Often times, couples, or a single parent finds themself all alone in a big home, and what to do now?

Once the kids have moved out, a bigger home can not only seem really empty, it can be a genuine chore to take care of. As a result, many seniors and empty nesters decide to downsize their homes, moving into a smaller place. This can be a good way to accommodate their new lifestyle.

But there might be something else you can do to fill your home.

You might have a friend, or family member that could use a helping hand and place to stay while they get back on their feet.

Maybe someone from your church is looking to downsize too, and you both could live together.

You could even rent out a room.

Depending on your age and health, you might want to foster a teenager, or an exchange student.

It could be fun to share your home with someone, and make it easier for you to stay in your home with their help.

When deciding to downsize their home, homeowners might want to consider the following approach with their sudden abundance of excess possessions.

Begin where you rarely go. Lots of homeowners have rooms in their home where they don't spend a significant amount of time. Living rooms that are more for show than leisure, for instance. Consider parting ways with the furniture that is not regularly being used but intended more for show and collecting dust. Ridding yourself of excess furniture will do a great deal in lessening your moving load.

Another area to consider is the basement, attic, and garage. Oftentimes, there are items such as pool tables, ping pong tables, work out equipment, funiture, and other large equipment that were purchased to entertain the kids. These items won't be necessary at the new home, and chances are they won't fit there anyway.

Make your children a part of the process. Kids often cherish things from their youth that parents might not even know about. To avoid leaving something behind or giving it away, that your kids might want, give it to them. Depending on how many kids you have, it might be hard to determine who gets what. Create a system before you invite them over. Maybe the oldest first since they have children that could use the items now. But when the time comes that item could be passed on to the next childs family. Or if you have two items, write each item on a piece of paper, put it into a bowl and let each child pick to see what they get. The same idea as flip a coin. This will save a lot of fighting, and hurt feelings. Maybe they could trade the idem each year, so everyone can enjoy it.

When you do plan on downsizing to move, get a decent head start, enough in advance to enjoy the process. It might even take you a year. If you save everthing until the last minute, you won't get to enjoy reflecting on the many memories you've made in your current home. Take pictures, and write down special events and stories to pass on. A head start will also afford you the time to better determine what possessions you value, and which ones you're not really attached to. The last thing you want to do is be rushed and later have regrets.

Decide what to do with the excess. Your kids won't cherish all of your possessions and neither will you, so this will leave you with lots of stuff to get rid of before moving into your smaller home. There are many ways to rid yourself of items you won't be taking along. A rummage sale could be a viable option as well as making some extra cash. Donations to a local church or thrift store or shelter, can be a great feeling of giving and could be used as a tax right off.

Remember to make room for especially treasured items. If there are items that you genuinely cherish but you think might make for a tight fit at your new home, do your best to make room for these items anyway. If need be, go back over what you've decided to take and re-examine if it's worth more to you than other items you've determined are a must-have.

With moving it also give you the chance to start new and buy new things, to start new memories with. Good luck.