5 Tips for downsizing your home

IF you’re planning on downsizing, or moving from a big home into a not-so-big home, then these could be tips you really need to consider.

1. Mentally Prepare for a Smaller Living Space

One of the hardest parts of moving into a smaller house is dealing with the loss of space. This differs from person to person, especially if you’ve spent most of your life living in larger homes. We recommend focusing on the positives: smaller homes are easier to keep clean, which means less time and money spent on the house. That means more time and more money for other things.

You may be choosing to live in a smaller space so you can have that great location, closer to family or retiring. If you’re someone who likes to stay active, focus on all the amenities that will be close by, and how convenient it will be.

Did you know fewer belongings can actually make you happier?

It’s true!

Recent studies have shown that when you spend money on experiences instead of things, you’re actually happier.

Basically, we get used to our belongings, and after a short period of time they no longer bring us joy.

But when we’re doing something – vacationing, dining out, going on adventures – we’re forming lasting, positive memories that fuel happiness. Doing things also promotes more social interaction, which is linked to happiness.

Moving into a smaller home is the perfect time to shift your focus on having less and doing more.

2. Purge Your Belongings

We tend to expand our belongings to fit the available space. However, it takes a lot more work to cut down on belongings when that space gets smaller.

• Commit to tidying/decluttering: If you’re going to declutter, you’re going to invest serious time into the process.

• Test the Joy-O-Meter: If it still gives you joy, consider keep- ing it, if not, this gives you something more concrete to work with, plus it encourages you to interact with all your belongings.

• Don’t tidy by room: Decluttering by category instead of by room. For example, do all clothes before moving onto something else.

• Store things vertically: This is something a lot of home professionals swear by; storing everything from t-shirts to your condiments vertically so everything is visible, easy to grab, and easy to keep organised.

Remember: Decluttering – no matter what method you use – is a big process, so it’s important to start well before your moving date.

3. Check Out Your New Home’s Storage

Another thing that can dictate how many belongings you hold onto is the storage situation in your new home. While now you may have two linen closets, you might only have one when you move.

There are a couple of ways you can approach this conundrum.

First, you can cut back even more on your belongings – but you should only do that if you feel there’s more you could purge. You don’t want to get rid of things you need or love.

Secondly, you can add more storage. For example:

• Under the bed boxes/drawers.

• Hanging baskets and racks.

• Any furniture with built-in storage.

• Wall-mounted shelves.

• The classic storage bin. Multi-purpose things are definitely your friend when moving into a smaller house.

4. Measure Your Furniture

Do not skip this step. Moving into a smaller house generally means smaller rooms with different dimensions. Furniture that worked in your large home may either be too big for the space or not fit at all.

You’ll want to know this before you pack it up and move it over. We recommend measuring the height, width and depth of all the furniture you’re not sure about. Write down those measurements, then, if you can, get the room measurements for your new house.

This will save you a lot of hassle down the road.

5. Pack Like a Pro – or Hire the Pros to Pack for You

Packing can be challenging and time-consuming, especially when you don’t know where to start. Professional movers can be of huge assistance from boxes to packers. Don’t be afraid to find out.

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Friday February 10th

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Vievers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

Personals

Lady 75 years seeks health conscious friend.

Write to: PO Box 290, Earlville, 4870

Multicultural lady, Mid-70s, seeks gentleman for friendship. I like travel, dining out, dining in, reading, love nature, and support greenpeace.

Write to: Carpe Diem, C/- Post Office, 5 Owen St, Port Douglas, Qld 4877

Qualified Auto Technician/Mechanic

Full time position available for an experienced, trade qualified person in a small independently owned workshop, located in Cairns. Attractive remuneration package including bonuses for the right person.

Please call Glenn: 0439 342 261 or email: edgehillservo@hotmail.com

Cairns Local News delivers to:

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Wish

FNQ Markets

Saturday February 11th

Babinda: Main St, 07:30-12:00

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott St, 16:30-23:00

Kuranda Heritage Markets: Rob Vievers Dr, 10:00-15:00

Kuranda Rainforest Markets: 7 Therwine St, 09:30-15:00

Mareeba: Mareeba Racecourse, 07:30-12:30

Mareeba Make Bake & Grow: Mareeba Art Society, 08:00-12:30

Mossman: St David’s Church, 07:00-13:00

Rusty’s Markets: Grafton St, Cairns, 05:00-18:00

Tully: Lions Park, 08:00-12:00

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Sunday February 12th

Archer Creek: Rest Area, Kennedy Highway, 07:00-12:00

Atherton Lions Club: Merrilands Hall, 07:00-12:00

Cairns Night Markets: 54-60 Abbott

BTFNQ

District Championship Pairs were played over the weekend 4th and 5th January at Atherton and Mossman. On Sunday morning the quarter finals were played at Atherton. N Twinning and L Braggins def S Henson and C Henson; K Deegan and J Walford def E Tiraboschi and W Edwards; B O’Connor and R Gillman def L Whitehead and C Grommet; D Goode and D Lawton def K Foord and M Hooker. Sunday afternoon

Semi Finals: N Twinning and L Braggins along with D Goode and D Lawton came out winners to play each other in the Finals February 18th. District Championship Singles games will be played at Marlin Coast and West Cairns on February 11th and 12th.

MOSSMAN LADIES’

BOWLS

Thursday February 2nd:

Before play, Joanne Dickson received her 70th year badge, well done. Winners: Zina Girgenti, Joan Day and Anne Geddes; R/up: Margaret Cooper, Gloria Geeves and Denise Highland. Raffle winner: Pam Widdows. Any ladies interested in playing in the Pennants, we will look for names soon. Again, check the book for upcoming competitions and put your names down as it’s a good way to improve your play. We hope to have a Ladies Facebook page in the near future. Ladies, there is free coaching available and we welcome visitors to come on Thursdays. Names in by 12pm and we play at 1pm, bowls attire. For more information contact Carole Maxted: caroles44bb@dodo.com.au or 0400 954 537. Sunday Social Mixed Bowls: Winners: Mike Sims, Maria Snook and Anne Geddes; R/ups: Col Maxted, Wayne Parks, Peter McGrory and Ted Holmes. Names in by 12pm and play at 1pm, casual attire, all welcome. Contact the Mossman Bowls Club: 4098 1434.

MOSSMAN MEN’S BOWLS

Saturday February 4th: Mossman hosted sections 5-7 (12 teams) for the District Pairs Championships (with Atherton Bowls Club hosting sections 1-4). Each team played 3 games of 15 ends (or 2 hrs 20 mins) with the top 4 qualifying teams into the semi-finals played on Sunday at Atherton Bowls Club. The teams through to the semifinals as follows: Section

5: Des Grummitt, Laurie Whitehead; Section 6: Kevin Foord, Mick Hooker; Section 7: Dave Goode, Don Lawton; and Qualifier: Brian O’Connor,

Ryhs Gillman. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the Mossman Bowls Club (and the staff) for hosting the event. Sunday February 5th: 24 bowlers for social bowls Sunday morning. No prize money but a great morning of bowls. Thank you to Peter Fairchild for the music playlist. Jackpot Bowls this Saturday. Names in by 12pm with card call at 12.45pm for a 1pm start. To register ring the Club on 4098 1434. Thursday February 1st: A great night with 30 bowlers for social bowls. Great to see several new bowlers enjoying themselves. Congratulations to Peter Worley to win the meat tray. A reminder, the next Social Bowls will be held Thursday February 16th from 5.30pm with names in by 5pm at a cost of $10 per person. To register ring the Club on 4098 1434. Social Bowls now held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month and open to all members, non-members and beginners wishing to try bowls for the first time. Calendar of events for February and March now posted on the noticeboard. Club Championship book for 2023 is now open and will close at 4pm March 6th. Anyone interested in playing bowls, either for the first time or returning to the game, contact David White on 0407 630

759. Follow Mossman Bowls Club Men’s Section on website or see our website www.mossmanbowlsclub.com.au.

MARLIN COAST BOWLS CLUB

Tuesday Afternoon Men’s Triples: Winners: D Grambau, B Virtue, L Idiens; R/up: D Parnell, S Vidgen, A Mattsson.

Tuesday Night Bowls: Spider: Shane, Avril, Keith, Dennis, Rod, Sisca, Joice, Craig.

Wednesday Mixed Bowls: Winners: P Cavanagh, R Lee; R/up: J Jenner, O Morley.

Thursday Mixed Triples: Winners: Kev, Gary, Robbo; R/up: Olga, Jo, Andrea. All bowlers, non-bowlers and tourists welcome. Bowls available-free. ph. 40576931. Note: All social games played, cards are called 15 minutes before start. Club championships to be played: Check boards for play by dates for Championship games. Like us on Facebook. Special Events: Raffles Friday night also trivia.

WEST CAIRNS MEN’S BOWLS CLUB

Friday Scroungers: Winner: Pauline Bent; R/up: Edna Parkes. Tuesday Afternoon: Winners: T Moulds, R McCallum and J Bent, 23pts; R/ups: Dave Nicholls, S Wilson and Tony McAlary, 15pts and +4 in the second game. Thirsty

Thursday Best Players: Edna Parks, Kevin Lees, John Roid and Yakka. Sunday Morning: Winners: Wayne Vella, Des Kennedy, and Scotty, 24 pts; R/ ups: Patty Pue, Benny Pere and Steve Ford, 21 pts. The Jackpot was not won (-11). Club Championship Season 2023

– Men’s First division 4’s, draw Sheets are on the board with only a two-week window available to play the first round. The District Singles will be played at both West Cairns and Marlin Coast this Saturday. And semi-finals to be played at Marlin Coast on Sunday. Happy bowling and see you on the Green. Social bowlers are always welcome.

EDGE HILL BOWLS CLUB

Ladies Bowls: Thursday February 2nd Social Bowls:

Winners: Karina Homer and Irene Crampton. Ladies your names must be in by 2.30pm for a 3pm start on Thursday February 9th.

Edge Hill Newsletter: A new newsletter will be produced each month and emailed to all members. Contact the Club and record/check your email address if you have not received your newsletter yet.

Men’s Bowls: District Pairs

Final to be played at Marlin Coast February 18th: Lyle

Braggins and Nick Twining vs Don Lawton and Dave Goode. Nomination sheets for Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours are on the notice board. Get your name down for these Club Championship events. All events will be closing very soon. Tuesday January 31st: No Social Bowls played. Tuesday afternoon bowls will now return to the 1pm start time. Put your name down for a game. Wednesday February 1st Winners: Deb, Joyce and Anne; R/ups: Kay, Annette and Brenton. Saturday Social Bowls played but no winners. Social Bowls: Social Bowls will resume with Tuesday at 1pm and Night bowls at 7pm, Wednesday Night Self Selected Triples at 7pm. Saturday Social Bowls will be played 1pm on Saturday. Check with the Club for other start times or see the new Social Bowls Booking forms online on Edge Hill Club Website and Facebook page. You can contact Ray Webster 0402 182 230 for social bowls assistance and volunteering your time or ring the Club 07 4053 1036.

GORDONVALE BOWLS

Welcome back bowlers. Last Thursday: 12 Bowlers challenged the hot weather: Winners: G Spicer & T Moulds. Saturday a small group turned