Downsizing can help your future trustee. However, doing so can be a challenging process. This is especially true when deciding what to keep and what to throw away.
Here are some tips to help you and your future trustee determine what to throw away when downsizing:
- Duplicate items: Get rid of items that you have more than one of, especially if they serve the same purpose. For example, if you have two sets of dishes, consider keeping only one.
- Outdated or Unused Items: If you haven’t used an item in a year or more, or if it’s no longer relevant or useful to you, it’s time to let it go. This can include clothes, electronics, and other items that have been collecting dust.
- Broken or Damaged Items: Items that are broken or damaged beyond repair are taking up space and serve no purpose. It’s better to let them go rather than holding onto them. Might I suggest making a donation?
- Sentimental Items: While it can be tough to part with sentimental items, it’s important to assess their true value. Unfortunately, the sentimental weight you assigned to an item might not be the same value assigned by a future trustee. If you have multiple items with sentimental value, consider choosing one or two to keep and take pictures of the rest. Speaking of pictures, let’s talk about digital downsizing in a future post.
- Excess Furniture: Furniture can take up a lot of space, so consider whether you really need all the pieces you have. If you’re moving to a smaller space, you may need to downsize your furniture as well.
Remember, downsizing doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything. It’s about making intentional choices and keeping only the items that are truly important or useful to you.
