Preparing to downsize? Then get organized!
Are you preparing to make a move from a family home to a smaller residence – perhaps a nursing home, a condominium, or a bungalow or apartment in an adult lifestyle community? Wendy Hollick, an Ontario-based professional organizer and estate coordinator, offers her tips:
DECLUTTER/PURGE – Start this process early so you can enjoy going through your belongings, sharing memories with family and friends along the way. This part of downsizing can be difficult, so pace yourself to a few hours a day. Purge closets, furniture, old hobby fixings, tools you'll no longer need and lawn-care supplies. Purge in every room.
GIVE family members and friends things you won't be taking to your new home. What they don't want can be sold or donated to charity.
ARRANGE for items to LEAVE as soon as decisions have been made – have family and friends take their items and arrange for charities to pick up donations ASAP.
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING – Determine what you can take with you, keeping in mind what will safely fit into your new home. Obtain a blueprint or floor plan for your new home, if possible. Remember, less is more. Measure your new space, taking into consideration light switches, safety switches if applicable, windows and doorways.
INVENTORY – Take an inventory of what you are taking with yoand use a sticker system to clearly identify what items are going where, for example, red stickers for items to donate, yellow for family and green for items going to your new home.
LABEL boxes for the room the box will be going into and include a brief description of contents. Make an inventory list and number your boxes.
MOVERS – Obtain quotations and ask questions. Does their fee include boxes, packing paper and wardrobe/picture boxes? What are the rules for transporting liquids? Try to book your move mid week or mid month to avoid busy times. You might save money too!
NOTIFY utilities of your upcoming move and other contacts of your new address.
SELLING YOUR HOME? Repair minor damages, and consider staging your home for a faster sale and a higher price.
CLEANING – Prepare a box for cleaning supplies, cloths, bucket, mop, broom, and paper towels, and take it to your new home in your vehicle so you have it on hand right away.
FAMILY – Discuss your future plans with your family and find out who’s available to help.
LEGAL – Make sure that your will is up-to-date and that it represents your current wishes. Let your family know your wishes and what your will entails to eliminate unnecessary stress that family members might be bearing.
Being prepared and organized will help your downsize go more smoothly.
Wendy Hollick is a professional organizer for Boomers 2 Zoomers Inc. – for more information visit boomers2zoomers.ca.
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