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Tips for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment?

My mom and I live in a big rented house. We have to downsize to a smaller rented apartment. There is no storage in these places. I also have to share a washer and dryer the everyone uses. What did you do when you had to move to a smaller elderly apartment?

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
September 21, 20180 found this helpful

You need to sell or donate any items you havent used in the last year. Start getting rid of things as soon as possible. When you get to the new place it would be best to have a schedule of who uses the washer and dryer.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
September 21, 20180 found this helpful

Downsizing is a multi step process. I work through these steps with many of my clients. The short version is:

You need to decide what to keep, sell, give to family and friends, donate, trash and recycle.

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Keep what you need for the new place.

Sell what you don't need...If you have a number of large pieces of furniture and a lot of general household items , you may want to have a professional estate sale company come in and run a sale for you. Some sell everything from canned goods from your pantry to cars from your garage. Many of these services have long wait lists so you need to start planning at least 6 months in advance to get on their schedule. If you are game, you could run your own sale and keep all the profits.

Let your family take first choice before the sale.

Shred and recycle old paperwork like bills, and such. Typically you only need 10 years of taxes, 7 years of medical and three years of the rest. Recycle unneeded bottles, empty canned goods that have gone bad and recyle cans. Recycle all magazines, newspaper and such.

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Trash broken items that are beyond repair and not recyclable.

If you do a sale and there are items left, find a reputable charity and dinate the items. Be sure to get a tax receipt if you itemize your taxes.

Once you move you may need to do another round of paring down if you don't have enough room.

As for the laundry situation, most places have a schedule and you will need to see how they work it. You can always negotiate or trade days with neighbors if they are willing or find a clean, safe neighborhood laundromat where you can go at your leisure.

Wishing you a peaceful and painless process.

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Silver Answer Medal for All Time! 424 Answers
September 21, 20180 found this helpful

You did not say how long before you move , but you should start sorting right away, even pack in boxes what you know you will need when you move . If you have family who live close by ask what all they would like. Things that you know you can not take, try to sell some items and the rest donate to a local thrift shop, its called "down-sizing" .

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As for the washer/dryer bit, find out if there are any set rules as to when you can use them.


I am sure it will be hard at first, try to get to know your neighbors, and see if they have any suggestions.

Good luck !!

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
September 22, 20180 found this helpful

How much stuff do you have in the "big rented house" that you already know you cannot take with you? Is there a lot of furniture? If there is furniture that should be the on your first "to do" list.

  • If you have enough furniture and kitchen items to have a yard sale then that is probably the best route to take.
  • You could move everything to one or two front rooms and close off the rest of the house. Be sure to have everything priced or it may not sell as people do not like having to ask for a price on everything. Place stuff outside that is movable.
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  • Think about what is your bottom line for large pieces but remember that what you do not sell will have to be disposed of in some manner.
  • Ask a couple of neighbors to help so there will always be several "friends" around for safety as well as to deter thievery.
  • Clothes do not always sell at yard sales unless they are presented on tables or hangers and people really expect bargains at yard sales.
  • However much time you have will determine if any of this is possible or if you are going to have to start moving things out right away.
  • Others have given excellent ideas as to how to downsize items in your house but occasionally it is difficult to "throw" something away that you have had for many years. That is something you and your mother will have to come to terms with or none of these suggestions will work.
  • I always suggest having a "thinking" box or two so that I can put some things aside to decide on later - just in case I have room or if I want to swap for something else.
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  • If you have some valuable pieces or antiques then hiring someone might be a good idea but as a general rule they receive at least half or a flat fee and will not do a sale unless they can see there is a sufficient amount of money to be made. Also, they have to have a contract well in advance because they advertise (you pay for) at least 2 or 3 weeks in advance or the sale will not be successful. This may be good if there is sufficient money to be made.
  • If you have family and/or friends that you would like to have certain things then be sure to set them aside with their name on it so no one will claim it unawares.
  • This type of move can be a very traumatic time in people's lives so be sure you and your mother look after each other and understand that everything may not as peaceful as it may have been in the past.
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Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,298 Posts
September 22, 20180 found this helpful

Are the items all in your rented home items you need, or collected overtime?

I would sort with each item and decide whether the item is needed, why is it needed?

If it is, keep it in the pile of "to bring items"
If not, see if the item is sellable? To donate? To give away to family/friends/neighbors or someone who may want or need it. Or is it completely trash

From there sort again with the "to bring items" and think where they will go in the new apartment, is there a purpose & will it fit?

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August 28, 20190 found this helpful

We learned I have (inoperable) matastesized cancer and the shock of it included an immediate necessity to move, and I mean fast. Even as sick as I am, I immediately started looking at downsizing ideas, and I hope some of these might help you.

  • Instead of trying to store items in bulky rubber boxes/lids, use the smallest baby pool to store items like linens and sheets, or anything you want. Then, just slide it under your bed!
  • Check your thrift stores for rolling carts. Cover them with a table cloth, runner, or make a skirt with an opening, Easy option for storing every from t-shirts to toys.
  • Use the broiler drawer of your oven to store cast iron cookware.
  • Find plastic Halloween pumpkins (Always in thrift stores). Store extra keys, momentos, holiday linens, dog collars, meds,etc.
  • In small spaces, think UP instead of OUT. Floating shelves, lightweight curtains can easily become storage for scarves, belts, and your nicer handbags.
  • Buy (if you don't already have one) a desk with 6 drawers. Half can be used for canned foods, dish towels, cooking utensils and cleaning supplies. Your drawers, your choices!
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