Quote:
Originally Posted by tektron297
Anybody have some downsizing tips they would like to pass along? We are wondering that when we move to the Villages, there won't be much space for "stuff". Where do you put your things that need to be stored such as Christmas decorations? It appears that there has to be some serious downsizing to move into the Villages.
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The photo below shows what my garage looked like when advertised on Zillow before I bought it. That’s a LOT of cabinets. Of course, they take up a foot of garage width on each side that can make getting out of a car difficult, but it shoes you what can be done. It’s sometimes possible to buy used or new kitchen cabinets at very low prices from places like the nearest Habitat for Humanity store.
I’d say don’t bring multiple sets of china or flatware. Give the rest to your kids. If they don’t want it, give it away or sell it for a few dollars. You don’t want to pay a hundred dollars to have a set of China packed and moved, then thrown away still packed when you pass on because your kids still don’t want it. Really, half a dozen place settings is plenty. There’s a good chance you rarely use most of your pots and pans and baking sheets and chopping boards and gadgets. Give it all away. Leave most sheets and towels and blankets behind. You don’t have room to store them and you don’t need them. You may need more beach towels, but they are sold in Florida. If your television is more than five years old, leave it behind. Buy a new one. If you have a large SUV, get rid of it and buy a small car so it’s easier to squeeze into the garage. Leave behind nearly all clothes, including all furs.
I had several thousand books. I sold or gave away most of them. I asked myself, “Can I honestly say that I’m seriously planning to read or reread this book?” I have a few dozen on that list. But there are also some that I use for reference, such as books about trees, birds, music. It’s awful, because a lot of these books gave me pleasure. But will I read them again? No. Some I’ve been saving for my grandchildren. But I don’t have any yet.
Try not to bring anything that is just kept in a box in the attic or the basement because it has sentimental value. It’s time to get rid of the first shoes of your children, and their report cards and letters from camp. Otherwise, someday they will come to clean out your house and just toss it all.