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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022
Organize, declutter, donate--downsize and simplify your life Downsizing For Dummies provides you with strategies to downsize your life by moving to a smaller home, decluttering, simplifying your budget, and saving more money. You'll find tips to help decrease your cost of living, lower your home maintenance costs, protect and leverage your assets, and decide whether downsizing is right for you and your family. After downsizing your life, you'll save time on household chores and gain the freedom and flexibility that come with having fewer possessions. What will you do with all the time you save? Downsizing For Dummies will help you understand the benefits of living simply! * Discover ways to declutter and simplify every corner of your life * Weight the pros and cons of moving to a smaller home * Save time and money by cutting down on your chores and home maintenance * Experience a reduced stress level when you create space at home and work This book is for anyone who is ready to live clutter-free and to downsize. It's the perfect Dummies guide for homeowners looking to save money, plus real estate brokers who are working with clients who are downsizing, and designers and builders of new homes who want to stay on top of the downsizing trend.
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Downsizing For Dummies®
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Copyright © 2023 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2022947717
ISBN 978-1-119-91006-0 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-91007-7 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-91008-4 (ebk)
Downsizing For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Downsizing For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting Started with Downsizing
Chapter 1: Downsizing in a Nutshell
Downsizing: Who, What, When, Where, and Why?
Envisioning Your Future
Navigating a Major Lifestyle Transition
Getting All Your Ducks in a Row
Protecting and Leveraging Your Assets
Decluttering Basics
Moving Out and Moving On
Our Downsizing Experience
Chapter 2: Deciding Whether Downsizing Is Right for You (or Your Parents)
Recognizing Common Reasons People Downsize
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Downsizing
Analyzing Your Situation and Mindset
Considering Your Loved Ones
Making the Tough Call for an Aging Loved One
Settling a Major Dilemma: To Sell or Not to Sell Your Home
Chapter 3: Envisioning Your Future: Lifestyle and Location
Building Your Vision
Choosing a Location: Factors to Consider
Opting for a Nomadic Existence
Researching Locations
Test-Driving a Location or Lifestyle
Chapter 4: Laying the Groundwork
Developing a Positive Mindset
Consulting with Family Members (or Not)
Tabulating Your Net Worth and Monthly Income
Distinguishing between Essentials and Extras
Drawing Up Preliminary Plans
Chapter 5: Rallying the Troops
Tapping Your Family for Help
Getting a Little Help from Your Friends
Hiring Professionals
Delegating and Coordinating with Team Members
Motivating Your Crew
Helping a Loved One Downsize
Part 2: Protecting and Leveraging Your Assets
Chapter 6: Getting a Handle on Your Finances
Calculating Your Net Worth
Gauging Your Cash Flow
Accounting for Medical Insurance and Health-care Costs
Planning to Live on a Fixed Income
Chapter 7: Planning Your Estate
Getting up to Speed on Estate Planning Basics
Step 1: Preparing Your Will(s)
Step 2: Keeping Your Valuable Assets Out of Probate
Step 3: Creating a Power of Attorney
Step 4: Ensuring You Have Some Control over Medical Decisions
Step 5: Planning Your Business Succession
Step 6: Buying Life Insurance (or Not)
Step 7: Documenting Your End-of-Life Plan
Step 8: Gathering and Organizing Essential Documents
Step 9: Completing an Estate Planning Checklist
Chapter 8: Using Your Home to Generate Income
Leasing Your Home (or a Part of It)
Selling Your Home
Borrowing Against Your Home to Cash Out Equity
Making the Most of a Reverse Mortgage
Part 3: Decluttering: Sell It, Give It Away, or Trash It
Chapter 9: Sorting Your Belongings
Mastering Decluttering Basics
Stop Cluttering
Decluttering One Room at a Time
Sorting Your Stuff into Six Categories
Chapter 10: Digitizing Photos, Videos, and Documentation
Exploring Your Digital Storage Options
Eliminating Unnecessary Documents, Photos, and Videos
Scanning Photos and Documents
Transforming Photos into Memorabilia
Digitizing Your Video Collection
Chapter 11: Selling Stuff You No Longer Want or Need
Finding Out How Much Something Is Worth
Exploring Ways to Sell Your Belongings
Selling Your Belongings Online
Hosting an Estate Sale
Conducting a Garage Sale
Chapter 12: Giving Away Some Stuff
Returning Items to Your “Kids”
Being Prepared for Disappointment
Deciding Which Family Member Gets the Family’s Treasures
Offering Your Belongings to Family Members and Others
Donating Items to Nonprofits
Pushing It to the Curb
Chapter 13: Storing Stuff You Can’t Part With
Reconsidering: Will You Really Ever Need This Item?
Exploring Your Storage Options
Protecting Your Valuables
Insuring Your Valuables
Chapter 14: Disposing of Your Remaining Belongings
Recycling as Much as Possible
Having Your Junk Hauled Off in Dumpster
Disposing of Toxic Items
Hiring a Company to Haul Away Your Junk
Part 4: Moving Out and Moving In
Chapter 15: Gimme Shelter: Choosing a Home
Finding Your Place in the World: Location, Location, Location
Deciding Whether to Buy or Rent
Deciding Whether to Build or Buy
Estimating the Living Space You’ll Need
Considering Mobility and Accessibility
Exploring Your Housing Options
Accounting for Additional Costs
Chapter 16: Buying and Selling a Home
Deciding Whether to Sell or Keep Your Current Home as a Rental
Deciding Whether to Buy First or Sell First
Choosing Whether to Pay Cash or Finance Your Purchase
Picking the Right Real Estate Agents for You
Timing the Market (or Not)
Getting a Home Equity Line of Credit (Just in Case)
Accounting for Taxes on the Sale of Your Home
Chapter 17: Packing Your Belongings
Taking the Easy Way Out: Hiring a Professional
Doing the Packing Yourself
Chapter 18: Executing a Successful Move
Changing Your Mailing Address
Arranging Transportation: Trucks or Portable Containers?
Switching Your Utilities
Unpacking: Decluttering, Round 2
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Chapter 19: Ten Good Reasons to Downsize
Reduce Your Cost of Living
Spend Time and Money on What Really Matters
Save Time and Effort Cleaning, Maintaining, and Repairing Property
Become More Mobile and Flexible
Reduce Stress
Spend More Time with Loved Ones
Alleviate the Future Burden on Loved Ones
Optimize Your Health and Fitness
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Work Less
Chapter 20: Ten Tips to Make Downsizing Less Stressful
Focus on What to Keep, Not What to Get Rid Of
Follow the One-Year Rule
Downsize One Room at a Time
Set a Manageable Deadline and Milestones
Follow the OHIO Rule
Host a Sorting/Packing Party
Pack an Essentials Box
Have Your Adult Children Clear Out Their Belongings
Create a Yes and No Pile (No Maybe Pile)
Opt for Amenities Over Square Footage
Chapter 21: Ten (or So) Ways to Reduce Your Living Expenses
Slash Your Insurance Costs
Reduce Cable TV, Internet, and Phone Costs
Cancel Subscriptions
Reduce or Eliminate Vehicle Expenses
Clear Out Your Storage Unit
Take Better Care of Yourself
Shed Your Consumer Debt
Use Cash-Back Credit Cards
Buy Your Groceries Online
Set Spending Caps
Ask About Senior Discounts
Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Supplement Your Income
Find a Part-Time Job
Manage Property
Start a Business
Watch Other People’s Pets
House-Sit
Sell Your Crafts
Tutor or Substitute Teach
Become a Driver
Build a Career as a Social Media Influencer
Become a Virtual Assistant
Index
About the Authors
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 16
TABLE 16-1 Short-term Capital Gains Tax Rates (2022)
TABLE 16-2 Long-term Capital Gains Tax Rates (2022)
List of Illustrations
Chapter 1
FIGURE 1-1: The front of the home we downsized from.
FIGURE 1-2: The back of the home we downsized from.
FIGURE 1-3: The front of the home we downsized to.
FIGURE 1-4: A cozy back porch.
Chapter 6
FIGURE 6-1: Open an account on the SSA website.
FIGURE 6-2: You can add to basic Medicare coverage or opt for a Medicare Advant...
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: Before downsizing, we had a traditional walk-in closet.
FIGURE 9-2: After downsizing: Optimized storage with everything in easy reach.
FIGURE 9-3: Our Lazy Lee doubles the storage capacity of a typical pantry.
FIGURE 9-4: Before downsizing: Our original laundry room.
FIGURE 9-5: After downsizing: The bare essentials but still plenty of storage.
FIGURE 9-6: Our two-car garage was spacious.
FIGURE 9-7: Our new garage optimizes its vertical space for storage.
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1: Giving away a priceless item while sending goodwill into the world...
FIGURE 11-2: OfferUp leads you through the process of listing your item for sal...
Guide
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Index
About the Authors
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Introduction
Do you feel crowded by clutter? Are you a prisoner of your possessions? Has your pursuit of the American Dream become a nightmare, leaving you feeling disenchanted and deep in debt? Do you yearn for a simpler life with a healthier work-life balance — less toil and turmoil and more living? Have your children moved out, leaving you in a house that’s far too big and with an emptiness you need to fill? Are you worried about leaving your loved ones with a big mess when you’re no longer around to help clean it up? Are you having to downsize your parents, who should have scaled back years ago but kept putting it off until they can no longer do it themselves?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you need to downsize (yourself or someone else) — shed possessions and perhaps move to a smaller home to make life less cluttered, more affordable, and more manageable; free your mind; and focus on what really matters at this stage in your life.
If you’re like most people, you’re dreading the prospect of downsizing. The process can be very stressful and overwhelming, but like most major life changes, it can open the door to new possibilities that you may never have imagined. In fact, it can be the first step on the path to a totally new life. Even so, it’s no less a challenge, and you’re probably thinking that you could really use some help right now — guidance from people who have been through the process and have firsthand experience.
Welcome to Downsizing For Dummies. We’ve been through the downsizing process several times, not only downsizing ourselves recently but also our parents and grandparents. We’ve observed and felt the emotional conflicts and pain of having to part with treasured possessions, leave the family home, and transition to a new lifestyle. We’ve done the hard work of researching locations, finding the perfect living situation for ourselves and our loved ones, building a new home (when we decided to downsize), sorting, packing, moving, and all the many tasks those processes entail. In this book, we share the collective wisdom we gained through our experience to make your downsizing journey as smooth and successful as possible.
About This Book
Downsizing For Dummies is a guide to living a richer, fuller life with less stuff, lower bills, and fewer worries. It’s a guide for envisioning and transitioning to a life with fewer possessions that’s better suited to your current needs and desires. After all, downsizing isn’t restricted to retirees who need to shed their possessions and move to a smaller home. Downsizing can benefit anyone. It’s all about using your personal, professional, and financial assets most efficiently to live the life of your dreams, whether your dream life revolves around family, travel, leisure, adventure, comfort and security, work, or all of the above, regardless of your age.
In Downsizing For Dummies, we lead you step-by-step through the process, from deciding whether downsizing is right for you (or a loved one) to executing a successful move and transitioning to a new life. Along the way, we guide you through the process of envisioning your future lifestyle; choosing a location; getting other people to help; planning and managing your finances and your estate; digitizing photos and important documents; sorting, selling, giving away, and disposing of your possessions; and buying (or building) and selling a home. With this book and your own creativity, talent, intelligence, and energy, you’ll be able to envision a richer, fuller, more manageable future and successfully transition yourself or your loved one to that new life.
We wrote this book so that you can approach it in either of two ways: You can flip to any chapter for a quick, stand-alone mini course on a specific downsizing topic, or you can read it from cover to cover. You may not need all the information and guidance that’s packed into this book. For example, if you’ve already decided to downsize and have a clear vision of your future life, you can skip Chapters 2 and 3 and head directly to Chapter 4 to start crafting your downsizing plan and setting the stage for a successful transition. Likewise, if you’ve already engaged in estate planning with your attorney and financial advisor, you can skip Chapter 7. We don’t want you to have to read any more than necessary — you have enough on your mind.
Foolish Assumptions
Every book, article, screenplay, blog post, and other written document makes assumptions about the audience, the purpose for writing the piece, the scope of the material to be covered, and the appropriate tone. As we began to develop the concept for this book, we made the following foolish assumptions:
You’re downsizing your personal possessions, not a business.
Downsizing is a hot topic both in families and for businesses. This book is not about downsizing a business to reduce overhead. It’s about downsizing a household to make it more affordable and manageable and free up resources to pursue other opportunities in life.
You’re not necessarily an older retired person.
Although most people seeking help with downsizing are older retirees (or their children), people of any age can benefit from downsizing, depending on their circumstances and the life they envision for themselves. For example, we know young children and teenagers who are in dire need of some downsizing in their bedrooms.
You’re committed to improving your life or the life of a loved one.
We assume that you’re feeling some level of dissatisfaction with your life or the living situation of a loved one. It’s just not working, and you need to do something about it. We wrote this book to help people overcome a major challenge in their life: a living situation that’s no longer sustainable, perhaps because of financial strain, concerns about a loved one’s safety and security, a strong desire for a different and better life, or some other reason.
You’re overwhelmed by the prospect of downsizing and don’t know where to start.
The thought of downsizing can trigger the fight-flight-or-freeze response. Right now, we assume you feel like the proverbial deer in the headlights — frozen in place, unable to move, because downsizing seems so daunting. We’ve broken down the process for you and provided the guidance and assurance you need to tackle what can be an overwhelming task with confidence.
Icons Used in This Book
Throughout this book, we’ve sprinkled icons in the margins to cue you in on different types of information that call out for your attention. Here are the icons you’ll see and a brief description of each.
We want you to remember everything you read in this book, but if you can’t quite do that, remember the important points we flag with this icon.
Tips provide insider insight from behind the scenes. When you’re looking for a better, faster, cheaper way to do something, check out the tips.
“Whoa!” This icon appears when you need to be extra vigilant or seek professional help before moving forward.
Beyond the Book
In addition to the priceless information and guidance you’ll find in the pages of this book, you can access the Downsizing For Dummies Cheat Sheet online. Just go to www.dummies.com, and enter “Downsizing For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the search box.
The Cheat Sheet includes downsizing pros and cons, relocation factors to consider, seven ways to get a loved one on board with downsizing, guidance on how to budget for your post-downsizing lifestyle, and decluttering basics.
Where to Go from Here
You should be walking to the cashier and handing them this book! But … after that, Downsizing For Dummies presents the guidance you need in the sequence that follows the downsizing process itself, starting with envisioning your future life (post downsizing) and wrapping up with executing the transition to that new life. However, you may take a different approach, or you may already be in the early stages of downsizing and finished with some of the required tasks, so feel free to skip around.
We recommend starting with Chapter 1, which covers the downsizing process in a nutshell. Reading this chapter first gives you the mental framework for understanding the rest of the topics and how they fit into a cohesive downsizing strategy.
If you’re still on the fence about whether downsizing is right for you or a loved one, head to Chapter 2, where we help you make that determination. You may also want to check out Chapter 3 for inspiration, especially if you’re having trouble envisioning and planning for the future. Chapters 4 and 5 can come in handy to ensure that you have a solid downsizing plan in place and many hands on deck to execute it before diving in.
Downsizing also involves getting a handle on your finances and becoming a master of using all your assets efficiently to finance your lifestyle. When you’re ready to take control of your finances, check out the chapters in Part 2.
If you find yourself wondering, “What am I going to do with all this stuff?!” turn to Part 3, where we provide guidance on sorting your possessions, digitizing photos and documents, and selling, storing, giving away, and disposing of your belongings. Here’s where you do all the heavy lifting.
If your downsizing dream involves living a nomadic existence, you can pretty much skip the chapters in Part 4, but if you need housing, you can find guidance here related to buying or building a home, selling your existing home, packing your belongings, and coordinating a successful move.
In Part 5, “The Part of Tens,” we provide some bonus material, including ten good reasons to downsize, ten tips for less stressful downsizing, ten ways to reduce your living expenses, and ten ways to supplement your income.
That’s all the direction we’re going to provide. Where you go from here is pretty much up to you, but we encourage you to dive in whatever starting point you choose. This is the rest of your life we’re talking about.
Part 1
Getting Started with Downsizing
IN THIS PART…
Get a quick primer on downsizing, so you can begin to envision the possibilities and get a feel for what it involves, regardless of whether you’re moving or downsizing in place.
Weigh the pros and cons of downsizing to find out whether it’s the right choice for you or an aging relative and discover your
why
for downsizing, so you’ll have a purpose in place to drive the process.
Paint the big picture of your downsized life — how you’ll be living when you’re free from all the stuff that has been tying you down and distracting you from what really matters in your life.
Devise your downsizing plan so all the pieces are in place to ensure success and clarify in your mind what needs to be done and how you’re going to do it.
Recruit friends and family members to pitch in.
Arrange the professional assistance you need to ensure a smooth and successful process that’s not too overwhelming for you.
Chapter 1
Downsizing in a Nutshell
IN THIS CHAPTER
Answering the five key downsizing questions
Opening your eyes to new lifestyle opportunities
Laying the groundwork for successful downsizing
Optimizing the use of your existing assets
Letting go of everything that’s weighing you down
Selling your current home and exploring new living arrangements
Much of what we acquire in life isn’t worth dragging into the next leg of our journey. Travel light. You will be better equipped to travel far.
— GINA GREENLEE
Anytime you approach a new topic or task, it can seem overwhelming, especially in the case of something like downsizing, because there’s not only so much you need to know but also so much you need to do and often so little time to do it. You need to figure out where you’re going to live, how you’re going to live for the next decade or two or three, and when you’re going to make the transition. You need to get rid of a bunch of stuff, some of which you may be very emotionally attached to. You need a financial plan in place to be sure that your money lasts for as long as you do. You need to sell your home and buy or rent a new place. You need to keep all your loved ones posted. Downsizing gets complicated and overwhelming in a hurry.
To make downsizing less complex and burdensome, you can benefit from having a general understanding of the overall process — a conceptual framework on which to hang all the details. In this chapter, we provide you with that framework. Think of it as the downsized version of Downsizing For Dummies. Here, we introduce you to the most important information and guidance you need to execute a successful downsizing mission and redirect you to chapters in the book where you can find additional coverage of each topic.
Downsizing: Who, What, When, Where, and Why?
In a way, downsizing can be boiled down to answering five questions: Who? What? When? Where? and Why? Who’s downsizing? What are you keeping and getting rid of? When are you planning to make the transition? Where are you going to live? and Why are you downsizing? Answer those five questions, and you’ll have the clarity you need to move forward with conviction. If you struggle with any of those questions, maybe you’re just not ready to downsize.
In this section, we provide guidance on how to answer each of these key questions.
Who?
Who’s downsizing? may be the most complicated of the five questions and the most difficult to answer, especially if more than one person is involved in the process. Answering this question involves identifying both the people doing the downsizing and the people being downsized. Often, these are the same people; for example, we downsized ourselves from a 7,000-square-foot home to a condo less than half that size. However, the people being downsized and those doing the downsizing can be different — for example, adult children downsizing their ailing parents from their family home to an assisted living facility. See Chapter 5 for more about getting others involved.
Answering the question of who’s downsizing also may require a deeper dive into personalities and circumstances. If you’re downsizing yourself or yourself and a partner, you need to explore who you are at this stage of your life, evaluate your current living situation, and consider your vision for the future. To find out whether you’re a good candidate for downsizing, answer the following questions:
Do I have a strong desire to stay where I am or am I willing to consider moving?
If you love where you’re currently living, you may decide to downsize in place — reducing your possessions while remaining in your home. You may also be able to convert a portion of your home into an independent living space for yourself and rent out the rest. On the other hand, if you’re open to the idea of moving, why not check out your options?
How long can I continue living here comfortably and safely?
Consider your finances and health and your desire to continue to maintain your current residence. Can you afford it in terms of money, time, and energy? Do you want to invest the effort in caring for a larger home than you currently need?
Would downsizing help or hinder my ability to live a richer, fuller life?
Think about what you find enjoyable and fulfilling. Can you do more of it by downsizing or by staying where you are? For example, if you enjoy spending time with family but they rarely visit anymore, would you be able to spend more time with family if you moved closer to them or were freer to travel?
By downsizing, what do I have to gain and lose?
Make a list of downsizing pros and cons. On one half of the page, write a list of everything that excites you about the prospect of downsizing. On the other half, write down everything that makes you reluctant to downsize or afraid of it. For example, will a smaller place mean having less yard for gardening? Will it mean having to leave friends and neighbors?
Will you and your partner get along in closer quarters?
In a smaller living space, you may feel more cramped and have less privacy, which can strain a relationship. Then again, less space may encourage you to spend more time outside your home, which can enrich your relationship.
See Chapter 2 for additional guidance on deciding whether downsizing is right for you or a loved one.
The question Who? also applies to the people you want in your life. Some downsizers are drawn to family and old friends and colleagues, while others want to meet new people and develop fresh relationships. Some people value their solitude and would rather spend their time communing with nature or reading good books.
What?
The question What? also applies to what you want out of your life. What do you value most — health, safety, security, travel, adventure, learning, relationships? What’s on your bucket list? Your values, dreams, and desires serve as guideposts leading you in the direction you need to travel.
On a smaller scale, the question What? applies to what you’re keeping and what you’re getting rid of, along with the type of lifestyle and living arrangements you’re considering. A house, apartment, condominium, RV, multigenerational home, or over-55 community? Alone or with partner or a roommate or two or three?
When?
When? is a key question. The best answer to this question for most people is as soon as possible, but we need to qualify that answer by advising you to plan carefully. Don’t rush into downsizing, but don’t put it off too long, because long delays can narrow your options. Some people kick the can down the road for so long that eventually they lose all control over the decision-making process. Family members or others outside the family must step in, in which case you have little to no control over the outcome.
In some cases, your decision of when to downsize is easy. It’s linked to some other major life change, such as retirement, the death of a spouse, job loss, or divorce. You may suffer a reduction in income that forces your hand, and that’s okay. Recognizing that you need to downsize to reduce your living expenses when you’re struggling to keep up can help you steer clear of an even more devastating financial loss, such as foreclosure or bankruptcy.
Where?
If moving is part of your downsizing plan, the question Where? becomes crucial, especially if part of the reason you’re downsizing is to reduce your living expenses, to travel more, or to live somewhere you’ve always wanted to be.
To make a well-informed decision about where you want to move, consider the following factors:
Affordability
Climate
Surroundings
Proximity to family and friends
Cultural and social opportunities
Convenience
Safety (crime stats)
Job/career opportunities
See Chapter 3 for more about choosing a downsizing destination.
Why?
Perhaps the most interesting question related to downsizing is Why? Here’s a list of potential benefits of downsizing that may help you answer that question for yourself:
Less stress.
Downsizing can alleviate a major source of stress: financial worry. It can also reduce stress in other ways; for example, living in an environment that’s free of clutter can be much more relaxing and peaceful. In addition, you may find that you have more time and mental energy to commit to leisure and recreation.
Less clutter.
Downsizing involves reducing your possessions and getting organized, which makes your remaining possessions easier to manage. You remove items that you no longer need from your life, which lightens your load and provides you with a greater sense of freedom.
More time to focus on what matters to you.
If you’re working to support a lifestyle that’s not bringing you the satisfaction and fulfillment you desire, downsizing may help. When you’re not trying to keep up with the Joneses, you may find that you have more time and money to spend on what you truly value, such as relationships, travel, reading, and other hobbies and interests.
Improved health and fitness.
Less stress alone translates to improved health and fitness, but add to that the extra time, focus, and money you’ll have to invest in meal prep and exercise, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your health and fitness goals.
Enhanced creativity.
People tend to be more creative when they’re relaxed and their minds aren’t cluttered with never-ending to-do lists. Ridding yourself of possessions and scaling down your responsibilities gives your mind the freedom to be creative in all areas of your life — career/business, relationships, finances, spiritual development, recreation, and more.
Less burden on loved ones.
Downsizing can alleviate the burden on loved ones who may worry about your health and safety and your ability to maintain a large home full of belongings. Also, by downsizing while you’re still physically and mentally capable of doing it yourself, you leave your heirs with less clutter and fewer complications to deal with when you pass. This can be a huge stress reliever for you, too.
While you’re entertaining the question of Why downsize? you may also ask yourself, Why not downsize? What do you have to lose by downsizing, and how much does that matter to you? Some people have valid reasons to resist downsizing; for example, downsizing sometimes results in lost freedom and self-determination or having to accept the reality of your own physical or mental decline. Discussing both the potential benefits and the drawbacks of downsizing is important for coming to terms with a major life change.
Envisioning Your Future
Downsizing is a creative process — you’re reinventing yourself. Every invention begins as a thought, or a mental image. Engage your imagination to envision your downsized future by answering the following questions:
How do you see yourself living for the next 5, 10, 15, or 20 years?
How do you look and feel physically, mentally, and emotionally?
Where are you living — in terms of both your geographical location and your living arrangements (for example, house, condo, apartment, RV, assisted living facility)?
What are you doing — traveling the world, taking a cruise, building a business, playing golf, binge-watching
Game of Thrones
(again)?
Who are you with — your life partner, family members, old friends, new friends, caregivers?
Create a vision board (collage) that reflects your future life in pictures and words. See Chapter 3 for more details about clarifying your downsizing vision.
Navigating a Major Lifestyle Transition
Downsizing can mean anything from scaling back to choosing a completely different lifestyle. If you’re merely shedding possessions and opting to live a simpler life, you can safely skip this section — you’ll be living the same life on a smaller scale. However, if you’re planning a major overhaul — for example, from fully employed to fully retired or from a settled life to a nomadic one — you may struggle with the transition. The ideal life you romanticized for years, and perhaps decades, may not meet your expectations. The reality can be very different from the fantasy — for better or worse. What’s important is that you’re prepared, mentally and emotionally, for the change.
Here are a few suggestions for establishing the right mindset for downsizing:
Accept the inevitable.
If you feel that factors outside your control (for example, loss of income or declining health) are forcing you or compelling you to downsize, don’t fight it — go with the flow. By accepting the inevitable and playing a more active role in the process, you’ll have more control over the outcome.
Acknowledge the past, accept the present, and plan for the future.
People often get stuck in the past, either because they loved that period of their lives or because something traumatic occurred that they can’t get over. Take some time to acknowledge the past while realizing that it’s over and then let it go. Accept your present situation for what it is instead of denying it or wishing it was different. Then, start planning for your future — the only thing you have the power to change.
Acknowledge your emotions.
Whether you’re eager and enthusiastic about downsizing or angry, frustrated, and afraid, recognize how you feel about the situation. If you tamp down your negative emotions instead of acknowledging them and expressing them in an appropriate way, they’ll find expression in counterproductive ways. When you’re open and honest about them, you can begin to deal more effectively with the source of those emotions — for example, if you’re afraid because your future is uncertain, you can start planning for your future so that it’s less uncertain.
Research your options. You’re already researching downsizing by reading this book, but dig deeper into specific downsizing options, such as geographical locations and living arrangements. You can do a great deal of research on the internet, but you may also want to spend time visiting different relocation destinations and housing options.
If you’re thinking no to downsizing, maybe you just don’t know enough to say yes. Seeing the life you could be living by downsizing may be all you need to change your mind and attitude toward it. If you’re downsizing a reluctant parent or trying to get your life partner on board, look for ways to share what you know and enable them to sample the life they could be living.
Talk to peers who’ve already downsized.
You can learn a great deal from people who’ve been through the process, including mistakes to avoid and tips for easing the transition. They may have done much of the research for you and have some excellent recommendations.
Remind yourself
why
you’re downsizing.
Losing motivation and getting discouraged, especially early in the process, is common, so keep your eyes on the prize by reminding yourself why you’re doing it.
Getting All Your Ducks in a Row
To a great extent, successful downsizing relies on careful planning. Of course, even with the perfect plan, you’re likely to encounter unexpected challenges. We know a couple who planned impeccably and still had to downsize three times before they finally found the right fit. However, a well-laid plan can help you avoid many of the most serious and unpleasant surprises and recover more easily from those that are unavoidable.
In this section, we touch on the basics of downsizing planning, which we cover in greater depth in Chapter 4.
Choosing a lifestyle and housing
Downsizing, like any project, begins with the process of setting a goal. In this case, the goal revolves around lifestyle and housing — where and how you’re going to live during the next stage of your life. In the following sections, we break down this goal into three factors:
Lifestyle
Location
Housing
Considering different lifestyle options
Lifestyles are difficult to pin down because of the sheer number of options and the fact that different lifestyles often overlap and intersect, but here’s a short list to get you thinking about the lifestyle you envision:
Active versus sedentary
Activist (campaigning/working for political or social change)
Agrarian (living off the land)
Aquatic (swimming, fishing, water sports)
Communal versus independent
Conventional versus Bohemian (unconventional, artistic, adventurous)
Entrepreneurial (innovative, business-oriented)
Minimalist (living with very few possessions)
Settled versus nomadic
Traditional (living in small groups, hunting, gathering, herding, farming)
Urban/suburban
Imagine what you’ll be doing most days, where you’ll be doing it, and with whom. Your vision reflects your lifestyle. If you’re hanging out in coffee shops, visiting museums, and dining out with friends and family members, for example, you’re probably going to want to live in a more urban setting. If you’re tending a garden and feeding chickens, you’re leaning toward a more rural/agrarian lifestyle. If you’re crisscrossing the country in an RV, you’re more nomadic.
Choosing a location
If you’re planning a nomadic lifestyle or opting to downsize in place (without moving anywhere), choosing a downsizing destination is moot. Otherwise, location can be a huge factor in your downsizing decision.
Start by choosing a general location, such as a country or a state, and then narrow your choices to more specific areas. See the earlier section “Where?” for a list of factors to consider when choosing a downsizing destination.
Exploring your housing options
Although you can downsize in place (without moving), downsizing often involves moving to a smaller place — usually one that’s more affordable and easier to care for. Housing options vary considerably, as reflected in the following list:
Apartment
Assisted living facility
Condominium (condo for short)
Existing home (usually a single-level ranch-style home for downsizers)
Modular home (built off-site and placed on a lot)
Multigenerational home (moving in with your adult children)
New construction (single-family home or condo)
Retirement community (typically for people over 55 or 60)
RV
Skilled nursing facility
Tiny home
Townhouse, duplex, or triplex (two or three homes that share a wall but have separate entrances)
When your goal is affordable housing, consider not only the rent or mortgage payment but also any amenities a housing option offers, such as a pool, hot tub, walking trails, parks, fishing ponds, gym, social activities, and meal plans. These amenities can save you a considerable amount of money on travel, recreation, and entertainment.
Establishing your timeline
When you have a downsizing goal in mind, set a deadline — the date you’d like to be downsized. Are you looking to be downsized next week, two months from now, or more like three years from now? It’s never too early to start planning.
After setting a deadline, break down your goal into realistic milestones, so you have a timeline for getting everything done. You may want to set milestones for the following activities:
Meet with a financial advisor to evaluate my finances.
Meet with an attorney to plan my estate.
Find a new place to live.
Sort my belongings.
Organize my photos and documents.
Sell stuff.
Pack.
Sell my home.
Move into my new home.
Your timeline and milestones are unique to you. For example, if you’re planning a more nomadic lifestyle, your timeline may include travel plans, such as getting a passport, arranging transportation, and reserving places to stay. If you’re downsizing in place, obviously, you don’t need to sell your home, find a new home, pack, or move.
Creating to-do lists
Create a to-do list for each milestone to break them down even further. For example, if you’re planning a garage or estate sale, you may have the following to-do list:
Set dates and times.
Get change.
Get shopping bags and boxes.
Advertise.
Place street signs.
Organize and arrange items for sale.
Mark prices.
If you’re preparing to meet with your financial advisor, your to-do list may be a list of information and documents your financial advisor needs, along with questions and concerns you want to discuss.
Drafting a budget
Regardless of where and how you choose to live, it needs to be affordable, so take the following steps to draft a budget:
Total your monthly income from all sources, such as the following:
Income from work or business
Social security payments
Pensions/annuities
Investment income
Reverse mortgage payments
Total your anticipated monthly expenses, such as the following:
Housing (rent or mortgage, insurance, property taxes)
Utilities (gas, electricity, water, trash, phone, television, internet)
Groceries/meals
Recreation/entertainment (concert tickets, sporting events, vacations, hobbies)
Transportation (vehicle payment, insurance, fuel, maintenance and repair; public transportation; or ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft)
Medical (insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs)
Clothing and shoes
Personal care and miscellaneous personal expenses (toiletries, cosmetics, gym memberships, dietary supplements, home décor and furnishings, gifts, and so on)
Subtract your monthly expenses from your monthly income and hope the result is positive.
If it’s negative, you need to trim your expenses and come up with other sources of income.
See Chapter 6 for more about budgeting and finances related to downsizing.
Protecting and Leveraging Your Assets
Unless you’re filthy rich, your finances are going to limit your downsizing options. Taking steps to protect and leverage your assets can help you stretch your money and have more available to leave to your heirs (if you so desire). Here are a few specific ways to protect and leverage your assets:
Meet with an accountant who specializes in taxes to explore tax strategies designed to help you keep more of your money.
Consult an attorney who specializes in estate planning and asset protection to ensure that you’re properly cared for if you’re ever unable to care for yourself and that your money and property is passed to your designated beneficiaries when you die in a way that holds inheritance taxes to a minimum.
Meet with your financial planner to discuss strategies for investing money and drawing income out of your investment accounts in ways that minimize the tax impact.
Consult your financial planner and accountant to discuss ways to cash out the equity in your home if you need additional money to cover expenses — for example, a traditional mortgage, reverse mortgage, or home equity line of credit.
See Part 2 for more about protecting and leveraging your assets.
Decluttering Basics
Downsizing is all about getting rid of material possessions that are weighing you down and holding you back from living a rich, fulfilling life that’s less physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. It’s not rocket science. However, you do need a titanium backbone to eliminate items you’re psychologically or emotionally attached to.
Focus more on what to keep and less on what to get rid of. If you keep only the things that are going to add value to your life, all you’ll have left is a huge pile of stuff you can safely get rid of. When you’re more focused on what to get rid of, you’ll end up convincing yourself to keep many more items. You really need to keep your blinders on and focus exclusively on what to keep.
In Chapter 9, we encourage you to sort items into the following categories:
Keep:
These are the essentials that will stay with you when you transition to your newly downsized life.
Store:
This category is for items you can’t part with but won’t fit in your downsized living space or lifestyle.
Sell:
You may be able to sell many of your possessions online or off-line (for example, in a garage sale or estate sale) to earn some extra cash to finance your new lifestyle. Be prepared, however, to have to sell most items at a deep discount.
Give away:
One of the easiest ways to shed possessions is to give them away to family members, friends, and other people you know, especially if you’re getting rid of items that have significant sentimental value or items you want to keep in the family.
Donate:
Several nonprofit organizations, such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and veterans groups, accept donations of gently used household items. Some organizations may even pick up your donations for free.
Toss:
Whatever’s left, you can push out to the curb or toss into a dumpster for disposal. (See
Chapter 14
for details.)
These categories aren’t etched in stone. When we downsized, we weren’t interested in selling anything or paying for a self-storage unit, which eliminated two of the categories — Sell and Store. We decided what we wanted to keep, we let family members and friends take what they wanted, we donated most of our remaining belongings, and we threw the rest in the trash.
As Stephen Covey advises in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “Start with the end in mind.” Imagine your downsized life and keep only the things you’ll be using in that life. If you’re downsizing from a 3,000-square-foot home to something more in the range of 900 square feet, for example, or driving off into the sunset in an RV, you’re obviously going to need to take a small fraction of your current belongings along for the ride.
Moving Out and Moving On
Unless you’re downsizing in place, the process involves moving out of one home into another or living as a nomad, traveling from one place to the next. Whatever you decide, you can be sure of one thing: You’re about to make some very big decisions. In this section, we highlight some of the major factors to consider. See Part 4 for additional details, along with guidance for navigating a successful transition, packing, and moving.
Addressing your changing priorities
Over the years, your choice of home was probably driven, at least in part, by a growing family and accumulating wealth. You needed more space to house your family and possessions. When you’re downsizing, especially if you’re nearing a certain age or experiencing physical or cognitive challenges, your priorities change. Whether you’re buying an existing home or building a new home from scratch, you must consider features that may not have crossed your mind in the past, such as the following:
Proximity to caregivers and to everything you need with convenient and affordable transportation (so you don’t have to drive anywhere)
Single-level home (so you don’t have to climb stairs)
Step-free entrance
Wider doorways (to allow access for a walker or wheelchair)
Patio versus a large yard (so you have less outdoor maintenance)
More efficient use of vertical space (because you have less square footage)
Lever handles (instead of knobs) on doors and cabinets
Nonslip flooring
Shower with no-step entry, grab bars, and adjustable showerhead
Raised or adjustable-height toilet
Automatic or rocker light switches
Hands-free faucets or faucets with lever handles
Lower cabinets or cabinets with pull-down shelves
Multilevel or adjustable countertops
Availability of assistance, such as meal preparation, housekeeping, and nursing
Selling your home
Regardless of whether you’re planning to buy a new home or move to a rental unit, or you have some other living arrangements in mind, you’ll need to sell your existing home. As you plan to sell, remember the following key points:
List your home with a top-selling Realtor in your area. You’ll earn enough extra by listing with a top-selling Realtor to more than cover the commission.
Realtors specialize as seller’s agents or buyer’s agents. Choose a seller’s agent — you want someone in your corner who can sell your home fast for top dollar. (Some real estate teams have both buyer’s and seller’s agents, enabling you to buy and sell through a single group.)
Follow your Realtor’s recommendations to make repairs and updates to your home to bring it up to market value, but don’t over-improve the property. In other words, don’t invest more than you can ever hope to recoup from the sale. Buyers aren’t looking for million-dollar homes in neighborhoods where most of the properties are selling for $400,000 or less.
If you’re expecting a profit of more than $250,000 (or more than $500,000 for a couple) from the sale, consult your accountant to discuss the tax implications.
If your area is experiencing a housing market slump, consider postponing the sale until the market recovers. However, if you don’t expect the market to recover anytime soon, you may be wise to accelerate the sale. A good Realtor can help you make the best decision.
In a sizzling housing market, consider buying a new home before selling, so you don’t end up selling with no place to move into. In a down market, you may be better off selling first, so you don’t get stuck with two mortgage payments.
See Chapter 16 for more about selling a home.
Buying a new home
When you’re in the market for a smaller home, take your time to find exactly what you’re looking for. Imagine that your new home will be the last home you’ll ever own. Does it have the potential to serve your current and future needs?
Work closely with a Realtor (a buyer’s agent) to explore your options. Develop a comprehensive list of everything you’re looking for, but be open to suggestions from your Realtor, who may bring up factors you haven’t considered. Provide as much information and insight as possible, including the following:
Price range
Size (square feet)
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
Style
Location
Amenities (pool, clubhouse, gym, social activities, and so on)
Whether you’ll need assistance (meals, housekeeping, nursing)
Your current situation, including why you’re downsizing
Whether you plan to pay cash or finance the purchase
See Chapter 15 for more about finding the right home for you and Chapter 16 for guidance on how to navigate the purchase.
Exploring other living arrangements
When you’re downsizing, owning a traditional home or condo isn’t the only option. You may want to consider other living arrangements, such as the following:
Couch surfing — a series of brief stays with friends and family members
Traveling and living in a van, bus, or RV
Living on a boat/houseboat
Living in an alternative structure, such as a tiny home, treehouse, shipping container, or
yurt
(portable round tent) — don’t knock it until you’ve explored these options
Living in a commune — a property shared by people with similar interests and goals
Sharing a home with friends or family members
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) makes it possible to volunteer on organic farms around the world in exchange for shelter, food, and sometimes pay. Visit wwoof.net for more info.
Our Downsizing Experience
When we decided to downsize, we were living in a 7,300-square-foot home with four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, two half bathrooms, and a three-car garage (see Figure 1-1). When our children were living with us, having all that room made sense.
FIGURE 1-1: The front of the home we downsized from.
We were also at a stage in our lives when we entertained frequently. Our home on Tara was a great party house. It had partially covered walkouts from the main floor and the basement, as shown in Figure 1-2, which allowed our parties to spill outdoors. We enjoyed hosting homecoming gatherings, prom parties, birthday celebrations, and relatively large holiday get-togethers.
In 2017, our daughter, Kaleigh, earned her bachelor’s degree and secured a full-time teaching position. She moved out in December 2017. Our son, Kyle, graduated high school in May 2011 and started college the following fall at Albion College. After leaving for college, he spent very little time at home, and after earning his master’s degree from Michigan State, he moved to Arizona.
And just like that, we were empty nesters.
Our large home, which had been the neighborhood hub of activity, was suddenly silent. Three of the four bedrooms were almost permanently vacant, and we rarely used all but one of the bathrooms. We were heating and cooling and insuring and maintaining all that square footage. We obviously needed to downsize.
FIGURE 1-2: The back of the home we downsized from.
At the same time, we were facing a major transition in our lives — from being very involved parents to being a couple again. We needed to figure out how we were going to live the next stage of our lives together.
Fortunately, we knew what we wanted: more quality time together. And we knew what we enjoyed: shopping, dining out, movies, plays, concerts, sports events, cultural celebrations, and the great outdoors. We wanted a smaller place that either of us could manage on our own, a place with walking paths and convenient access to our doctors, our favorite stores (Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods), and everything we enjoyed.
Finding the right location and the perfect lot was probably the biggest challenge for us. We spent every weekend exploring our options — driving through areas we liked around Detroit, Michigan, looking for real estate signs and developments — and eventually decided to build in a new development we discovered in Rochester Hills, north of Detroit, near Oakland University. We chose a lot and worked closely with the builder, Robertson Brothers, to build our forever home — the home we plan to live in for the rest of our lives (see Figure 1-3).
FIGURE 1-3: The front of the home we downsized to.
At about 3,000 square feet, our new home on Weston is less than half the square footage of our home on Tara. Following our builder’s advice, we had to carefully budget that available square footage.
In close consultation with our builder, we eliminated the standard offerings and chose to convert our lower level into a gym (mostly). We decided to allocate a large chunk of the available square footage to the master bedroom, master bathroom, and gym. This didn’t mean we had to scale back the living room or kitchen, however.
