Downsizing your Keepsakes

Have you decided to downsize to a smaller home?

Do you have to move your parents out of their home?

In either situation, you're faced with the overwhelming tasks of deciding where to move, what to keep and what do I really need in my new home?   

With moving being one of life's most stressful events, it's even more traumatic for older adults especially when they feel forced to move.  It's so upsetting for them to have to sort through piles of items that may mean nothing to you but are jam-packed with special memories for them.

Like my mom who has lived in her home for more than 50 years.   She has a collection of miniatures that reek of cigarette smoke and have been discolored over the years which I'd love to toss out.   But when she looks at them she has wonderful memories of the many hours she babysat and watched her grandchildren playing with them.

The book "Don't Toss my Memories in the Trash" provides a thorough step-by-step guide to break down the move into manageable tasks. Chapter 2 lists detailed questions that you can discuss with your parents to help them make the choice while they still can rather than you having to force them out of their home.

As many BOOMERS and their parents have been in their current home for years, they have no idea how to plan for a move, so Chapter 13 is helpful as it provides a checklist of everything you need to know before signing the mover's contract.  Forms provided in the final section will help you stay organized during the move and give you some peace of mind during this stressful event.    

Don't start packing until you've read it!
Check out the book and other tips at:  www.organizationrules.com