Is anyone downsizing?

Question

Has anyone started downsizing their possessions? I don't
want too much stuff. What about you?

Everyone has given such great answers. Makes me
want to get busy with my stuff. Thanks.

Answer 1

Started in a big way (I never do anything in moderation...lol!). Sold my two story, five bedroom home, bought a small 3 bedroom on a lake lot. Traded in my thirsty Chrysler and bought a Kia Sorento. Took only irreplaceable personal belongings (pictures, etc) from the old house and had a massive garage sale for the rest. What was left over, that no one would buy, I rented a dumpster and threw it all away. Why? Couldn't afford the upkeep and the taxes on that big house, and 30+ years of nursing ruined my back and hip so I couldn't easily climb stairs, anyway. The electric bill was staggering. The house owned me. Now, I sit on my pier and fish, or take my little flat bottom boat up the river. I am free to travel, and come and go as I please without pressure to save every penny "just in case". My advise to anyone? Get rid of it. Unless you have a sizable estate, you don't have anything your kids want. Believe me, my daughter will be much happier inheriting a low maintenance little lake house than that money gobbling white elephant I left.

Answer 2

Well, not exactly...yet. In this household, if it hasn't been used in a year, it is out of here, I don't care if I may need it tomorrow, tomorrow often never comes...and yet, the junk continues to pile up. Between yard sales and throw away, the junk is kept under control. But what has downsized is the NEED for all the junk in the first place. At our age(s), I think we have had just about everything we have wanted or needed, often found out it wasn't needed afterall. So my 'wants' have greatly downsized. I no longer really want gifts for birthdays and Christmas....I am content with a meal out to IHOP or anywhere else (I do not appreciate really fine food...it all ends up in the same place). But I do appreciate fine friends greatly. And that is what I try to collect today...much harder than collecting coins, and certainly more costly, considering everything.

Answer 3

I never have had many possessions to begin with. I just don't like having a lot of stuff hanging around. For instance, if I can't find something within 10 minutes I know I have a problem. I don't keep clothes unless I've worn them during the last year. I don't cook very often so even though my kitchen is large I use only half of the drawers and cupboards. My file cabinet is up to date, and I know where everything is. This just makes life easier for me, and a lot less dusting and cleaning!

Answer 4

I started doing this when I made a major move, from one state to another. I distributed my valuable antiques between my children. They chose what they wanted. I miss the pieces of furniture that had been in my childhood home, but I am glad that my children have them now. When I visit them, I can see the furniture and I know it will be passed down.

I try to remember that my treasures are in heaven and not on earth.

Yes, I have downsized a lot. Great question. Good idea to downsize as we grow older.

Answer 5

Oh, how I wish I could! But every time I decide to get rid of something, my husband has a fit. How could I get rid of something that's still good? What if I find I need one of those later? Would need to buy another one, wouldn't I?

We moved from a house to a mobile home. A lot of stuff we'd stored in the attic or basement in that house, there's no room for now. Much of it sits in the garage buried betneath tons of other stuff. Most of it is stuff I never use, anyway.

Answer 6

It's still kind of hard for us because we have grown kids and all the grandchildren that come to visit from out of town, state and the country. Still have two extra rooms filled with beds, dressers and lots of toys and things...plus we tend to have more dishes and such for these times. Add to that, the gifts they're always giving...this little doo-dad or that figurine....and we just keep ending up with more and more!

Answer 7

When I moved from Florida to Wisconsin, I downsized big time. Then I got remarried and have his stuff and mine. We have already gotten rid of a heap of stuff and stored only what we really want for when we finally move out of the box into a real house.

It's amazing how fast "stuff" accumulates.

Answer 8

Absolutely! I can fit my essentials in a laptop bag and one suitcase, then just buy whatever when I get to where I'm going. It gives me a great sense of freedom. I'm not overly ascetic or anything, I like that 61" Sony Trinitron as much as the next guy, but too many possessions are just a fetter, confining, constraining, chaining you to one fixed locale on this entire globe. :)

Answer 9

I've downsized a lot during the past 10 years. Lots of things don't matter to me as much as they once did

Answer 10

My husband and I have been trying to make our adult children take some of their stuff that's been stored at our house for 10 to 15 years. Not having much luck yet.

To me, possessions are just responsibilities. I'd like to find a new home for lots of things.