Category: Selling Your Stuff

How to Know if it is Time for you to Downsize

4/11/2019

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Many of us grow up dreaming about the big, beautiful home we are going to have with our spouse and future children. We drive through neighborhoods in our hometowns thinking about what our ideal home would look like and fantasize about each family member having their own bathroom!

However, there comes a point in time where we reconsider what we truly want. Is a big home really what we still want later in life? It is normal to think maybe it is time to downsize once all the kids are grown, but it is also hard to let go of the house we have a sentimental attachment to and where sweet memories were created.

Though it can be emotionally confusing, downsizing may be a great decision for you. Sage Organizing Co. is here to give you a few ways to know if downsizing is right for you.

1. You're struggling to keep up with the maintenance and necessary repairs

Whether it be financially, physically, or emotionally, if keeping up with home maintenance and repairs is difficult, it may be time for you to consider downsizing. It can be terribly frustrating when it feels like there is ALWAYS something to be fixed in your house. Right when you're done fixing and paying for one repair, another thing breaks! Not only is this frustrating but constant repairs and maintenance is time-consuming and expensive. The smaller the house you live in, the fewer things there are to break and keep up with.

2. You're planning on retiring soon and live far from family

Many people decide to downsize once they retire as this leaves more flexibility in retirement income. Additionally, it gives you more time to focus on your health and happiness. Many people who plan on retiring soon decide on a smaller home without steps that will be hassle-free. Downsizing is also a perfect opportunity for retirees to move close to children and grandchildren who can help in the future.

3. You feel overwhelmed with all of your "stuff"

We often feel a need to fill all the empty space once we move into a big house. As time passes, "stuff" accumulates. Sometimes you look around the house and don't even realize all the things you own! Other times we prefer to live in denial and never open the forbidden cabinets that have an unknown number of items in them. Once you've truly accepted that less really is more, it may be time for you to downsize. A smaller home will force you to reduce the stuff you have and really focus on what you truly need.

4. You feel "house poor" and sacrifice dreams because of it

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If housing costs are preventing you from traveling and enjoying life's luxuries, downsizing is probably a good option for you. Moving into a smaller home or even an apartment/condo/townhome requires little maintenance which makes it possible for you to travel for longer periods and have the money to do so! Even if traveling isn't your thing, downsizing frees up money that can be spent on the things you are really wanting to try.

Even if you now see that downsizing is right for you, you may be worried about the stress and complication of the process.
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Not only do you have to move your things, you also have to decide what you want to keep and what you want to discard. THEN, you have to figure out the best way to discard your unwanted things.⠀
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Skip the stress and call Sage! Sage Organizing Co. will help you organize your valuables, pack them, and donate your unwanted items to local charities. ♻️⠀Comment below with any questions!
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Let Sage make your downsize go smoothly and put your unwanted things to good use around the community. Contact us for more information!

Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.

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How to Sort like a Pro: Advice from a Professional Organizer

7/7/2018

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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:

Post-it notes (consider the heavy ones) and/or painters tape
Color coded dots (for larger jobs)
Sturdy boxes/Packing materials/Packing tape
Sharpies
Trash Bags (preferably heavy duty)
Sturdy Step Stool
Work gloves

Logistics to Consider:

Work when not hungry or tired
Set small attainable goals
Make work area safe (trip hazards, pets, temperature, pests)
Clean as you go or do regular spot clean-ups

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:

archival photo boxes and vital document storage
long term storage solutions (like large Rubbermaid bins)
short term storage solutions to sort into

Logistics to Consider:
*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:

Internet connection

Logistics to Consider:

Selling online? Think about packaging and shipping costs for the item.
Consigning locally? Research how to transport items to the shop, the details of the contract, and how unsold items are disposed of.
Safety first! Use caution when meeting strangers and exchanging money.

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:

Post-its or colored dots
Bags or sturdy boxes to transport the items

Logistics to Consider:

Document, document, document. Itemize your donations if giving a large amount. Check outhow to easily keep track of donations here.
Whenever possible, schedule a pick-up for items at your home.
No pick-ups available? Immediately put the donations in your trunk and drop off on your next round of errands.

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:

heavy duty trash bags
floor protections for larger jobs (spills and scrapes)
broom/dustpan and vacuum
recycling bins

Logistics to Consider:

Household hazardous waste disposal
City trash + recycling pick-up and standards
Rental of a dumpster
Bulky item collection

Related Articles
HOW TO DOWNSIZE YOUR HOME BEFORE MOVING
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.

Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.

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5 steps to sell your stuff online (with printable cheat sheet)

4/10/2018

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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.

Just for our readers, we’ve created this nifty How to Sell Your Items Online Cheat Sheet. Download and enjoy!

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

It will come as no surprise that selling your stuff online on Ebay and Amazon are popular methods.

Both platforms have incredibly large audiences, thereby increasing your chances of selling your item quickly. There are fees associated with using both services, so be sure you are aware of what you are agreeing to before listing your items.

Related Articles:
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms
With Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One
With How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet
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.

Lesser Known: Ebid, Bonanza, Etsy, Collectors.com

As mentioned above, Etsy is a great site for selling handmade and craft items online. If you have beads, buttons, fabrics, and vintage items to sell, be sure to give Etsy a look.

Ebid is a site that is similar to Ebay, but doesn’t have the same amount of traffic. If you’re selling on Ebid, you’ll want to market your items elsewhere, too. On the plus side, however, EBid has lower fees than the big guys.

Bonanza is a great option for selling more unique and quirky items. Bonanza has a large audience, has no listing fee, and a low commission percentage compared to Ebay.

Collectors.com is a great option to sell your collectibles online.

Local Options: Craigslist or Facebook Groups

The best thing about selling your stuff online locally is that you pay zero fees for listing and selling.

If you live in an area that has an active Craigslist community, try listing your item there. Photos are key to selling your items. Use common sense and caution when meeting with buyers: only accept cash and meet in public places.

If you live in a community without a lot of Craiglist action, selling your stuff in Facebook Groups is a great option. Find local Facebook groups to list your items and be sure to follow all the rules. You’ll keep all the profits of selling via Facebook

Related Articles:
Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
With Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap

Apps to Consider: Letgo, Offerup, Etc.

There are several apps that let you create accounts and list your items for other members to see.

Apps like LetGo, OfferUp, and 5Miles, etc. are certainly options, however, many users complain about spammers, failure to show up to buy, etc. Be sure to read reviews from users before signing up for an app.

You Can Sell Your Stuff Online!

Learning how to sell your items online takes a little bit of research, a flexible timeline, and some technical savvy, but it also can get you the best price. If you are ready to declutter your home and make a little money in the process, try one of our five steps above.

Leave a comment to let us know how your sale went!

Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.

Related Articles:
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
With Room-by-Room Checklist

Download your free How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet here.

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Home Organizing Tips

Sage advice blog

How to Know if it is Time for you to Downsize

1. You're struggling to keep up with the maintenance and necessary repairs

2. You're planning on retiring soon and live far from family

3. You feel overwhelmed with all of your "stuff"

4. You feel "house poor" and sacrifice dreams because of it

How to Sort like a Pro: Advice from a Professional Organizer

Ready to learn a professional organizer's tips for Sorting? Read on...

Set yourself up for success

Keep

Sell

Donate

Discard

YOU'RE ready to sort like a pro!

5 steps to sell your stuff online (with printable cheat sheet)

Are you Ready to Learn How to Sell Your Stuff Online? Read On.

Step One: Google “How to Sell xxx Online”

The Big Guys: Ebay and Amazon

Lesser Known: Ebid, Bonanza, Etsy, Collectors.com

Local Options: Craigslist or Facebook Groups

Apps to Consider: Letgo, Offerup, Etc.

You Can Sell Your Stuff Online!

Categories

Looking for something?

Archives

Services + Products

Home Organizing

Organizing Your Move

Shop Amazon Product Recommendations

Company

Join the Sage Team

Let's Connect

FREE Organizing Tips from a Pro

Home Organizing Tips

Sage advice blog

How to Know if it is Time for you to Downsize

1. You're struggling to keep up with the maintenance and necessary repairs

2. You're planning on retiring soon and live far from family

3. You feel overwhelmed with all of your "stuff"

4. You feel "house poor" and sacrifice dreams because of it

How to Sort like a Pro: Advice from a Professional Organizer

Ready to learn a professional organizer's tips for Sorting? Read on...

Set yourself up for success

Keep

Sell

Donate

Discard

YOU'RE ready to sort like a pro!

5 steps to sell your stuff online (with printable cheat sheet)

Are you Ready to Learn How to Sell Your Stuff Online? Read On.

​Step One: Google “How to Sell xxx Online”

The Big Guys: Ebay and Amazon ​

Lesser Known: Ebid, Bonanza, Etsy, Collectors.com ​

Local Options: Craigslist or Facebook Groups

Apps to Consider: Letgo, Offerup, Etc. ​

You Can Sell Your Stuff Online!

Categories

Looking for something?

Archives

​Services + Products

Home Organizing

Organizing Your Move

Shop Amazon Product Recommendations

Company

Join the Sage Team

Let's Connect

FREE Organizing Tips from a Pro

Step One: Google “How to Sell xxx Online”

The Big Guys: Ebay and Amazon

Lesser Known: Ebid, Bonanza, Etsy, Collectors.com

Apps to Consider: Letgo, Offerup, Etc.

Services + Products