More than 85% of Canadians over 65 have more space in their house than they actually use or need. With so many people dealing with being overhoused, it makes sense that there is a big market for retired homeowners interested in downsizing their living arrangements. If you are thinking about moving into a home that’s easier to manage, Augusta Movers has a few tips that will help make your move easier.

Consider Selling Your Home

There is a time when we collect things that make us happy or at least provide some use, but if something you own no longer brings you joy then you should declutter. Yes, that even rings true when it comes to your home. Go through your house and catalog just how much you actually want and use, while also making a list of the things that you don’t use and your “just in case” items. If your list of unnecessary items is longer than the needed items, it might be time to let things go.

Budget In Advance

Chances are if you are seeking to downsize, you are also retired or nearing retirement. With inflation and living cost always on the rise, it’s very important to budget for your future well in advance. Before you move or purchase a smaller home, think about your current assets and the estimated time you will need those assets to survive. Using a budget calculator will help you plot your weekly and monthly living cost so you can make a working plan on how to budget your cost over time.

A lot of people don’t actually want to stop working even though they have reached retirement. Others still find that their savings aren’t sufficient to cover their expenses fully after retirement. In these cases, finding a low-stress part-time job is a good way to cover any budget gaps and fill idle time.

Store Properly

When you move from a larger home to a smaller home, you have to retrain yourself on the proper method of storing things. Folks that are used to having 5-7 closets to house their clothes may need a bit of time to adjust to only having 2-3 dedicated to storage. Consider adding drawers and cabinets to unused spaces such as under the stairs or in the basement. For larger items that you no longer have space for, but are not quite ready to part with, consider renting a monthly storage unit to save space.

Make the Most of Your Time

It’s important to think about what you will spend your time doing when you are choosing a new, smaller place to live. If you like to spend time in the garden, then a home with a lot of space in the yard is ideal. However, if you don’t want a location like that, then a large yard will do nothing but eat into your free time with its maintenance. Also, keep your health in mind, if you or your partner are in failing health, or have issues with moving about easily, it might not be a good idea to choose that quaint house with a spiral staircase. Your location is also important, being close to stores and eateries you enjoy are now more important than being close to your place of employment.

How We Can Help

Augusta Movers understands the importance of having financial stability later in life that will allow you to retire in comfort. We also understand how important it is to retain a sense of home without being overwhelmed with caring for a lot of square footage that you no longer need. If you need help downsizing, our compassionate agents are always here to help. Give us a call at 647-783-8730 today for more information.