Decluttering before a move is always a wise idea. There is no need to waste time and energy packing and moving items that you no longer use, want, or need. Take the opportunity before you move to go through your belongings and decide what you want to keep. Here are seven ideas from Cheap Movers Portland to help you organize and simplify your move.
1. Rethink Your Wardrobe
Get rid of any clothing that you have not worn in the last year. Now is the time to decide what apparel you love and what you can give away or sell. This is especially important if you need to put items in storage, either temporarily or long-term, as clothing is especially vulnerable to damage from moisture and pests.
2. Sell Items Online
You can earn extra money to cover moving expenses by selling items online. Social media is an easy, quick way to sell bigger ticket items. Check to see if there are any local buy, sell, and trade groups where you can post pictures and arrange sales.
3. Hold A Garage Sale
Another way to turn clutter into cash is to hold a garage sale. You can save time by grouping items by type and selling them for a set price instead of pricing each item.
4. Donate Items To Charity
If you are not interested in hosting a garage sale (or if you still have some items left after your sale is over), donate them to charity. Be sure to ask for a receipt if you plan on claiming the items as a charitable donation on your tax return.
5. Keep Your New Life In Mind
Think about your new home and new life while you purge your possessions. If you are moving to a southern climate, for example, you can donate or sell your winter weather gear. Additionally, if you know the dimensions or layout of your new place of residence, you can measure your existing furniture to determine whether or not it will fit.
6. Involve The Whole Family
Make sure you involve your whole family in the pre-move decluttering process. Let children make decisions about what toys to keep, sell, or give away, and make every member of the household responsible for sorting and packing their belongings. You could even make decluttering into a game, challenging each person to identify a certain number of possessions to give away or donate each day.
7. Convert CDs To A Digital Format
To save some space, convert your CDs to a digital format and upload them to your computer before your move. Although this requires an investment of your time, you can quickly reduce boxes of media into easily transported bits of data using this strategy.
Although moving can be a major hassle, decluttering before you pack and relocate can make the process much easier. With planning and organization, you can reduce the amount of stuff you need to pack without sacrificing anything that truly matters to you.