Nobody likes clutter, but it has a way of accumulating without notice. There are more clothes than we need. People have books read a long time ago or never getting read. And, there are more knickknacks than shelves.
Young people, however, have less connection with things than older generations. They are not tied to souvenirs or gifts like their grandparents. So, everyone needs to clean out occasionally even though it may be harder for some than others.
Moving from one residence to another presents a great opportunity to get things right. If movers charged by the piece, you would get rid of a lot before you left.
4 things to do
Moving is your chance to clean up and out before the packing starts. So, here are a few things — you may not have thought of:
- Plan early and strategically! As early as 8 weeks before, you should make a checklist of things to do, people accountable, and dates for start and completion. There are utilities, doctors, and contacts to notify. Moving.com recommends, “Setting a goal move out date will give you that extra push (and a bit of pressure) sometimes needed to get moving on a plan.”
More importantly, you must break down your own tasks. You must identify the clothes, papers, jewelry, and medications you will carry for yourself and the family if any. You will want to insure your valuables, so you identify and separate them from other goods. And, here’s where you start listing things.
- Separate goods and do it again! As long as you are separating necessary and valuable things from the less important stuff, you should get rid of it immediately before you think twice. You can make money on it at a garage sale or online platforms, or you can do not it to Goodwill, Salvation Army, and the like.
Having done that, you should take a step back and then start that process over again. There is much more you can find a better use for. If you don’t have the willpower or know-how to unclutter, you can find more details at urbanclarity.net.
- Put a price on things! Moving’s a great chance to evaluate what you have. You can kill two birds with one stone by setting the good china, crystal, and silver aside. It will need special care by the movers, and you’ll have a listing for the insurance company.
However, if you are using professional movers, you can negotiate with them to provide packing and packing services. They have special boxes, crates, and protection for fragile goods.
- Be sure things are up to date! You will transition somethings quickly when you move any distance. If your children are changing schools, you need current medical records, birth certificates, and school records. If you are moving our of state, you will need a current license and insurance policy.
That’s a reminder you must carry folders of records with you, including your pets’ health data. It is also a clue to have your vehicles checked out for some preventive maintenance. And, speaking of that, you should repair things around the apartment, condo, or house as a courtesy to new residents.
There’s more, of course!
Moving can be extraordinarily stressful. USA Today reports 14 percent of the U.S. population (40 million people) move. And, “Much of that movement includes younger people relocating within cities, but it is trends of Americans moving to warmer climates, more affordable areas, and better job opportunities that have largely determined migration patterns in recent decades.” That’s a lot of people who could make things easier on themselves before the stress arrives.
Infographic Provided By Moving Leads Company, USA Home Listings