You know how passionate I am about helping people deal with their stuff or a family member’s estate. If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you have seen me talk about tips, options, and solutions based on decades of experience.
I decided to take my best knowledge and pack it all into a new book, “What am I Going to Do With All My STUFF?” This book gives you step-by-step direction and best practices for the downsizing process.
When you have no idea where to begin, I give you the resources and brain of an expert, including the pros and cons of each possible option, for making solid decisions when it is time to simplify or downsize your personal property.
Based on 25 years of my experience and insider know-how, this book will give you all the following:
- Where do you begin?
- Understand value and the characteristics of value
- How to thin out the house one room at a time
- Determine your options for selling: Pros and Cons
- Handle large collections and items of value
- Determine what to keep, sell, donate and discard
- Overcome potential obstacles and factors that hinder the process
- Find professional help you can trust
- Avoid the mistakes people make
- Make peace with letting go
It’s available online at Amazon.com in e-book and paperback formats. Here’s a quick link to the e-book: E-book purchase
Here’s what one reviewer says about the book:
Overall, if you are facing the task of cleaning out a deceased loved one’s home or are simply trying to downsize the clutter you have in your home, this is definitely the book for you. Ms. Hall is very clear and concise with her suggestions and methods, and in the end, you will feel accomplished and at peace with a job well done.
Here are another reviewer’s observations:
Though Hall notes that the target audience of this book are baby boomers, I feel that adults of all ages will benefit. She gives you a plan on how and where to start the process of shedding material possessions.
I am writing this review on Black Friday as the media keeps telling us to buy more “stuff”. Instead I’ll remember Julie Hall’s advice, “Give to those who are really in need. That item that you ‘might need one day’ is needed every day by someone else.”
Actually What Am I Going To Do With All My STUFF? will make the prefect gift for the holidays. I think my husband, mom, kids (who are in their 20’s), and many friends will benefit from this book.
I am passionate about educating people, so I’m proud to present this project to you, my readers. Best regards as you let go and simplify your stuff. Here’s to a 2016 with less clutter and more calm!
©2015 The Estate Lady®
Julie Hall, The Estate Lady®, is the foremost national expert on personal property in estates, including liquidating, advising, and appraising. http://www.TheEstateLady.com She is also the Director of American Society of Estate Liquidators®, the national educational and resource organization for estate liquidation. http://www.aselonline.com.
No part of The Estate Lady® blogs, whole or partial, may be used without Julie Hall’s written consent. Email her at Julie@TheEstateLady.com.
I have a question regarding real property being divided, My grandmother passed about 3 months ago and left the house ( which still has a mortgage) to me and my mother. My wife and I moved into the house with my mother to fix up the house but she doesn’t want to sell it nor do we want to live with her long term. We have the means to maintain the house and mortgage and my mother does not. Are there any legal actions that can be taken to make her sell her half along with mine so we can divide the estate equally since living in the home together is not an option and I do not want to watch the house go into foreclosure. I do not know what to do since she will not agree to sell. Also when my grandmother was still alive my mother was “taking care of her” and they withdrew her 100,000 life insurance early to help pay for her expenses and the money was put into my grandmothers account which my mothers name was added. When my grandmother passed she left 50% of the estate to me and 50% to my mother. When my grandmother passed there was about 50,000 left in the account. Does this money become part of the estate?
Hi Shane,
I have nothing to do with real property, or even know the laws pertaining to the division of real property. I am an expert in personal property only, such as antiques, residential contents, collectibles, etc. I am sorry I cannot help you but an estate planning attorney will be able to address your questions.
Best, Julie