A great way to limit what you pack for a move -- and minimize the cost -- is to sort through all your belongings beforehand and determine what to keep, what to sell and what to donate or recycle. Not sure how to do that? Keep reading to learn how to de-clutter before you pack or consult our helpful "Should You Pack It?" flowchart below.
When traveling systematically from room to room and deciding what you should and should not pack for a move, ask yourself one simple question:
"Do I really need this?"
The answer will help you determine what to box up for your new home. Although there are times when answering that question is tough, some things we don't really need. Some common areas to sort through before your move include:
- Boxes in the attic
- Junk drawers
- Closets
- Shelves
- Storage spaces
- Garages
What you should definitely pack
Pack essential items that you use regularly (toiletries, clothing, cookware, bed linens) and sentimental items (souvenirs, mementos, photo albums). Irreplaceable items such as your birth certificate and social security card also fall into this category.
What you should leave behind
Depending on condition, you may want to sell, donate or throw away items that you have no use for, are broken, have never been used or have no sentimental value. It is often a difficult decision to make when it comes to throwing things away, but we all have stuff we don't need. The items that fit into this category can still help you with some type of financial return or may be able to help someone else.
- Donate
- Clothing, shoes and accessories that no longer fit or are out of style
- Unwanted books to a library, school, prison or hand out to friends
- Toys to shelters and other local organizations
- Sell
- At a garage sale or flea markets
- On eBay or Craigslist
- Via an ad in your local newspaper
- Throw out/recycle
- Paperwork that is more than seven years old (after shredding)
- Old newspapers and magazines
- Expired medications
- Expired food
- Garbage
What should you pack in storage
There is a third potential option during the packing process... storage. There are situations where perhaps you need some time to move, but you don't want to have everything laying around. A storage unit is a perfect temporary place to store everything while you get moved into your new place. Some items you may want to store are as follows:
- Seasonal clothing, like bathing suits, sweaters, winter coats and cold weather accessories
- Seasonal items, like holiday decorations, pool toys, lawn and patio furniture
- Sentimental keepsakes, like photo albums, childhood toys, souvenirs and family mementos
Finally know what to pack and what to do away with? Now is the perfect time to get an accurate quote from a moving company. Simply fill out our free quote form to get started receiving no-cost estimates!