Downsizing - seriously!

cj · 10-04-2007, 11:29 AM

OK, in a follow up to other threads, DH & I are starting to get the itch to seriously downsize. Maybe move into one of those over-55 places, who knows? So we keep talking through the issues and what it would mean. Then we start talking about all the stuff we could get rid of (lawn mower, tractor mower, weed-whacker, leaf blower, chainsaw, wheel barrow, 24' ladder, snowblower, some furniture, exercise equipment - if it's available at the community - etc., etc.)

We already live a lot lighter than many people we know, but to ditch all of this stuff really feels like it would be a commitment. A true life change. But, I mean, what if we got rid of all the stuff, moved to a little place, then decided we hated it??

These are the thoughts that have been running through my head. Now that they are written down, it seems sort of silly.

I guess we just really have to figure out just what it is we want. We live out in the country with lots of space, and it really is pretty, but we are starting to feel like slaves to the place. We'd like to have a bit more freedom to come and go. When I see Billy & Akaisha's little park model, I get envious of the freedom. So maybe we are ready for this. It still feels like a big jump though!

Comments? Let me have it!

CJ

**Gumby** · 10-04-2007, 11:49 AM

Could you put all of your stuff in a self storage place for a year or two, just in case you don't like the new place and want to upsize again?

Texas Proud · 10-04-2007, 11:57 AM

How about hiring somebody to do all that for you?? Heck, a lawn guy is cheap for what they do.

unclemick · 10-04-2007, 12:35 PM

Well now - I suggest that nobody downsize like we did in 2005(Katrina).

Hindsight says though - if you turn around and buy another house - the 'stuff' comes back almost like 'magic' perhaps even more so. Before Katrina 1345 sq ft fish camp/250' driveway and swamp. Post Katrina 1152 sq ft house/modest front and back yard/covered patio/tool shed out back/gas grill.

The stuff/junk suits the action - small apt., maybe RV - or drastic change in sq ft with no yard - or form follows function and all that rot.

heh heh heh - downsizing isn't as easy as it first appears!

Lest I forget - two dogs, one cat and a 38 gallon tank with numerous fishies! Even in my 14th yr of ER - downsizing would requiring consulting a professional - if there is such a thing.

Cruisinthru · 10-04-2007, 12:50 PM

CJ,

It seems you just need to decide what kind of lifestyle will make you happy and if you and your spouse are on the same page, go for it. The material things you listed don't seem like much fun anyway...

I think I understand your confusion. My husband and I retired to lakefront property that we had owned for a few years. We had a open water view that went for miles! But that view didn't make up for all the living that we left behind in town. We sat down one day and made a list of what was wrong with our situation at the lake and what we would really like. After comparing our lists, we started looking around to find a place that was a better match for us.

We now live in an over-55 community in north Texas and the change in our lives has been very positive. We love the community, we love our house that is on a small lot on a golf course. We still have a view of water, too. We are enjoying our days much more.

Notice I didn't mention downsizing. We downsized our household when we moved to the lake. Our house here is 700 sq ft larger than the lakehouse, but much easier to maintain. But we don't have the riding lawn mower, the power washer, the large ladders, or the boat, jetskis, etc. LIfe is much more simple.

CuppaJoe · 10-04-2007, 12:56 PM

My neighbor lives in a studio apt. and uses a weed-whacker to turn the back yard into his own personal patch of paradise, complete with garden. No one else goes out there.

**Want2retire** · 10-04-2007, 01:01 PM

If you are moving to another state then the high cost of moving usually means selling/giving away all that stuff anyway, and buying new when you get there.

So, if you wind up in a downsized over-55 community, then you just wouldn't buy what you don't need, after you get there. If you decided you didn't like it there, then buy new.

Stuff is easier than you might think to replace, as needed, even while LBYM'ing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that out after my divorce.

FIREdreamer · 10-04-2007, 01:51 PM

I can't wait to downsize! and I am only 33! When I see the stuff my wife and I have accumulated in just over 10 years, it makes me sick to my stomach. There are days I look around, grab large plastic bags and start packing stuff away, destination the dust bin or the charity shop. I did that with my office last week and I am weeding out our closets this week. And it's not like we are pathological hoarders, but it is still too much stuff everywhere, books, "figurines" (or dust traps as I call them), furniture, clothes... And let's not even talk about the garage! The wake up call came when we moved 2 years ago and we realized that a 18-wheeler was barely big enough to haul our stuff!

When my MIL moved early this year, I helped her unpack and after unwrapping the fifth porcelain elephant, the fourth china set, and the 30th wind chime, I was about ready to blow a fuse...

haha · 10-04-2007, 02:01 PM

When I was 33 I was still able to move in full sized van borrowed from a friend.

But boy did I change that quickly when we moved to the country and I started acquiring stuff for my place, my wife and my kids.

I have never felt comfortable with stuff, but I nevertheless have a lot. Quite a bit will be going soon.

Ha

**Want2retire** · 10-04-2007, 02:51 PM

When I move to Missouri, I am planning to fit everything in the smallest size U-haul truck.

I am already working on psychologically "letting go" of furniture that I just won't be able to move, or shouldn't. I will be taking almost no furniture with me. I will buy furniture that looks right with the new house when I get there, and I can use the money that I saved in the move to give me a head start on that.

It will be a new life, in a new place, so that will be fun.

Oh, and speaking of downsizing - - in the past eight years I have reduced my books from 85 boxes full to an estimated 25 boxes full, and I am still working on that. A few days ago I even threw out (gasp!) my whole collection of empty shoe boxes, except for two.

Pretty soon, the old and ratty shoes that I would never wear again will go with them.

I bought some plastic containers, to store things in so that my closets would be neater. When I tried to fill them, I was surprised to realize that most of my stuff isn't worth packing away to keep.

If I keep downsizing, I'll be able to fit everything in my car!

Nords · 10-04-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj

Then we start talking about all the stuff we could get rid of (lawn mower, tractor mower, weed-whacker, leaf blower, chainsaw, wheel barrow, 24' ladder, snowblower, some furniture, exercise equipment - if it's available at the community - etc., etc.)

I like the storage unit suggestion, and for everything else there's Home Depot Rentals.

I've also enjoyed reading "It's All Too Much". The focus is on decluttering but it's a great guide to deciding what you want to keep on hand for a particular task or hobby.

In my case I realized I can finally let go of those five-year archives of Family Handyman magazine... of course I'm also going to install the "infinite attic storage system".

HFWR · 10-05-2007, 08:19 AM

I'm thinking I should downsize to the volume of a shopping cart...

**Want2retire** · 10-05-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFWR

I'm thinking I should downsize to the volume of a shopping cart...

I think it would be cool to downsize to the volume that would fit inside my Camry Solara, before I move to Missouri.

Ain't gonna happen... but it would sure be a hassle-free move. It's worth thinking about.

rs0460a · 10-05-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire

I think it would be cool to downsize to the volume that would fit inside my Camry Solara, before I move to Missouri.

Ain't gonna happen... but it would sure be a hassle-free move. It's worth thinking about.

Funny, since my DW/me did exactly that. We were married after I returned from Nam in '69. All our "possessions" were in the back seat of our '69 Dodge Dart on our way to my next assignment.

Fast forward (38 years last month). So much "stuff" in our current home (only 2 of us, with 2 dogs) with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1+ acre in grass. I don't think I would ever get my DW to part with "her stuff" (most of it!) after having "nothing" for so many years.

What seems simple is often not. I don't think that anthing will be disposed of untill she/me are "in the ground". We'll pay for having our grass cut and the bushes trimmed (cheaper than moving into a 55+ community, of which we already researched).

- Ron

**Martha** · 10-05-2007, 08:53 AM

Ron, you have turned off the ability to get PMs. I didn't know we could even do that.

rs0460a · 10-05-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha

Ron, you have turned off the ability to get PMs. I didn't know we could even do that.

I just reviewed the options. Apparently, it was saved as a default. I changed it to now accept all requests! (surprising how many were out there, since I left...)

- Ron

**Want2retire** · 10-05-2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs0460a

Funny, since my DW/me did exactly that. We were married after I returned from Nam in '69. All our "possessions" were in the back seat of our '69 Dodge Dart on our way to my next assignment.

Aw!!! That is so touching. Honestly, it reminds me of those days of first love, when possession don't matter as much as each other. For me, Sonny and Cher's "I Got You, Babe!" epitomize that stage in life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs0460a

Fast forward (38 years last month). So much "stuff" in our current home (only 2 of us, with 2 dogs) with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and 1+ acre in grass. I don't think I would ever get my DW to part with "her stuff" (most of it!) after having "nothing" for so many years.

I can relate to that, as I was that way for many years. Lately, I guess it has worn off since I feel burdened by all this sh*t, most of which isn't worth keeping. I gave my ex everything in my divorce (essentially), but more has accumulated. I really prefer having less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs0460a

What seems simple is often not. I don't think that anthing will be disposed of untill she/me are "in the ground". We'll pay for having our grass cut and the bushes trimmed (cheaper than moving into a 55+ community, of which we already researched).

After reading today's posts, I threw out six more empty shoeboxes and similar boxes. I seem to hoard boxes like a squirrel hoards nuts, and while big boxes are great for moving, there are only so many small boxes that a person needs. Then I went through some of my college books and notes, and segregated some that I would not miss. I filled two of my new plastic storage containers with excess office supplies that I have accumulated over the years. All of this makes my house look neater, and moving seems more possible than it did before.

I guess this is downsizing the hard way! The easy way would be to hire a couple of illegals with a backhoe and a dumpster...

ziggy29 · 10-05-2007, 09:39 AM

We sold a 2200 sf, 4/2.5 house in Houston and bought a 2-bed, 1150 sf house on a half acre out in the country west of Austin last year. Though we're not FIREd yet (I'm 42 next week and the better half is 39), it nevertheless represented a step closer to FIRE. We already live in our "retirement home" (we think) so we won't have to deal with when we pull the plug on w*rk. My property taxes are 1/3 what they were in Houston, and electric bills have been 1/3 what they were there. No more mortgage, either!

Moving to such smaller quarters has made us seriously look at our "stuff" and give a lot of it away. The inability to hold more stuff in the smaller house makes it harder for us to succumb to "affluenza" and buy more stuff. All of which help reduce our income requirements, allow us to save more and accelerate FIRE.

We're quite fortunate in that I'm able to telecommute most of the time and take my big-city salary (originally transferred from Silicon Valley) out to the country. We're already living some of the FIRE goals we have (such as the smaller house in a slower-paced town in the country) and I'm probably still 10 years (+/-) away from calling it quits for good.

happy2bretired · 10-05-2007, 10:12 AM

Since my auction of collectables, antiques and BOOKS I feel so much better. My basement was overflowing with junk. I still have much more to sort thru and throw or give away, but, it's so much easier now. Not only did I have cobwebs in my basement due to the extra stuff, I felt like I had cobwebs in my brain. Just the thought of all that stuff down there was very disturbing.

I went to a tag sale yesterday. A $400,000 townhouse, over 3,000 square feet just filled with prettys....really nice prettys. The townhouse was owned by a widow. There was no indication that her husband had ever lived in that house since everything appeared to be in a woman's taste. Very lovely and expensive furniture, art objects, just beautiful stuff. Very expensive clothing, shoes - it was just amazing to me. Every room was covered with stuff and every closet was full of clothing. That lady must not have done anything but shop.

I walked thru there in amazement - looked it all over and took in all the eye candy I wanted. Walked out without buying anything and felt GREAT!

10-04-2007, 11:29 AM	#1
cj Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 298	Downsizing - seriously! OK, in a follow up to other threads, DH & I are starting to get the itch to seriously downsize. Maybe move into one of those over-55 places, who knows? So we keep talking through the issues and what it would mean. Then we start talking about all the stuff we could get rid of (lawn mower, tractor mower, weed-whacker, leaf blower, chainsaw, wheel barrow, 24' ladder, snowblower, some furniture, exercise equipment - if it's available at the community - etc., etc.) We already live a lot lighter than many people we know, but to ditch all of this stuff really feels like it would be a commitment. A true life change. But, I mean, what if we got rid of all the stuff, moved to a little place, then decided we hated it?? These are the thoughts that have been running through my head. Now that they are written down, it seems sort of silly. I guess we just really have to figure out just what it is we want. We live out in the country with lots of space, and it really is pretty, but we are starting to feel like slaves to the place. We'd like to have a bit more freedom to come and go. When I see Billy & Akaisha's little park model, I get envious of the freedom. So maybe we are ready for this. It still feels like a big jump though! Comments? Let me have it! CJ

10-04-2007, 11:49 AM	#2
Gumby Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,519	Could you put all of your stuff in a self storage place for a year or two, just in case you don't like the new place and want to upsize again? __________________ You should not assume that I have a clue about anything I post. If you need a lawyer, go get your own.

10-04-2007, 12:35 PM	#4
unclemick Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 5,212	Well now - I suggest that nobody downsize like we did in 2005(Katrina). Hindsight says though - if you turn around and buy another house - the 'stuff' comes back almost like 'magic' perhaps even more so. Before Katrina 1345 sq ft fish camp/250' driveway and swamp. Post Katrina 1152 sq ft house/modest front and back yard/covered patio/tool shed out back/gas grill. The stuff/junk suits the action - small apt., maybe RV - or drastic change in sq ft with no yard - or form follows function and all that rot. heh heh heh - downsizing isn't as easy as it first appears! Lest I forget - two dogs, one cat and a 38 gallon tank with numerous fishies! Even in my 14th yr of ER - downsizing would requiring consulting a professional - if there is such a thing. Last edited by unclemick; 10-04-2007 at 12:50 PM. Reason: afterthought

10-04-2007, 01:01 PM	#7
Want2retire Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,746	If you are moving to another state then the high cost of moving usually means selling/giving away all that stuff anyway, and buying new when you get there. So, if you wind up in a downsized over-55 community, then you just wouldn't buy what you don't need, after you get there. If you decided you didn't like it there, then buy new. Stuff is easier than you might think to replace, as needed, even while LBYM'ing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that out after my divorce. __________________ Dreaming of retirement....

10-04-2007, 01:51 PM	#8
FIREdreamer Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 943	I can't wait to downsize! and I am only 33! When I see the stuff my wife and I have accumulated in just over 10 years, it makes me sick to my stomach. There are days I look around, grab large plastic bags and start packing stuff away, destination the dust bin or the charity shop. I did that with my office last week and I am weeding out our closets this week. And it's not like we are pathological hoarders, but it is still too much stuff everywhere, books, "figurines" (or dust traps as I call them), furniture, clothes... And let's not even talk about the garage! The wake up call came when we moved 2 years ago and we realized that a 18-wheeler was barely big enough to haul our stuff! When my MIL moved early this year, I helped her unpack and after unwrapping the fifth porcelain elephant, the fourth china set, and the 30th wind chime, I was about ready to blow a fuse... __________________ "Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong" - Winston Churchill

10-04-2007, 11:57 AM	#3
Texas Proud Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,994	How about hiring somebody to do all that for you?? Heck, a lawn guy is cheap for what they do.

10-04-2007, 12:50 PM	#5
Cruisinthru Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 89	CJ, It seems you just need to decide what kind of lifestyle will make you happy and if you and your spouse are on the same page, go for it. The material things you listed don't seem like much fun anyway... I think I understand your confusion. My husband and I retired to lakefront property that we had owned for a few years. We had a open water view that went for miles! But that view didn't make up for all the living that we left behind in town. We sat down one day and made a list of what was wrong with our situation at the lake and what we would really like. After comparing our lists, we started looking around to find a place that was a better match for us. We now live in an over-55 community in north Texas and the change in our lives has been very positive. We love the community, we love our house that is on a small lot on a golf course. We still have a view of water, too. We are enjoying our days much more. Notice I didn't mention downsizing. We downsized our household when we moved to the lake. Our house here is 700 sq ft larger than the lakehouse, but much easier to maintain. But we don't have the riding lawn mower, the power washer, the large ladders, or the boat, jetskis, etc. LIfe is much more simple.

10-04-2007, 12:56 PM	#6
CuppaJoe Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gone Swimmin' 'N Grinnin' Posts: 1,132	My neighbor lives in a studio apt. and uses a weed-whacker to turn the back yard into his own personal patch of paradise, complete with garden. No one else goes out there.

10-04-2007, 02:01 PM	#9
haha Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 7,552	When I was 33 I was still able to move in full sized van borrowed from a friend. But boy did I change that quickly when we moved to the country and I started acquiring stuff for my place, my wife and my kids. I have never felt comfortable with stuff, but I nevertheless have a lot. Quite a bit will be going soon. Ha __________________ Come along and be my party Doll, Come along and be my party Doll...

10-04-2007, 02:51 PM	#10
Want2retire Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 4,746	When I move to Missouri, I am planning to fit everything in the smallest size U-haul truck. I am already working on psychologically "letting go" of furniture that I just won't be able to move, or shouldn't. I will be taking almost no furniture with me. I will buy furniture that looks right with the new house when I get there, and I can use the money that I saved in the move to give me a head start on that. It will be a new life, in a new place, so that will be fun. Oh, and speaking of downsizing - - in the past eight years I have reduced my books from 85 boxes full to an estimated 25 boxes full, and I am still working on that. A few days ago I even threw out (gasp!) my whole collection of empty shoe boxes, except for two. Pretty soon, the old and ratty shoes that I would never wear again will go with them. I bought some plastic containers, to store things in so that my closets would be neater. When I tried to fill them, I was surprised to realize that most of my stuff isn't worth packing away to keep. If I keep downsizing, I'll be able to fit everything in my car! __________________ Dreaming of retirement....

10-05-2007, 08:19 AM	#12
HFWR Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: May 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 5,107	I'm thinking I should downsize to the volume of a shopping cart... __________________ Have Funds, Will Retire I will now proceed to entangle the entire area...

10-05-2007, 08:53 AM	#15
Martha Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: minnesota Posts: 8,832	Ron, you have turned off the ability to get PMs. I didn't know we could even do that. __________________ . Do not rely on the information provided--my posts are not to be taken as legal advice. Needless to say you must consult with your legal representative. I am not responsible for errors. If I offended you with cya I apologize. If I did not, I tried.

10-05-2007, 09:39 AM	#18
ziggy29 Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,619	We sold a 2200 sf, 4/2.5 house in Houston and bought a 2-bed, 1150 sf house on a half acre out in the country west of Austin last year. Though we're not FIREd yet (I'm 42 next week and the better half is 39), it nevertheless represented a step closer to FIRE. We already live in our "retirement home" (we think) so we won't have to deal with when we pull the plug on wrk. My property taxes are 1/3 what they were in Houston, and electric bills have been 1/3 what they were there. No more mortgage, either! Moving to such smaller quarters has made us seriously look at our "stuff" and give a lot of it away. The inability to hold more stuff in the smaller house makes it harder for us to succumb to "affluenza" and buy more stuff. All of which help reduce our income requirements, allow us to save more and accelerate FIRE. We're quite fortunate in that I'm able to telecommute most of the time and take my big-city salary (originally transferred from Silicon Valley) out to the country. We're already living some of the FIRE goals we have (such as the smaller house in a slower-paced town in the country) and I'm probably still 10 years (+/-) away from calling it quits for good. __________________ FIRE Clock: 11:37 PM*. When it's midnight, I can be FIREd!

10-05-2007, 10:12 AM	#19
happy2bretired Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 446	Since my auction of collectables, antiques and BOOKS I feel so much better. My basement was overflowing with junk. I still have much more to sort thru and throw or give away, but, it's so much easier now. Not only did I have cobwebs in my basement due to the extra stuff, I felt like I had cobwebs in my brain. Just the thought of all that stuff down there was very disturbing. I went to a tag sale yesterday. A $400,000 townhouse, over 3,000 square feet just filled with prettys....really nice prettys. The townhouse was owned by a widow. There was no indication that her husband had ever lived in that house since everything appeared to be in a woman's taste. Very lovely and expensive furniture, art objects, just beautiful stuff. Very expensive clothing, shoes - it was just amazing to me. Every room was covered with stuff and every closet was full of clothing. That lady must not have done anything but shop. I walked thru there in amazement - looked it all over and took in all the eye candy I wanted. Walked out without buying anything and felt GREAT!