I am currently going through a process that most everyone will go through at some point: downsizing. This term can strike fear into many and I have even talked with folks who have put off a desired move simply because this huge, seemingly insurmountable obstacle stands in their way.  A little soul searching prior to a move can help you create your game plan and prove to be a positive, rather than dreadful, experience.

When you find it is time (or even long before) the biggest piece of advice that helped me was to create a concise plan BEFORE you begin the process. Going through this process when you can rather than when you have to increases your chances for success. Also important is to make sure your spouse or significant other uses the same playbook to help keep stress and conflict to a minimum.

First, determine what your lifestyle needs will be in your new space.  Do you want less clutter?  Do you like a purpose for everything?  Do you have collections that you simply do not want to part with? Envisioning how you want your new space to feel can begin to give you a holistic view of what may be important versus what you can part with. Below are some basic tips though many on-line resources are available with just a few keystrokes.

De-clutter with each purchase

Use this simple mantra: One in, one out, or maybe even One In, two out.  You may actually find this cathartic . If you buy a new shirt, find two to donate.

Thoughtfully downsize

There will, of course, be those items that you will take with you.  When you are choosing what to keep, think multi purpose and quality. Choose to keep a statement piece instead of too many pieces.  Also try to keep items that double as storage, such as a coffee table with drawers or ottomans with lids.

Once you have determined your basic needs, place other items into 3 categories:

• Sell – There are many ways to make a little extra pocket money utilizing websites such as eBay and local consignment shops. 
• Donate – Just because an item has not been used by you in awhile does not mean that it can’t live a second life. Local charitable organizations can assist with this and many offer free pickup.  There are also websites such as freecycle.org that can assist with finding new homes for specific items with people in your local area.
• Treasured items and family heirlooms. – If you have items that cannot be replaced and you simply will not have the room for them all, consider giving them to family and friends who will appreciate them.

Lastly, if too much to handle alone, hire a professional!

If you have accrued decades of items, a professional organizer can help sort through items in a systematic, organized manner, taking much of the emotional stress off of you.  These can be dollars well spent.

A quick note on important papers:

Always keep birth and death records, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, medical records, insurance policies, wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, property deeds, vehicle titles, social security cards, pension plan documents and investment records.

With Raymond James Investor Access’ recently rolled-out Vault, all of the above items can easily be scanned and stored virtually as well.

Having your game plan, and thus taking the emotion out of the equation, helps make the process a bit smoother.  It is also emotionally gratifying to know that the items you choose to part with, whether through donation or sale, will have a second life with someone who can use them rather than collecting dust in the back of your new closet.

submitted by Keri Gore