Make Your Move Less Stressful

Moving can be less stressful if you plan it right, according to author Gregory Karp.

Choose your type of move: either do-it-yourself, full service or hybrid (the mover may drop off a container, you load and unload, and they transport).

Hire a quality mover. Ask for recommendations. Check out yelp, the Better Business Bureau, protectyourmove.gov and moving.org

Declutter. Take photos of things that are hard to part with and then get rid of them. Sell, donate, recycle, throw out.

Be flexible for times. Summer weekends around the 15th and 30th are the most expensive.

Find boxes. Buy used boxes or look for the best prices.

Save on packing materials by using towels, linens and newspaper.

Ship books by mail at the postal media rate.

See if you can consolidate your goods with someone else who is moving to the same vicinity.

Get full replacement insurance from other than your moving company.

See if your moving expense can be tax-deductible or reimbursable.

Tip your movers at $3-5/hour.

For more on moving, visit 50somethinginfo.com

Moving Into a Retirement Community

Mom didn't have to say anything about selling her home of 40 years and moving into a retirement community.  She didn't have to say anything because everything was written on her face.   Having family closeby quieted some of her fears but losing most things familiar--your home, your friends, your hang-outs, your doctors, and facing the last stage of your life wreaks havoc with emotions.   

For four nights Mom and Auntie Peggy sampled a very different kind of living, vastly different from their primarily solitary unscheduled routines.  The reality that this was not their usual vacation but a major life change sobered their outlook.  More than ever, they scrutinized the living accommodations (tiny), the food (good but not great), and the people (very, very nice).

I, too, was anxious about the visit.  I pondered what I could do to make the imminent transition as painless as possible.  Here's what I did:

1. I planned dinner and tea with my friends and acquaintances and their resident mothers both on and off site.

2. I put lots of snacks into the refrigerator (it's no good contemplating a move on an empty stomach!).

3. I requested that the administration display my invitation to all residents that Mom (her sister-in-law, daughter, grandson, wife, and 2 great-granddaughters) would like to meet them on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the pool.  Refreshments would be provided (by me).  I also indicated that Mom liked to play bridge and pan, bowl, and that she could drive.

Knowing that some events conflicted, I prepared Mom for small if any attendance.   But I was surprised and pleased to find  8-10 men and women who attended.  These people, I suspect, will become her core of new friends as she adjusts to a new life.