"Downsizing Made Easy"

Start Now. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time to downsize prior to your move.

Set Small Sustainable Goals. Dedicate one month to a particular room. Devote one hour, three times a week.

Sort - If you have not worn, read, used or touched in one year - it goes to a Sell Pile, a Charity/Give-Away Pile, or a Trash Pile. Items you are keeping, of course, remain where they are, in use.

We suggest setting tables up in the garage. During the sort process, gradually take items to the designated Sell or Charity/Give-Away tables. Leave them there for awhile. Have family members who may want the items come choose or tag what they want.

Be Firm With Adult Children. Its now or never to choose items you are currently giving away. Have them bring their own packing materials, boxes, trucks and moving assistance and set a date and time for each to pick-up and remove the items they are keeping.

Before You Sell or Donate Bring In A Professional. Have an appraiser check over items prior to sale to be certain you are not short-selling an important valuable item. If you don’t use items during the interim have a garage sale and take the unsold items to charity. You can hire an Estate Liquidator or conduct the sale yourself.

Repeat Above With “Keep” Items. Ask yourself do you really need it or enjoy it on a regular basis? Will these items work for you in your new residence or lifestyle?

Create A “Grandchild Box”. Put each child’s name on individual box and fill with family heirlooms you wish to pass on to that child. Write fun stories and descriptions of the items, perhaps sharing about how you received it and the person who once owned it. Keep the boxes to give to each grandchild when they are old enough to appreciate it.

Take Action. Deliver the items to auction, charity or the trash or recycling center.

Travel Souvenirs. Choose something to keep that symbolizes the best of all your travel memories. Keep the best and pass along the rest.

Clothes and Shoes. If you haven’t worn them in the past year, you probably will not wear them again. Pass along old styles, which are too large or too small and only keep what you are actually wearing now.

In The Future. For every new item you buy, get rid of one, preferably two old items you no longer need.

*This article was adapted from an article entitled, “Downsizing Tips” by Francine Proulx, MS, ASA, ISA AM, President of Art/Antiques Information Resource, LLC, who serves her clientele in the Washington D. C. area of the United States. It has been printed with her permission. For our East Coast clients, Francine may be reached by email at: Francine@ArtAntiquesInfo.com. or by calling her at: 703-395-7015.