You have decided that it is time for you to downsize your living space. Your reasons are personal but may fall into some of the following common categories.

• Just don't need all the space
• Tired of yard work
• Tired of fixing up that old house
• Taxes and maintenance expenses have gotten too high
• Want to use the equity for traveling or to cover large expenses.

What adjustments will you have to make?

• You need to learn to live in less space. You might need to create dual purpose rooms. Combination bedroom/office or living room/dining room are examples. Have versatile furniture. Trunks that double as tables, and sleeper sofas are examples. Space saver ideas such as stackable washer/dryer and closet organizers are popular.

• You need to decide what to get rid of and how to do it. It may take a lot of the family getting together to make these decisions. It may be beneficial to use a professional organizing service. Once you've made the choices of what goes, you may use some or all of the following methods; giving it away, throwing it away, donating to charity, selling it on your own (yard sales, bulletin boards, etc.) or hiring an auctioneer to have your own private estate sale.

Importantly, have resolve. Don't wind up putting a load of possessions into storage. All you are doing is putting off the inevitable and incurring monthly storage charges, to boot. Make a clean break. You'll be glad you did.