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Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question
Aging Well | Last Active: 14 hours ago | Replies (559)Comment receiving replies
We did that with my own family at the end with the most valuable possessions. My younger brother was the executor, and he would put a price on those items, and we paid for our loot deducted from the total we were getting. That gave him more as being the executor Mom gave him a 2nd share as if he was 2 kids. None of us said anything about that as it was our mother who divvied up her estate with 6 kids, but she had 5. Good ole Mom.
I got 2 rings of my mom's i had wanted. I also got her desktop, but sadly, my niece who had lived with her wiped it clean. I was downloaded files off Mom's computer like recipes, comics strips and crafts she loved to do. I did not finish.
My Mom let nothing go before she passed. It reminds me that whatever is in my house, I need to designate who gets what. Throw away those things that are not good, giveaway things I have not used in years. Have left only the items i love. If i collect umbrellas, my younger sister can sell or give them to someone else who loves them.
joanland- Your post is a smart idea.
Replies to "@joanland We did that with my own family at the end with the most valuable possessions...."
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@katgob I have trouble getting attached to "stuff" - I guess being raised possessing little, and watching my Dad literally give food and his own clothing to a passing stranger has always stayed with me. Many beautiful things reside in my home, or have passed through it on the way to other owners, and I am happy to have had them, but glad they are gone. When someone admires something in my home, they often leave with it. Our children and grandchildren don't give us things, they give us shared adventures and help when we need it. We try to do the same.
We live in 400 square feet for half of each year, and it holds everything we need and more. When we travel, we live for weeks at a time in 100 square feet. Many of my friends live permanently in 200-400 square feet, and swear they don't miss being tied to possessions.
When I come home in May to 1200 square feet, it seems enormous, and nearly every summer we spend time deleting possessions to make our eventual demise easier for our kids. When cleaning house, I offer things first to my kids and sister, then it either goes to charity, the local Buy Nothing site, or to people I know will use and appreciate it. My Mom and Dad did the same - all the way from the "big house" where they raised us 6 kids to an efficiency apartment at the end. Mom still had her small hutch, with her most prized pieces, but nearly everything else had already been given to kids, grandkids or charity. In the end, it took 4 of us less than 2 days to take care of everything. That is my goal.