Author Archives: The Move Makers

Tips for Downsizing Decor and More

Downsizing and Organizing How to Organize Uncategorized No Comments

In the quiet moments following the holidays this year, I found myself taking a hard look at my collection of holiday decorations. How did I accumulate so much, and why wasn’t I even using it all?  Read this month’s article for a fresh take on how to decide what to keep and how to painlessly part with the rest.

On February 1st we are partnering with Waldman and James Realty and The Springs at Lake Oswego to present “Downsize to the Right Size”. To RSVP call our office at (503) 744-0826 extension 5, or register on Eventbrite. 

Even though I live in a small home, I enjoy changing out my decor with the seasons... Read the rest

Workshop Announcement:  In-Person Workshops Return to Lake Oswego on January 25th

Uncategorized No Comments

Welcome to a brand new year! The Move Makers are thrilled to announce the return of our in-person workshops in Lake Oswego. Bring your questions, share your struggles, or just come by for a Cup of Inspiration while we discuss downsizing and organizing. Members of our team will be on hand to answer questions, help with problem solving and offer resources. 

Sign up for in-person workshops, Zoom workshops, or one of our presentations on our events page.

We hope to see you soon,

The Move Makers

2023 Winter Schdule

Wednesday, Jan 25th10am – 11am Lakewood Center for the Performing Arts, 368 S.
.. Read the rest

Clean Up Your Outdoor Spaces NOW to Save Time, Money, and Stress When It’s Time to Move

Downsizing and Organizing Move Planning and Management No Comments

Fall is a great time to downsize everything outside your home since indoor projects can happen once the weather turns cooler. Even when you are not planning to move, a quick clean-up will give you a head start in the spring. Think of starting at the edges of your property and working inward from the areas most visible from the street (and your neighbors). If you are planning to move within the next year or two, you will save yourself significant stress by taking care of the outside cleanup early, enabling you to focus on the inside of your home later... Read the rest

The Move Makers Celebrates 2022 National Senior & Specialty Move Managers Week

Announcement No Comments

The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) has designated the week of September 11-17 as National Senior & Specialty Move Managers Week. During this recognition week, NASMM and NASMM members around the world are promoting the value of Senior & Specialty Move Management and Move Managers’ commitment to assisting older adults and their families with later lifestyle transitions and individuals who have unique needs.  

Senior & Specialty Move Managers assist adults and their families with both downsizing to remain in their current home, as well as the entire process of moving to a new residence. Move Managers specialize in helping their clients with the emotional and physical aspects of sorting through a lifetime of memories in the transition process, while providing them with effective options and resources to increase efficiencies and reduce stress... Read the rest

Garage Refresh –  Take Action and GET IT DONE

Downsizing and Organizing How to Organize No Comments

If you are planning to move in the next couple of years, it’s especially important to get control of large areas like the garage, which, for many of us, can be a repository for items we have deferred making decisions about. Making these decisions well before your move can save you time, stress (and money) when it is time to move. Remember that if you need help, the garage is a great place to start with a professional, like one of the organizers at The Move Makers.

Even if you are not planning a move, garages need some TLC. Fall is a great time to rethink and reorganize the garage... Read the rest

Painless Closet Organizing – The Liberating Feeling of LESS

Downsizing and Organizing How to Organize Productivity No Comments

I moved into my current petite home after seriously downsizing three times before. In the beginning, everything fit beautifully, with plenty of room to spare. Five years and one pandemic later, I began to feel the crunch. Somewhere along the way, my normal routine of editing my wardrobe seasonally had stopped working. Drawers were a little harder to close, I had even purchased additional hangers. Twice. I found myself laying clothes over a chair rather than wedging them into my closet. Does this sound familiar?

I decided it was time to do something about it. I borrowed a sturdy folding clothes rack, put a gardening podcast on speaker and got to work... Read the rest

Prepare to Pack – 10 Packing Tips from the Pros

Move Planning and Management Packing and Move Preparation No Comments

During the months/weeks/days before your move, remember to stop buying food and supplies. Eat the food in your freezer and pantry, and wait to replace tools and small appliances until you arrive at your new home. For more tips, download our Move Checklist. 

Do not underestimate the time it takes to pack. If you have ALL of the materials you need and have made ALL of the decisions about what to keep, it may still take 20-40 hours (or more) to pack up your home.

10 Packing Tips from the Pros

  1. Set up an area in each room to place items you will need before, or immediately after your move (medications, computer and phone chargers, vitamins, toiletries, clothing, etc.).
.. Read the rest

Preparing For Your Move – How to Save Time, Money and Avoid Stress

Move Planning and Management Packing and Move Preparation No Comments

If you are moving this summer, now is the time to do a reality check. Are you finished sorting? Have you booked a mover? Are you being realistic about the time it will take you to do all of the move-related tasks on your list?

Here are 3 tips for saving time, money and avoiding stress:

  1. Book the mover early
    • If you’re moving out of state, your move will be estimated by the weight of everything you are taking. Complete sorting before you get an estimate if at all possible.
    • If you’re moving locally, you will be charged by the hour, so the more you donate, sell or discard, the more you will save.
.. Read the rest

How Discovering What Motivates You Can Help When it’s Time to Let Go of Your Unwanted Possessions

Downsizing and Organizing No Comments

Once you have revisioned your home and made decisions about possessions that no longer support your vision, the logical next step is, of course, to let go. This can be a difficult part of the process for many of us, especially when the items have been in your possession for a long period of time, or they carry emotional weight.

How do you find motivation to take this final step? Below are some questions you can ask yourself to help uncover your motivator. Remember to focus on one object, or related group of objects at a time: 

  •  Does the thought of having everything just “disappear” bring relief?
.. Read the rest

Edit Your Belongings to Support Your Updated Vision

Downsizing and Organizing How to Organize No Comments

There are many reasons why we hang on to belongings. We think we may, at some future time, rekindle a past interest and will need those particular items again. On a deeper level, some of our possessions may represent an especially joyful phase of our lives that we fear we may not experience again. Perhaps we made a significant investment for something that we don’t think we will purchase again if we, or a family member needs it. Some items have historical significance to our family, and we feel guilty at the thought of parting with them. Whatever the reason, the surplus of possessions often prevents us from moving forward in our lives and developing new interests.... Read the rest