I find that the hardest thing to STOP thinking about is "how much is that worth?". When my Mom passed, I took all her Royal Doulton and Beswick figurines to a charity shop. People were shocked that I did that, but I had no interest in collecting "dust catchers" and did not want to clutter my mind thinking about $$. I don't care if they were sold for pittance and later sold for a fortune on Kijiji. They are gone, and hopefully being enjoyed by someone who wants that kind of thing. Donate, Donate, Donate! You do not have to be rich to be a philantropist ... I learned to just donate stuff and stop thinking about what I could sell it for. It wasn't easy, but worth it.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Sharon Cheers 🌺🍷🙂

I can remember visiting my Oma in her room at the nursing home when i was 25ish. I thought to myself, "in the end all that was left was a chair, night table, dresser with 3 or 4 outfits and a picture of my Opa".... Funny, I still have that chair in my garage at 55 years old. Cheers

Hi, my husband and I are starting to talk about retirement and I really enjoy your videos and advice. I had a neighbor that pAssed away, 93 years old..the children came, rented a dumpster and clear the house…I cried…thinking here are all her things she held on and they saw it as junk. It makes you think, hold on to the memories and pictures and let go of the things that no one wants. I’m trying to do that. Thank you and stay well.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and sharing that is sad when that happens Cheers 🌺🍷🙂🍻

@AGhostInTheMachine

11 ай бұрын

I had to do this with my dad's things beginning of 2022. It was extremely difficult because each item speaks a story of memories. When my mom passed later that same year, I still cannot bear to do it. My eyes fill with tears just entering her bedroom. I can't seem to get past it.

@ChrisRampersad

11 ай бұрын

we had a neighbor like that, lived down a few blocks, we'd see her when walking the dog. Starting wondering about her, hadn't seen her in a while. Found out when a dumpster was in front of the house. she had cute knick knacks in her porch windows, suncatchers, and soon it was all gone. Im think of her trinkets , glad they brought her so much joy though when i walk by

@oldbloke204

11 ай бұрын

@@AGhostInTheMachine Such a hard thing to do so be gentle on yourself. I always try to think about how I would want my kids to be feeling at that time and all of us would want it to be as easy as possible for them at what is arguably one of the hardest times they will face in terms of emotional events. I took very little from my Parents when the time came but I do have a few things that I still use and think about when I'm using them. Good luck with it all and hopefully time will help the process along. Take care mate.

@James_48

11 ай бұрын

My sister and I helped our parents on their second downsize. It was staggering all of what they had moved the first time, 18 years earlier, and hadn’t even unboxed. Even worse we’re all the brand new clothes transported from Florida hanging in closets with the tags still on. We decided early on that we would donate as much as possible and the local St. Vincent de Paul was grateful for our many trips. We also made several trips to the dump but everything of use was given away. My wife’s father ran an auction when his parents passed and in the end they were sorry they didn’t go the donation route.

I’m a home stager and I help a lot of people with decluttering and down sizing. One thing I suggest to my clients it to take a photo of the item before you sell or donate them - that way you will still have the memory without having to trip over the item - hope that helps folks on here

@buffycat4641

11 ай бұрын

I have done that with my many, many photo albums so when I one day decide to let them go I have the photos on a flash drive in my safe.

@MissDashwood1

11 ай бұрын

You are so correct! I did that when selling/donating items from my parents home. I scroll through the photos a couple of times a year and it makes me smile.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for a great tip 👍🙂

@RetiredLovingIt

11 ай бұрын

@bcislandlife9795 great advice 👍

@sidclark3249

11 ай бұрын

We are in our 80,s and have 40 Royal Daulton figurines and lots of China, Silverware etc. we know non of our children will want it but the fact is nobody else wants that kind of stuff either. It will probable get tossed when we are gone.

We’ve been downsizing every time we move…we FINALLY moved in to our “forever” retirement house 5 1/2 years ago. I’m still downsizing. The less I have now, the happier I am. I’ve been a hospice volunteer…you don’t take it with you. Cheers. 🇺🇸

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Sheryl, we agree you can’t take things or money 💰 with you Cheers 🇺🇸🌺🇨🇦🍷

@donnamyers839

11 ай бұрын

I've told my kids that my treasures are not their treasures. I remember my mom trying to take care of her family's stuff and hers. She was buried! That caused her a lot of stress.

Well, Norm and Tina we did it! Ever since we began watching your videos we have thought about selling our condo and renting. We found a great apartment which spurred us on to sell our condo (which sold in just 5 days). We had one month to downsize and move. We have been going non-stop and ruthless in getting rid of things, either by selling or donating. Margaret a Magnuseen has written a book titled ‘The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning’. Essentially the theme is to declutter so it is not left to your children to deal with it all after you are gone. Our condo was in a 6 unit walk-up with most of the upkeep falling to my soon to be 80 year old husband. While we loved the condo itself, we could see the time to move was now, not 3 years from now. Oh, two things…..one, we are surprised how many people ask us how much we pay in rent, and two, the idea of not owning seems to shock people. We are fine with it, but we do see raised eyebrows. So, bottom line, although we are tired we are delighted with our decision and glad we made the move. AND, the rental building has an elevator! Thanks for planting the seed, we are so happy we made this move.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

We are so happy for you Holly and really glad there is an elevator LOL 😂😂Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

I downsized my mum twice, my mother-in-law twice and my father-in-law three times over the space of ten years. This included me storing their stuff in my garage to sell to help with their care. This included ten garage sales. This included taking care of my adolescent children with learning challenges. Now I have to downsize my household in the next few years to prepare for our retirement. Yikes!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

That’s a lot of downsizing wow Cheers 🙂🌺🍻

@tartsandvicarsdinerdiet

11 ай бұрын

My goodness, you must be a saint! Might be a future side gig for you, as you obviously have the know how;)

@kimh

11 ай бұрын

You just gave me more incentive to get going on our house so our children will not be so burdened. Thank you!

Downsizing was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done and required help from a therapist and anxiety medication. We moved from a 4500 sq fit house to a 1400 sq ft apartment and moved in 16 days. You are correct, the small stuff is what kills you. These small things that have emotional attachments are the worst and it is a grieving process to let these things go. We brought too much stuff and are working through all of that stuff now. It is a process. As my husband said, “We thought it would be minor surgery, but it is actually a quadruple amputation.” And it was just that and continues to be a process. Thanks for your videos.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

We so agree and understand Patsy it’s a huge major process mentally and physically Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

My rule is to never store anything in the attic because you obviously don't need it and will forget it is there. My mom always said "If you haven't used it in six months and it is replaceable, out it goes". Here is another good one - if you find something you forgot you had, you obviously don't need it; out it goes! And, making decisions about what to keep shortly after a parent dies, is not the time to make that decision. Decide beforehand and stick to it.

Moving abroad is the ultimate downsizing motivation. I sold my house in 2015 and put some in storage as I traveled for a few years. Then I returned, took everything out of storage and moved into a small apartment. I got rid of a lot but now I'm moving and can't ship more than a box or two. I have no kids so everything will be sold or donated . Yes Norm, even my antique camera collection...

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

We wish you all the best Linda Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

We sold our parent's 3000 Sq ft house in Vancouver and only kept 2 items ftom my dad and two from my mom. To get rid of so much crap we simply hired a junk company to get rid of it. We have no regrets. 😊 And yes I have all those photo albums and don't know half the people in them...lol.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Great solution to the problem Johnny Cheers 🌺🙂🍻

I started downsizing 10 years ago…and my house is still full! 😂😂 I describe going through layers - letting go a little deeper each time I go through things. Another few years and I should be down to basics…about time I figure that I’ll move down in space. Great topic kids! 🤗🙏

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Denny Cheers 🙂🍻

I absolutely love Tina and Norm and this channel! This content is pure gold in helping me think about and plan my retirement planning and journey. Thank you both so much!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you! 🍻🙂

I sent Mike to the basement while listening to music from his youth to go through boxes of cr*p when we downsized. Not only was he able to get rid of so much stuff, the music helped take him back to that time memories. I would check on him enjoying the process. This is now a special memory we talk about.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

What a great memory for you both and useful too HaHa ! Cheers 🌺🙂🍻

It is an ongoing process for sure. One thing that was so sad about clearing out my mom’s house were the things she kept and never used because they were for “nice”, and now no one wants these silver, crystal, linen items. So USE your nice stuff now, or let it go so your family isn’t stuck trying to decide what to do with it all. If someone admires a thing you have, gift it to them now!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Very true 🌺🙂

Decluttering is most definitely a lifelong process. So many ways to get stuff into your home and the only way out is that conscience effort which can be terribly difficult especially with sentimental times. My hubs and I did a quick run thorough of our basement and even that resulted in a bin full of stuff to throw out/giveaway. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Tina and Norm! Ok off to get rid of more crap now 😂😂

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

It really is! and we are still doing it so hard with the emotional attachment Cheers 🌺🍷🙂

It’s so true, decluttering is an ongoing process no matter what your age but when doing a true downsizing you have to be really honest with yourself about what you need to support the life you’re moving to. It doesn’t mean you can’t keep some of those sentimental items you love but it has to fit comfortably in the space you have. Comfortably, easy to access - not crammed in or stuffed away. Life is so much easier then.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Totally agree just wish we had done more so that we would of brought less Cheers 🌺🍻🙂

I love your channel! My husband left 8 years ago and we lived in a very large home. I stayed in it for two years until the kids finished high school and then downsized. Your are absolutely correct…I thought I had downsized, but realized that I still had too much. The big things were easy, but the more sentimental things were harder. I was quite surprised at the lack of interest in things that I thought were so valuable. You are also correct that my kids don’t want a lot of things that I thought they would. However, I don’t want to leave my kids with a “mess” of things to get rid of when I pass away. I really like your idea of “continual downsizing” when you retire. It is a really hard process mentally though because it is coming to terms with your own mortality and the fact that you don’t “need” things in the future…especially the sentimental things.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

We are glad you enjoy our channel Dana Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

Thank you! The benefit of "living light" and removing stuff/crap/unused space from your life is amazing. We went from 3,500 sq ft with a second home and a crazy number of big toys to a 600 sq ft condo and it is my favorite home so far. It is not just physical decluttering. It is mentally decluttering as well. I suspect many of us have "home esteem" or "stuff esteem" but it is a high tax on your time and your happiness - ultimately, I suspect it is a drag on your happiness. When you think about how little of your home you really use, and things you can easily rent (boats, exotic cars, party venues, vacation homes, etc.) versus own and maintain, it's amazing how little space and stuff you need. We are converts and love it!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Cheers 🌺🙂

@jancyking582

11 ай бұрын

Absolutely right! Great insight🇨🇦

This good advice is at war with our shelter culture that is all about consuming, upgrading, and collecting. Who has time to think about downsizing and death before they've finished decorating the house? Oh no! I'm still working on my china collection! Consider the immense amount of left-over paint, papers, fabrics and fix-up stuff that live with tools in the storage spaces. This before one starts sentimentalizing over the family art work. Meantime, books. Every time I go to sort my books and get rid of a few I start reading passages and there goes the day.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Cheers 🌺🙂

We started downsizing months BEFORE we made the decision to move to our very small vacation home. One thing we did was go through the hundreds of photos in albums and just thrown into boxes. Many of those photos were duplicates, blurry, landscapes with no people in them, places we had visited that we could not remember. We made a “sweater” sized plastic box for each of our two children and one for ourselves. Tossed what was left. Now we only have our favorites. Also, we make a family photo book each year at Christmas time of the year’s best photos using the Shutterfly app. Each book is the same size and they stack neatly. No more guilt over just tossing memories.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Cheers 🙂🌺🍻

Advice from my father: Rent a storage unit for your stuff. Then you can go visit your stuff anytime you want. When you no longer visit your stuff or you are tired of paying for the storage unit just get rid of everything in the storage unit (without looking through it).

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Great advice Deborah 🌺🍷

Same here. When we downsized as well, literally we threw away half the volume we had in house. Mercilessly.. And started to feel the meaning of "less is more".

Such a hard topic and one likely we will all have to face with either aging parents or ourselves. My wife keeps saying that we have to get rid of stuff and I clearly remember what it was like having to clear out our Mother's home which still had all of our Fathers things in it from when he passed many years earlier. I swore then that I didn't want our kids to have to do the same sort of thing but it's very difficult and will require a big change of focus. I wonder how much of it is not wanting to admit that we're aging and that things will have to change? Great video guys, thank you.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome Cheers 🙂🍻

Another great video you two. One of the challenges you alluded to - holding on to stuff “just in case”. I’ve found that is most prevalent in people who grew up poor. They didn’t have much when they were young so are loathe the get rid of stuff when they are older and better off financially. It’s a hard thing to overcome.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Good point! that might have something to do with it thanks for sharing 🙂🍻

Agree, the stuff with emotional attachment is the hardest to let go. Very good advice. Thanks much! 👍

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Edward have a lovely evening Cheers 🌺🙂🍻

This rings home with us. My mother in law finally decided to move to a residence last year at 95. We took 10 months to downsize her home, trying to give away as much as possible. What my kids decided to keep from their grandmother is in my house now because they currently have no room. Funny how that is .....

@kristinj7173

11 ай бұрын

I understand.....no one wants or cannot take it now due to distance (despite the suggestion to have it in a carry-on....). We are finally saying now or never.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

So true kinda of like a hamster wheel it goes round and round Cheers 🌺🙂

My parents never downsized when they were still alive, despite my pleading with them to declutter and make day to day living easier on themselves. So it was never a problem for me to realize the benefits of gradual downsizing even prior to retiring. Great episode, guys!😊❤

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Richard glad you enjoyed it Cheers 🇺🇸🍻🇨🇦

Downsizing, really being brutal about it, is a gift to your family. All that stuff, if you don't deal with it, someone else will. Good for you!

We took photos of our inherited and sentimental items and created photo books. This way we keep the memory and can let go of the item. You can even add stories to the photo books.

@AnnMitt

11 ай бұрын

Excellent idea

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

What a great idea Sherri Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

Oh boy are you right! My mom died suddenly in May, and it took me 3 trips through her house to choose what items to keep & what to get rid of/ give away / put in estate sale. By the end, I was calling my mom names under my breath & losing the emotional attachments. Have started becoming serious about our own downsizing. Great video!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Candy yes it’s hard clearing your parents houses Cheers 🇺🇸🥂🇨🇦🌺🍷

Never saw a hearse with a u-haul. I had to realize that what was precious to my mom was not necessarily precious to me. And so on with my kids. I don’t want to burden them with a house full of stuff when I die.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Debora Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

Yes emotional items are the most difficult. 😊

I’ve been trying to downsize where I can but my husband likes to hang on to everything! He loves keeping stuff but it stresses me out. I hate the idea of our kids having to clean up this stuff when we are gone.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

It’s an ongoing thing Lisa Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

Great video! Very helpful. Love you guys! Thanks!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! glad you enjoyed it Brian Cheers 🍻🙂

I was a minimalist before the term was popular; I never liked a lot of things (stuff) in my house, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard. Your message is an important one because there are so many people that want to downsize but just don't know where to start.

Norm and Tina, I really enjoy your KZread channel. Can relate to this issue. Lots of attachments to “stuff.”

Another great video with so much practical value. Many Thanks Norm & Tina....!!!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! Cheers Terry 🍻

Sage advice! Big thanks to the sweetest couple on KZread ❣

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Susan Cheers 🍷🌺🙂

Great show guys! Thoroughly enjoyed your banter.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

10 ай бұрын

Much appreciated! take care Kim 🌺🍷

Tina and Norm, you brought a smile to my face. You look so happy together and really what do we need. Now to get hubs on board. You survived and living your best life. Cheers

You guys are the best...always makes my day when a new video pops up.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you 🌺🙂

Really good topic! Glad you shared your experience. I like your idea and practice....Eternal downsizing is retirement! And it makes sense that as time passes you become less attached. Keeping it real so people do not feel too badly about not downsizing enough. Good one this week! 💯👍 🇨🇦

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your welcome glad you enjoyed it Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs

11 ай бұрын

👍🍁🇨🇦@@ThisIsOurRetirement

My husband and I are in the process of downsizing from our house to a condo. He has digitalized all our CDs and DVDs. Our photo albums will be next. Tina and Norm are correct; you have to be ruthless during the process.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Amazing how well prepared you are. Well done!

Love you guys! Retired about 3 years ago... found your website around that time and absolutely love all your advice and wisdom, Thank you from Hamilton!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you! 🌺🍷🙂

good information, fun conversation, thank you!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! Cheers 🌺🙂

Thanks so much for this timely video. My Dad always said that we are slaves to the things we own. The emotional pull of "stuff" is hard to overcome, yet we keep trying. Thanks again!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome Lynn Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

I’ve been thinking a lot about downsizing also. You’ve covered the things I’ve been thinking about. Thank you.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Cheers 🌺🙂

It's amazing the amount of stuff we collect over the decades. I find that as I age, I am moving more towards minimalism. 1 in, 1 out is my rule for anything now. Get a shirt for Xmas, an older one goes out. New glass or dishes, old ones out, right then and there. Do that with all your things and maintain after decluttering.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

That is awesome! great idea Bob 👍

@tiddlywinks456

11 ай бұрын

I’m doing that too and I’m not afraid to donate something and bless someone else with it, instead of thinking that I have to sell it. Sometimes the hassle of selling is not worth the instant peace of mind from just donating quickly and having a clear home. I look at it like a charitable donation.

I can soo relate to this. I started decluttering my home about three years ago and then our parents passed away and we had the big job of clearing out their space. Now I have boxes of stuff in my house from that. Even though we were pretty ruthless getting rid of things. There are soo many emotional items. Time to re-visit the boxes and sort through them. Thanks. Have a wonderful week.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your welcome Kathi you too have a great week Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

Hi Norm and Tina ..such a great topic! I have cleaned out three times since retirement. I’m about ready to start again 😊 it really seems like it never ends . Have a great week small town USA 🇺🇸

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Wonderful! so we have two times to go to catch up with you Cinde Cheers 🇺🇸🍻🇨🇦🍷

Oh I love this video! Yes I am starting to do this and I made a New Years resolution to donate at least one box of stuff each month. You are so right in the emotional attachment to stuff. I have things that my parents gave me and that is hard to part with. My husband has tons of tools and is worse than me when it comes to keeping stuff. Our plan is to sell our home and move into an apartment and have the turn key lifestyle. No more cutting grass and to shovel snow. Thanks for sharing the truth about downsizing since I know it is a real challenge for me. Great video!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome Ann be more brutal we brought tools too 🤔before you move to your apartment LOL 😂😂

Hi guys, good topic. I know this problem...... thankx. Cheers ❤✌👍🍀

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! Cheers 🌺🙂

Love your humour. Eternal downsizing what! I do believe once we move to our new apartment condo we bought more things will need to go.

Hi Tina and Norm. Nice to see you again. I’m slowly decluttering and sending things to the thrift store. I have a bag that is always ready to accept things I come across. The other day I went through all the costume jewelry. I found a whistle on a lanyard that I got about 55 years ago when I was a girl guide leader. I put it on the dresser for a few days and then I was able to give it away. My husband is the pack rat and is nowhere close to downsizing. Ugh. It feels good to me that I do what I can. Thanks for all the helpful tips. ❤️🇨🇦

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome 🙂🌺🍷

I’m really glad you brought up the process of downsizing, and the fact that it’s a long journey toward making it a reality during retirement. Like you, I thought I did such a great job downsizing initially, but like you I still see myself surrounded by lots of stuff - that I don’t really use. As you say it’s a part of the retirement journey to let go, and that happens over a series of many moments. Thanks for sharing this information, Tina and Norm, so those of us going through this process see we’re not as strange as we may thing.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

We are all in it together Bruce , and agree we are also surrounded by things we don’t use either Cheers 🌺🙂🍻

Another cracking video Tina and Norm, it is much easier said than done!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks yes it is Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

@beachesfinancialgroup

11 ай бұрын

Cheers to you too!@@ThisIsOurRetirement

What resonated most was Tina's luggage analogy. So true - we need to be realistic about what we need for the next bit of our journey and let go what we will no longer use. Thank you for this video.😊

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome Sonia 🌺🍷🙂

I downsized for 10 years, 6 years before retirement and 4 years after retirement and I still had too much stuff. I will agree that it's a very hard thing to do, especially when you have a lot of tools

Let it go....let it go! Hi guys. Really interesting topic. I've moved home a few times. Decluttering is an important topic. I can never believe how much useless stuff I have to get rid of, especially as I also moved from a house to an apartment. Nobody wants this stuff so get rid! Congratulations on another excellent video. 🙏👊👍💪☘️

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so glad you enjoyed it Cheers 🌺🙂🍻

Oh my goodness, you are so absolutely right! We are old have moved twice in the last ten years and still have so much stuff. Husband just cannot part with things, but everything you said is so very true. Thanks for a great video. What you say is always so true and you make it so enjoyable to watch.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Cheers Caroleanne 🌺🙂

So helpfull. Thanks

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

You're welcome! 🍻

Hi, yes, you are correct about discarding items that you are emotionally attached to!!!! I have gone from my house to my apartment and now I am downsizing even more because I will be moving into a Class B camper van!!!!! 😳😳 I'll have to have a storage unit because some items are just to difficult to part with at this time...............😉

Hi Tina and Norm! Great topic as usual! We downsized from an 1850 sq ft home to a 833 sq ft 1 bdrm apartment! BUT, we have a small storage until that we need to go through and get rid of more. We plan on purging even more before our move to Canada 🇨🇦 form the 🇺🇸

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

That is awesome! we will love to have you in Canada 🇨🇦 Cheers 🇺🇸🌺🇨🇦

I like this vid. Good insight.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Gerry 🙂🍻

The emotional attachments are real. Im very practical, but recently my daughter was very hurt i donated her childhood furniture. She is in a small apartment and has no room. Its hard when the kids want to keep sentimental items but they are just taking up space in my basement. Im thinking of telling my kids that if they want things then they are responsible for paying to store it!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Cheers 🌺🙂🥂

I love the increase in videos!!! ❤❤❤

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you ❤️

Downsizing. Ugh I think that’s what stops me from fully retiring 🤣🤣🤣🎉. But I’m practicing retiring , and starting decluttering while working. Aww I love how you remember the camera and pics you took. Someone will buy your well loved and cared for things. Best of luck. ❤❤

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

We think it’s an ongoing process that we haven’t fully handled yet Kathy 🍷🌺

Hahaa 😂 Tina & Norm! It really is a dilemma, downsizing. I enjoyed hearing your stories. They triggered many memories. Like my NikonF used once upon a time. Thanks!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Eric guess Nikon is very popular Cheers 🇺🇸🍻🇨🇦🙂

Thanks you two! Great topic. Dee Burkes (Retirement Rescue) suggested your channel 2 years ago and I've been following you two since then. Having retired 12 years ago, we too had to down-size a few times after two moves. Believe it or mot, we still have unopened boxes in the basement that need attention. Take care! Cheers from Québec.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Our pleasure! Cheers 🙂🍻

We are currently in the process of downsizing to half the space we have now…our move date is less than a week away. We’ve been decluttering and taking things to Value Village and Habitat for months. Some days we think we’re doing well and then we open a closet and think oh no more stuff to deal with. We are in our mid 60s and feel happy to do this now in good health…it would be so much harder 10 yrs from now. As we get closer to our move date we become more ruthless with letting go of stuff. I’m sure the early boxes we packed have too much stuff! It’s physically and mentally exhausting. As things go out the door we feel relief. We’re happy to pay it forward and have given everything away for free, let someone else enjoy using it. Thanks for your video, it’s like you read my mind and are speaking directly to my situation. Looking forward to more of your videos.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Good luck with your move Donna 🌺🍷

I agree - having downsized from a large family home , we moved to a small cottage . We got riding a lot. We did fill the loft ! Today, 12 years later , emptied the loft and went to the skip. Told the children, take it or it’s going to the charity shop or skip. I’m now looking at the last bits - mainly photos and sentimental things. I’m being ruthless ❤❤

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

That is awesome! we need to do the same Cheers 🇬🇧🍷🇨🇦🌺🙂

Already retired early into a 1 bedroom apt but I'm also planning to move at the end of my lease... in 12 months. Gotta keep decluttering (as you said as a lifelong thing) not just to make moving easier but to keep things organized for my family to sort through should I pass. Funny I ran into a book yesterday at the library called "Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff". My goal is to clear out my condo storage so that it's just my winter tires.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Sounds like a good book 📖 Cheers 🙂🌺🍻

I hope you kept your favorite beer glass! Cheers to both of you for a great KZread channel. My wife and I love you guys!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you 🍷🍻

I am watching this video as I write these comments. I have to commend you for your extreme candor. It opened up the whole discussion for us too. I think you did a real public service by your clarity. It is not easy to talk about but, in reality, we are not Egyptian Pharoahs. We cannot bring it with us. All the best !!!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks Mary 🌺🙂

I moved from Winnipeg to the NWT for my last 10 working years. I built a storage area in my condo basement. I retired 4 years ago. All the stuff in the basement wasnt used for 10 years. lol. It made getting rid of it easier.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Angela Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

I am giving my daughter items every month for her to sell on Mercari. She's using that money to cover living costs during college. Even with scholarships and savings, rent, food, and personal expenses add up!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Sounds a great idea 👍🙂

Norm and Tina! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I’m single gal retired nurse and a long time sub. I just adore both of you. I wish we could share a cocktail or two ! Norm I had the same smoldering resistance to releasing my book collection and some old music but found it liberating giving it to a local school music and library. Perhaps a local college or school or needy student might benefit from your cameras etc. I now stream all my music from anywhere on my small Bose mini wireless speakers! Gone are the days of big speakers and stereo wire! Take care you crazy kids! Cheers! 🥂🍸🍺🍸

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching Cheers 🌺🙂

Tina & Norm. I laughed when you said you went from 2000 square feet to 1500 square feet. My little house is 700 square feet. It does have a basement too. So in reality I have the same square footage as you have. Things make me edgy. I can’t stand clutter. But I have a confession. I have a bead room in the basement and its crammed full of plastic cupboards on wheels with drawers with 1000’s of beads. I will turn 70 in the spring and it bothers me that I have so many beads. My son will freak if he has to get rid of that stuff when I die. But I still make jewelry to sell so I don’t want to get tid of it yet. Most other things will be easy to sell.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Just remember Monica it’s your passion and you make jewelry so don’t worry about it Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

We spent 18 months clearing out and deep cleaning while we were house-hunting. Unfortunately we also had inherited stuff from parents and siblings. Albums of photos in quadruplicate or people we didn’t know, narrowed down now to one small bin. We decided to downsize in steps and moved to a smaller house (3 floors to 2) with no lawn, no sidewalks, no eaves. A snow removal service does the driveway. Sold on Facebook Marketplace or NextDoor what we could, gave away a lot, trashed the rest. Still give stuff away but we will be ready for the next move.

Great advice! I’m going through this process now in preparation for a big move. It’s not easy! Records. CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes, DVDs, books, furniture, music instruments, clothes, tools: ALL acquired over a lifetime and much of it I don’t want to let go. Consider the TIME it takes picking through records to have a personal collection. If I have the space in my house, it will be a library of sorts. I’ll likely never have the time to read all those books and watch/listen to all that media. But why not have it when the mood strikes me, when friends come around etc? You two are still so cute and providing a great service with your videos! 🙏

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you 🌺🙂

We are not ready to downsize just yet, but I pick one day a month to start growing through cabinets and closets and get rid of items that we either I longer use or no longer need. It feels awesome to get a load out of here once a month.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Great plan 👍🙂

"Frigin Martians!" That absolutely cracks me up! Hello from upstate NY. Thanks you two always good advice!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you 🇺🇸🍷🇨🇦🍻

We downsized from 2500sf to 960sf, we had to be brutal and it was hard. We're still trying to get rid of a little more, you're right it never ends!

I down size every 6 months i love living with a clean and a minimalist mindset , we would in America be dept free is we would only buy what we truly need , its a disgrace what people accumulate,

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Great idea Elizabeth thank you 🇺🇸🙂🌺🇨🇦

Keith doesn’t miss cutting grass. We haven’t downsized yet….but we pay someone to mow. Great information and talk as always guys!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching guys take care 🇺🇸🙂🌺🇨🇦

Great video.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it 🌺🙂

Here's a little tip: as soon as the faintest glimmer of downsizing broaches your mind, when walking through stores start looking at everything on the shelves as just more boat anchors on your life. It will cause you to look at all the junk you have as not really needed. Gotta shift the mindset to deaccumulation mode.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Very true thanks 🙂🍻

Another great video! You are so right about downsizing being a continual process. We are in the process of downsizing from our large home to a townhouse and we are purging. I use two methods. When it comes to the stuff you "might use someday" I use the 20/20 rule, which is I get rid of it if it is under $20 and can be replaced in 20 minutes. The other thing we are doing is Swedish 'dostadning" or death cleaning, which is eliminating unnecessary items in your home so your loved ones won't be burdened with it after you pass. Sounds morbid but it isn't. Like you, we've offered the items to our kids and if they don't want it - out it goes. There are so many places to donate your things and people will use and appreciate them instead of these things just sitting in a box. There is a great feeling you get when you free yourself from all this stuff!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Cheers 🌺🙂

Great video. We are not planning on downsize any time soon, but sooner or later I can see it happening. Right now we have bedrooms we never use. Thankfully we don’t have a basement.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Funny how we all have unused bedrooms 🤔especially when the kids all move out Cheers 🌺🍻🙂

Enjoy your videos!! Hubby is just retiring, sold our home in June in 8 hrs....relocated to a city where 2/3 of our kids live, so downsizing...yes! However, I have to keep reminding my hubby that we're not 80 yet...it's ok to still have hobby's, and keep things that bring us enjoyment. Having cleaned out both sets of parents homes, we definitely don't want to leave a bunch of stuff for our kids to deal with but we're not dying yet...hopefully for a very long time. It is a fine line between cleaning out the stuff, and still keeping enough stuff to still have a life!! We are renting a 1400 sq. ft. townhouse, from a 3000 sq. ft home...miss my yard so much!! Hubby is totally sold on the renting scenario, me, I'm not so sure. But I'll try it for a year and we will reassess. Seeing our kids more is the payoff!! Take care!!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Sometimes it takes longer for some people than others to adjust to a new move , retiring and to go from owning to renting , it’s a big plus for us being near to our son too . We wish you all the best Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

lol. the enlarger brought back memories.. my son did photography and had an enlarger.. we seriously looked at using it for a coffee table. lol. We enjoy your wonderful shows. Thank you. We are going through the downsizing now. God bless you both.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome Cheers 🍻🙂

I found this a great video. Norm - When you referred to when your gone the kids wont want your stuff. It made me think, you know what your right, they will just bin it. Your right we get emotionally attached to stuff. So fishing being my I hobby I have given to a local fishing club all my stuff I don’t want/use for their juniors section and beginners. The giving of this and memories are worth with more than the money I’d make USD $150 at best. So thank you.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Your very welcome a wonderful idea Cheers 🙂🍻

I can totally relate. I've still got the enlarger my parents bought for me. It took me about 3 years to clear my parents' house.

I appreciate your comment about the possibilities of how your stuff can be used by others, such as a photography student. For me I had bookshelves filled with books that I read and charished. But the books just sat on the shelf, not having their pages turned. I know what is in those books, but I needed to let them go. It helped me to imagine that those books needed to find new owners who would read them and discover the same things I once did. I gave most of my books away, keeping less than a quarter of them. I am about to redownsize them again, keeping only a few charished volumes that I revisit from time to time.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing Cheers 🌺🙂

1500-square-foot apartment -- heck, our house is 1180 square feet, so I guess that means i can get more stuff! lol This was such a good video.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank you glad you enjoyed it Cheers 🙂🌺

My hubby is a pack rat and hangs onto everything. Thinks some stuff will be valuable one day. Kids don’t want any of it. I have no attachment to this house of 36 yrs, furniture is old, and I would like to clear out 2/3’s of it.

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Good luck 🙂🍻

We bought a book called, “From Clutter to Clarity” by Kerri Richardson really helped us! She talks about the emotional attachment to “stuff” and how to overcome it. Great advice!

❤ I started my own space downsizing, I can’t force that concept on anyone else, but that’s not an excuse for not doing it. I figure if I do it first, there will be less one person to take care of when the time comes 🎉🎉🎉😊

Thanks!

@ThisIsOurRetirement

11 ай бұрын

Thank so much Kathy 🌺🍷