Whether you are organizing one room in your house or decluttering a home full of stuff, knowing how to efficiently sort is crucial to your success. Professional Organizers use the tips and tricks on this checklist to help clients, and now I'm sharing those hacks with you.
Ready to learn a professional organizer's tips for Sorting? Read on...Set yourself up for success
Before starting any organizing or decluttering job, make sure you have all the supplies you need before you get started.
Tools/ Supplies Needed:
Keep
The first step is to sort your "keepers" into a pile or one area. Keep items that you love and actively use. Items that aren't actively used should be moved into a long term storage area, such as a basement or attic.
Tools/ Supplies Needed:
*available space in actively used items *temperature variation in for long term solutions *transporting “keepers” to new location, if applicable 
Sell
Don't love it, but you'd like to make a little money from it? Consider selling online or offline.
Tools/Supplies Needed:
Related Articles
6 Things to Not Bother Collecting Anymore Nobody Wants Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You. Donate
Have items that don't need to live with you anymore, but are still in great condition? Give to a local charity.
Tools Needed:
Discard
Some things just need to be discarded. If the items can't be sold or donated, its time for the trash/ recycling bin.
Tools Needed:
Related Articles
Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs 4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One with free printable How to Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet 5 Tips to Sell Your Stuff Online with free printable How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet YOU'RE ready to sort like a pro!
Using this checklist, you now have the tools to Keep, Sell, Donate or Discard when you are decluttering and organizing.
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Sometimes you can't do it on your own:WHEN IT’S TIME TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AND HIRE AN ESTATE CLEARING PROFESSIONAL TO HELP YOU FINISH THE JOB.
There are 2 times when families are faced with trying to figure out how to clear out an entire homes’ worth of possessions, usually within a fairly quick time frame.
If the Executor / Power of Attorney lives near the home in question, they can easily rally other family members to help with the massive project on nights, weekends, and holidays. This works for families who have the time, willingness, and physical strength to get the job done.
But sometimes that doesn’t work. Sometimes, you can’t do it on your own. That’s when you need to consider an Estate Clearing Professional to finish the job for you. 
Estate Clearing Professionals can step in at any stage and take care of all the details for you.
An experienced Estate Clearing Professional will
Learn more about estate clearing here.
Don’t struggle through getting the house cleared out on your own. Contactan Estate Clearing Professional to help you.
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Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions with printable Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap 
When you are ready to declutter your home and start selling some of your items online, you’ll want to do a little bit of research, have a flexible timeline, and have a basic amount of technical savvy.
Today we are sharing our top 5 tips for selling your stuff online, and as a bonus, we’ve created a free download of How to Sell Your Items Online Cheat Sheet. Are you Ready to Learn How to Sell Your Stuff Online? Read On.
Step One: Google “How to Sell xxx Online”
The first and easiest way to figure out how to sell your stuff online is to simply Google it.
You want to list your item on the site that has the biggest audience of potential buyers. For instance, if you were selling a set of golf clubs online, Ebay may be the best bet. But if you were selling custom hand-embroidered tea towels, Etsy is where you want to be. Selling antiques and collectibles often is easier on sites dedicated to those items. 
The Big Guys: Ebay and Amazon
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Download your free How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet here.
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4 smart ideas to sell your stuff offline...and 1 really dumb one (with free printable cheat sheet)
3/5/2018
Whatever you reasons are for selling offline, we are here to share our 4 smart ideas for selling your stuff offline...and one really dumb one.
There are several reasons why you may choose to sell you stuff offline instead of online.
Maybe you have a huge amount of items to sell and don't want to deal with managing 100's of online sales. Perhaps the items, like furniture and antiques, are difficult to pack and ship. Or maybe the seller isn't comfortable with the technology of selling online.
There are several reasons why you may choose to sell you stuff offline instead of online.
Maybe you have a huge amount of items to sell and don't want to deal with managing 100's of online sales. Perhaps the items, like furniture and antiques, are difficult to pack and ship. Or maybe the seller isn't comfortable with the technology of selling online.
READY TO LEARN THE 4 SMART IDEAS FOR SELLING YOUR STUFF OFFLINE? READ ON!
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We are also sharing our How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet with you today. Just click here to download.
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1: Consider COnsignment Shops
Contacting local consignment shops about selling your items is a great option, but there are some drawbacks.
Consignment shops generally are interested in good-condition furniture, antiques, and home décor. Always call the shop before hauling your items there to see if they are accepting new product. Sending pictures ahead of time is highly recommended.
If you enter into a contract with the consignment shop, they will handle the set-up, pricing and (usually) the remnants. You will receive your payment from them anywhere from 90-120 days.
Some drawbacks you may want to consider:
Consignment shops generally are interested in good-condition furniture, antiques, and home décor. Always call the shop before hauling your items there to see if they are accepting new product. Sending pictures ahead of time is highly recommended.
If you enter into a contract with the consignment shop, they will handle the set-up, pricing and (usually) the remnants. You will receive your payment from them anywhere from 90-120 days.
Some drawbacks you may want to consider:
- You may have to haul the item to them.
- Most shops take a 40-50% commission on the item
- You may have to pick items up that don’t sell
2: Think about Yard or garage sales
If you have a lot of items (of varied quality) to sell, having a yard sale may be right for you. The biggest benefit of a yard sale is that you keep 100% of the profits.
There are a couple key points to having a successful yard sale:
On the downside, yard sales can be a tremendous amount of set-up and tear-down work. Be ready to haggle: negotiating is part of the yard-sale culture. Be sure you have an “exit strategy” to discard or donate items that don’t sell.
There are a couple key points to having a successful yard sale:
- Advertise, advertise, advertise. Get the word out!
- Make your sale easy to shop. Organize like items together and display things neatly. No one likes to dig through boxes.
On the downside, yard sales can be a tremendous amount of set-up and tear-down work. Be ready to haggle: negotiating is part of the yard-sale culture. Be sure you have an “exit strategy” to discard or donate items that don’t sell.
Related Articles:
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
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5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
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Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
including free printable game plan
3: HOw about an estate sale
If you have an entire house (and garage, attic and/or basement) of things to sell, running your own weekend-long estate sale is an option.
Just like yard sales, it is vitally important to advertise as much as possible. The more traffic you have at your sale, the better your chances of selling things are.
Items should be displayed in an easy-to-shop way and clearly priced. Be ready to help customers haul their purchases out of the house.
Estate sales generally follow a structured price-reduction schedule (e.g. full price Friday and Saturday afternoon, 25% off Saturday night, 50%-75% on Sunday.). Be sure your customers are aware of how your sale is running to avoid problems.
Just like yard sales, it is vitally important to advertise as much as possible. The more traffic you have at your sale, the better your chances of selling things are.
Items should be displayed in an easy-to-shop way and clearly priced. Be ready to help customers haul their purchases out of the house.
Estate sales generally follow a structured price-reduction schedule (e.g. full price Friday and Saturday afternoon, 25% off Saturday night, 50%-75% on Sunday.). Be sure your customers are aware of how your sale is running to avoid problems.
4: Try contacting Jeweler or certified appraiser
Don’t assume jewelry, fine collectibles and gold/silver are fakes or junk! You could literally be throwing money in the garbage.
Research reputable jewelers or certified personal property appraisers in your area and have them review the items. They may be able to connect you with buyers for valuable items.
Any fee you pay to an appraiser is worth saving you the heartache of accidentally throwing away a treasure.
Research reputable jewelers or certified personal property appraisers in your area and have them review the items. They may be able to connect you with buyers for valuable items.
Any fee you pay to an appraiser is worth saving you the heartache of accidentally throwing away a treasure.
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Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 DIY Steps to Organize Your Garage
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Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 DIY Steps to Organize Your Garage
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The dumb idea? pawning your valuables
The one advantage of selling your valuables to a pawn shop is that you get cash quickly. However, you pay for that desperation.
Chances are that an item you sell to a pawn shop will only get you 25% of the item’s value. You are far better off selling your items anywhere else. Don’t let reality TV shows give you the idea that you’ll make a great profit at a pawn shop.
Remember, if you sell your item to a pawn shop, they have the right to sell your item.
Chances are that an item you sell to a pawn shop will only get you 25% of the item’s value. You are far better off selling your items anywhere else. Don’t let reality TV shows give you the idea that you’ll make a great profit at a pawn shop.
Remember, if you sell your item to a pawn shop, they have the right to sell your item.
You are ready to sell your stuff offline!
Selling your stuff offline can be a great idea if you have a large number of things to sell in a relatively short time frame.
Consigning, yard sales, and estate sales are a fair amount of work for you, but you’ll see cash in-hand fairly quickly.
Be sure to have a reputable jeweler or certified appraiser review items before throwing them out.
Consigning, yard sales, and estate sales are a fair amount of work for you, but you’ll see cash in-hand fairly quickly.
Be sure to have a reputable jeweler or certified appraiser review items before throwing them out.
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To help you get started selling your stuff offline, we are sharing this handy cheat sheet. Enjoy, and Happy Selling!
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Related Articles:
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Post-Organizing: Detox + Declutter Your Home After the Holidays
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You
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Post-Organizing: Detox + Declutter Your Home After the Holidays
As Americans continue to live in larger and larger homes, we find ourselves able to store a huge amount of sentimental clutter...and we do not get rid of it. Ever.
As an Estate Clearing Professional and Professional Organizer, I see entire rooms, closets, attics, garages, and even cars overflowing with things people can't get rid of for sentimental reasons. People are using their homes as storage facilities instead of places to actively live their lives.
In this post I'll be sharing some of my professional tips to help you get rid of some (but not all) of your sentimental clutter.
As an Estate Clearing Professional and Professional Organizer, I see entire rooms, closets, attics, garages, and even cars overflowing with things people can't get rid of for sentimental reasons. People are using their homes as storage facilities instead of places to actively live their lives.
In this post I'll be sharing some of my professional tips to help you get rid of some (but not all) of your sentimental clutter.
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To help get you ready to declutter and downsize your sentimental items, I've created this free download. Enjoy!
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Ready to get rid of some of your sentimental clutter? Keep Reading…
#1 Mentally Prepare
The first step in getting rid of your sentimental clutter is to mentally prepare yourself.
Take some time to think about why you are holding on to so many sentimental items. Is it because you truly treasure the item? Or does the item remind you of a person?
Remember, a thing is just a thing, not a person. Don't let your love for a Grandfather morph into love of a thing that reminds you of that him.
Ask yourself some questions as you go through items
If you decide to let the item go, that is your choice: you do not need to announce it to your family. Just let it go.
Take some time to think about why you are holding on to so many sentimental items. Is it because you truly treasure the item? Or does the item remind you of a person?
Remember, a thing is just a thing, not a person. Don't let your love for a Grandfather morph into love of a thing that reminds you of that him.
Ask yourself some questions as you go through items
- Does it make me feel happy? Keeping mementos of sad times or events doesn't make your life better. Let it go.
- Does my family expect me to keep this? Family expectations can be difficult to manage. Have you become the Keeper of all Historical Photos Since the Beginning of Time, but no one can identify any of the people in those pictures? Let them go.
- Is keeping it a joy or a burden? Are you excited that you have this item? Or is it more like “I guess I should keep this”? Let it go.
If you decide to let the item go, that is your choice: you do not need to announce it to your family. Just let it go.
Related articles:
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Young + Healthy)
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Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
with free Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Young + Healthy)
with free printable: Two Easy-ish Conversations to Have with Your Aging Parents
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
with free Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap
#2 Start Small: Get a success or 2 under your belt
Kick off your efforts with small projects like greeting cards or souvenir plastic cups. Do you really need to keep a card with a hastily scrawled signature? How many plastic souvenir cups do you actually use? Getting a taste of success, no matter how small, inspires you to keep getting successes.
Taken care of all the easy little things? Then move on to a little bigger (but not huge) project. Try clearing out your t-shirt drawers of all the shirts you don’t really wear, you just keep because of the sentimental memories.
How about all your old college textbooks, student directories, and papers? You may want to keep the directory, just to see the old photos, but you should be able to feel confident about donating or recycling all the books and papers. I guarantee you are not going to need your essay on post-modern theory in 19th century American literature ever again.
Remember, you don’t need to get rid of ALL your sentimental items. Just weed out the clutter so you have room for the things that truly mean something to you.
Taken care of all the easy little things? Then move on to a little bigger (but not huge) project. Try clearing out your t-shirt drawers of all the shirts you don’t really wear, you just keep because of the sentimental memories.
How about all your old college textbooks, student directories, and papers? You may want to keep the directory, just to see the old photos, but you should be able to feel confident about donating or recycling all the books and papers. I guarantee you are not going to need your essay on post-modern theory in 19th century American literature ever again.
Remember, you don’t need to get rid of ALL your sentimental items. Just weed out the clutter so you have room for the things that truly mean something to you.
#3 Keep the Best, Lose the Rest
Be choosy about what you let take up space in your home. You do not have to keep every single item in a collection. Keep the best 1-2 items, and let the rest go.
Having a tough time letting the collection go? Photograph the items!
What if you DO have enough room in your house to store all your sentimental clutter? There is still space in the attic! You can shove one more box underneath the stairs? Skip right on to Step #5!
Having a tough time letting the collection go? Photograph the items!
What if you DO have enough room in your house to store all your sentimental clutter? There is still space in the attic! You can shove one more box underneath the stairs? Skip right on to Step #5!
#4 Intentionally Use It One Last time
If you’re struggling with getting rid of a sentimental item, consider giving it a “soft goodbye”.
Let’s say you’ve weeded out 20 old sports or concert t-shirts that you don’t need anymore, but can’t bear to discard or donate. Using the “soft goodbye”, allow yourself to wear it one last time and then instead of washing it, put it into the Goodwill bag. This lets you ease out of owning it without a blunt end.
Let’s say you’ve weeded out 20 old sports or concert t-shirts that you don’t need anymore, but can’t bear to discard or donate. Using the “soft goodbye”, allow yourself to wear it one last time and then instead of washing it, put it into the Goodwill bag. This lets you ease out of owning it without a blunt end.
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Assess the Mess: How to Plan Out Downsizing a Home
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4 Smart Ideas for Selling Your Stuff Offline...and 1 Really Dumb One
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#5 Display, Use or Honor what you keep
Think about it: are you treating your sentimental items like you care about them? Or are they boxed up and shoved in the attic, basement, or back of the guest room closet, creating clutter?? If you care about something enough to keep it, shouldn’t you give it the respect it deserves?
Have tons of photos? Scan them in and set them as a slideshow on your computer. How fun is it to randomly see your 8th grade graduation photo? Put them in a pretty bowl on your coffee table for guests and family to look through and change the pictures out every couple of months.
Honor items that truly have a place in your heart by displaying them in your home. Have a ceramic bowl you made in art class in 3rd grade? Pull it out of storage and use it as a change bowl. Keeping you child's baby blanket they came home from the hospital in? Cut it into dish towels so you can use and enjoy seeing it everyday!
Have tons of photos? Scan them in and set them as a slideshow on your computer. How fun is it to randomly see your 8th grade graduation photo? Put them in a pretty bowl on your coffee table for guests and family to look through and change the pictures out every couple of months.
Honor items that truly have a place in your heart by displaying them in your home. Have a ceramic bowl you made in art class in 3rd grade? Pull it out of storage and use it as a change bowl. Keeping you child's baby blanket they came home from the hospital in? Cut it into dish towels so you can use and enjoy seeing it everyday!
YOu are ready to get rid of (some, but not all) of your sentimental clutter.
The keys to successfully getting rid of your sentimental clutter are mentally preparing, breaking the project down into small steps, and giving yourself permission to let things go. Think about the things you allow to take up space in your home and display or honor things that truly mean something to you.
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To get you started on your decluttering journey, we're sharing this Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan. Enjoy...and Good Luck!
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Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
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Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
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Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with your Aging Parents
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Assess the Mess: How to Plan Out Downsizing a Home
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Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Young + Healthy)
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Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with your Aging Parents
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When nobody wants the family heirlooms anymore, what can you do?
As more and more of the US population ages, downsizes, and passes away there is a tremendous amount of STUFF flooding the market. Younger generations are faced with inheriting a sizable amount of family heirlooms, but their homes are already full. It seems nobody wants the family heirlooms anymore. So what can you do when it happens to you?
In this article, we'll discuss some options for what to do with the family heirlooms when nobody wants them. As a bonus for readers, we are sharing this free printable Declutter + Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan.
As more and more of the US population ages, downsizes, and passes away there is a tremendous amount of STUFF flooding the market. Younger generations are faced with inheriting a sizable amount of family heirlooms, but their homes are already full. It seems nobody wants the family heirlooms anymore. So what can you do when it happens to you?
In this article, we'll discuss some options for what to do with the family heirlooms when nobody wants them. As a bonus for readers, we are sharing this free printable Declutter + Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan.
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Click here to download the Declutter + Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan.
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Want to learn what to do when nobody wants the family heirlooms? Keep Reading.
#1 Manage Family Expectations
Perhaps the toughest thing to deal with is managing expectations about family heirlooms. Items that have been in the family for decades are automatically passed down to the next generation...whether they like it or not.
Obviously, there are many family heirlooms that are truly treasured and gratefully accepted. However, there are also heirlooms that younger generations accept out of a sense of duty, guilt, or without even being asked if they want.
Burden vs. Joy
If you're soon-to-be-inheriting, carefully consider what you honestly want to accept. Accepting a family heirloom should be a joy, not a burden to carry. If you do not have the space for the item, respectfully decline to take it. If the item causes you emotional or financial distress, don't take it. Think of it this way: would your grandmother want you to have to pay for a storage unit so you can keep her dining room table?
The Guilt
Often times, it is guilt that forces us to take things we really don't want. Human beings have the tendency to merge their emotions for a person into the THINGS that person owned. But remember: it is just a THING, not a person. Your love for your great aunt isn't lessened because you don't want her silver tea set. You still love her...you just don't love tea sets.
Things Nobody Ever Wants
There are things that get held onto and passed down that nobody ever wants. Letters written in anger, racist antiques, and ashes of the deceased top the list. If an heirloom makes you feel sad, ashamed, or unjustly burdened, give yourself permission to get rid of it. The things that live in your house should make you feel happy.
Tacky and outdated collections are another thing nobody ever wants. Consider selling or donating items you know you will never even take out of the box.
Obviously, there are many family heirlooms that are truly treasured and gratefully accepted. However, there are also heirlooms that younger generations accept out of a sense of duty, guilt, or without even being asked if they want.
Burden vs. Joy
If you're soon-to-be-inheriting, carefully consider what you honestly want to accept. Accepting a family heirloom should be a joy, not a burden to carry. If you do not have the space for the item, respectfully decline to take it. If the item causes you emotional or financial distress, don't take it. Think of it this way: would your grandmother want you to have to pay for a storage unit so you can keep her dining room table?
The Guilt
Often times, it is guilt that forces us to take things we really don't want. Human beings have the tendency to merge their emotions for a person into the THINGS that person owned. But remember: it is just a THING, not a person. Your love for your great aunt isn't lessened because you don't want her silver tea set. You still love her...you just don't love tea sets.
Things Nobody Ever Wants
There are things that get held onto and passed down that nobody ever wants. Letters written in anger, racist antiques, and ashes of the deceased top the list. If an heirloom makes you feel sad, ashamed, or unjustly burdened, give yourself permission to get rid of it. The things that live in your house should make you feel happy.
Tacky and outdated collections are another thing nobody ever wants. Consider selling or donating items you know you will never even take out of the box.
Related articles:
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Young + Healthy)
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
Declutter, Donate, and Deduct
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Young + Healthy)
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
Declutter, Donate, and Deduct
#2 Intentionally Use It One Last Time
If you have family heirlooms in your home, consider different options for using them. For instance, if you inherited gold rimmed wine glasses, think about using them for your everyday glasses. Sure, the gold will wear off, but if nobody wants to take the glasses in the future, isn't it better to get some use out of them?
Another idea is to frame the heirloom and display it in your house. Baptismal gowns, old letters and recipes, photographs, and military awards all lend themselves to display in shadowboxes. Have items professionally framed to preserve them.
Perhaps one of the best ideas I've come across is giving the item a "Victory Lap". Let's say you've inherited the family wedding china...which has been packed away and sitting in your attic since you got it. Using the Victory Lap concept, you would make an event out of using it one last time.
Unpack the china and set your table with it. Invite as many family members as you can for dinner to use the china, even if it's just takeout pizza. During dinner, reminisce about the family member that owned the china and take lots of photographs. Offer each family member a place setting to take home. Pack up and donate the remaining pieces to charity. Be sure to share the photos with your family.
Another idea is to frame the heirloom and display it in your house. Baptismal gowns, old letters and recipes, photographs, and military awards all lend themselves to display in shadowboxes. Have items professionally framed to preserve them.
Perhaps one of the best ideas I've come across is giving the item a "Victory Lap". Let's say you've inherited the family wedding china...which has been packed away and sitting in your attic since you got it. Using the Victory Lap concept, you would make an event out of using it one last time.
Unpack the china and set your table with it. Invite as many family members as you can for dinner to use the china, even if it's just takeout pizza. During dinner, reminisce about the family member that owned the china and take lots of photographs. Offer each family member a place setting to take home. Pack up and donate the remaining pieces to charity. Be sure to share the photos with your family.
#3 Cut Down Collection Size
If you've inherited a large collection that you do not want or have the space for, think about cutting it down. For instance, if you've come into a large collection of Depression glass, choose 1 or 2 meaningful pieces and sell or donate the rest.
If it is a collection you'll never use or display, give yourself permission to let it go. You may feel guilty for selling or donating am family heirloom collection that a grandparent spent years building, but remember: theses are just THINGS, not a person. You still love your grandparent even if you donated their Depression glass collection.
If it is a collection you'll never use or display, give yourself permission to let it go. You may feel guilty for selling or donating am family heirloom collection that a grandparent spent years building, but remember: theses are just THINGS, not a person. You still love your grandparent even if you donated their Depression glass collection.
#4 Donate to a Worthy Cause
Consider the historical significance of family heirlooms or collections and donate items where they will be treasured. For example, wartime memorabilia may be appreciated by the local VFW post. Old sports trophies and yearbooks may be of interest to the local high school. Research local historical societies, museums, universities, and service organizations. Things that nobody in your family wants may be welcomed elsewhere.
#5 Sell Valuables
When selling antiques and family heirlooms, it is important to do your research. Sometimes a simple online search will give you a rough idea whether an items holds any financial value or not.
The best advice is to consult with a reputable certified appraiser. Having a professional appraiser look at your items is worth the reasonable fee they charge. Professionals can keep you from throwing away things your thought were fakes (such as jewelry) and give you an idea of what an item may be worth.
If selling items yourself, use extreme caution. Be sure to only accept cash from buyers, meet at a safe public location, and have another person with you. You can never be too careful.
The best advice is to consult with a reputable certified appraiser. Having a professional appraiser look at your items is worth the reasonable fee they charge. Professionals can keep you from throwing away things your thought were fakes (such as jewelry) and give you an idea of what an item may be worth.
If selling items yourself, use extreme caution. Be sure to only accept cash from buyers, meet at a safe public location, and have another person with you. You can never be too careful.
Related Articles:
- Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with your Aging Parents
- Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
- 4 Smart Ideas for Selling Your Stuff Offline...and 1 Really Dumb One
- Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.
Now you have a game plan
When nobody wants the family heirlooms, it can be difficult to figure out what to do. You have several options, from saying "no" to taking the items to selling the items. Weigh your options carefully and make the decision that works best for you, your family, and your circumstance.
Grab a free game plan here!
Downsizing your home can be a tough emotional road.
When you decide that you’re ready to downsize your family home, you’ll need to mentally prepare for the emotions that will bubble up. You’ll be faced with boxes of memories, souvenirs, and heirlooms. It’s not the stuff in the house that brings up all the emotions: it’s the stories attached to the stuff. Clearing out a home for a downsizing or after the death of a loved one is a rite of passage.
In this post, I’ll be sharing the 4 tips for controlling your emotions before, during and after you downsize your home. As a bonus for my subscribers, I’m sharing this Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap.
In this post, I’ll be sharing the 4 tips for controlling your emotions before, during and after you downsize your home. As a bonus for my subscribers, I’m sharing this Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap.
Get mentally prepared: let’s talk about the emotional impact of downsizing your home. Keep Reading.
#1 You’re Going to Feel Guilty, but let it go
First things first: just accept the fact that you are going to feel guilty about downsizing your home. It is totally normal to feel guilty about letting things go. A lot of times, this is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when downsizing.
Whether you put the guilt on yourself or somebody else is guilt-tripping you, it still feels pretty rotten, right?
Some common guilt-isms:
Remember, WHEN THE GUILT SETS IN IT IS OK TO LET IT GO. Giving yourself permission to get rid of the guilt is liberating, y'all.
Whether you put the guilt on yourself or somebody else is guilt-tripping you, it still feels pretty rotten, right?
Some common guilt-isms:
- My Mom (or whoever) gave this to me, so I have to keep it.
- It was expensive, so I should get my money's worth.
- It doesn't fit anymore, but one day it might.
Remember, WHEN THE GUILT SETS IN IT IS OK TO LET IT GO. Giving yourself permission to get rid of the guilt is liberating, y'all.
#2 You’re Going to Feel Wasteful: you are not.
Many of our parents were the children of Depression-era parents, so they grew up with the "I might need it someday" mindset. As a Professional Organizer, I see people save things "they might need" in literally 100% of the homes I work in. (Note: I'm including myself in this category. For me it's gift bags.)
It was/is considered wasteful to throw things out for ANY reason. Broken appliance? It can be fixed. Leftover Cool Whip containers? Save them to store leftovers. Whole mess of gift bags after a birthday? Save them and re-use. (See...I told you).
And let's not even get started on too small/slightly damaged clothes. Oy vey.
What I'm saying is IT ISN'T WASTEFUL TO LET SOMETHING GO IF YOU FIND A GOOD HOME FOR IT. Let someone else benefit from the things you don't use or need.
It was/is considered wasteful to throw things out for ANY reason. Broken appliance? It can be fixed. Leftover Cool Whip containers? Save them to store leftovers. Whole mess of gift bags after a birthday? Save them and re-use. (See...I told you).
And let's not even get started on too small/slightly damaged clothes. Oy vey.
What I'm saying is IT ISN'T WASTEFUL TO LET SOMETHING GO IF YOU FIND A GOOD HOME FOR IT. Let someone else benefit from the things you don't use or need.
- Recycle and re-use things. But think about when it makes more sense to let it go.
- Save hand-me-down clothing for a friend or neighbor. And then get it out of your house. Those size 4 jeans you'll never fit in again could make a difference in someone else's life.
- Call a homeless shelter or a battered women's shelter or an animal shelter or a food bank and ask what they need. Chances are you have things in your house right now that could be doing good for others.
Related articles:
Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Aging Parents
With free Discussion Cheat Sheet
Assess the Mess: How to Plan Out Downsizing Your Home
With free Room-by-Room Checklist
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Still Young and Healthy)
With free Conversation Guide
Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Aging Parents
With free Discussion Cheat Sheet
Assess the Mess: How to Plan Out Downsizing Your Home
With free Room-by-Room Checklist
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Still Young and Healthy)
With free Conversation Guide
#3 You’re Going to Feel Cold-Hearted, but remember you're still a good person
This is where your heart is going to get you in trouble. People transfer their love for a person into an object they associate with that person. It's science, y'all.
But think about it: you are letting go of a THING, not your love for the person who gave it to you.
Just because I donated the encyclopedia set that I got from my Grandmother to Goodwill, it does not mean I don't love my Grandma. I kept one of the books and let the rest go. And I still think about my Grandma every day when I see that one encyclopedia volume on my office shelves. Win-win.
Same goes with emotional souvenirs from our youth. You don't need to keep every t-shirt from every sports team and vacation and event you went to. Those are THINGS. You will still have the memories even if you don't have bins of yellow t-shirts in the attic.
Helpful tip: if you struggle to let sentimental items go, keep one or two, then photograph the rest and put the pictures in an album.
Remember, you want to separate the object from the person when you are downsizing your house.
But think about it: you are letting go of a THING, not your love for the person who gave it to you.
Just because I donated the encyclopedia set that I got from my Grandmother to Goodwill, it does not mean I don't love my Grandma. I kept one of the books and let the rest go. And I still think about my Grandma every day when I see that one encyclopedia volume on my office shelves. Win-win.
Same goes with emotional souvenirs from our youth. You don't need to keep every t-shirt from every sports team and vacation and event you went to. Those are THINGS. You will still have the memories even if you don't have bins of yellow t-shirts in the attic.
Helpful tip: if you struggle to let sentimental items go, keep one or two, then photograph the rest and put the pictures in an album.
Remember, you want to separate the object from the person when you are downsizing your house.
#4 You’re Going to Feel Angry, which is super normal
At some point during the downsizing process, you're going to get mad. Like, ready-to-scream-mad.
Mad at yourself. Why didn't I start downsizing sooner? Why did I waste my money on this? I'm such an awful person for being mad (#guilt).
Mad at your parents. Why did they leave all this for me to deal with? What in the Hell were they thinking?
Mad at your spouse, siblings and/or kids. Why aren't they pulling their weight in helping me? Why am I doing all this?
IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL ANGER. Moving (including downsizing) is one of the most stressful things you can do. It is normal and healthy to feel upset. Accept that anger is going to be a part of the process and make a plan in advance for how to handle it.
Mad at yourself. Why didn't I start downsizing sooner? Why did I waste my money on this? I'm such an awful person for being mad (#guilt).
Mad at your parents. Why did they leave all this for me to deal with? What in the Hell were they thinking?
Mad at your spouse, siblings and/or kids. Why aren't they pulling their weight in helping me? Why am I doing all this?
IT IS COMPLETELY NORMAL TO FEEL ANGER. Moving (including downsizing) is one of the most stressful things you can do. It is normal and healthy to feel upset. Accept that anger is going to be a part of the process and make a plan in advance for how to handle it.
Related article:
Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 Steps to DIY the Garage of Your Dreams.
With free Garage Organization Planner.
4 Smart Ideas for Selling Your Stuff Offline...and 1 Really Dumb One
Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 Steps to DIY the Garage of Your Dreams.
With free Garage Organization Planner.
4 Smart Ideas for Selling Your Stuff Offline...and 1 Really Dumb One
#5 BUT EVENTUALLY, You’re Going to Feel So Much Lighter
After all the guilt and the anger, you will eventually feel so much better. Even if you aren't planning on leaving this Earth anytime soon, downsizing your own home will remove an albatross from around your neck. It's like the weight of the world being removed.
Downsizing makes your feel happier because you know that you've lessened the burden on your family in the future.
Downsizing your home makes you proud because you've helped others in your community by donating things you don't need or use.
Downsizing makes your feel happier because you know that you've lessened the burden on your family in the future.
Downsizing your home makes you proud because you've helped others in your community by donating things you don't need or use.
YOu are mentally prepared to downsize your home.
|
You know that in addition to being a tough task physically, downsizing your home is emotionally taxing. You now have your head in the game and know what to expect when it comes to the feelings you'll have.
To help you on your journey, I've created this Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap just for you! Feel free to download it now. What emotions have you experienced when moving or downsizing? Leave me a note in the comments section! |
Related articles:
Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Aging Parents
With free Discussion Cheat Sheet
Assess the Mess: How to Plan Out Downsizing Your Home
With free Room-by-Room Checklist
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Still Young and Healthy)
With free Conversation Guide
Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Aging Parents
With free Discussion Cheat Sheet
Assess the Mess: How to Plan Out Downsizing Your Home
With free Room-by-Room Checklist
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Still Young and Healthy)
With free Conversation Guide
HOw do you downsize A HOUSE FULL OF STUFF?
At some point, every family in America will be faced with the task of helping their aging parents downsize a home that has probably been lived in for decades. Whether the downsize is to move to a smaller home or an assisted living facility, it can be a tremendously overwhelming process. Where things get tricky, of course, is figuring out what to do with a lifetime of possessions. A home is museum of your family’s life, so it can be emotionally difficult to let things go.
In this post, I’ll share the 5 keys to success for a downsizing project. As a bonus, I’ve created this FREE Discussion Cheat Sheet. Click to download.
In this post, I’ll share the 5 keys to success for a downsizing project. As a bonus, I’ve created this FREE Discussion Cheat Sheet. Click to download.
Ready to Start the Discussion about Downsizing a Lifetime of Stuff? Keep Reading
#1 Take it One Room at a Time
Don’t try to downsize the whole house at once: just take it one room at a time. For the first room, choose a room that has the least amount of items in it. That way when you’ve completed that room you have a small success under your belt and it will motivate you to keep going.
Be aware and respect the fact that there is emotional weight attached to many of the items in every house. You will probably hear “that belonged to my mother/grandparent” more times than you can count. Be patient and take breaks if you start to feel frustrated.
It will take some strict self-enforcement, but as you review items, stick to Yes or No, but never Maybe. If you allow Maybes, it becomes the “dumping ground” for things that you will have to review again. Anything that is a Yes should have a specific place, purpose, or plan for the new home. A No should be separated out into Donate or Discard.
Related articles:
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home.
with free printable Room-by-Room checklist
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
with free printable Emotional Roadmap
5 Secrets for Solving Family Inheritance Disputes
#2 Choose your treasures instead of lamenting your losses
The thought of getting rid of 75% of your possessions can be distressing, at the very least and traumatic at the worst. I have 2 ways to frame the job that I suggest trying:
To read more about Organizing Your Aging Parents, click here.
- “Let’s choose the items you want to treasure” instead of “What can we get rid of?”. Just the simple mind-shift can ease the emotional impact. Make this your mantra.
- “Donating these items to Habitat for Humanity (or whatever charity is close to your parents’ heart) will be such a blessing to someone.” Knowing that the things in your home will benefit someone else can make it easier to let go.
To read more about Organizing Your Aging Parents, click here.
#3 Make a Plan for Collections
Have a strategy for dealing with collections, because there simply will not be room to take everything to the new home. Whether it is a collection of salt and pepper shakers or antique tools, try these three tips.
- “Choose your one favorite piece to treasure”. It is important to give your aging parent some control in what they want to take with them. Moving to a new home is very stressful and can make your parents feel that they aren’t in control of their own lives anymore.
- “Let’s pack this one items to take with you, and we’ll create a photo album of the other items”. Photographing treasured pieces of a collection, printing them out and creating an album is a good way to preserve the memories.
- “Let’s start gifting these legacy items now”. For example, if a family member is going to be the eventual recipient of the antique tool collection, give it to them now. If your parent knows that their wishes are being carried out, it helps with the anxiety.
#4 Make a plan for Selling or Donating
Be realistic about how you’re going to get rid of 75% of a home’s possessions. It is a significant amount of work to coordinate all the logistics. Your main options are to sell or to donate.
Selling items
Most families have the desire to sell some of the possessions, but aren’t sure where to start. You can try services like EBTH or estate sale companies. Always check with the Better Business Bureau and check references of any service you retain to sell your items. Some families choose to consign household items: be advised that there is quite a process involved. Another route is to list things on Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, etc., but be aware that the sheer number of items you’ll have to manage is overwhelming. The technology and selling items one-by-one is tedious and can be a barrier.
Related article: Help Organize Your Aging Parents While They Are Still Young + Healthy, includes Free Printable Checklist
Donations
Do a google search for local charities in your area to find out where you can donate items. You can find good homes for nearly all of the things in an average home. For example, local pet shelters and animal hospitals always accept sheets, towels, linens and laundry detergent. Local schools are happy to accept office supplies and food banks accept unopened food, food wrap, etc.
If your parents have collections that may have interest to a museum or school, consider donating the entire collection. For instance, a large collection of military memorabilia may find a new home in a local museum, military school, or veterans center.
Find charities that will pick-up donations at the home. Each group usually has their own guidelines about what they will and won’t accept, so take a minute to research them. Discuss with your parents whether they want to be there as items are being carried away or not.
Selling items
Most families have the desire to sell some of the possessions, but aren’t sure where to start. You can try services like EBTH or estate sale companies. Always check with the Better Business Bureau and check references of any service you retain to sell your items. Some families choose to consign household items: be advised that there is quite a process involved. Another route is to list things on Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, etc., but be aware that the sheer number of items you’ll have to manage is overwhelming. The technology and selling items one-by-one is tedious and can be a barrier.
Related article: Help Organize Your Aging Parents While They Are Still Young + Healthy, includes Free Printable Checklist
Donations
Do a google search for local charities in your area to find out where you can donate items. You can find good homes for nearly all of the things in an average home. For example, local pet shelters and animal hospitals always accept sheets, towels, linens and laundry detergent. Local schools are happy to accept office supplies and food banks accept unopened food, food wrap, etc.
If your parents have collections that may have interest to a museum or school, consider donating the entire collection. For instance, a large collection of military memorabilia may find a new home in a local museum, military school, or veterans center.
Find charities that will pick-up donations at the home. Each group usually has their own guidelines about what they will and won’t accept, so take a minute to research them. Discuss with your parents whether they want to be there as items are being carried away or not.
5 Consider hiring a Professional Organizer or other estate professionals.
Having a neutral party help with the process can ease the amount of family tension. There are often family dynamics that make the downsizing process complex, so bring in a professional to help navigate. Do a Google search for local Professional Organizers and be sure to check references. When hiring a professional, be sure you are clear about your timeline, any concerns you have, and most of all, be honest.
YOu're ready to get started downsizing.
|
Downsizing a lifetime of stuff can be an overwhelming and emotional task. Start early, be patient, and respect the emotional distress downsizing can have on your parents.
To help get you started, I’ve created this free Discussion Cheat sheet. Download and put it to good use! |
Assessing the amount of stuff in Your house (or your aging Parents' home).
If you have recently looked around your home (or your aging parents’ house), you’ve probably realized that it couldn’t hurt to start downsizing your stuff. More than likely, your home is filled to the brim: a garage, attic and basement that are storage warehouses, closets and drawers that are stuffed, and living areas that are spilling over with stuff.
Your home is a museum of your family’s life, but it has gotten so full you can’t see the forest for the trees. Let’s take a look at how you can start the process, at your house or in your aging parents’ home, of realistically assessing how much stuff there really is. To help you out, we’ve created a free room-by-room checklist to use.
Your home is a museum of your family’s life, but it has gotten so full you can’t see the forest for the trees. Let’s take a look at how you can start the process, at your house or in your aging parents’ home, of realistically assessing how much stuff there really is. To help you out, we’ve created a free room-by-room checklist to use.
Want the lowdown on how to Downsize Your Stuff? Keep reading!
YOU’RE NOT A CLASSIC HOARDER, BUT MAN... THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF
People throw the word “hoarder” around lightly to describe homes that are chock full of clutter. But most people aren’t true hoarders, meaning that they have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Most people simply hang on to things they don’t see any reason to throw out.
A simple example is the plastic souvenir cup. These cups have no monetary value, aren’t used daily, and yet every home I’ve ever been in has at least 50 of these cups taking up space in the cupboards. It’s the “maybe I’ll use it someday” theory combined with the “but I got it at XYZ event” concept that causes people to not be able to throw things away.
Now take the example of the souvenir cup and multiply it times a house that has been lived in for over 20 years. The result is a house full of stuff that isn’t necessarily garbage, but it also isn’t serving any purpose in your life. All the stuff is doing is making you feel disorganized.
A simple example is the plastic souvenir cup. These cups have no monetary value, aren’t used daily, and yet every home I’ve ever been in has at least 50 of these cups taking up space in the cupboards. It’s the “maybe I’ll use it someday” theory combined with the “but I got it at XYZ event” concept that causes people to not be able to throw things away.
Now take the example of the souvenir cup and multiply it times a house that has been lived in for over 20 years. The result is a house full of stuff that isn’t necessarily garbage, but it also isn’t serving any purpose in your life. All the stuff is doing is making you feel disorganized.
YOU’RE READY TO START downsizing your home.
Ask yourself if you can make peace with reducing the amount of stuff in your house. How would you feel if you owned less stuff? How would you feel if your old sweaters that don’t fit anymore ended up in the hands of someone who needed a sweater? There are charity organizations out there that will take virtually everything in your house and put it to good use. (Need help finding a donation resources in Charlotte, NC? Click here to see some of our favorite groups.)
If you are helping an aging parent through this process, be sure to emphasize that their donations will benefit someone local in need. It often makes letting things go easier if they know it is going to a good home. Another way to frame it is to think of what you want to keep and treasure, instead of focusing on what you need to get rid of.
If you are helping an aging parent through this process, be sure to emphasize that their donations will benefit someone local in need. It often makes letting things go easier if they know it is going to a good home. Another way to frame it is to think of what you want to keep and treasure, instead of focusing on what you need to get rid of.
Related articles:
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Still Young + Healthy)
with Two Easy-ish Conversations Guide
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With free printable Emotional Roadmap
Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Aging Parents
with Discussion Guide
Help Organize Your Aging Parents (While They are Still Young + Healthy)
with Two Easy-ish Conversations Guide
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With free printable Emotional Roadmap
Mom, We Have to Talk: 5 Ways to Discuss Downsizing with Your Aging Parents
with Discussion Guide
STEP ONE: MAKE A LIST OF ALL THE AREAS TO REVIEW
Start by making a list of all the areas on the property that you need to look at. I’d suggest starting with the areas that are designed for storage purposes: attics, basements, garages and crawl spaces are usually the worst. Remember outside sheds, barns, etc., too.
Next, note every coat, linen, hall and storage closet, every room, and look for any “hidey-holes” that may be in the house. I know from experience that “smurf doors” (half sized doors that usually have attic-quality storage behind them) tend to be filled to the brim with holiday décor, old stereo equipment and outdated home items.
When you are doing your assessment, you need to look in ALL the places. Trust me: there is stuff stashed everywhere in a home.
Next, note every coat, linen, hall and storage closet, every room, and look for any “hidey-holes” that may be in the house. I know from experience that “smurf doors” (half sized doors that usually have attic-quality storage behind them) tend to be filled to the brim with holiday décor, old stereo equipment and outdated home items.
When you are doing your assessment, you need to look in ALL the places. Trust me: there is stuff stashed everywhere in a home.
Related Articles: Closet Organization Ideas + Hacks , 6 DIY Steps to Organize Your Garage
STEP TWO: GIVE EACH AREA A REALISTIC SCORE
Once you have your list of places to search, it’s time to start poking through each location, room-by-room. I suggest looking at the furnishings, closets, drawers, and amount of papers in each room.
You’ll want to give each area a grade on a 1-3 scale. For example, say you are looking through a bedroom closet. Grade it like this:
1= can see the floor and /or there is negative space (hooray!)
2= items on floor, most of shelf space is full (you can work with this!)
3= jammed to the max, can’t fit another item inside, its like a clown car (oh boy!)
You’ll want to give each area a grade on a 1-3 scale. For example, say you are looking through a bedroom closet. Grade it like this:
1= can see the floor and /or there is negative space (hooray!)
2= items on floor, most of shelf space is full (you can work with this!)
3= jammed to the max, can’t fit another item inside, its like a clown car (oh boy!)
STEP THREE: WALK THROUGH WITH A PARTNER
My advice is that you do this walk through and grading with a partner, preferably a sibling or spouse. While one of you is writing down the 1-3 grades mentioned above, the other should be conducting a treasure hunt. You should note any valuables to research, family heirlooms, photos, and/or important documents you come across.
STEP FOUR: WHAT IS VALUABLE TO US VS VALUABLE TO OTHERS.
Think about these key points when downsizing your home:
- What is valuable to our family in terms of sentimentality?
- Consider photographing items that are sentimental but you don’t really need to physically keep.
- What in the house is valuable to others? Some items may have monetary value when sold, while other things could be a valuable donation to charity.
- Think something might be valuable? Do a quick eBay search.
- If you’re concerned about overlooking valuables, consult a professional certified appraiser (a great source for online appraisals is The Estate Lady. Check her out here.) The cost is completely reasonable.
- Be realistic: check out this article from Forbes magazine, "Sorry, Nobody Wants Your Parents’ Stuff."
YOU’VE on your way to DOWNSIZing YOUR STUFF
Knowing how much stuff you are truly dealing with is the first step to downsizing your house. In our next blog post, we’ll be looking at how to discuss and start making decisions about the stuff.
FREE PRINTABLE ROOM-BY-ROOM CHECKLIST.
To get you started with downsizing your home, we've created this FREE printable checklist. Feel free to print as many copies as you like!
Hey There!
I'm Candi.
I'm an Estate Clearing Pro + Professional Organizer, helping people with family in senior care or that have lost someone to clear out all the contents of the house within a week.
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