Downsizing Is The New Uptrend
For a variety of reasons, more and more people are in the process of downsizing their living space. Medical advances have allowed elderly citizens to remain in their homes far later in life, the early cusp of 78 million baby boomers are beginning to hit retirement age, the back end of the boomers are becoming empty nesters. And the economy is forcing many individuals and families to move to smaller residences, in order to have a more manageable cost of living.
An emerging industry is developing to meet this nationwide challenge. Variously referred to as “move management consultants,” “senior move specialists,” “senior residential specialists,” industry experts say there are over 500 businesses throughout the country that help people move to the next (smaller) stage of their lives. Some companies focus on helping clients get the most cash possible in their sale of household items; others specialize in transitioning seniors to assisted living facilities. If you’re considering a downsize in the near future, here are some key things to make note of:
1. Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time. If you’re leaving a home you’ve lived in for awhile, allow yourself 6 months to a year to complete the full transition.
2. Stay focused. Whether with the help of experts or on your own, devise a systematic plan and stick with it.
3. Do one project at a time. If possible, break the project down into small segments and complete each task before moving on to the next. This approach will help keep the entire process more orderly and less overwhleming.
There are a number of good resources online with more information, including this article from Sue Ronnenkamp at retirementwithapurpose.com.
http://retirementwithapurpose.com/finance/srdwnszhm.html.html