5 tips for an empty nest

April 05, 2018

Now that your kids are out of the house, here are five excellent tips for making the most of your empty nest.

 

After decades of noise, activities, busy schedules, broken curfews, tense driving lessons and a whole lot of fun, the kids have all moved out. For many parents, the change can be jolting. Suddenly you have a lot more time on your hands and a lot more space in your home. As you adjust to this transition, you may find the family home could use some updates to fit your new situation. This could mean cleaning out the clutter, repurposing rooms, renovating or even investing in a new home. Here are some ideas for changes around the home that could work for you.

 

1. Clear the clutter and breathe a little easier



Research supports what thousands know firsthand: decluttering your home can have a calming effect. Opening up the physical space in your home can help support your mental well-being. With the kids out of the house, this could be the right time to let go of unused furniture, books, toys and other items accumulated over the years.

 

2. Get help with what stays and what goes


We all get attached to things, and it’s easy to hold onto things we never use and don’t really need. To get some help, you may want to hire a professional organizer who can guide you in sorting through your belongings. As reported in The Washington Post, a professional can systematically work through your belongings offering a more objective perspective on how to downsize1.

 

3. Remodel, repurpose and reinvent


Once you’ve decluttered your home, you’ll probably find that you have a lot of extra space and some new ideas for your empty nest. You can transform an unused bedroom into a game room, a craft room or a home office. Or you may want to go bigger and take out a home equity loan for a major renovation, like adding a guest suite with a bathroom.

 

4. Get out, live large and rent out your home


If you plan to travel or live part of the year in another location, but don’t want to sell or leave your home empty, consider renting it. To make the process as easy as possible, you can hire a property management company so you don’t have to deal with all the administrative aspects of renting out a home.

 

5. Sell your home


Many empty nesters downsize, buying a smaller or less expensive home. The potential for lower mortgage payments, reduced utility costs and fewer maintenance expenses could all result in significant savings.

 

There’s a lot of opportunities that come with an empty nest. Visit usbank.com for more information about options for your financing needs.

Related content

What is Medicare? Understanding your coverage options

Is a Health Savings Account missing from your retirement plan?

How much life insurance do I need?

3 types of insurance you shouldn’t ignore

Is your employer long term disability insurance enough?

8 steps to choosing a health insurance plan

7 things to know about long-term care insurance

Comparing term vs. permanent life insurance

5 tips for an empty nest

Healthcare costs in retirement: Are you prepared?

Start of disclosure content

Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are:
Not a deposit • Not FDIC insured • May lose value • Not bank guaranteed • Not insured by any federal government agency.

U.S. Wealth Management – U.S. Bank | U.S. Bancorp Investments is the marketing logo for U.S. Bank and its affiliate U.S. Bancorp Investments.

The information provided represents the opinion of U.S. Bank and U.S. Bancorp Investments and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or guarantee of future results. It is not intended to provide specific investment advice and should not be construed as an offering of securities or recommendation to invest. Not for use as a primary basis of investment decisions. Not to be construed to meet the needs of any particular investor. Not a representation or solicitation or an offer to sell/buy any security. Investors should consult with their investment professional for advice concerning their particular situation.

U.S. Bank, U.S. Bancorp Investments and their representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Each individual's tax and financial situation is unique. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor for advice and information concerning your particular situation.

For U.S. Bank:

U.S. Bank does not offer insurance products but may refer you to an affiliated or third party insurance provider.

U.S. Bank is not responsible for and does not guarantee the products, services or performance of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

For U.S. Bancorp Investments:

Investment and insurance products and services including annuities are available through U.S. Bancorp Investments, the marketing name for U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC, an investment adviser and a brokerage subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp and affiliate of U.S. Bank.

U.S. Bancorp Investments is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as both a broker-dealer and an investment adviser. To understand how brokerage and investment advisory services and fees differ, the Client Relationship Summary and Regulation Best Interest Disclosure are available for you to review.

Insurance products are available through various affiliated non-bank insurance agencies, which are U.S. Bancorp subsidiaries. Products may not be available in all states. CA Insurance License #0E24641.

Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, U.S. Bancorp Investments must provide clients with certain financial information. The U.S. Bancorp Investments Statement of Financial Condition is available for you to review, print and download.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2267 provides for BrokerCheck to allow investors to learn about the professional background, business practices, and conduct of FINRA member firms or their brokers. To request such information, contact FINRA toll-free at 1-800‐289‐9999 or via https://brokercheck.finra.org. An investor brochure describing BrokerCheck is also available through FINRA.

U.S. Bancorp Investments Order Processing Information.