Top 10 Tips for Downsizing in Your Retirement
Your retirement is a time of change and for many it means downsizing out of the family home. A growing number of Australians over 55 are packing up the house and hitting the road for an extended trip, while others are paring down their belongings and moving into smaller spaces.
Moving ranks as one of the top stressors today and for some, moving out of their long term home can be overwhelming. Couples and individuals at retirement age may have possessions collected over 40, 50 or even 60 years to sort through.
The big question is what to do with those valuable or sentimental items you no longer have room for but cannot part with?
“We recommend using an accredited storage facility to ensure your possessions are carefully taken care of,” said Viv Hanley, Executive Director of the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA). “AFRA members must comply with standards of excellence, set as a condition of their membership, so you can have peace of mind about your belongings.”
AFRA suggests the following top tips to take the stress out of downsizing and finding the storage solution that suits you:
1. Sort your things – the first step is to decide what you’re keeping, tossing, giving away or placing in storage
2. Do your homework when it comes to storage – for those possessions you plan to place in long term storage,there are several options in the market place including Self Storage or storage with your removal specialist. There are also potential pitfalls, including sharing a storage space with unknown items that have not been inspected by those running a storage facility, such as old paint, aerosols, gas cyclinders and other dangerous goods.
Storing with your removal company removes these risks because they have inventories of all the goods they hold in store. You need to ensure you call around to a few different storage facilities to compare options
3. Ask the right questions
- How will your goods be stored?
- Are you able to make an inspection of the storage location before signing any contracts?
- What insurance is available while your goods are in storage? It is unlikely your home and contents insurance covers your goods if they are not in your home.
- What other goods are stored in the same area?
4. Prepare your belongings
- clothing shouldbesealed in airtight packages to reduce the risk of deterioration over time
- any carpets and rugs should be cleaned prior to stowing
- refrigerators should be cleaned thoroughly with hot soapy water and a little bleach, then dried before storing – wipe the interior with a soft cloth and vanilla essence to keep it fresh
- washing machines and dishwashers should have all water drained from their interiors, including pipes, and the inner/outer bowls should be secured to prevent mechanical derangement
- Before storing any electrical goods, check with the manufacturer for any specific instructions
5. Know what you can and can’t store – you should never store inflammable liquids, perishable foodstuffs or other hazardous items
6. Use an accredited removalist and storage facility – AFRA members comply to Pest Control & Safety inspections and do not store dangerous goods, so you can feel secure their facilities are free from pests and have regular plumbing and electrical inspections
7. Use the AFRA website www.afra.com.au– to locate an accredited removal and storage service, or to find further tips on moving and storing your valuables
To locate your nearest AFRA accredited removalist and find out about how other AFRA members are participating in their community, please visit www.afra.com.au.
-ENDS-
For further information, images or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jessica Saliba
Professional Public Relations
Phone: (02) 9818 0913; Email: jsaliba@ppr.com.au
