Category Archives: Downsizing and Organizing

Do This, Not That When Preparing for A Move

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Moving is one of life’s occurrences that can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful.  But there are few practices to consider that can ease the pain of moving as well as the expense.  Here is a look at things NOT to do, and things to DO instead:

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DON’T wait until the last minute to get ready to move.  The longer you wait, the more stumbling blocks you may encounter, like running out of time, not enough boxes, no place to dispose of your items, and moving companies that are too busy to help you.

DO make a plan before you move.  Planning out an overall timeline to prepare all of the components of moving (including sorting, organizing, packing, and arranging for help), goes a long way in making move day go more smoothly.

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Leaving A Little Comfort Behind

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Leaving a home you love after living there for many years can take an emotional toll.  Whether you’ve downsized to a smaller home, left for a job in another town, or moved after a loss of a loved one, the memories held there can be bittersweet, especially once the home is emptied of the things you’ve loved.

But sometimes acknowledging that the house could make more memories for its new inhabitants can ease the sting a bit.  And leaving a little of yourself behind in the form of a gift or handwritten letter can bring joy as the new homeowners settle in... Read the rest

Tackling the Appliance Overload

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We really like our kitchen gadgets in the United States. According to statistics website Statista.com, the kitchen accessories market hit $1.2 billion in 2017; that’s a lot of garlic presses and juicers. And for those of us who thought they’d be grilling at least three times a week on the George Foreman, it’s a safe bet to say that didn’t come to pass.

Many unused kitchen appliances end up on pantry or garage shelves, or the back recesses of the kitchen cabinets, their bulkiness something to be dealt with later. How do we decide what appliances to keep, and which we can say goodbye to?  

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What’s in Your Closet?

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The Move Makers work with many reliable and professional partners, and this month we begin a regular feature highlighting these local businesses.

Do you find yourself reaching for the same two or three outfits that are your “safe” clothes – those you think look good on you, are comfortable and fit right – leaving behind a lot of other pieces purchased and worn only once or twice? What’s holding you back from digging deeper in your closet for the items you once liked enough to purchase?

Laura Ziegler of Embracing Our Age works with “women of a certain age” – those generally between 55 and 70 – to bring overlooked clothing to the forefront, helping them re-style their wardrobes with what they already have... Read the rest

A Resolution To Keep – Downsizing in the New Year

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New Year’s resolutions don’t always have to be about losing weight or fixing bad habits.  Sometimes they can be a determination to start taking control of the things that surround us in our homes that block us from moving forward. What’s a better time than in January to start putting those thoughts into actions and making a plan to organize and clear out your home?

Organizing and downsizing in January can be especially fruitful if you’re planning on selling your home some time later in the year. The spring and summer months are peak times for real estate sales and moving... Read the rest

The Gift of Preparing for The Future

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Whether you’re 45 or 85, planning for the future can be the biggest gift you give to your family members, even while you’re still here to enjoy the present.  According to a study by Caring.com, 40% of people surveyed did not have any estate planning in place because they “just haven’t gotten around to it.” 

Beyond the obvious financial aspect of planning, one often overlooked piece of business is just what to do with your belongings once you have decided to transition to a smaller home, or are no longer here to enjoy them. 

If you are considering downsizing, here are a few ideas that can be practiced now, as a “gift” to your family members and yourself, by lifting the burden from them – and you – down the road... Read the rest

The Move Makers Take A Look Back at 2019. It was a Great Year!

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Year number six is in the books for The Move Makers, and what a year it was!  We continue to grow and have assisted with many move outs and move ins in 2019, all while taking the stress out of the process for our wonderful clients and their families.

In 2018, The Move Makers achieved A+ Accreditation by the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), the leading professional organization for Senior Move Managers in the world.  This year, our founder Carolyn Rowe was elected to the NASMM Board of Directors, and looks forward to her role on the leadership team... Read the rest

Organizing 101: Inside Tips from the Move Makers Crew

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Our crew at The Move Makers have managed hundreds of moves for our clients, and we’ve learned quite a few things along the way. One important thing we’ve learned is never to make any assumptions about the ease or difficulty of a project beforehand, because there are always surprises. Another thing we’ve learned is that when an unexpected situation arises, we can rely on the experience and training of our staff, and the expertise of our trusted partners, to overcome any obstacle.

With that in mind, we’d like to bring you a just a few of our well-seasoned tips from our team, many of whom are Professional Organizers, so that your own home project can get off to a great start, and hopefully a successful finish!.. Read the rest