Top Moving Companies, Movers, and Moving Services

As you prepare for the move, there will surely be many items that you don’t need, don’t want, or haven’t used in years. However, this doesn’t mean that all of these things should end up in a garbage dump. Here are some ideas for disposing of the belongings that won’t make it onto the moving truck.

Perhaps the most popular method of unloading unwanted items is to sell them. If you’re going to get rid of something, you might as well earn some extra cash in the process. There are many ways to sell your things: you could have a garage sale, auction them online, or sell them to a second-hand store.

Once you select the date for your garage sale, keeping in mind that weekends will attract the most visitors, the next step is to advertise it. This can be done by placing an ad on a number of different online garage sale directories, such as http://www.garagesaledaily.com/. Of course, posting signs around town and putting an ad in the local newspaper will also help to spread the word. Make sure to post the date and time frame of your sale.

You will also need to attach labels and price tags to your items. Check out eBay to get a good idea of what to charge for each item.

For those who do not want to throw a garage sale, another option is to sell your belongings to a store specializing in the buying and selling of second-hand goods. Due to the current recession, second-hand stores are seeing an upsurge in popularity. Thus, there will likely be a demand for your unwanted items.

The online marketplace is an excellent way to sell some of your things. Please see our section on the Online Sale of Unwanted Goods for more information.

Another option for lightening your load when you move is to donate some of your belongings. For instance, public libraries will often take your unwanted book collection.

You can also donate certain items to local charities. Check out this site for a guide to donating non-cash items to charities. You can also contact local communities, volunteer organizations, and religious institutions to see what charity services they offer and what items they will accept.

As you prepare to move, you are bound to accumulate a wealth of cardboard, plastic, glass, and other recyclable materials. Contact your local waste management office to find out where recyclables can be deposited.

While materials like pesticides, motor oil, batteries, and fire extinguishers shouldn’t be left in the home when moving out, they shouldn’t be left on the curb for garbage pickup either. All hazardous materials, such as items that are poisonous or flammable, should be handled cautiously and disposed of properly. The EPA provides a reference for disposing of these materials, based on where you live.

Any items that you weren’t able to get rid of through the previous options can be posted at Freecycle.org. This site allows users to advertise unwanted items that they are willing to give away for free. Rather than sending an old mattress, a broken bike, or anything else to the dump, there may be someone interested in taking these things.