Senior Downsizing: Where Do You start?
If you’re over 60, chances are you are thinking about getting rid of your large home and “upgrading” to a smaller one. It makes perfect sense. You want a home that fits your lifestyle now. You don’t need a lot of bedrooms, and you sure don’t want to have the upkeep that a larger home demands.
So how do you begin the actual downsizing process?
The experts at Cowboy Moving & Storage in Denver, CO have put together this hand list of tips to help.
1. Don’t wait until you’ve found the perfect new home to start getting rid of household items you won’t be taking with you. If you start the process early, it won’t be as stressful and you can have more time to think about what you want to get rid of and whether you want to share it with family members, sell it on eBay or craigslist or donate it.
2. Some rooms are harder than others to sort through, so start easy! Start with the laundry room, linen closets or bathrooms. Garages, attics and basements can be filled with hobbies, crafts, boxes, holiday decorations and clutter. Ease in to those rooms.
3. Focus on the rooms that won’t be in your new home. You may not have an office or garage, or the space may be much smaller. Try this strategy: pack the things you know you’ll want to keep. As a rule, the stuff that’s left can be shared or donated.
4. As you go through items, ask yourself how often you actually use it. If its’ been on a shelf and hasn’t been touched for a year or more, it’s time to let it go.
5. Eliminate duplicate items. You don’t need three ladles and four cookie sheets.
6. You don’t’ have to get rid of entire collections. But you probably had to reduce the number of items you keep. Select your very favorites and take photos of the rest to keep in an album. Ask friends and family members if they want one of the pieces as a keepsake.
7. Give heirloom gifts early. Everyone has certain legacy items that will be passed down to family members. As you downsize, consider gifting them now instead of later. You can enjoy them in your family’s homes instead of trying to find room for them in yours.
8. Don’t be hard on yourself. It’s ok to reminisce about the past as you go through your home and pare down. Why not invite your kids or grandkids to come over so you can share these memories with them?
At Cowboy Moving & Storage, we know that new starts are exciting and also bittersweet. Our team of moving experts can help you pack, store and move your belongings. We’ve been helping Denver area families with all of their moving needs since 1968! And we’ve got more than 1,600 5-star reviews on ReviewBuzz. Check them out!
When You’re Ready to Downsize, Choose The Right Mover
You’ve finally decided to sell your home and downsize to a patio home, high-rise apartment, condo or smaller home that will give you more freedom and fewer responsibilities. Good for you! It’s a very exciting time, but also comes with a lot of decisions. What do you keep? What do you give to your children? What do you donate?
Will you move yourself or hire a professional?
Most seniors find it’s easier to use a professional mover. After all, you don’t want to move that 300-pound china hutch yourself, right? When it’s time to choose a moving company, there are some important considerations—especially since there are moving companies that actually target seniors because they think they can take advantage of them. These “scammers” will often promise to move you for one price, and then once your belongings are in the truck, they’ll demand more money while they keep your items hostage. The moving experts at Cowboy Moving & Storage, ”The Recommended Mover” in Colorado, put together these tips to help you choose the right mover.
• Get multiple moving estimates. Reputable moving companies will provide written estimates that should be very similar. If one company gives you an estimate that is much lower than the others, beware.
• Do your research. Look at online reviews for the moving companies you are considering. Check out their ratings with the Better Business Bureau, too. And make sure the moving company has an actual physical address. Many fly-by-night moving companies use multiple company names without an actual address.
• A reputable estimator will ask lots of questions while they are walking through your current residence. They’ll ask specific questions about what you’ll be moving and what you’ll be getting rid of.
• Don’t sign a blank moving contract. Your estimate and contract should include all details, including pick-up day and time, delivery date and extra fees.
• Ask for references and be sure to take the time to check them out.
At Cowboy Moving & Storage, we have helped thousands of seniors move to their new homes. Our team of professionals will make sure the move runs smoothly and stressfully. We’re here to help your new beginning be a wonderful one!
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