Moving: Packing It or Purging It

Moving: Packing It or Purging It

Moving is a great opportunity to get organized. Before packing away all your things, it might be a good idea to take inventory. As you look around and take an inventory of all the possessions you have accumulated, you may wonder how much of this stuff will actually have a place in your new home. What do you really need? Will you have enough space? Fortunately, there are several ways to make the moving process easier. Here are a few tips for deciding what stays and what goes.

Consider Your New Home

Before touching anything, take some time to think about the details of your new home. Consider whether you are moving to a larger or smaller place. If your new home is smaller than your old one, you may not have room for everything. Even if your home is now larger, do you really want it to look like an episode of “Hoarders”? This is not about interior design, although that is something to contemplate. Instead, it is about making the most of your space and creating an orderly environment.

Start by looking at each piece of furniture, especially the larger ones. Determine where you would like to put it in your new home. If you simply can’t think of a spot, then maybe there isn’t one. Many properties come with garages or storage units. While these can allow for a bit more space, you don’t want to overcrowd these areas either.

Do I Really Need This?

Maybe space, or a lack thereof, isn’t your particular issue. You may possibly have enough room for every, single thing you own. However, that does not mean you still need everything. Some people like to use a year as their rule of thumb. If you haven’t used an object, for either practical or sentimental purposes, in over a year, then it needs to go.

This timeline is only a suggestion. No one can dictate what’s important to you. Of course, this consideration goes both ways. It isn’t the type of decision you can make unilaterally unless you live alone. If there are objects important to you, then it makes sense that other members in your family have personal objects important to them as well. You don’t want to cause unnecessary tension in the family by throwing away something important to someone else.

Repair or Replace

Another common reason people hold onto unused possessions is that they believe these objects can be restored. Whether it’s an old appliance or a used computer, some people keep them with the intention of having them repaired. This is a great idea, in terms of reducing wasteful spending. Unfortunately, it only works if you actually get the object fixed.

Otherwise, it is just another unused item that’s taking up space. It is also important to consider whether or not it is really worth the effort. Technology has significantly improved over the years and continues to do so. Depending on how old it is, a repair may be too expensive for something so outdated. Replacing appliances and electronics can also be energy-efficient. Saving money on utilities will make your new home even more enjoyable.

Moving into a new home can be an overwhelming experience, especially if you have a large or growing family. While it may be difficult to part with some of your things, it doesn’t have to be a total loss. As the old saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” There are several different ways to sell or donate your unwanted items. Creating a new, clutter-free environment is also a good safety precaution. Pests and dangerous critters often hide in crowded, rarely visited areas, such as closets, attics, and garages.