Is it time for your Boomer clients to downsize? Here are some downsizing tips to help your clients scale down and scale back their possessions. The upside of downsizing? Fewer possessions/less stuff can easily lead to more spontaneous, more fancy-free living.
1. Take an inventory of ALL belongings. Include everything so you know exactly what you have. Be through and be specific…write down everything and include how many of each thing, its condition, its value, etc. Make sure you include measurements of everything as well. This inventory list can become a packing list as well as a list that will help you estimate your moving costs.
2. Draw up a floor plan of the new house/condominium/etc. Write down the exact measurements of every room, door, hallway so you know whether or not your existing “stuff” will fit into your new living space. Couple this floor plan with your inventory list to make the best use of your new available living space and to help you save time and money by not moving stuff that won’t fit into the floor plan.
3. Consider all relevant circumstances such as Climate – do you need a snow blower in Miami? Daily routine – do you need a lawn mower in an apartment?
Cost of moving – do you still need patio furniture?
Value – are the antiques/heirlooms/art you have of
“real” value or sentimental value? Find out before you pay to move them.
Practicality – leave whatever is worn-out, outdated,
broken, unused for a year or more.
Content – if it doesn’t fit it, leave it. You won’t use it.
“Leaving it” means donating it, consigning it, giving it to family/friends and/or leaving it behind. .4. Organize everything into piles or sections for the purpose of de-cluttering everything…this means every drawer, under every bed, etc.
Keepers – these are useful, coveted, valuable things
that need to be packed and labeled carefully.
For sale – things that are unneeded and in good condition to be sold on eBay, Craigslist, etc.
Give-aways – things to be donated to charity, family, friends, etc.
Throw aways – things that are damaged, broken, worn out.
4. Keep everything in a separate room.
5. Start this process of organized de-cluttering as soon as possible so you don’t make any mistakes and don’t sell anything you need, don’t have the time to donate what you can’t sell or become completely overwhelmed with the whole process.
6. Sell/donate/give away as soon as possible so you’re not tempted to keep stuff you don’t need or can’t use.
7. Donate excess toys that remain in good condition.
8. Donate or throw away low quality clothing.
9. De-clutter the garage of outdoor furniture, hoses, planters, equipment, trashcans, etc. You won’t use them and they’re too expensive to move.
10. Throw away old sheets and towels.
11. Have a huge party to use up your food and liquor.
