Move over, Marie Kondo. The new decluttering trend is Swedish Death Cleaning. It may sound morbid, but Swedish Death Cleaning is not about cleaning up a crime scene. It's a way to declutter and organize your life-not to mention manage your finances.
What is Swedish Death Cleaning?
Swedish Death Cleaning, or “döstädning”, is a decluttering process designed to simplify your life and reduce the burden on loved ones after you pass away. Officially, the process is billed as a means to leave behind a manageable estate, but it also involves grappling with some philosophical and emotional questions. The term was popularized by a 2018 book and a 2023 television show that urged folks to intentionally eliminate possessions and process their finances. But in a period marked by lingering pandemic habits and accumulated clutter, it was less about tidying up and more about cleansing the soul.
7 Swedish Death Cleaning Steps
1. Start Early
The key to successful Swedish Death Cleaning is to start early. So, begin decluttering and managing your belongings while you're still able-bodied and in good health. In a perfect world, you'll start before you're older or facing health issues, but any measure of advanced effort can create a more peaceful, organized environment.
2. Start with the Big Stuff
With a goal of minimalism in mind, consider your furniture and get rid of any broken or impractical things. Move on to your closet and eliminate anything that doesn't fit or suit your lifestyle. Work room by room through the process and-if it intimidates you-leave personal and sentimental items for last. Or, if you prefer, completely reverse the process. Start with the difficult things (like photos and heirlooms) and work through the rest of your stuff once you climb that first hill.
3. Assess Your Belongings
Take stock of each item you own, from clothes and books to furniture and sentimental items. Ask yourself if each item serves a purpose or holds significant value (personally or practically). If not, it might be time to let it go. The process will take a while-possibly weeks, months, or even years. So, give yourself some grace and don't rush.
4. Declutter Ruthlessly
Be ruthless in your decluttering efforts. Donate or sell items that you no longer need or use. As you work, consider the needs and preferences of your loved ones and whether they would appreciate inheriting certain items.
5. Organize What’s Left
Once you've pared down your belongings, focus on organizing what's left. Invest in storage solutions that help maximize space and maintain tidiness.
6. Document Important Information
Make sure your loved ones have access to important documents such as wills, insurance policies, and financial accounts. Consider creating a digital inventory of your assets and debts to make it easier for them to manage your affairs. Meanwhile, dispose of excess paperwork, such as old tax records, receipts, and ancient credit card statements, by shredding them with a cross-cut or micro-cut shredder (rather than a strip-cut shredder).
7. Sort Your Finances
Managing your finances is another crucial part of Swedish Death Cleaning-and it's a step that is often overlooked. But over time, it's easy to accumulate accounts, assets, obligations, and payment methods. That complexity can make things harder to manage, especially after we are gone.
So, start by taking inventory of your financial accounts, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, investments, and subscriptions. Close accounts you no longer use, consolidate where it makes sense, and make sure your beneficiaries and contact information are up to date.
Simplifying your financial life doesn't just make things easier for you-it also makes it easier for your loved ones to step in if needed. Regular financial management can also reduce your exposure to fraud and costly mistakes.
How to Swedish Death Clean Your Finances
Once you’ve taken inventory of your finances, here are some steps you can take to ensure everything is in order:
- Evaluate Your Budget. With everything in front of you, take a fresh look at your income and expenses. This will help you track where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.
- Pay Off Debt. Work towards paying off any outstanding debts, such as credit card balances or loans. This will, of course, reduce your present-day financial stress, but it will also make it easier for your loved ones to settle your affairs after you’re gone.
- Review Investments and Retirement Accounts. Regularly review your investments and retirement accounts to ensure they align with your financial goals. Consider seeking advice from a financial advisor to optimize your portfolio.
- Update Beneficiary Designations. Make sure your beneficiary designations are updated on your credit union accounts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other assets. This ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
- Plan for the Future. Consider creating or updating your estate plan. If you haven’t already done so, draft a will and establish any necessary trusts or advance directives. This will provide clarity and guidance to your loved ones during a difficult time.
As trends go, Swedish Death Cleaning has its merits. By incorporating these financial steps into the process, you can not only simplify your life but also ensure that your financial affairs are in order for friends and loved ones. After all, Swedish Death Cleaning is ultimately about embracing simplicity and leaving behind a legacy of love and intentionality for your loved ones to cherish.