Tips for Downsizing Decor and More

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Even though I live in a small home, I enjoy changing out my decor with the seasons. Over the years I have curated a collection of interesting items that I can arrange and rearrange with endless possibilities, which keeps me interested and my spaces fresh. I am fortunate to have a small walk up attic and this is my designated area for storing all decor by season.

When I was putting away holiday decorations earlier this month, I noticed that about half the boxes had not been touched. In fact, I remembered that this was the second year in a row it had happened, signaling to me that it was time to take action... Read the rest

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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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?
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Edit Your Belongings to Support Your Updated Vision

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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