A Guide to Downsizing Your Home in Retirement

Whether you’re moving from a palace to a bungalow, or a luxury apartment in with your significant other, sometimes the task of moving items from home to another can be daunting. The key in all of this is knowing how to downsize and, how not to lose your mind whilst you’re doing it.

Of course there are other reasons for wishing to downsize, primarily life choices that one makes. These can either be financial (it can be cheaper to run a smaller home), or the family has left the roost and you are now in a house too big for what you originally had it for.

Whatever the reason, there are tricks to downsizing your home which can come in handy for the day you need to make the decision to sell your home; here are just some of our top tips. 

The Good Old Garage Sale

Well, it’s old in some parts in the world, but the garage sale is a guaranteed way to get rid of items that you really no longer need. How do you organise yourself for a garage sale? 

Well, the big mental hook here is, create piles and split into things you no longer use, no longer need and don’t have a requirement for; yes, we see the irony that they are the same thing but sometimes by labeling it a bit differently, it will allow you to make the decision.

Ultimately does the 3am tv shop purchase serve a purpose in your house? You should ask, when was the last time I used it and then then think, will I ever use it? If the answers are, “about four months ago” and “no”, then they shouldn’t be in your house. 

Sell, sell, sell. Get some money in your back pocket and create a list of everything you sell, just in case you accidentally sell something you actually needed. 

Create an Inventory

An inventory is going to be one of the biggest documents you will keep in your downsizing plans as it is so important. As just discussed, it can be helpful if you’ve sold something that you shouldn’t have but it’s so much more useful than that.

A well organised inventory will be an easy to read and well collated list that can help identify quickly a strategy of getting things right when it comes to downsizing your property. 

One of the best things you can do with an inventory is to ask yourself “if there was a house fire, what could I not live without”. Jot those answers and anything that is missing, you create a separate list so that you can decide if you need to sell or pass on to family that may need it.

If you are moving in with someone else or really downsizing your property, having an inventory is even more important as you will need to see where you could have two or three of the same items and that is not handy for anyone. (Perfect examples, toasters, kettles or microwaves. 

Not forgetting things like sofa’s and beds). You will need to be ruthless when it comes to deciding what to get rid of and if everything is there in a an itemised list then it can be made a lot easier. 

Storage Space

We’ve all had issues with storage at one point or another, it’s true, even the best in the business have found it hard to stick things into storage when required. But there are two ways to look at storage that can be a real life hack when required.

The first is storage for when you are moving your items out of your home and you are still deciding what to do or you didn’t have the opportunity to sell first time round. Here, you want to have an accurate account of where all the storage solutions are in the nearest area to you. 

You don’t want to be travelling for miles to have have a simple facility near you which can accommodate your needs. After that you also want to have a list of pricing. For long term hires you may want to invest in a bigger space and store more at that point as the price per unit may not vary that much due to longevity.

The second storage issue is when you are storing your goods. Things like, ottomans that open up and have space inside, wall-mounted shelving, under-bed storage boxes, they're all your best friend if you're moving to a smaller space.

There are many things that can happen when you are downsizing your home, but the essential thing is, take your time and ensure that you are organized when it comes to shrinking your living space.

Credit that's Right For You: What To Look For in Your Next Credit Card

Once you’ve built up your credit, it becomes easier to get new credit cards. The card you started with may no longer be the best deal out there for you. 

Take the time to look at new options and carefully consider what type of credit card will make the most sense for you. The following list can help you narrow down your choices.

Interest Rates

The cards interest rate is probably one of the most important factors to consider when you choose a credit card. High rates mean that you’ll pay more money overall, so it’s usually best to look for cards that offer low rates. 

However, if you plan to pay the balance off in full each month, the interest rate may not play a significant role in your decision.

Rewards

These days, so many credit cards offer rewards that it seems silly to even consider a card that doesn’t offer you anything. Rewards typically come in the form of airline miles that you can use for travel or cash back. 

Different activities can earn you higher rewards, so consider whether you’re likely to earn those higher rewards. Additionally, some cards can offer you special discounts on merchandise. This is particularly true of store branded credit cards that can only be used at certain stores.

Fees

The downside to some credit cards is that they come with annual fees. Don’t be fooled by signing up for a card that waives the fee the first year. You don’t want to end up with a surprise $80 charge once your credit card hits it’s one-year anniversary. 

If possible, the best card is a card with no fees. However, sometimes, you may find that the rewards that you can earn from the card make the card a good deal despite the fees. It’s always smart to run the numbers.

Convenience

Convenience may not be something that a lot of people consider when looking at credit cards, but it can be a big plus. For instance, Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted at most stores, while American Express is more limited. 

You might also find that having a credit union credit card through the same bank as your checking account is convenient because you can always easily log in and see your account balance and transfer money between accounts. 

At the very least, you probably want a card that allows you to make online payments.

Getting a new credit card is an important decision. It’s smart to weigh all of the options before you make your choice. Prioritize your needs to make the best selection.

Money Transfers Made Easy: How to Send Money Safely and Cheaply

Sending a money order or even a check through the mail simply is not a quick or safe way to forward money to someone you love. While it's possible to ask your bank to transfer money from your account to another, this is only an option if the recipient has the same banking institution and can be subject to delays based on the amount of money being sent. 

If you need to get money to someone quickly but you don't want to spend a fortune on the transfer, here are some safe transfer options that won't cost a ton of money.

Paypal Transfers and Cash Cards

There is more than one way that you can transfer money through Paypal. What's great about Paypal is that you can send money with or without a bank account as long as the recipient has their own account. 

By accessing your account, you can send money from the balance or you can attach a funding card and safely send money from the credit card or bank account directly.

If you don't have a Paypal or bank account, many retailer sell funding Paypal cash cards where you can add money and then deposit it into an account by giving the recipient the code. The costs are minimal, with cash cards costing less than $5.00 to add up to $500. 

Google Wallet for Person-to-Person Transfers

While Paypal can be used to pay businesses or to send money to a friend, Google Wallet is strictly for person-to-person transfers. With this option, you can send money to anyone who has an email address by downloading the app. 

The recipient will receive an email giving instructions on how to receive their money, but they must open their own Wallet account before they can place it in their account or spend it. This is a great way to secure banking info while still sending money on the cheap. Google Wallet is not compatible with prepaid cards for funding purposes.

Quick Money Transfers to Multiple Banks

If you want to send money internationally and you don't want to pay expensive international transfer fees, companies like Sharemoney.com make international remittance quick and easy. You can use your bank account or credit card to deposit money into a bank in Brazil or even the Philippines. 

After Sharemoney verifies your identity and the funds, money is deposited immediately in a safe and secure manner. The great thing about this transfer service is that they offer great rates and the lowest transfer fees compared to competitors like Moneygram and LuckyMoney.

Social Media Money Transfers Through Facebook

It didn't take long for Facebook to see the profit potential in money transfers. Now, Facebook users can send and receive money from their friends on their account. It takes 3 days for the transfer to process and currently users can only fund the transfer with debit cards through a banking institution. 

This is a great peer-to-peer payment option that is safe and offers you convenience and protections.

When you transfer money, cost should be a concern but you shouldn't overlook security. With all of the fast electronic methods to choose from, choosing an option can be overwhelming. 

Consider limits, fees, time frames and what is needed to send and receive money. Once you investigate the options, you can send the money the appropriate way.

Savings Hunt - How to Find the Best Online Deal for Absolutely Everything in Retirement

If you have ever been in any store ever, chances are you have seen a coupon queen or someone that is really good at shopping. These days, it’s never been easier to find great deals online, no matter what you’re buying. 

Smart shoppers can make use of a variety of techniques to save the most money. From unique anniversary gifts to shopping for basics like toilet paper, check out these popular deal-seeking methods.

Mailing Lists

Loyalty pays. Companies often offer special deals to customers who sign up for the mailing lists. In many cases, you’ll get a special coupon just for signing up, so it pays to sign up for the mailing list the first time you make a purchase through any website. 

Once you’re on the list, you’ll get periodic emails from the company, often alerting you of special deals or offering coupons that you can use for free shipping or a percentage off. 

Cash Back Sites

Sometimes, you can get good savings by signing up with a site that offers you cash back for your purchases. Ebates is a popular site for this, but credit card companies may offer this service as well. 

In order to get your money, you need to visit the rebate site first, then go to the site you want. Every time you do this, your money accrues at the rebate site. Sometime, there’s a minimum threshold you must meet before you can get the money back.

Google Shopping

Sometimes, the best deals are just a web search away. When you’re looking for something specific, you can enter it into Google, then click on the “Shopping” results. This will allow you to sort the search results by price. 

The downside to this is that sometimes the results aren’t exactly what you’re looking for. If this happens, try limiting results by price to see if you get closer to the results you were expecting.

Deal and Coupon Sites

Deal and coupon sites often let you know about the best coupons that are out there. Before you make a purchase, simply search for coupons for that company and you’ll instantly get a discount. 

Paying attention to deal sites can also alert you to special sales at your favorite sites. For example, Discountrue offers customers the best prices on all of Amazon’s products. Stop here first and you’ll get a good deal.

Deals and coupons are so prevalent that you’ll almost never have to shop without a coupon again. Simply keep your eye out for coupons and be prepared to make the purchase when the deals strike.