If you're considering moving a loved one, or moving yourself, “Downsizing the Silver Tsunami” is a practical how-to guide about working with real estate agents, having estate sales, consignment sellers, whether or not you should have a will or a trust and so much more!

Enjoy this important topic and video, based on the book, and find much more here

You’ve found yourself at a time in life where you’ve got too much house, and it’s time to downsize. But what do you do with all the stuff that’s filling your home? The Betty Brigade has you covered. Just follow these easy tips, and you will be ready to downsize with ease in no time!

1. Donate it to a local charity Let’s face it, you don’t need that lovely floral-patterned couch or those six lamps that are collecting dust in the basement, right? So why not donate them to a charity that can benefit from them? Do you have a lot of donations? Most charities will pick up large loads, and many will even pick up the larger items for you. You just have to be careful because charities are getting pickier every day with their requirements. Make sure your item is clean, lightly worn (or like new), and has no stains or rips. If your pet sheds or used your old favorite couch as a bathroom, it probably won’t make the cut. With that being said, it’s the easiest way to downsize with ease and get rid of those unwanted items and help someone in need. Make sure you ask for a receipt though…those are tax deductions.

1. Recycle You can recycle some pretty weird things ranging from old running shoes to prosthetic limbs. At The Betty Brigade, we have pretty much seen it all! So don’t think you’re unwanted items that charities don’t want will just end up in a landfill somewhere. There is a good possibility that you can locate a facility willing to take your “weird things.”Don’t let your paint and flammable materials end up in a landfill either. Not only is this bad for your environment, but it can also contaminate the soil and your drinking water. Instead, find a local facility near you to properly dispose of them. Glass, plastic, metal, and paper are what most people recycle. But, there are lots of other things you can recycle like old chemicals and paints, old prescriptions, old eyeglasses, old technology, and even more. Be creative — there are lots of places you might not have considered for recycling.

1. Sell It Why not make some money and start building your nest egg a little more? There are a ton of different options that will allow you to sell that stuff that’s still in good condition that you simply don’t need anymore. Craigslist, estate sales, yard sales, and social media are just a few avenues that you can use.Don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling it? There are a lot of companies out there that will orchestrate and run these sales for you. A couple of hints: make sure the re-seller is reputable, and you know how long it takes them to pay you; it could be a week, or it could be three months--it’s important to ask.

1. Store It I have to be honest, this is The Betty’s least favorite option of what to do with your stuff. With that being said, we understand that sometimes this must happen, especially if you haven’t found a new place to move to yet and your house has sold. Moving companies sometimes offer free storage for three months, or you may have to pay for it monthly on your own. Either way, if you need a place to hide the stuff you’re keeping, storage units can be a good option. Don’t forget, you can also use your garage, basement, closets, and friends’ and family members’ houses to store stuff as well… just get their permission first.

1. Give it away Odds are you aren’t going to find a buyer or organization for every single item that you are looking to get rid of (we are just being honest here). Curb Alerts are our friend (best friend, if you will) in getting rid of things… FAST. See those suggestions we gave you in where to sell your stuff? Well, you can always get rid of free stuff on those as well.

1. Trash it When all else fails… trash it. Sometimes you can’t seem to find any organization or person that is willing to take Great Aunt Bertha’s 75-year-old stuffed goat. Landfills were created for things like that. If you have tried all other avenues and have failed, then the dumpster will be your best friend.

Although sometimes it can be overwhelming, downsizing doesn’t have to be difficult. Do you feel ready to tackle that extra stuff around your home that you no longer need so you can downsize with ease? If just reading these tips starts to stress you out, we can help. Get in touch with us or give us a call — Toll-free 1-888-742-3889 or 734-994-1000 —, and we’ll tailor a custom plan for you to help you reach all of your downsizing and organizing goals. We help clients nationwide! Until next time – Keep It Simple!