Community Chat

[Desert Lily]

This past year, I started a "Retirement Hope Chest." I won't qualify for Medicare for another 3 years, but I'm looking ahead after working hard all my life. My plan is to downsize from my house and move to a condo in a different state. Maybe it will lessen the stress and chaos when I finally move and I won't be scrambling. I've been going through everything: bed linens, kitchen towels, bath towels, all of my furniture, mattresses, electonics, flatware, and on and on. I'll probably throw out half of my clothes and replace only some with new later. I'm missing some pieces of silverware, so I bought myself a lovely set. I already purchased a few bath towels, laundered them, and put them in those plastic vac bags. My plain white set of dishes is no longer complete, so I bought a new set and am keeping them in the boxes so I won't have to pack them later when I choose what other dish sets I'll keep. I also bought new baking pans (still in their box) and downsized with a new set of cooking utensils. I've thrown out a lot of stuff and given away some furniture. I bought a new laptop and will likely need a new one before I retire. I'm waiting until the year before I retire to refresh my TV's with technology changing so often. I see it as just one way I can prepare for a new beginning. One of my friends has decided to start her own hope chest.

[Catty2]

I think your retirement hope chest is a wonderful plan.  You will be all set when the time comes.   

[Carmie]

That sounds like a wonderful idea and a good plan to start early.

i started my hope chest when I was around 15 years old.  When I got married, I had just about everything I needed to set up housekeeping.  I never thought about a hope chest for a retiree, but I like your way of thinking.

Have fun collecting new things and downsizing the old.

[Another new name Sue]

You sound like a smart lady, looking forward to retirement.  

[mac116]

I love your idea!  I am in the midst of purging my over stuffed house.  I swear that I dump and donate, and it never looks like less stuff. 

[Lilysmom]

@Desert Lily, what a great move!

If you are moving from a house to a condo, sometimes the house furniture does not fit either...it's too big.

I love your attitude.  Best wishes to you.  Retirement has been wonderful for us and I hope for you as well.  LM

[Snowpuppy]

I'm in the process of something similar but I'm not storing anything, I'm using it. 

I bought a good quantity of Fiesta and donated my old kitchen dishes. Also bought a couple of badly needed baking pans and donated 2 very large dutch ovens. I bought property and hoping to build a retirement retreat.

Retirement may come sooner than I had planned as my employer keeps downsizing so I need to get ready for any surprises they haven't told us about!

[GCR18]

It's great you have a plan that you can work on gradually.  That's a good point about furniture.  Your current furniture may not work in a smaller setting.  Plenty of time to think about that.

[Sweet_Serenity]

Did the same...freedom from stuff priceless. 

Best regards on your retirement.

[SeaMaiden]

@Desert Lily  Sounds like a wonderful plan!  It is a good thing to prepare for retirement....Just remember, retirement, when you get there, should be partly just going with the flow and not having everything planned out to where your life is structured.  That is retirement...yes plan for it...but expect the unexpected....taking the left turn in the road rather than the right turn ......that is the beauty of it!

Make your move if you think that is what you need....clear out the clutter....buy new if that is what fancies you....  

It is hard to let go  when for years you have been living in a controlled time based day for many years.  Sounds a bit like you still are trying to control the future three years from now.  Many things could change in three years. In your life...in the world economy... 

 I wish you every happiness!   I love retirement!  You will too🙂