Five Downsizing Tips on What You Need to Know to Save Money, Time and Sanity

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, July 21, 2016 -- Approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every single day. They comprise a full 26% of the American population. Eventually, 100% of them will die, leaving their possessions, their financials, and their funeral plans in the hands of their spouse or kids – if they have them. Yet less than 30% of U.S. adults have done any end-of-life planning, and that's a problem.

How can this Silver Tsunami generation avoid leaving a disorganized mess? Death educator Gail Rubin, CT, wrote KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die (Rio Grande Books, October 2016, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-943681-15-0, RioGrandeBooks.com) to help adults clear their clutter, firm up their financials and leave the world a better place.

"Death does not have to throw the family into total chaos and turmoil," Rubin said. "By paring down possessions, organizing information and planning for end-of-life, you can reduce stress, minimize family conflict, save money, and create a meaningful, memorable 'good goodbye'."

KICKING THE BUCKET LIST shows you how to:

• Tackle downsizing without being overwhelmed by the job
• Evaluate what to keep, toss, donate and recycle
• Creatively remove excess goods from your home
• Manage your finances for today and tomorrow
• Organize your funeral and create your legacy

Gail Rubin, CT, is a Certified Thanatologist (a death educator) who uses humor and funny films to help teach about end-of-life issues. She's the author of two other books, the award-winning A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die and Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips. Gail is also a pioneer of the Death Café movement in the United States and an informed advocate for pre-need funeral planning.

Rubin offers these five tips from the book on how to downsize and organize for a better life, and a better death.

1. Empty storage units.

Did you rent a storage unit to "temporarily" store some must-keep items that didn't have a place in your home? Take a hard look at what's in those storage units. Are those items even worth the rent? Clear out the storage unit, close the account and save yourself some money.

2. Give goods to charities.

Selling household goods, whether through yard sales, online sites or flea markets, is hard work. The money earned may not make it worth your time and trouble. Popular charities that may pick up donations from your home include Goodwill, the Salvation Army, ARC, Vietnam Veterans, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, and others. Keep track of what you donate. These organizations provide receipts that serve as proof for tax deductions.

3.  Make a personal contact list.

When time is of the essence, can you easily assemble the names, addresses, emails and phone numbers of people who need to be contacted? Mom's dog-eared personal phone book used to hold all that information, but now cell phones, social media, tablets and computers complicate contacting the people who matter most. Create a master contact list of information that identifies family, friends, work contacts, medical, financial and legal professionals, and other people who need to know when someone dies. Print out several copies and share with key family members.

4. Label who's to get what.

If you want to pass particular items on to specific family members or friends, label those items with their names. Write a list of these objects and the recipients, then sign and date the list. Referencing this list in will or trust documents make these designations legally binding. Better yet, give family heirlooms while you're still alive.

5. Shop BEFORE you drop.

Before someone "kicks the bucket," learn what you need to know today. Visit several local funeral homes to find out disposition options and costs. It's so much easier to investigate your choices while death seems distant and you can still laugh about it.

The 128-page book, to be available in paperback and eBook formats, is a quick, easy read, with colorful photographs and bonus online information. Each of the 100 Bucket List items include links to helpful internet articles that expand on each point. This is the seventh title in the Bucket List book series.

KICKING THE BUCKET LIST supports the work of the nonprofit National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and the National Hospice Foundation. NHPCO brings patients facing life's end, and their families, comfort, compassion and hope – even in the face of death.

KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die (Rio Grande Books, October 2016, $15.95, ISBN 978-1-943681-15-0, RioGrandeBooks.com) will be available on Amazon.com, AGoodGoodbye.com, and through book retailers nationwide. This is the seventh title in the Bucket List book series.

Review Copies and Media Interviews:

For a review copy of KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die or an interview with Gail Rubin, please contact Ms. Rubin at 505-265-7215 or Gail@AGoodGoodbye.com. When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.

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