There are many different reasons for downsizing. Your kids have moved out, you want to live in a smaller space to deduct monthly expenses, you are retired, home larger than you now need, it is becoming too difficult to maintain, etc. No matter what your reason is, accept this challenge and do it like a pro and with ease. We have some simple tips on how to do it properly and what to do with items you don’t need anymore.
Tips for downsizing
Decide what items you want to keep and what items you want to toss. It is part of the preparation for the move. What to do with items you don’t need anymore?
- Sell – one of the best options is to sell items you are not going to use again if they are in good shape. Organize a yard sale and earn some money when downsizing. Also, you can sell items online.
- Donate – if you want to make a nice thing for someone, then donate items you don’t need anymore. You can even donate food when moving. There are many donation organizations in the USA where you can donate clothing, furniture, books, toys, etc.
- Throw away – when items are too damaged and not useful anymore, then you should recycle or just throw it away.
Digitalize everything you can
Don’t keep old tax documents, real estate files, and other paperwork in your home, especially not in your office when you have more documentations. You can scan important documents and recycle the rest of them.
Even when you use moving boxes, try to be environment friendly. Looking for eco-friendly options such as using reusable moving bins and go green. If you are moving, recycle moving boxes and find clever ways what to do with leftover boxes.
Collect enough packing supplies
You will need packing supplies for moving your items or storing them. So, collect enough moving boxes, storage bins, and wrapping materials. Also, make sure you have different size storage bins and don’t let space go to waste. Pack items like a pro and use maximum of moving boxes, especially if you are storing items in the house.
Rent a storage unit
When moving into a micro-home, sometimes it is hard to say goodbye to your items. If you cannot get rid of them, rent a storage unit in the city where you will live. You can store there all your items you don’t use often such as off-season items.
Downsizing doesn’t have to mean you need to throw away all your items. You can keep them. If your apartment is too small for belongings, then renting a storage unit is one of the options to consider. Choose the right size storage unit according to how many items you have to store and research storage companies near you.