Downsizing. While this may sound like a daunting task, the process of condensing your belongings and simplifying your life as you head into your golden years can be truly cathartic. There are numerous different steps you can take to ensure the process is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Some seniors are prepared to let go of all but a few of the most important material possessions. However, for others, the mere idea of parting with seemingly irrelevant objects can be a lot more difficult. Not to mention, people in their old age can sometimes lack the physical strength and mobility to assemble and pack things on their own. In cases like this, help from friends and family members can be required.
After spending decades in the same house, the idea of packing and moving might feel overwhelming both emotionally and physically. This is completely normal. However, by keeping some simple tips in mind, downsizing can be a smooth process that offers you a brand new uncluttered life.
Start as soon as possible
Perhaps the most important piece of advice to downsize for retirement is to start early. As soon as you figure out your requirements and understand the need for moving to a smaller place, get the ball rolling straight away. While going through the entire home all at once might be daunting, if you plan ahead and break it down into chunks, the task will prove to be much more manageable.
In order to begin with little things, start making a list of essential items and things that you know are not necessary at all. Instead of a large one-time garage sale, if you plan to donate or sell your belongings online, you can easily get rid of irrelevant items while you go along. And as your home empties out, you can evaluate your progress which would further encourage you to continue more!
Sort Effectively
During your move, the best way to downsize is to be honest and straightforward with yourself. This includes being fair and realistic about everything that you truly need. These should be the commodities that you regularly use in your everyday lives such as cookware and your bed. At the same time, get rid of items that are redundant and the ones you could feasibly get along without. For an instance, if you have multiple TVs, you can choose your favourite and sell or discard the rest.
Finally, figure out the items that you can replace with smaller versions. Some obvious examples include your living room set, kitchen table, TV, and couch. If you currently own a big house, chances are high that the items are luxurious. Therefore, you could save notable space by selling them and purchasing smaller variants for your new home.
Consider your Budget
Retirement savings involve a lot of planning and effort. While most people start with a certain goal in mind, savings during the time of retirement is not entirely intended or calculated. And in the later stages, that kind of difference can possibly affect the downsizing budget. Moreover, one key to a successful retirement is to spend uniformly so that you can seamlessly enjoy the fruits of your labour.
That means not exhausting all your accumulated savings on a dream house, but it also means not spending for a place you don’t like, merely because of its cheap cost. Finding the best Retirement Village in South Australia can require some persistence, but it’s undoubtedly worth all the effort. Nevertheless, you can always make things easier by simplifying your options.
Sell or Donate Items
Selling your longtime commodities might be an emotional process and can relatively be stressful. Therefore, it’s crucial to go about your plans thinking about the finish line and what you can achieve once you cross it. Depending on your personal decisions, you should donate or sell the items that you feel are no longer needed, provided they’re in usable conditions. In case if you find yourself struggling with letting go of your possessions, the extra money you get from selling the irrelevant items might help ease your mind. You can also donate some of the things to people who actually need it. This will keep you content knowing that your belongings have gone to good place!
Visualise your Future Retirement Life
Imagine how your new life is going to be. Think about every little thing that you enjoy and imagine doing the same in your new location.
In retirement, one or all of these things are usually important for your overall happiness –
- Grandkids
- Travel
- Leisure activities
Figure out what allures you the most, set priorities in life and get started! The closer you move to your future goals, the more successful you’re likely to be in your life post-retirement.
Make Downsizing a Part of your Retirement Plan
Housing is one of the greatest levers you have if you want to relish a safe retirement. For most people in Australia, their home is more crucial than their entire retirement savings. And to be honest, that’s a universal fact!
Before you decide where to move, start with establishing goals for downsizing. That might include your:
- Financial goal
- LIfestyle goal
These practices will help you in making a straightforward retirement plan and will further help in making downsizing easier.
Decide Where you’d like to Live
Moving to a new place should seem more like an opportunity and less like a burden. By downsizing after you retire, believe us, you open a new path for happiness!
Ask the residents living in SA Lifestyle Villages and you’d understand why downsizing after retirement is the one and only way to save money on housing. Looking at the current scenarios in Australia and how crucial senior living is proving to be, we offer over 50s retirement villages in multiple locations including Port Pirie, Moonta, and Kapunda.
So plan early and make your future safe & happier with the right choice. After all, it begins with wanting to move- literally and figuratively!