The Directory 2023-2024

Downsize The upside of downsizing KimGreen Senior Move Manager Soft Landing Transitions, LLC B y the time my mom moved from independent living to her new Here are some practical dispersal methods that will help prepare you for the downsizing process: • Th rift shop donations Items for resale must be clean, gently used, or nearly new, and in working condition.

assisted living apartment, our family had already helped her downsize her belongings several times. Th is time she was moving to an apartment with a third less kitchen cabinet space and no stovetop. There’s something cathartic about reducing and recycling in preparation for your downsizing move “ Mom,” I asked, “which one of these four spatulas would you like to keep?” “I want them all!” Mom responded. I gently explained the lack of drawers in the new space. “Mom, you won’t have a stove. Which one of these spatulas would you like to keep?” “All of them!” she declared adamantly. We kept all four spatulas. Many older adults are considering moving to smaller living spaces, but the thought of what to do with all of their stu ff is overwhelming. Here’s what I’ve learned from my experience: Start small with a closet. We wear about 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time. Next, tackle a kitchen drawer. Do you really need four spatulas? And now move onto the bathroom. How many of those hotel shampoos do you really need? Th ere’s something cathartic about reducing and recycling. It feels good to clean out a closet at your leisure rather than at the last minute before a move.

In most cases, you deliver them, though a few will o ff er pick up. Donation sites have guidelines. Call before you drop o ff your items to ensure they’ll be accepted. • Social media seller sites Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Nextdoor, and others are popular sites for buying and selling home decor, furniture, etc. Th e seller must photograph, post, price, communicate, and determine payment and delivery options using their computer or smartphone. It is time-consuming. • Consignment shops Here’s another way to resell items. Generally, the seller must deliver the items to the shop and they are sold for you. Shops vary and may consign everything from clothing to home decor to high end furniture, and typically take a 40 percent commission. (You receive 60 percent of the sale price.) • Online auctions An online auction reseller selects items from the home that are considered marketable for resale.

Use the RAFT method to sort papers into four labeled piles: Read Items to be read are in this pile. Articles, magazines, and fl yers. Action Paper that requires you to do something is in this pile. File Anything that needs to be fi led goes in this pile. Toss And fi nally, make a pile of paper to recycle. NOTE: If a piece of paper contains your personal, fi nancial, health, or similarly sensitive information, it should be shredded.

Downsize continues on page 59 >

Your Moving Solution! ● Downsizing ● Packing ● Resettling KimGreen Senior Move Manager 763.639.5931 www.softlandingtransitions.com

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