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Moving requires you to take stock of and sort through all of your belongings, determining what you want to bring with you to your new home. The idea of sorting through everything you own and then packing it all up can be overwhelming. In most cases, you realize that it’s time to declutter and get rid of unwanted stuff. It’s a time when you ask yourself, “How did I accumulate so much?”
In our decades of moving experience, the All Jersey Moving & Storage team has seen just how quickly unwanted things can muddy the waters in a move. The best thing you can do ahead of time is declutter!
To make the sorting process efficient and effective, you need to separate items into two main categories: things you want to keep and things you no longer want or need. By simplifying and focusing on these two categories, you’ll find that sorting through your items is doable. It just takes time and some determination.
The first category of importance are the things you want to keep. These are the items that you will definitely bring with you to your new home. This should include:
As you go through your belongings, you may find yourself tending to lean towards keeping items rather than getting rid of them. However, it’s important to consider if the items are still of importance to you, that is, whether they have strong sentimental value or they meet an essential need.
Another tip that can help is to gather similar items together in a Marie Kondo fashion. Put all of your shoes in one pile. This will help you realize that perhaps you don’t need four pairs of exercise shoes, or maybe that you could do with a few pairs less. You can do this with everything from pots and pans to the socks in your drawer. Seeing everything together shows you where you may have unnecessary duplicate items.
Once you’ve decided what to keep, it’s important to make sure that you keep these items safe. Of course, you’ve chosen to keep these items because they are of value or importance and you want to use them in your next home. Here are some moving tips to keep your possessions safe:
One of the most rewarding aspects of moving is decluttering. There’s a sense of relief that comes from being able to let go of possessions that are no longer serving you. Whether it’s clothes you haven’t worn for two years or a side table that you just never really liked, choosing to donate, sell, or throw away unnecessary things is invigorating, especially when you take the time to carefully review what you need and what you don’t.
Be sure to separate the items in this category into four subcategories: to sell, to give away, to donate, and to throw away.
Unwanted possessions may include:
One of the best ways to reward yourself for decluttering and getting rid of that unwanted “stuff” is to make a little side cash from selling items that are still in good condition, but that simply no longer serve a purpose in your home. Extra money you earn can be used to pay for professional movers or to purchase new furniture and decor for your new home. The money made from selling items can also be saved for a rainy day or vacation fund.
You can sell your things at a garage sale or moving sale, or on an online platform like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc. There are also apps you can list your things on, such as Decluttr, Letgo, OfferUp, and Poshmark.
Be sure that the things you sell are in good condition, i.e. it’s reasonable to assume that someone would want to buy it and use it. Wooden furniture, decor, and lightly worn clothes are sure to do well.
Here are a few tips to successfully sell items:
You may find that it’s easier to simply give away items rather than going through the hassle of selling your possessions. This is a much faster process and can benefit your community, friends or family. This option also works for things you weren’t able to sell or items of sentimental value (family heirlooms, bulky travel keepsakes, art, etc.) that you won’t have room or use for in your new home.
You can give away items by:
If you don’t have time to sell your unwanted belongings or simply want to give back to those in need, donate your items to a charitable organization. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this as you may be able to make a bigger impact by working with a select organization ahead of time. Donations can also be a tax credit at times. Ask for a receipt when you donate and keep it for tax season.
A simple Google search can tell you where your closest Goodwill or other donation center is. You can also find a pickup service for donations, like this one in New Jersey.
The last subcategory left is items that can be thrown away. This is applicable if items don’t sell, friends/family don’t want them, and you aren’t able to arrange to donate them. Your last option is to throw them away or try to recycle them.
Think of the following:
Sorting your possessions is not only doable –it can make moving a lot less stressful!
Decluttering before you move gives you the advantage of having less things to move, more purpose in the possessions you move with you, and a sense of function and organization in your new home.
As you prepare for you move, look to All Jersey Moving & Storage as your go-to moving experts. From packing and unpacking services to loading up the truck on moving day, we have experts that will make your move a success.
The same team will move you in and out, as well as provide the right equipment and skills necessary to safely transport your all of your belongings. Once you’ve done the work to declutter, we step in and take care of the rest, customizing the move to your needs.
Just take a look at our reviews and awards to get an idea of the satisfactory results we deliver. Not only do we move your things, but we create a positive experience and give you peace of mind. We know that moving isn’t a clear-cut process. It’s overwhelming, emotional, and stressful. That’s why we do our part to take the stress out of the big projects, like securing your furniture for transport, loading up the moving truck and driving across town or across the country.
Contact us for your complimentary moving quote. We look forward to moving your carefully selected belongings to your new home.