Moving is overwhelming and expensive, especially if you want to take all your belongings with you. However, there are some effective ways to make the process more bearable and even save money. Moving houses is a chance for a new beginning and can be one of the most exciting adventures you’ve ever taken. You’re about to start a new life in a new place!
Take the opportunity to start afresh and leave behind the things that keep you in place. From your old clothes to Christmas tree decorations and outdated china, moving into a new house gives you the opportunity to design the house you’ve always dreamed of, surround yourself with things that spike your creativity, and make you feel welcomed every time you get back home.
Should you leave everything behind when you move? It depends on how much you need or loves specific belongings. You could take only the things you need that have a special meaning to you and get rid of the rest. You’re the only one who can make the decision, but when it comes to material items, keep in mind that the rule is simple, take only the things worth taking and get rid of the rest.
Here are some recommendations we hope to help you with.
What to keep
Here are some things you shouldn’t leave behind when you’re moving to a new house because they enable you to save money. Yes, less weight makes your move cost less, but the following are too necessary and valuable to throw them away.
Collections – most guides recommend throwing away items like magazines, knick-knacks, books, and other similar things. This is a good piece of advice for someone who has a collection of items that hold no value, but if you’re a collector, don’t get rid of these belongings because they’re expensive and important to you. Make sure you pack your doll collection properly so the moving company does not damage them.
Kitchenware – kitchen utensils and appliances are quite expensive, and your budget might not allow you to replace them with new ones. Also, you might want to set a dinner table after you settle in your new house, and you’ll need these kitchen supplies to cook meals. This service is suitable for homeowners who want to move their kitchen supplies to a new location as it has experience transporting all kinds of items.
Clothing – your relocation is the ideal moment to sort through your wardrobe and get rid of some things, but don’t leave all your clothes behind. Expensive pieces and items for special occasions are always worth keeping. Why purchase new clothing items when you already have an entire wardrobe to pick from? Also, they don’t weigh much, so pack them in suitable boxes and send them on their way to your new house.
What to donate
Donating is a great way to get rid of some things because it allows you to give back to your community. You can donate to a local community or pass items to your neighbors, family, and friends.
Clothes – the clothes you didn’t wear in the last year but are in great condition might serve someone else. Donating clothes can help people in need and is great for sustainability and the environment.
Books – libraries and local schools love when people donate their books because it enables them to support education and community programming. Non-profit organizations might also take books to share with people who need them. If you own special editions, you can even sell them online.
Furniture – donation is a great solution if your furniture is in decent condition, but you want to buy a new one for your new house. Moving furniture is also quite expensive, so you might save more if you sell it online or donate it.
Kids’ toys – your children might have outgrown some toys or simply lost interest in them. Donate them to younger kids who’ll enjoy this wonderful gift.
What to throw out
Some of your belongings aren’t worth selling or donating because they’re too damaged for someone to use them. Also, nobody finds a use for your old photographs, expired skincare, or chipped mugs.
Cleaning supplies – toss all cleaner bottles you opened before moving out of the house. The last thing you need is for one to spill its contents when transporting it from the old to the new house and damage your other belongings. This move can also be the ideal opportunity to switch to eco-friendly cleaning supplies that protect the environment and pose no health dangers.
Old documents – you most likely have plenty of old receipts, documents, and photos. Digitize the ones you can’t part with and get rid of all documents. Keep only the documents you need in their original forms, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and passports. You might also want to take with you some medical records.
Expired products – you don’t need expired medicine. Actually, taking expired drugs is dangerous, so you should better dispose of the contents and recycle the bottles. Expired skincare products and cosmetics are also bad for your skin, so get rid of them. Clean out the containers and recycle the bottles if possible.
How to decide what to keep and what to get rid of?
As stated before, the fewer items you relocate to your new house, the more affordable the moving services are. Therefore, you need to pare down your belongings. Here are some recommendations that might help you.
- The item’s value: determine if the item has sentimental meaning or practical use.
- The type of move: you’re moving locally, you’re moving across the country, or you’re moving abroad.
- The moving’s cost: consider how much moving services cost and what the entire process implies in the event of a long-distance relocation.
Keep in mind that if an item it’s too difficult to move due to damage risk, you should look for ways to replace it. If it’s replaceable, consider hiring specialized moving services to ensure it arrives safely at your new house.
