10 Downsizing Hacks. Things I Wish I Knew Before Downsizing 

My husband and I started sorting and packing a year before we downsized.

We started dejunking and decluttering two months ago. Multiple trips to donate and just had a big garage sale, and we're still not finished! It's taking longer than we thought since we're older and slower and have lived in this house for 22 years. I can now see that preparing to move to a smaller home, in a different state, will probably take 6-9 months of work.

Wish I had seen this BEFORE I downsized to a Senior community. Took me almost two years to adjust. Although it’s a safe place, the people are not friendly and I’ve only seen the inside of one other apartment in three years. People will say hello to you in the halls, but that’s it! In reality, although there are many activities, it’s really a nursing home in disguise! Four to six people die every month! In January our “rent “ is going up 10%

Darn, why do people feed the need to put in background music when they have narration in a video. It drives me nuts!

the music loud enough to be distracting and to get in the way of understanding what you're saying. too bad.

Two months out from starting retirement. Right now I just hope to survive the first year.....working was easier. The aches and pains are there, they just arent physical anymore after no longer working 10 and 12 hr. days. I think I just needed to rest a bit.

Great info as always!

Thanks. It's a journey! Patience.

Enjoyed the video which got me thinking. I'm going to downsize in the near future and your emphasis on time management being as important as money was something I haven't thought of enough. Also, btw, I like music in videos because it's a more upbeat energy. I guess some commenters didn't but I could hear you just fine and enjoyed the pleasant tone of this. :)

If that is your China cabinet, you haven't downsized much, it is full of glasses and small stuff.

Great advice. Thanks! A great service to those downsizing.

Thank you sir. I’m about to move myself and your talk about the emotional side of this was important & helpful.

Thank you-

That curio cabinet with all of that glassware in it would have been high on my list to declutter as I've never really collected those items. I know people with multiple curio cabinets and hutches filled with china, stemware, crystal and collectibles. All of that is very pretty but a pain to move and it takes up space. Of course, if you have room for it in your downsized home and it's important to you, it would make sense to keep it!

Have a cabinet just like yours! Am down to a unit! Have enough trouble adjusting to a smaller bed so more thinking and planning the better!

The music didn't bother me. I could hear you very well.🌻

I do estate sales, and I would like to share my best ideas: Do not throw anything away. At this point you only need to be concerned about what you're keeping. Do not donate items or give them away. Don't clean or arrange , leave everything as it sits. Believe it or not, all that junk is cash for your future. Rent a pod or storage unit and pack up all the items you want to keep and put them into storage. You can do the packing or hire someone to come in, pack and place the items in the pod for you if you need assistance. Find yourself a new place to live and have the pod moved there or put into storage, Hire someone to do an estate sale at your home. Most of the sales that we hold involve downsizing to a smaller place. you can interview several if you like. Usually they work on commission. But the most important thing is do they know prices. You want your items sold for the best amount you can get so to me that is more important than the commission they will charge you. You do not pay them,. They work on a commission, which is based on how much time and work it will take to hold the sale at your home. It is way more work than you think so don't try to do it yourself, You have enough on your plate already. Also, I disagree about the home being a family asset. The owners of the home are the people listed on the deed. It is theirs to do with as they wish and if it needs to be sold, for your well-being then do not let anyone talk you out of it. you will be making some difficult decisions, hold firm. The proceeds from your home may very well represent all the money you have to support yourself for the rest of your life. You will need every Penny of it.

Good practical tips! Thank you.

Why you are moving will dictate the most in what you will take.

Why you are moving will dictate the most in what you will take with you I would think. To get out of debt? Sale it of you don't NEED it. Want to be more independent and do some kind of farming? Keep what you'll need to do that. Leave what you want need. But remember to always keep those few things that are priceless to your heart and mind. And will make your new house your home. Don't sale it and go and buy it again.. JMO Good video thank you.

You aren't getting younger. Plan to give up items that suited a younger you. Keep what you use now. You can buy something that an older you will want.

No We want to surprise the kids with hey we moving to WHERE IS THE FARTHEST! 😂

Your tips are great. Leaving a place you've lived in for so long is really hard to think about. I'm about to start the process. I thought I would never have to move, but the property taxes just keep going up to insane levels.

Looks like you should have taken your own advice and down sized that outdated hutch and all that glass ware you obviously don't use. Along with the clutter of things on the top and middle of the hutch... The music is too distracting.