Q. Our neighborhood holds an annual garage sale and this is the year we’re going to participate. My husband and I are ready to downsize to a smaller, ranch-style home. We’re both retired and our kids have flown the nest. We’ve accumulated a lot over the 20 years we’ve lived in this home. I want to use the neighborhood garage sale as an opportunity for my husband and me to begin sorting through our belongings. However, I’m starting to feel overwhelmed. Do you have any suggestions on how to downsize effectively?
A. Moving from one home to another can be a daunting task, especially when the goal is to downsize. Yet, downsizing doesn’t have to be stressful.
Before you begin, it’s important to have an idea about where you’ll be moving. In your case, it sounds like you want to purchase a ranch home. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? Do you want a basement or do you prefer no stairs at all? What about garage space and outdoor space? Having an idea about what you want in your next house will help you tremendously as you sort through your belongings.
It also sounds like your kids are completely out of your home. Does this mean that their belongings and/or childhood memorabilia are also gone? If not, it’s time to box these items up and give them to your children. If no one is interested in keeping their childhood toys, sell them at the garage sale. If you happen to be sentimental, permit yourself to keep one box of meaningful books or toys. The caveat is that what you keep must be in good condition and safe for future grandchildren to play with at your home.
Next, walk through your home with your husband and label furniture you know you don’t want to move. Focus on selling these bigger items during the garage sale. You can consider the rest of your furniture once you know exactly where you’ll be moving. At that point, evaluate each piece of furniture and whether or not it fits your new home.
Now you’re ready to truly declutter. Designate a space in your home, perhaps closest to the garage or front door, to hold items you want to sell. Work room by room, resisting the urge to organize. Simply look at each item and determine if you want to keep it, sell it, or if it should be thrown away. Household items in good condition sell best during garage sales. Broken and worn items might deter buyers from purchasing from you. Work your way through each cabinet and closet. Many older adults prefer to focus on one room a day so that they aren’t as overwhelmed.
Once all items you want to sell are gathered in one place, ask your children if there’s anything of sentimental value to them that they want to keep. Then, begin pricing so you’re all set for the garage sale.
One final note, once you’ve committed an item to the garage sale, be sure it doesn’t come back inside the house. At the end of the sale, what hasn’t sold should be donated to a local charity.
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