New Jersey - Bergen and Passaic Counties

The Real Upside to Downsizing.When it comes to moving, we are all looking for ways to maximize the process while reducing our stress, responsibilities, errands, and belongings.  The definition of downsizing is reduction.We have all been there in one capacity or another collecting too many items in our home.  From your closet to the kitchen junk drawer, maybe your spare room, or garage - it can happen anywhere.  When you are moving, cleaning out these areas on your own can be a challenge.There are solutions and resources to help with downsizing. Hiring a professional move management team trained to help make the right downsizing decisions is a start.  Some experts say the process of minimizing excess in your home can feel liberating.  How you move matters so these 6 downsizing surprises will hopefully inspire you to start the journey.Here are 6 surprising benefits to downsizing:1. Honoring your decisions means honoring you and your desire for a happier life.2. Once you get started you wont want to stop. Before you know it, you will be done.3. Saying yes to donating is rewarding. Donating is all about helping others.4. Your feelings will guide you toward success. Keep what you love, pass on the rest.5. Reliving stories is a wonderful and necessary part of the process.6. Your children will thank you. Maybe not now but they will definitely thank you later.Article Submitted by Patti Nanney with WayForth | WayForth Senior Moving Services

Theres a reason they say moving is the third most stressful event in life. Not only does it throw your typical routine out the window and add to an already growing to-do list, but living out of boxes for days or weeks, and not knowing where things are, can weigh heavily on you emotionally and physically. One important thing to understand is that there is a real difference between a move management service and everyday movers. While movers might handle packing, driving from one location to another, and unpacking, a move management organization goes far beyond to assist you from creating a complete inventory of your possessions for a space plan to setting up your new home (some will even make your bed). Whether youre moving to a senior living community or relocating to another home, your move management company should be able to fulfill all the needs that come with your transition. This could include assisting with donating items to a local charity, short and long-term storage options, clearing out and preparing your home for sale, and most importantly understanding the emotional impact that comes with moving from your home of 50+ years.Read more about WayForth's services here! WayForth has helped over 15,000 people since our start in 2016. We have learned that it is possible to reduce the stress associated with relocation by being prepared. Our move management experts help with downsizing, floor planning, packing and unpacking, and more. WayForth can help you or a family member with our personalized moving solutions to fit everyones unique needs. Contact our moving professionals today at 817-697-4478 or visit our website to learn more.

I sneak around the corner in my red shoes. If he sees me, he will scold me. I shouldnt be wearing them, he says. They are dangerous. Maybe he is right, but I love my red shoes. They make me feel alive. They make me want to dance. They remind me of when I was young and could wear any shoes I wanted. Now, at age 91, my step is slower. I no longer dance. The physical therapist at the assisted living facility where I live tells me I should be wearing sensible shoes, flat with Velcro closures. I do most of the time, but today I want to feel young. I slip on my red shoes. Everyone notices. They all like my red shoes, expect for Elizabeth, who thinks red shoes are risqu, no matter your age. That adds to the fun. My step is lighter in my red shoes and so is my spirit. Perhaps that will help me move quickly enough not to get caught by the physical therapist. It is easy to tell our aging loved ones what they should and should not be doing. Often the motivation is genuine concern for their safety. But it is important to remember that each thing they are asked to give up represents part of their identity. Something as simple as the shoes one wears can impact the way they view themselves. So, approach the topics which need to be addressed to keep your loved one safe, but do so gently, respecting the person and recognizing what youre asking them to do may not be as simple as it seems. Patty Masterson-Kane, LCSW and Patty Hemphill, LCSW are partners in Elder Care Options, a Geriatric Care Management Agency. They help families coping with issues related to aging and changing care needs and can be reached at 201-848-8539.

Here are WayForth's 5 tips for selling your house quickly and for more money: Stage Your Home One of the most important steps in selling your house is staging it effectively, but also efficiently. Buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in the house, so take time to declutter, deep clean, and repair any necessary items, but dont go overboard. But at a minimum, focus on decluttering, removing personal and unnecessary items and leaving the home as clean and open as possible. Price it right Setting the right asking price is essential if you want to make a quick sale with minimal time on the market. Working with an experienced realtor who can provide some insight into both current market conditions as well as comparable listings in your area is critical. Take Good Photos In todays digital world, many people will be seeing your property online before they even set foot inside it. Investing in quality photographs that can accurately capture how great your space looks will help attract more buyers and entice them to schedule a viewing appointment faster. Make Repairs (but not renovations) Buyers have high expectations when it comes to buying a home, and many struggle to see past even basic defects, so before listing yours make sure all those minor fixes have been addressed from squeaky door hinges to cracks in drywall to leaky faucets! Leverage Social MediaSocial media is an incredibly powerful tool that can help reach potential buyers matched specifically for your house! Once the listing is complete and your realtor is ready to launch the marketing campaign, be sure to share the listing on your own social media and encourage friends, family and especially neighbors to do the same.  At WayForth, we can help you with almost every step of the process, while also making sure you get settled in with minimal stress wherever you might be going. We can get you started whenever you are ready by doing some basic decluttering and packing. Give us a call at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to learn more!