Seminar centers on upside of downsizing
Home Show continues Sunday
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NEW ULM -- A local woman known as a professional organizer talked about the upside of downsizing at the New Ulm Home & Health Show at the New Ulm Civic Center March 24.
Jayne Jensen said the top reasons to downsize are health and functioning, beliefs and attitudes, physical environment, and social pressure including finances, transportation and community.
Jensen said downsizing, also known as "rightsizing," should be considered a phase of life like working, marrying, and raising a family. She listed phase challenges as sorting, packing, disposing, finances, health and changes to independence.
In addition, she said most Americans age 50 and above feel the amount of things they own make them reluctant to move. But, she said such people who moved as part of a retirement plan are happier than those who did not.
Jensen advised people to ensure there is general agreement to the downsizing process among those involved to avoid problems. She urged people to realize that everyone has their own way of saying "goodbye" to their home, that items have different meaning to everyone, some conflict is normal and that you are not entitled to anything unless it was gifted to you or inherited through a will.
She advised people to start the process now regardless of whether or not they are moving or not; and to talk to all involved.
Jensen start downsizing may involved the Power of Attorney, a health care agent and the location of a will and other important papers, monthly bills and expenses and health-related information including end-of-life decisions, material and monetary asset division and funeral plans.
To declutter, she advised people to start small and record what goes where and/or to whom.
"Don't assume anything is junk. Get the help of others. Don't get caught up in the money," she said.
Jensen advised people to sort their things by what they want to sell, donate, recycle, and throw away. She urged people to avoid a storage unit.
The Home Show concludes 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Seminars include:
• Herbalist and health educator Connie Karstens, M.S., the owner of The Lamb Shoppe and Wellness Center, Hutchinson, on medicinal plants at 12:30 p.m.
• Brian Serbus and Lindsey Anderson of SouthPoint Financial Credit Union will talk about pointing your home at 1:30 p.m.
• Dan Bauer of River Valley BMX will talk about the sport at 2:30 p.m.
fbusch@nujournal.com