Downsizing the family home : what to save, what to let go / Marni Johnson ; foreword by Mark Brunetz.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

"This is essential reading for anyone clearing out your own or a loved one's home. . . . invaluable." -- The Wall Street Journal



It's a rite of passage almost no one will escape: the difficult, emotional journey of downsizing your or your aging parents' home. Here, nationally syndicated home columnist Marni Jameson sensitively guides readers through the process, from opening that first closet, to sorting through a lifetime's worth of possessions, to selling the homestead itself. Using her own personal journey as a basis, she helps you figure out a strategy and create a mindset to accomplish the task quickly, respectfully, rewardingly--and, in the best of situations, even memorably. Throughout, she combines her been-there experience with insights from national experts--antiques appraisers, garage-sale gurus, professional organizers, and psychologists--to offer practical wisdom and heartwarming advice so you know with certainty what to keep, toss or sell.



Winner of: the 2017 Gold National Mature Media Award; the 2017 Silver EXCEL Award in the General Audience Book category; the 2016 Silver Nautilus Award; and the 2016 Bronze National Mature Media Award!

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Citing her experience helping her parents move and dispose of excess possessions, home and lifestyle columnist Jameson (The House Always Wins) shares her pragmatic approach to getting rid of unwanted items in 21 short, succinct chapters with pithy main-point summaries. Acknowledging that the handling of personal papers and belongings, household furnishings, and the home itself can trigger feelings of guilt and sadness, Jameson encourages readers to push beyond the emotions to sort objects, determine the best disposal methods, and price the potential sale pieces. Disposal options discussed include selling the house; storage; working with bulk buyers; navigating online sales; selling goods at flea markets, secondhand, pawn, and consignment shops; rehoming and donating goods; and holding estate sales. Websites listed in the bibliography are current as of this review. VERDICT The common-sense advice and practical information here will be of interest to persons facing downsizing or needing to get rid of stuff they no longer use. A nice addition to Fran Scoville and Holley Ulbrich's Re-creating Home: Downsizing and Decluttering After 50 and Linda Hetzer and Janet Hulstrand's Moving On: A Practical Guide to Downsizing the Family Home.-Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Marni Jameson is America's most-loved home and lifestyle columnist. Her humorous and helpful column appears in 25 papers nationwide, r eaching seven million readers each week, including loyal followers who have been following her home adventures for a decade. Jameson has written two critically acclaimed books: The House Always Wins: Create the Home You Love Without Busting Your Budget and House of Havoc: How to Make and Keep a Beautiful Home . . . (both Da Capo Press). A top-tier journalist, Jameson has written for many national women's magazines, including Woman's Day and Family Circle, and major metropolitan newspapers. A frequent guest on local and national TV and radio, she has appeared on many programs, including NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, Martha Stewart Living, and Fox and Friends . She lives in Orlando, FL.