Why 'Unstuffing' Can Be Rewarding
Shifting demographics and evolving lifestyle choices are driving the trend of downsizing and 'unstuffing,' or shedding material possessions. Some desire a smaller, more manageable home before retiring. For others, changing family dynamics have them opting for smaller homes, either due to smaller families or a lack of children. With these scenarios, decluttering and getting rid of 'stuff' go hand in hand with downsizing to a smaller home.
Still, others have come to realize that years of accumulated possessions have become an overwhelming burden. Letting go of items no longer used or taking up space provides a sense of relief and freedom, making life more manageable.
Psychological & Lifestyle Benefits of 'Unstuffing'
- Stress and mental clarity: Physical clutter can lead to mental clutter, and owning fewer things can create a sense of calm and reduce stress.
- Focus on experiences: Some people are shifting their priorities from accumulating possessions to accumulating memories and experiences, which they see as more valuable in the long run.
- More intentionality and time: Minimalism can help manage time more wisely by spending less time cleaning, organizing, and shopping for unnecessary items.
- Reduced financial burden: Adopting minimalist habits can lead to significant savings. This may be especially appealing during times of economic uncertainty.
Financial health and minimalism
For some, a larger square footage provides a larger space that one may feel inclined to fill with possessions or rooms primarily used for storing items.
Embracing minimalism and decluttering by selling unwanted items through garage sales or online platforms can be a rewarding experience for those seeking to recoup some of the money spent.
Passing on assets vs. 'stuff' to heirs
Moreover, handling a loved one's possessions after their death can be emotionally challenging. Decluttering and organizing assets, as well as leaving clear directives, can spare heirs the time-consuming and often stressful process of sorting through a lifetime's worth of belongings.
The reward of giving away
- Habitat for Humanity - furniture and appliances in working condition, and construction materials.
- Salvation Army – clothes, household items, furniture
- Public libraries - books
- Shelters – personal care items, household items, clothing
- Animal shelters – pet food, pet care items, towels, bedding
Let's Team Up
Ready to turn unstuffing into a smart financial and lifestyle move—schedule a free consultation today to create a downsizing, decluttering, and legacy plan tailored to you.
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Investors have had to contend with plenty of noise in 2025. Tariff uncertainty disrupted markets, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history delayed economic data and the Fed resumed its easing cycle after an extended pause. Nevertheless, economic growth held up and equity markets are hovering near all-time highs. Meanwhile, inflation remains elevated, so consumers will continue to face higher prices this holiday season.
As seen in PNC’s Christmas Price Index, which tracks the cost of each gift in the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” prices rose by 4.5% in 2025, down from 2024’s 5.4% gain. Thankfully, these goods are all produced domestically, meaning no tariff-related impacts were felt. Inflation was primarily driven by service-related gifts, which climbed 5.4% y/y, compared to a 2.8% rise for goods-related gifts. However, the steepest price hikes actually came from two goods. After two years of stable prices, the cost of five gold rings rose 32.5% y/y as heightened concerns over geopolitical risks and rising deficits pushed gold prices higher. The cost of a partridge in a pear tree rose 13.5%, entirely due to higher pear tree prices from increased labor and land costs. For those interested in new hobbies, all four of the entertainment gifts experienced price increases, led by 8.1% y/y and 3.5% y/y gains in the costs of ten lords-a-leaping and nine ladies dancing. Luckily, bird lovers can rejoice this year as the costs of two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds and seven swans-a-swimming all stayed flat.
With growth and inflation expected to rise in early 2026 before moderating the remainder of the year, bargain hunters may want to start planning next year’s gifts already!
Chart of the Week: Source: PNC Financial Services Group, J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Thought of the Week: Source: PNC Financial Services Group, J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Index: Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Index; PCE: Personal consumption expenditures; Philly Fed Survey: Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey; PMI: Purchasing Managers' Manufacturing Index; PPI: Producer Price Index; SAAR: Seasonally
Adjusted Annual Rate
MSCI EAFE is a Morgan Stanley Capital International Index that is designed to measure the performance of the developed stock markets of Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
Bond Returns: All returns represent total return. Index: Bloomberg US Aggregate; provided by: Bloomberg Capital. Index: Bloomberg Investment Grade Credit; provided by: Bloomberg Capital. Index: Bloomberg Municipal Bond 10 Yr; provided by: Blomberg Capital. Index: Bloomberg Capital High Yield Index; provided by: Bloomberg Capital.
Key Interest Rates: 2 Year Treasury, FactSet; 10 Year Treasury, FactSet; 30 Year Treasury, FactSet; 10 Year German Bund, FactSet. 3 Month LIBOR, British Bankers’ Association; 3 Month EURIBOR, European Banking Federation; 6 Month CD, Federal Reserve; 30 Year Mortgage, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA); Prime Rate: Federal Reserve.
Commodities: Gold, FactSet; Crude Oil (WTI), FactSet; Gasoline, FactSet; Natural Gas, FactSet; Silver, FactSet; Copper, FactSet; Corn, FactSet. Bloomberg Commodity Index (BBG Idx), Bloomberg Finance L.P.
information from FactSet's Pricing database as provided by MSCI. Russell 1000 Value Index,
Style Returns: Style box returns based on Russell Indexes with the exception of the Large-Cap Blend box, which reflects the S&P 500 Index. All values are cumulative total return for stated period including the reinvestment of dividends. The Index used from L to R,
top to bottomare: Russell 1000 Value Index (Measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to book ratios and lower forecasted growth values), S&P 500 Index (Index represents the 500 Large Cap portion of the stockmarket, and
is comprised of 500 stocks as selected by the S&P Index Committee), Russell 1000 Growth Index (Measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values), Russell Mid Cap Value Index (Measures
the performance of those Russell Mid Cap companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values), Russell Mid Cap Index (The Russell Midcap Index includes the smallest 800 securities in the Russell 1000), Russell Mid Cap Growth Index (Measures the performance of those Russell Mid Cap companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values), Russell 2000 Value Index (Measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values), Russell 2000 Index (The Russell 2000 includes the smallest 2000 securities in the Russell 3000), Russell 2000 Growth Index (Measures the performance of those Russell
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