When is the Right Time to Downsize?

People’s lives and families are constantly changing. Your needs are also dynamic which makes it impossible to predict the future. The perfect family home may become more of a burden over time. Moving is never easy, but here are a few signs that it may be the right time to downsize your home.

Signs That It’s Time to Downsize

1. Too Much Cost and Maintenance

If daily chores are becoming overwhelming, it may be time to consider a smaller home. Every property requires some upkeep, but it should not be a physical or financial burden. It is a difficult thing to admit, but our bodies slow with age meaning we can no longer perform simple daily tasks. Owning your home should be a source of joy, not exhaustion.

Another point to consider is the financial relief downsizing offers. A smaller home means lower mortgage payments, less property taxes, and fewer monthly utility bills. Maintaining a large home is difficult on a fixed income. If your home is weighing you down, it may be the right time to downsize.

2. Need the Cash Payout

Homeownership is a wise investment; especially since the value of your home has likely increased over the years. Selling your home means that you will have a large influx of cash. This can help you pay off outstanding debts, set up your retirement funds, or finance that trip you have always dreamed about taking. No matter what you decide to do with it, selling your home gives you access to liquid funds and options of how to spend it.

3. Too Much Empty Space

Having a large, beautiful home can be wonderful, but it seems wasted if you are never there to enjoy it. If you travel a lot, own a vacation property that you never visit, or have a rental house that is sitting vacant, the monthly bills basically equate to wasted money.

Perhaps your home is only feeling empty now that your kids have grown and moved out. It is difficult to let go of sentimental attachments to a family home. However, if no one is utilizing the space, then it may be time to let another family settle in and make meaningful memories there.

4. Physical and Emotional Well-being

Another sign that it is the right time to downsize is if your home is causing you physical or mental anguish. Staying in your home after the loss of a loved one, a job, divorce, or serious accident is a state of perpetual torment for some. If your home holds too many painful memories, it is the perfect time to downsize. A new home can offer a fresh start after a major life change.

There are also safety concerns in your home as you age. Beyond the regular maintenance, there are also issues with accessibility and comfort. Those bodily aches and pains become more pronounced with time. Staircases and bathrooms now pose unnecessary risks and inconvenience. If you are not as able-bodied as you once were, an accessible home or assisted living facility can drastically improve your quality of life.

5. The Desire to Simplify Your Life

Some people believe that an extravagant home is an important aspect of the American dream. However, as previously mentioned, the financial and physical demands can become overwhelming. Downsizing to a smaller home brings an enormous amount of relief with fewer responsibilities.

Priorities also change over time. If you find yourself dreaming of ways to reduce complications in your life and focus on what’s important, then it may be time to downsize. If this sounds like you, then you are certainly not alone. This mindset is more prevalent in today’s society, with great emphasis on tiny houses and reducing the environmental impacts.

Taking the First Step to Downsize

If you are ready to downsize your home, the first step is to get it appraised. Contact a local realtor to find out just how much your home is worth. Once you have an estimate for the current market, you can better plan your future. Deciding the right time to downsize is a major milestone, so take the time to discuss it with your loved ones and make the decision that is right for you.

Jenny Smedra

Jenny Smedra is an avid world traveler, ESL teacher, former archaeologist, and freelance writer. Choosing a life abroad had strengthened her commitment to finding ways to bring people together across language and cultural barriers. While most of her time is dedicated to either working with children, she also enjoys good friends, good food, and new adventures.

How to Achieve Better Health in the Coming Year

Like most of us, you probably made at least a few resolutions as the calendar flipped over from 2019 to 2020. You made plans to accumulate wealth, improve your health, expand your social circles or improve your existing relationships. Maybe your goals were vast and vaguely nebulous. Maybe you put together some very detailed and specific plans. Now that the year is a few weeks old, how are those resolutions going for you?

If you’re like most people, you likely started strong but now you’re starting to feel the urge to slack. Maybe you’ve already made a concession or two. It happens to even the most dedicated and stubborn among us. Here are the reasons why so many of us start to falter on our resolutions so quickly.

Going It Alone

None of us is an island. We all know this. Even so, most of us tend to approach our resolutions all by ourselves. This is particularly true of resolutions involving our health. For example, someone may resolve to quit drinking by attempting to go cold turkey on January 1. That might work for a few days but if you don’t have anybody rooting for you or who you can lean on in your weaker moments, you’ll most likely relapse before the calendar flips its first month’s page.

Instead of trying to improve your health all on your own, find a buddy. If you’re dealing with serious health issues like addiction or a chronic illness, it’s best to enter a drug detox program or find a specialist who deals with your specific illness. Doctors and therapists can help you put together a solid plan for treating your condition as well as follow-ups to make sure you stay on track.

Little Goals

Speaking of plans, while having an overarching end goal is all well and good, you’ll have a greater chance of success if you include some details. Think of it like putting together a road map for your year.

The easiest way to do this, believe it or not, is to start with your end goal and then work your way backward. For example, if you want to save a thousand dollars by the end of the year, figure out how much you will have to set aside each week in order to meet that goal (a little less than twenty bucks, in case you were curious). Smaller goals are easier to achieve and will help you build momentum toward your actual resolution.

Tracking Matters

It’s one thing to feel like you are (or aren’t) making any progress toward your goals. By having a list of items you can check off or data you can track, however, you take the guess-work out of it. It’s not about how you feel, it’s about measurable progress.

For example, let’s say that you want to lose 50 pounds of body weight or shrink your waistline by a few inches by the end of the year. Many of the fad diets will tell you that you should avoid your scale or your measuring tape. We think you should do the exact opposite. Weigh and/or measure yourself every week with as much accuracy as possible. Log your numbers in a spreadsheet or an app so that you can literally see the numbers going down over time. This will help you stay the course even when you feel like nothing you’re doing is working.

We all want to end the year better off than we started it. Unfortunately, most of us try to go it alone and only use vague ideas and feelings to guide us along the way. By finding an accountability partner or a professional to help you, setting manageable goals and focusing on your data you’ll have a much better chance of actually achieving the goals you set for yourself. Good luck!

Home Decorating Trends of 2020

A new year and a new decade provide the perfect opportunity to make changes in your life and your home. Perhaps you are looking to update the color palate, add some new art and accents, or undergo a full kitchen remodel. Whether you want to make a bold statement or just do a little sprucing up, let these home decorating trends of 2020 offer some inspiration.

Home Design and Decor Elements

The latest design concept of Biophilia utilizes both human and natural elements. The idea is to make the space feel warm and inviting using sustainable materials. The use of recycled wood and reclaimed pieces also promotes an environmentally friendly home. Organic elements such as wood, stone and metal make it feel relaxed and seem like you are getting back to nature.

Some designers are now leaning away from the minimalist home decorating trends. Maximalism is all about embracing the grandiose. This translates into bright colors and pieces that convey grandeur. Professionals suggest choosing a few specific pieces to showcase. Otherwise, you home could feel busy or cluttered.

Color Palates and Patterns

The Pantone color of the year for 2020 is Classic Blue. Expect to see designers incorporating this versatile shade of navy into their design elements, fabrics and decor. Navy provides a striking contrast which is another popular home decorating trend for the new year. If Classic Blue seems too strong a choice, the return of earth tones and neutral shades helps create a more subdued and natural ambiance.

Geometric patterns are still very popular, so consider adding them as an accent. You can easily find fabrics and wallpapers in a variety of patterns. Just be cautious not to overdo it. This may create clashing patterns or optical illusions that induce migraines.

Floral wallpapers and accent walls will also be making resurgence in 2020. These have been around forever, but like other trends this year, it has a modernized twist. There will be larger scale, more vibrant colors, and metallic paper. It will be a particularly fashionable to put in foyers and powder rooms. Try stick-on options if you feel uncertain or unready to commit.

Vintage Home Decorating Trends

Just like fashion, home decorating trends go in cycles. This means your family heirlooms and pieces from the turn of the century are back in style. Furnishings with spindles, spool legs, and imperfect leather are hot ticket items. Other trendy vintage furnishings this year include free-standing claw-foot tubs and canopy beds.

When choosing your décor, think worn and weathered. Designers have a new appreciation of items that looked aged or have a patina. You will find many restored pieces for sale and distressing techniques for those who prefer to do it yourself. Earthenware such as clay, terracotta, and ceramic are another great way to add character to a space. Antique art is also making huge comeback, so keep an eye out for unique artwork to enrich your home.

Whatever your style or taste, this year’s home decorating trends blend the old with the new. It provides the perfect way to display your favorite antiques in a new, bolder light.

Let the home decorating trends of 2020 inspire your next home makeover!