If you’re like most people, you’ve accumulated a lot of ‘stuff’ over the course of a lifetime. And, like most people, you don’t know what to do with it. In fact, for the majority of senior clients I work with, this is the most difficult part of the process for them. Quite often, with the exception of a few family heirlooms, neither your adult kids nor your grandchildren will be interested in these items. Here are a few ideas on what to do with your ‘stuff’:
• What Do Your Family Members Want?
Once you have separated out all of the things you will take to your new home, you’ll want to find out what of the remaining items your family members
would like to have. Hopefully, there won’t be any things that more than one person wants, but that would be a pretty rare situation. The best way to handle these disagreements is to have them work it out themselves. Better they work things out now, than in the emotional turmoil of settling your estate.
• I’ve got some valuable things that neither family nor friends want – what can I do with them?
Oftentimes, I go into a situation where there are some valuable things that need a new home, and it’s never an easy task to take care of this. You see, lifestyles have changed and many younger people do not want things that ‘remind them of grandma’s house’. Depending on the items, you may find that an auctioneer is your best bet. As an ASA, I have connections with many local auctioneers, valuers, and other experts who can give you an idea of what your things are worth in today’s marketplace, and also suggest possible new homes for them.
• This is too overwhelming for me – what can I do?
Fortunately, you have several options in this regard. As part of my Accredited Senior Agent training, I learned which professionals are best suited to help you in this aspect of your move. In my network of exceptional specialists are transition managers, who can go through your “stuff” with you, distribute it, pack it, and even unpack it at your new home. If you are not familiar with the role a transition manager can play in your move, please request my brochure ‘Transition Management Q & . Likewise, my network of exceptional specialists includes people who will pickup items that you wish to have shipped anywhere in the world and take care of that whole process for you. Same goes for auctioneers, as noted earlier in this report.
• I want to donate some things – what items can I donate?
This really comes down to what the items are, and whether you have a preference for where they are donated. Which organizations accept what items is very much location-dependent, so, for example, Goodwill in Mississauga may not accept any large furniture pieces, while Goodwill in Vancouver typically will. But even these sorts of considerations vary according to what the particular location currently needs. There are some organizations, such as the Canadian Diabetes Association, that will pick items up from you, which might be an important consideration for you. Chances are that there are also more local organizations such as church groups, shelters, that sort of thing, that will be only too pleased to pick items up from you. Members of my network of exceptional specialists know the best people to help with your particular needs.
• You’re offering a lot of help – how do you get paid for all this work?
The first step is a free consultation so we can determine what services you need, and if we are a ‘fit’. Then I move into my role as a paid counselor/consultant. The working relationship, costs, etc. are spelled out in my brochure ‘Transition Management Q & A’.
There are lots more ways an Accredited Senior Agent is trained to help you, and your family, remove the stress and upset that is too-often associated with this time of your life. Call or email today to find out more.
- Decide what things you will take with you to your next Sometimes this is a very difficult process to go through. Maybe you’re downsizing, and only a fraction of your things will fit where you are moving. My experience as an Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) has shown me that the best way to handle this is to first separate things into those that you cannot live without and the things that you aren’t as attached to. Once you have done this, figure out if all the things you cannot live without will actually fit into your new home.
• What Do Your Family Members Want?
Once you have separated out all of the things you will take to your new home, you’ll want to find out what of the remaining items your family members
would like to have. Hopefully, there won’t be any things that more than one person wants, but that would be a pretty rare situation. The best way to handle these disagreements is to have them work it out themselves. Better they work things out now, than in the emotional turmoil of settling your estate.
• I’ve got some valuable things that neither family nor friends want – what can I do with them?
Oftentimes, I go into a situation where there are some valuable things that need a new home, and it’s never an easy task to take care of this. You see, lifestyles have changed and many younger people do not want things that ‘remind them of grandma’s house’. Depending on the items, you may find that an auctioneer is your best bet. As an ASA, I have connections with many local auctioneers, valuers, and other experts who can give you an idea of what your things are worth in today’s marketplace, and also suggest possible new homes for them.
• This is too overwhelming for me – what can I do?
Fortunately, you have several options in this regard. As part of my Accredited Senior Agent training, I learned which professionals are best suited to help you in this aspect of your move. In my network of exceptional specialists are transition managers, who can go through your “stuff” with you, distribute it, pack it, and even unpack it at your new home. If you are not familiar with the role a transition manager can play in your move, please request my brochure ‘Transition Management Q & . Likewise, my network of exceptional specialists includes people who will pickup items that you wish to have shipped anywhere in the world and take care of that whole process for you. Same goes for auctioneers, as noted earlier in this report.
• I want to donate some things – what items can I donate?
This really comes down to what the items are, and whether you have a preference for where they are donated. Which organizations accept what items is very much location-dependent, so, for example, Goodwill in Mississauga may not accept any large furniture pieces, while Goodwill in Vancouver typically will. But even these sorts of considerations vary according to what the particular location currently needs. There are some organizations, such as the Canadian Diabetes Association, that will pick items up from you, which might be an important consideration for you. Chances are that there are also more local organizations such as church groups, shelters, that sort of thing, that will be only too pleased to pick items up from you. Members of my network of exceptional specialists know the best people to help with your particular needs.
• You’re offering a lot of help – how do you get paid for all this work?
The first step is a free consultation so we can determine what services you need, and if we are a ‘fit’. Then I move into my role as a paid counselor/consultant. The working relationship, costs, etc. are spelled out in my brochure ‘Transition Management Q & A’.
There are lots more ways an Accredited Senior Agent is trained to help you, and your family, remove the stress and upset that is too-often associated with this time of your life. Call or email today to find out more.