By the time you reach retirement age, you’ve probably accumulated a lot of stuff. Whether you are downsizing to a smaller house or simply want to declutter your current space, Southern Living acknowledges the process can be quite overwhelming. They recommend starting with one closet or one room and giving yourself one month to declutter each project.
To make matters easier, they came up with a list of six items that retirees can comfortably get rid of:
- Knick Knacks – Unless your children share your passion, it might be time to get rid of the stuff you’ve been collecting over the years.
- Heirloom China and Crystal – Today’s brides are not even registering for china and crystal. Unless there is someone in the family who wants this “family heirloom,” you can consign or donate these items.
- Outdated Media – VHS cassettes and even DVDs are a thing of the past. You can digitize old home movies to hold onto those precious memories, but the movies you no longer watch can go.
- Mismatched Linens – It’s time to get rid of threadbare towels and stained sheets and blankets. Before you throw them away, see if an animal shelter might want them.
- Old Cookware and Appliances – Clean out the kitchen cabinets and donate small appliances you no longer use – such as a crock pot or waffle iron – so long as they still work. You should also try to consolidate your cookware, keeping only what you use.
- Books – An e-reader can easily replace an entire bookshelf. Keep only your favorite literary treasures and donate the rest.
Be sure to look into consigning or selling items that have value. It could be a nice way to earn a little extra income during retirement.
Council of Seniors is Here to Help Older Americans
All of us here at the Council of Seniors want to improve retirees’ financial futures and ensure they receive their full Social Security benefits. We are working with members of Congress to introduce the “Social Security Restitution Act.” It would provide an estimated $970 one-time payment to every retired worker receiving Social Security benefits, to help offset years of inadequate cost-of-living adjustments.
According to the Council of Seniors’ Executive Director Barbara Godwin, “For years, seniors have watched their Social Security checks fail to stretch as far as they should, while the cost of everyday essentials keeps climbing. This legislation is a straightforward, targeted way to help make up for COLAs that didn’t reflect what retired Americans were actually paying to get by.”
Please take a moment and sign our petition today to show your support.