1. Decluttering:- I suggest doing this as passively as possible. We tried to sell much of what we were using (dining/sitting room furniture etc) and found replying to our ads and showing to be a bit emotional and sometimes even got stressed. With flat owners arriving with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude we changed tack. Charity shops don’t want much home stuff. I approached a person involved in an episcopal church and offered everything we were clearing free of charge. The whole lot was collected within a few days and distributed to needy families. We felt good and our bad feelings evaporated and we found use of new stuff uplifting. After which we never gave rise to future clutter.
2. Converting part of your house for letting is not cheap. When all that’s done there are the potential problems with tenants, letting agency, revenue, local council etc. Nobody will convince me that by these your life span will not be cut short. One thing you don’t need in retirement is worry/stress/heavy financial outlay. You don’t have to apologise for enjoying yourself; you’ve earned it.
3. Lifestyle:- You’re retiring, exiting the rat race, life’s good keep doing what you enjoy and keep enjoying - get one thing straight, you’re not the conscience of the state. If you need to be taken by the hand to enjoy yourself you’ve got problems. If moving house is stressful, don’t do it. If you love your location, keep loving it. If spending a month or two in Sunny Spain is a drag for you don’t go. Always remember retirement is Me-Time as in Nobody else’s time. Think of yourself for once.
4. Downsizing:- Nobody’s putting a gun to your head; don’t put a gun to your own head, if you don’t want to move, don’t. If it suits you to move then go ahead. Health is wealth and don’t lose it and just think nobody gives a whit about you, but the overriding fact is that you’ve got to do what’s best for you. It’s nourishment you need, not punishment.
5. Do you remember the television ad (from the “Caring” bank) of the lady vacating her house to live with her son, daughter in law, children and the identical crummy wallpaper in her new room? In my opinion that’s up there with After Life Loans which many will try convincing you that you need in retirement. If you’re downsizing, likely it will cost you dearly and probably will not be self financing.