Craigslist Car Selling Tips

As part of our ongoing downsizing efforts, we have sold a dozen or so items on Craigslist over the past few months. Furniture, bicycles, a jukebox and today, a car. It was an interesting experience to say the least. Even from this single experience, I learned a few things about Craigslist car shoppers that some of you might find interesting.

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Downsizing Through Craigslist

This week was a “downsizing week.” I made our first attempt to sell-off unneeded items that were taking up space in the basement level and garage. I took photographs of the items to be sold, opened a Craigslist account (free), learned how to post items for sale with photos (easy), and off I went.

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Downsizing to a Condo – The Move

Things have been quiet this week at Go To Retirement.  We took another step on our downsizing path. We  drove a U-Haul truck up to the Long Branch Lakes condo with some furniture, closed on the sale, and then have been working hard to settle in. Moving is not a fun process but the excitement of trying life in a brand-new 1500 sq.ft. condo took over. Read more

Downsizing: Should You Rent or Buy?

This is an interesting time for baby boomers contemplating downsizing and perhaps relocating to an area having a lower cost of living. Home prices have fallen in general due to difficult economic conditions. Foreclosures and short sales have generated bargains galore in many areas and including the vacation home market. Mortgage rates are at all time lows, although we should strive to avoid mortgages altogether as we prepare for retirement. Still, there is a serious question to be asked as part of the downsizing issue: Rent or buy?

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Reasons Downsizing Makes Sense

I have written often about downsizing, including our own plans for condo living. Saving $1000 or more on monthly living expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, etc.) is the equivalent of adding $300,000 or more of income-generating assets to your retirement nest egg.

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Downsizing and Mortgage Refinance Strategies

For the past year or so we have been openly discussing downsizing from our primary residence after our youngest son graduates from college next spring. We would take the proceeds from the sale and either buy something smaller in the area or, more likely, rent. Now we are rethinking that strategy. Read more

Downsizing Compared to Upscaling in Retirement Living

We drove to Long Branch Lakes yesterday to check on the construction progress of the condo we are buying. Things are moving along rapidly. The unit is completely shelled in and framed, with rough plumbing and electrical completed. The garage is finished and our horse’s shoe was embedded in the garage floor surface as we asked. Read more

DIY Home Design for the Downsizing Baby Boomer

As they empty the nest and approach retirement, many baby boomers are thinking about what to do with their present home. Should they remodel to sell and downsize? Should they finally implement those upgrades for a carefree retirement lifestyle? What about new living spaces – what should be done with those? Read more

A Decluttering Strategy for Downsizing

“Simplify” is a word and concept that becomes more significant to me as I age. I’m having success applying it to my work (a 100% paperless legal practice) but it’s harder at home. I struggle with the realization of how much stuff there is to get rid of when we downsize. The household clutter is a constant reminder of what needs to be done. Thus, I was intrigued by the “stock theory” of decluttering that I read about today. Read more

Life Downsizing and Simplifying the Boomer Way

I’m making tangible progress on my attempts to simplify and downsize my life. This is happening at home and at the office. Check out what I’m doing. Maybe it will inspire you? Read more

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