Quiz: Are You Ready to Downsize Your Home?
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There are many reasons people decide to move into a smaller home as their needs change. You may be wondering if a smaller, more manageable home would provide you with more financial freedom and less hassle. For some, the decision is simple, and they look forward to a new, simplified lifestyle. For others, the amount of work involved can make them put off downsizing, even though they would enjoy the benefits of a smaller home. Some people continue enjoying their larger homes and decide that their current lifestyle is worth the extra expense.
Take this quiz to see whether you are ready to downsize your home! Keep track of whether you tend to choose A most of the time, or B or C, and you’ll see your results at the end.
Section 1: Your Current Home
- How do you feel about your current home?
A) I love it and never want to leave.
B) It’s comfortable, but upkeep is getting harder.
C) It’s too much work, and I’m ready for a change. - How often do you use all the rooms in your house?
A) Every room, regularly.
B) I use some rooms daily, others rarely.
C) I mostly stay in a few rooms, and others are just storage. - Do you find yourself traveling frequently and leaving your home empty for extended periods?
A) No, I spend most of my time at home.
B) Occasionally, but I still use my home regularly.
C) Yes, I’m away for weeks or months at a time. - Are there areas of your home that you can no longer easily access due to stairs or mobility challenges?
A) No, I have no accessibility issues.
B) Not yet, but I worry about it in the future.
C) Yes, I struggle with stairs or other obstacles.
Section 2: Emotional Attachment to Belongings
- Which best describes your feelings about your possessions?
A) I love my things and can’t imagine parting with them.
B) I have some sentimental items, but I know I can’t keep everything.
C) I’m ready to simplify and keep only what I truly need. - Have you started sorting or decluttering your belongings?
A) No, and I don’t know where to start.
B) A little, but I could use help.
C) Yes, I’ve already made good progress.
Section 3: Financial & Lifestyle Considerations
- Would you rather contribute your budget to activities and experiences instead of home expenses and real estate taxes?
A) No, I’m happy investing in my home.
B) I’m unsure, but I’d like to explore that possibility.
C) Yes, I’d prefer to spend money on travel, hobbies, or entertainment. - Can you comfortably afford your current home, including mortgage (if applicable), property taxes, and maintenance costs?
A) Yes, I have no financial concerns.
B) It’s manageable, but I wonder if I could spend less elsewhere.
C) No, it’s becoming a financial burden. - Do you regularly use the features of your property, such as a swimming pool, hot tub, or large yard?
A) Yes, I actively use my home’s amenities.
B) Occasionally, but not as much as I used to.
C) No, I rarely use them.
Section 4: Social and Lifestyle Factors
- Would moving to a smaller home improve your quality of life?
A) No, I think it would be a difficult adjustment.
B) Maybe, if I find the right community.
C) Yes, I look forward to less maintenance and more freedom. - How do you feel about moving to a senior community or a smaller home?
A) I’m not interested at all.
B) I’d consider it if it’s the right fit.
C) I’m excited about the possibilities. - Do you have family or professionals who can help with the downsizing process?
A) No, and I’m overwhelmed thinking about it.
B) I have some help, but I need more guidance.
C) Yes, I have support and resources lined up.
Results: Are You Ready to Downsize Your Home?
- Mostly A’s: You may not be ready to downsize just yet. However, it’s always a good idea to assess your long-term needs and have a plan in place for the future.
- Mostly B’s: You are considering downsizing but may have some concerns to address. Take time to evaluate what’s holding you back and seek professional advice to explore your best options.
- Mostly C’s: You are likely ready to downsize! A smaller home could offer you greater financial freedom, less maintenance, and a more manageable living situation. It may be time to explore your options and start planning your transition.
Don't stress! Follow these helpful hints to stay organized and enjoy your time with family and friends. Hosting Holiday Meals Ask your guests to help Lists! Lists! Lists! (grocery, menu, etc.) Remember the batteries Use disposable pans & Plates as much as possible Consider Grocery delivery Service Also, support any local farmers markets or farms by buying any produce from them! Stay focused, Hydrated & keep that protein level up! Have 10 quiet minutes? Wrap a present! Grab a glass of wine Turn on a Christmas movie Be sure to have your camera ready but don’t forget to sit back & enjoy the moments Set the coffee to automatically brew. You'll love having a hot cup of coffee to start your day! Most Importantly... Enjoy this time with your family and friends . Yes, it can be stressful; yes, it can be overwhelming, but it can also be fun! Allow yourself to enjoy it - stress and all!
How long do you leave your holiday decorations on display in your home? We hear from a lot of people that they continue to enjoy their holiday decorations well into the new year . We’re all for squeezing every last drop of joy out of the season and we think you should leave your decorations up as long as you’d like! However, when the time comes to un-decorate, we highly recommend that you downsize holiday decorations: take the time to sort and organize them before you put them away. Always edit your collections before you store them. This concept is harder than it seems, but if you decorate your home for the holidays and still have more decor in storage, you may want to donate or re-home anything you didn’t display this year . If you’re ready to apply this principle, try this method: 1) Pull out ALL of your holiday decor and supplies at the start of the season. 2) Decorate your home and set up your gift wrapping area, holiday supplies etc. 3) Box or bag anything that didn’t make the cut this year for decor and supplies. 4) Retain any storage containers that could be useful to better organize the items you want to keep for next year. The pros recommend clear containers so you can see what’s in there! If you’re downsizing or short on space, consider: Choose unbreakable and easy-to-store options when you can. Fragile decorations that need a lot of protection take up a lot of space in storage. We know some downsizers who have chosen to go all-natural (as much as possible) with live garlands, wreaths, tree trimmings, floral arrangements, etc. so that there is less to store at the end of the season. You can always choose fewer areas to decorate , focusing on the spaces where you will most enjoy your holiday trimmings. When it’s time to store: Use the right container for the job . Specialty ornament containers may cost more, but they will protect delicate items. Consider off-site storage . We’re seeing more and more specialty storage solutions for small-space dwellers, including services that will pick up and deliver your holiday supplies on demand.
How do you decorate for the holidays? For many, transforming their home with elaborate holiday zeal is a seasonal ritual that lightens the mood and brings joy to the whole household. There are lots of ways to go crazy on the holiday decorations, but one of our particular favorites is the Christmas village . These table-top displays tend to grow over the years and can manifest as a full-on miniature town complete with tiny inhabitants going about their holiday errands. Collectibles advisor Charles Tinsley weighs in on What’s It Worth: Department 56. Department 56 Of all the versions of ceramic towns that pop up in American homes every December, the Department 56 Christmas Villages continue to be one of the most popular items in the Christmas collectibles market. The charming Department 56 ceramic pieces, decorated for the holidays and lit brightly behind their tiny windows, were the brainchild of Ed Banzinet , a talented designer who oversaw the Gift Import Department (Department 56!) of the Bachman Company in Minneapolis. The first Department 56 buildings were released in 1976. The Original Snow Village consisted of six pieces: four little houses and two churches. The Original Snow Village was based on an actual town near Ed’s home in Stillwater, Minnesota. Stillwater had a tradition of decorating the houses, stores and churches for Christmas with garlands, wreaths and bright lights. The first Christmas village set the character for the brand: highly detailed ceramic buildings that are brightly lit to create the look that originally inspired him. In the first two years of the collection, nine more pieces were added. These first designs in the collection remain the most highly prized by collectors today. A Focus on Popular Culture Like many decorative or seasonal collectables, Department 56 releases new designs every year, inspiring collectors to commemorate the years and the celebration of family milestones with new pieces. Department 56 enjoyed a popularity boost from an unlikely source: pieces based on the 1989 film National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation . In the movie, Clark Griswold’s boss Mr. Shirley did not give Christmas bonuses that year, but did have a celebration in his large and well appointed home. This scene was the inspiration for the very popular miniature Boss Shirley’s House. The film inspired a whole host of buildings, characters and accessories, including Todd & Margo’s House. The Christmas Vacation series remains among the most popular and sought-after pieces. Over the years, Department 56 has released many other designs based on popular culture and holiday films, including “A Christmas Story” , many Disney characters, a vintage Harley Davidson store and even a miniature Downton Abbey . The greatest challenge for this particular collectible is that they are ceramic, and therefore fragile. The value decreases greatly if they do not come with their original box and packaging . Since they are usually associated with the holiday season, they spend most of the time in storage. They take up a lot of room which means collectors have to sacrifice valuable storage space in their homes. So, What’s it Worth? As is the case with many collectibles these days, the value of Department 56 pieces is not as high as it has been in the past , but they do continue to be highly sought after. Notable online auction sales in the fall 2021 include National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation series . These designs remain at the top of the heap for collectors: • Todd and Margo’s House $2800 • The Department Store $500- $900 • Griswold Family Buys a Tree $375 The Dickens Village pieces are highly collected as well. In 2021 the top prices for pieces in this set were: • Kensington Palace $125 • Norman Church $220 • Dead Creek Village Mill $200 Smaller pieces in the collection such as “The Christmas Carol” may go for $40 to $50. Other sought-after designs include the Halloween Haunted Mansion ($800-$1000) and the Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House ($450). Common Designs Currently, the majority of the Department 56 collectibles are sold in larger lots, in their original boxes. Lots of 8-12 pieces may go for $200-$225 . Large collections of 75 or more pieces in their boxes may sell for as much as $1200 . If you love constructing a tiny village in your home for the holidays, and you have the space to store them, our advice is to continue enjoying your collection as long as you can! You could even scoop up some delightful additions to add a new neighborhood at a relatively low cost. When you’re ready to sell, you’ll probably do best to package them as a lot and sell them online or at a local auction house .