Seniors and Downsizing
As we age, our needs and priorities evolve, often leading many seniors to consider downsizing their homes. This significant life decision involves selling a larger family home and purchasing a smaller, more manageable property. The process can be both exciting and daunting, with several benefits and challenges to navigate. For seniors contemplating this transition, understanding the implications for sellers, buyers, and lifestyle changes is crucial. Benefits of Downsizing One of the most compelling reasons for seniors to downsize is the financial benefit. Selling a larger home can free up substantial equity, providing a comfortable nest egg for retirement. This extra capital can be invested or used to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, including travel or hobbies that were previously unaffordable. Additionally, smaller homes typically come with lower maintenance costs. With fewer rooms and a smaller yard, the time and money spent on upkeep decrease significantly. This reduction in responsibility allows seniors to enjoy their retirement years without the constant worry of home maintenance. Another advantage is the potential for improved accessibility. Many smaller homes or retirement communities are designed with seniors in mind, featuring single-story layouts, wider doorways, and other modifications that make daily living easier as mobility decreases. Challenges of Downsizing Despite these benefits, downsizing is not without its challenges. One of the most emotional aspects is parting with a home filled with memories. The process of decluttering and deciding what to keep can be overwhelming and emotionally taxing. For sellers, the real estate market can also pose challenges. It may take time to find the right buyer willing to pay the desired price for a larger home. Additionally, moving costs can add up quickly, from hiring movers to potential renovations needed to make the old home market-ready. Buyers face their own set of hurdles. Finding a smaller home that meets specific needs and preferences can be difficult in competitive markets. Seniors must consider proximity to healthcare facilities, public transportation, and social activities when choosing their new residence. Lifestyle Adjustments Downsizing inevitably leads to significant lifestyle changes. On one hand, it offers an opportunity for a fresh start in a new environment. Seniors often find that moving into a smaller space encourages them to simplify their lives and focus on what truly matters. Many choose to move into active adult communities or retirement villages that offer social activities and amenities designed for senior living. These communities provide opportunities for making new friends and staying socially engaged, which is crucial for mental health as we age. However, adjusting to a smaller space requires some adaptation. Storage solutions become essential as there’s less room for belongings accumulated over the years. Seniors may need to get creative with how they organize their new living spaces. In conclusion, downsizing after retirement presents both benefits and challenges that impact sellers and buyers alike while significantly altering lifestyle dynamics. By carefully weighing these factors and planning accordingly, seniors can make informed decisions that enhance their quality of life in their golden years. Whether it’s enjoying newfound financial freedom or embracing a simpler way of living, downsizing can be a positive step towards a fulfilling retirement.
Crafting Sanity
As many of you may know, I opened my Etsy shop back in April, and since then my shop has begun to take off! It never occurred to me that a hobby could be turned into a revenue stream. Fortunately, I am now in the process of expanding my product line and brand. It has been such a rewarding experience and has taught me a lot about myself along the way. The one thing I know for sure is that my OCD tendencies and perfectionism must stay outside of my crafting studio. You wouldn't dare want to repeat some of the things I have yelled at my Cricut machines. Here are a couple of tips and tricks I've learned to keep my crafting dojo a peaceful place: 1. Make sure you have all the materials you need before starting a project. Let you tell you firsthand that it blows when you are almost to the finishing line of a project and you realize you don't have the right mod-podge sealer, or you don't have enough vinyl, heaven forbid you bought the wrong color... Before you start your project lay out EVERYTHING! The scissors, the glue, and every item or tool you will need to start your project. Because if you're like me and you craft until unearthly times in the morning and you don't have something Michael's isn't open at 3 am. Trust me I check - every. single. time. If you're extra amazing, you'll write a list of what you need for a whole crafting session and then go to the store! But trust me - you'll forget something anyways, and if you do move to step 5 immediately. 2. Give yourself adequate time and supplies for mistakes. For most of the products that I sell in my shop, I go on autopilot when I'm filling them. So, I know how long each mat takes to cut in the Cricut down to the second. However, there are some days my machine decides it's super hungry and wants to eat all my card stock. Uh - rude much? It's the day I need the order to be shipped and I've gone through 8 sheets of card stock and my machine is still hell-bent on ripping every sheet. This is where I scream obscenities at my machine and my mom comes into the room asking if I'm okay - "Clearly not mom, but you're wonderful and I love you". To avoid the all-night crafting rush give yourself more time and supplies than you think you need for a project. And hey if you end up with extras (time & supplies) pour a glass of wine and make a project for yourself. Cause after all you've earned it! 3. Always keep your scrap projects. I cannot tell you how many times I have been just so unbelievably disappointed in something I made, and a friend comes in and is like "OMG is that the Mona Lisa?". Okay well, maybe not that impressed. But you get my point. Sometimes beauty is not in the eye of the beholder. Cause lord knows there are several craft “Frankensteins” in my closet that I hope never to see the light of day. However, I have found lately that my scraps can usually be repurposed into something different. I have a dedicated scraps organizer in my craft closet that will one day be a part of something I am unbelievably proud of. 4. It's okay to take a break. Some things you just must walk away from. Such as a Cricut with an unquenchable thirst for 80lb card stock. (Yes, I am still not over this.) To me, crafting/creating is something you very much must be in the right mindset to succeed at. Now while I can confirm that sad and grumpy crafting has its therapeutic benefits. It's not best to try something completely new when you aren't in your crafting mood. It's best to just walk away from a project and either start something else - or just walk away from crafting for the day together. And no - you're not giving up; you are simply pressing pause. It'll be there - ready to pick up whenever you are. Unless you have a cat that likes to push things off the table - it might be on the ground. Nevertheless, you deserve to break. Pushing through isn't always the answer. 5. Give yourself grace. You're the crafty one in your family, right? The one everyone comes to and goes "Can you make this?" and you immediately say yes because you will not be bested by a measly Pinterest pin. And then the unthinkable happens - you struggle. Guess what? IT IS OKAY. Different crafts require different skill sets - and you may haven't honed that one yet. We are our own worst enemies in the crafting world. This is crooked, or you can see the glue-stick mark here, it doesn't look perfect. Guess what, yup I'm going to repeat it. IT IS OKAY. You are not going to perfectly make everything the first time. Heck, maybe not the 6th or 7th time. But you shouldn't expect perfection cause hey you're a crafter and the one thing you're amazing at is crafting up a solution. Take a deep breath - YOU'VE GOT THIS! Best Crafting, Ashley
Indoor/Outdoor Entertaining & Relaxation
If you live in the south, you are fully aware that the biggest deterrent to enjoying the outside is the bugs (frogs for me, but that is a story for another day.) One way to combat the pesky bugs is to have a screened-in porch. Up until my parents followed me to Arlington, they always had a screened-in porch. Once they moved to Arlington they bought a house with a front and back porch. They quickly deduced that a screen porch would be needed. After unsuccessfully trying to agree on how to screen in an existing porch, they decided to add a new porch off the kitchen. This had the extra benefit of extending the entertaining space. Unfortunately for them, this idea started during Covid and really was only a paper drawing for a good while. As Covid restrictions eased they decided to go for it. They hit issues finding tradesmen with availability. They started interviewing construction companies, finally settling on one that was more a project manager that brought in the individual contractors through relationships. Fast forward, 6 months, and they finally have a new porch. This porch is an eye-catcher from the street and breathtaking inside with its fireplace and soaring ceiling. The tall screens help the airflow. They are still working on furnishings and landscaping but you can see the space will be a show stopper they will enjoy for years to come. Lessons learned along the way are to actually have an architect draw up the floor plans. Find a contractor to manage the whole process that will be hands-on. Plan on setbacks and delays so that you are not stressed or surprised. Lots of deep breaths. Check out these beautiful photos of the finished product below:
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