroom Organization Ideas for Real Life... How to Pack Dishes for Moving and Shipping, How to Keep Your House Organized Easily All Week Long. Tagged as: Frugal Living, Lifestyle, Money Management. For further validation, always visit the official site for the most up-to-date information. For $5 a month, they send you recipes of delicious, healthy, yet cheap food that costs just $5 a meal. In addition to discussing … Do you have any large collections you care about? These are hard questions, especially if you’re moving into a condo or apartment. I agree with Jamie O there. That’s at least one good thing happening for her in this pandemic. That’s what ye olde spouse is for, of course, but we’re here to offer you another tool as well: Go ahead and download it right now to keep you on track and reveal your progress. If we use our environment as an excuse to getting rid of stuff and simplifying our lives, there’s a good chance we’ll never get started. Most are educational in some form – historical, scientific, social and biographical. Ideally, you’ll know the square footage and shape of each room. Believe it or not, people are still willing to buy second hand stuff these days so for those who are looking for money right now, decluttering can be another way to generate income. The best way to downsize is to go room by room, making the big decisions first and then the small ones. The question is: What furniture will fit in your new, smaller home? Where can you reduce expenditures by several hundred dollars monthly? Many of us buy stuff because we are just bored, but if our life is fulfilled with activities like volunteering, we will naturally have less urges to buy/clutter our life up. If you are ready to downsize your lifestyle, you can do so, with a little thoughtful planning. I try to be the opposite, by holding on to only things that are of use to me and doing away with all outdated and useless things. Do you have any large sentimental items you’ve been holding onto, such as Aunt Bertha’s Civil War-era armoire? Whether you're an empty nester moving to a smaller home or are simply tired of stuff consuming your basement, garage, and attic, the idea of downsizing may … Not only do you have to face a whole new epoch in life, you likely have more possessions than you can take with you when moving to a smaller home. I see a theme here. By Arricca SanSone. Glad it’s working out for you and your family. How to Simplify Your Life: Gifts, Downsizing, Wardrobe, Work and … Then move on to other areas, and repeat the process. No, I cannot let go of my books – it’s asensual experience in itself to touch such things It’s a good heartwarming experience that I don’t think you can get from a cold metal/plastic item , That’s why getting an e-reader is proving such a challenge for me. Moving is the best way of getting rid of stuff. I’ve been putting off clearing out my garden shed for ages – maybe now is the time to start. Decide what is important to you. Is Scalping an Ethical Way to Make Extra Money? How can you get the old smell, the yellowing pages, the texture of the binding, and the feel, the reverence of something that old. The longer you try to hang on to a lifestyle you can no longer support, the deeper the pit you’ll be digging. Still stuck? We’ve been packing and organizing everything around the house so we can either throw it away or donate it. If you’re moving into a smaller single-family home, they’re a bit easier – but will still require thought. Here’s your step-by-step guide to paring down, packing smart and downsizing your home. Are you starting a new chapter in life, but you have no idea how to downsize your home? It might be time to clean out the garage, the attic, and all the little nooks where various items have been hidden for years. Other things? The art supplies from that oil-on-canvas phase! Keeping a hard drive full of pictures takes up a lot less space than boxes of photos, albums and scrapbooks. Any offers and rates shown on this site can change without notice and may contain information that is no longer valid. If your goal is to reduce the amount of food you get eating out, or via take-out, or in expensive packaged form, you will have to engage in meal planning and make time to cook at home. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of tips (and a free downsizing checklist) for making wise decisions throughout the downsizing process. I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up selling our place after all this is said and done since we won’t need as much space as we thought we needed! Of course, the downside to this type of decluttering is that it can mean an outlay of money. When downsizing, you can find some easy wins in those holes and crannies you rarely enter, or that tend to accumulate junk. In general, you may reduce your blood pressure by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) with each kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of weight you lose. ; What to do with the big-ticket items that you spent so much money on (this tip alone could save you over … The money I have spent on the books has come back in the value they have given me and can go on giving me as I re-read and refresh my memory for facts, events, comments and thoughts of the time. our full privacy policies and disclaimers by clicking here. You would think many people are scared to transact these days but I went to ebay and Craigslist just now and the postings are still lit up. This is a huge change from the American lifestyle to a Dominican lifestyle. I think that the point about taking small steps when decluttering is a very good one. Aug 8, 2016 Getty Images. Another essential step in downsizing your lifestyle is to get rid of the clutter in your life. The first step in lifestyle deflation is to cut out unnecessary expenses, and stop buying things and experiences you aren’t really interested in having. saving is wiser to face the future life, since we never know what happened next. It is possible to spend less money, and still live a full life. The obvious benefits to downsizing your home are the financial ones. This site may receive compensation from companies to offer an opinion about a product or service. Get A Taste of Music City, How to Take the Stress Out of Moving with Kids, Create a Realistic Moving Budget Using This Guide, Self Storage FAQs – Renting a Storage Unit. When it comes to paper keepsakes such as special art projects, certificates and other paper milestones, Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project has a brilliant system for filing sentimental items. “Downsizing your life is a rollercoaster of emotions. Check out our list of questions to ask yourself while decluttering sentimental items here. As a result, I am slowly transitioning to a mobile lifestyle where all I would need to possess is my laptop and wireless device (iPad, Blackberry) but a plan is needed for a Dominican lifestyle which is a huge difference from the American lifestyle. What can you change about your life? Sometimes, when you’re overwhelmed, you just need someone else to tell you it’s okay. What about your hobby space – woodshop/sewing room/craft closet… Will space allow for all equipment and supplies? There’s a real comfort in reading a real book, turning the paper pages, and curling up with it in the evening. Many of us look around and wonder how we ended up with so much stuff. Shop Less After Divorce . First, you must know that I prefer a simple lifestyle: a few items of favorite clothing I feel confident in, quality kitchenware that I love and that lasts, and good furniture that I cherish long-term. In order to properly downsize, you have to know the size of the space you’re aiming to fit into. If you want your family to enjoy simpler, frugal activities, you will need to plan ahead to make time and look for discounts. She has been writing on topics surrounding moving for over a decade. All of this information you provided is great, and really the basis to developing a great budget. Discuss the answers with your partner (if applicable) and think carefully about larger or more complicated items before you decide what stays and what goes to your new home. As someone working with people in … Take your cue from business strategy - restructure. Make a plan works for investing, it works for downsizing, and it probably works for other stuff too right? Great - let's find it for you! Again, don’t focus on what to eliminate. By starting with the big items and getting increasingly granular, you’ll soon create a simplified yet cozy, decluttered yet significant set of possessions just perfect for that new, smaller home. The knick-knacks are next to go… then old dishes which I never use… then extra furniture which I seem to have been acquiring… now I just need the energy to get them all out of here! I learned a lot from these article. Sometimes I wonder why I spend the money on things that don’t get used much. A home for me would not be the same without my books, my radio (to keep abreast of what is happening in the world today) and my kettle for making a cuppa. Start three months in advance, and aim to finish before the last month in your old home. My love affair with books began over 50 years ago and it’s not likely that it will end soon. Discuss the answers with your partner (if applicable) and think carefully about larger or more complicated items before you decide what stays and what goes to your new home. We also treat your privacy seriously. More than anything else when downsizing, we get stuck in nostalgia. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail, Free signup to get a free ebook on How to Save Money on Everything! Sure, objects of great sentimental value I may hold on to but only to a point. Before you can downsize your lifestyle, you need to understand what you are spending money on, and decide whether there’s a better way to use your money. This information can probably located on the internet these days. A small storage unit can provide a safe place to store these for the time being, without forcing seniors to part with them. Prioritizing is important. It saves us a nice piece of change each year and also cuts down on mindless tv watching. I shall be downsizing with many of my books, even if they are held in storage while I travel or work away from ‘home’. Do you like what you see? sometimes it takes a few weeks or a month to tell myself to just do it, but most of the time i can get rid of items, to allow space for other items. Information presented on Personal Finance Blog by MoneyNing is intended for informational purposes only and should not be mistaken for financial advice. Ditto furniture, china sets or fancy light fixtures? A moving and relocation expert, Sarah has even moved internationally to Belize in Central America. Or several thousand dollars? Not so long ago, I reduced my possessions to 200 items and I have never felt better! When he finally takes the plunge, we can also get rid of a monthly phone bill that is part of the TV package. I’m amazed at how things “creep up” when we don’t pay a lot of attention to the things we say yes to. I’m a recent college grad and i need to get a handle of things while i’m young. Downsizing Your Life Are you thinking about downsizing in retirement? Encourage your husband to try to find alternative ways to watch his favorite shows and you will save even more! I cut my cable TV subscription a few years ago even though we could clearly afford it. Diane Schmidt. Brenda leads an online course, has a membership site, and has written a book all about downsizing – all because of how she downsized in just 31 days. You are right. We strive to provide honest opinions and findings, but the information is based on individual circumstances and your specific experiences may vary. The question becomes, do you like your appliances enough to pay movers the $25-$50 an hour it will cost to get them from A to B? She also recommends choosing one representative item for collections. Mortgage, insurance and utilities can be significantly less with a smaller house. Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. The macaroni art! . Start planning your downsizing early and set goals. Downsizing is good if you desire to increase your cash flows for the sole purpose of running PPC advertising on your affiliate links. the good and bad of this is even thought i get rid of something within a few months i am probably going to go out a spend money on something else and the vicious circle continues. But someone or family must have planning in the future ( education, health, insurance and etc ). For example, instead of using disposable plastic bags, use reusable ones. This means if the move happens, nearly 100 percent of every material thing I possess here in the USA will have to be sold before I leave the country. It works for a majority of household things. Downsizing your wardrobe can help you get rid of the excess, the distractions and the things you don’t like or wear from your wardrobe. I too love books… but more to the point, I LOVE reading! Now that pretty much all competitive sports are on hold, you really get to see what it’s like to not watch any sports. measure your new space and your furniture, set your sights on what you can’t live without, or selling them on eBay and shipping them off to new owners, How to Save Money on Self-Storage by Finding the Best Deals, 15 Helpful Tips to Maximize Kitchen Space, 13 Tips for the Most Organized Kitchen Ever, Check out our list of questions to ask yourself while decluttering sentimental items here, brilliant system for filing sentimental items, Marie Kondo explains it in her fabulous book, The Ultimate Moving Checklist + Free Moving Printables Kit, 8 Reasons Why You’ll Love Living in Las Vegas, Moving to Las Vegas: The 2020 Locals’ Guide, Moving to Nashville? Constantly expanding, it will be the biggest money saving ebook available, and it's FREE! It makes sense to know where you’re moving before you start a full pack job. Downsize Your Life and Feel Lighter and Freer. It sure beats watching the news all day on what’s the latest on the coronavirus response. If your move to a smaller home means moving into a smaller kitchen, though, these posts may come in handy: Now that you’ve made tough decisions about big items, done some serious decluttering and pared down your furniture, it’s time to deal with the thousands and thousands of smaller possessions that make up a home. It’s all part of the enjoyment of handling and rereading the book. so far i like what I am reading. It'll help with homeowner's insurance and renter's insurance if you ever need to make a claim. Your Mortgage Will Be Lower. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband, two kids and two dogs.
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