Lure4.2017

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ORGANIZATION A national expert in minimalism offers tips for getting back to basics Rightsizing for the Next Chapter BY CINDY HADISH The business concept of rightsizing a company’s footprint through a proactive, strategic plan can apply to lifestyle choices as well. Baby boomers, born between 1946-1964, are heading into retirement at a rate of about 10,000 per day, with an increasing number of them moving from spacious homes in the suburbs to more compact homes in the city. Retirement or not, anyone debating a move could benefit from rightsizing their material footprint, by cutting through clutter and reorganizing their possessions. During a recent Professional Women’s Network event at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, Joshua Becker, founder of “Becoming Minimalist,” offered some strategies for living more simply that apply to all stages of life. Mr. Becker, author of “Clutterfree with Kids” and other best-sellers, is one of the leading voices of following a minimalist lifestyle with fewer possessions. “Simplicity brings balance, freedom and joy,” he writes on his blog. “When we begin to live simply and experience these benefits, we begin to ask the next question, ‘Where else in my life can I remove distraction and simply focus on the essential?’” Some tips from Mr. Becker’s talk that can help in the rightsizing process: n Determine what you value and need in your life. Essential needs may vary greatly depending on that determination. Someone who plans to travel extensively, for example, would need different possessions compared to a person who has several pets or wants to stay at home to garden. “Ask yourself, ‘what do I want my life to be about?’” Mr. Becker said. “It’s about value: what things do you need in order to do that.” n Start on the easiest, most lived-in areas. Mr. Becker began with his car; removing everything and saving only those things that were important, such as a pair of sunglasses and the vehicle manual. n Move room to room. Begin with the place in your home that already is the most organized, saving closets, the basement and garage, where clutter tends to accumulate, for last. n Focus on your own possessions. “It’s always easier to see someone else’s junk,” Mr. Becker said. “But you can’t start throwing out your spouse’s stuff or your kids’ stuff first.” n Stay on top of paper clutter by digitizing documents and photos. Unsubscribe to junk mail and handle the mail on a daily basis, immediately recycling what can be tossed and saving other items into a folder to be reviewed on a weekly basis. n Match cups, bowls, plates and silverware for better uniformity in stacking and storing. Donate those items that don’t match. If there is one souvenir cup or mug that is so important you can’t live without it, that’s perfectly fine. Just don’t keep five of them. n Get rid of guilt by donating to places that can benefit by reselling your items, including the Salvation Army and Goodwill, and look for other organizations that could use the items, as well, such as giving pots and pans and blankets to a refugee resettlement group and clothing to women’s shelters. | 36 LUREOF THE CITY
Other tips to help with a move from Caring.com If it’s chipped, broken or stained, toss it. Charities don’t want nonworking Christmas lights, snagged clothes, lidless plastic Tupperware or any items they can’t sell. Consider bringing in the pros. Hire someone to hold an estate sale if you have a large number of items, such as furniture and dishware, that you’d like to sell. Don’t be shy about tossing replaceable items. Not worth moving, donating, or even conferring about: old spices, junk mail, old magazines, outdated medications, unused toiletries, plastic food containers, candles, stuffed toys (most charities won’t accept them) and the contents of the junk drawer (just hang onto change and spare keys). If there are several items of high value, consider an appraisal. Go through the entire house; the appraiser will only come out once and is more interested in relatively large lots. Auction houses, whose goal is to sell items at the best price, are better options than antique dealers, whose goal is to get items for the lowest price. If an item is meant to be a gift or legacy, plan to give it now, rather than moving or storing it. Innovative, space-saving furnishings can be a huge help in right sizing. Dr. George Hanna found this modular wall bed system through Resource Furnishings. The bed folds down, tucking the desk away. Shelving is part of the system, providing a cohesive look. LUREOF THE CITY 37
Page 1 and 2: LUREOF THE CITY Inside: Featured Fa
Page 3 and 4: The Landing II COMING SPRING 2018 R
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS 6 Discovering the Lure of
Page 7 and 8: Area residents reflect on life in t
Page 9 and 10: Just like you, we chose the Corrido
Page 11 and 12: The Metropolitan 450 First St. SW,
Page 13 and 14: Pre-approve your mortgage FASTER wi
Page 15 and 16: Sabin Townhomes 509 S. Dubuque St.,
Page 17 and 18: O T After 87 years of serving thous
Page 19 and 20: When the Row Houses on Second were
Page 21 and 22: REASON TO LIVE DOWNTOWN #34: CLOSE
Page 23 and 24: the electric fireplace in the livin
Page 25 and 26: David and Kathy Gimer.
Page 27 and 28: “In 2013, we talked about investi
Page 29 and 30: IN PERSON here’s an ‘odd couple
Page 31 and 32: helping your business make the righ
Page 33 and 34: Thinking about BUYING or SELLING a
Page 35: Randy Miller is honored to have rep
Page 39: Let us make your space extraordinar

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