Moving - Getting Rid of Stuff

I was talking to my new neighbor (while unpacking boxes) - she told me she's still got at least 3 big boxes that she hasn't even touched since she moved here a few years ago.  So basically, she could just throw those boxes out by the curb on trash day and she wouldn't miss a thing!  


Why move stuff you don't need or want?  I'll guarantee you whatever is in those boxes, if need be, could be replaced with a quick trip to your local thrift store.  Yet they sit there taking up space; taking up a little bit of your peace; and having already cost you money because you had to box it, move it onto a truck, move it out of the truck and store it.  Just get rid of that stuff!  And here's how:


I'm the type of person that just works until I'm totally exhausted.  Maybe that's not your style.  So set yourself up some time for the job of getting rid of stuff you don't need and don't want to have to move.  Not knowing how much junk you have, I can't really give advice on exactly how much time it will take.  I will say, though, that you should do it as fast as possible and try not to think twice about pitching stuff.  If you think too much, i.e., "I might need this someday" ... "I spent x number of dollars on this!" ... "This may be valuable someday" ... you'll never get the job done and you'll end up moving stuff you don't need.  You'll be that 3 years/3 unpacked boxes person.  I think most households can be done in 3 days, tops.


You'll need 2 boxes and 1 heavy duty garbage bag (or 1 box and 2 heavy-duty garbage bags).  Box #1 is for stuff you are going to donate to Goodwill http://www.goodwill.org/  - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf  remember to get and keep a receipt because these are tax deductible!  At the beginning of each year, I get myself a large manilla envelope (the kind that closes with a clasp) and I label it "Taxes 2012 (or whatever)".  I throw in receipts so that at tax time, it's all there.  It's good to donate your stuff to Goodwill because it helps someone who is less fortunate than you.  Keep telling yourself that every time you think you want to keep something.


Box #2 is for stuff you want to sell.  You'll either have a 2 day garage sale or you'll list your things on a site like  http://craigslist.org/  or  http://www.ebay.com/ . 


And #3, the garbage bag is for (ta-da!) garbage.  It's for stuff you are going to throw out.  It's the stuff you thought you might fix someday; or the stuff that has a missing part that you were going to possibly find someday; or the stuff you've been meaning to haul to the dump; or the extra stuff that accumulates in our homes.  Be generous with this part of your getting rid of the junk cycle.  This is stuff no one wants and you shouldn't want it cluttering up your home and life either.


 Start in the garage or storage shed (since that is where you keep most of the things you don't even use.  Think of the space as a clock face.  Start at 12:00 and methodically go around the room.  This method will keep you from getting distracted and will help make sure that you get to everything.


As you fill each box and/or bag, take care of it immediately.  Put donation boxes in your trunk so that you can deliver them right away.  Put garage sale items in an area that will be convenient for tagging and selling.  You know what to do with the garbage.


As you go through your house, make a note of the big items right now - things like furniture, lawn equipment, appliances - then list them into one of the three  categories:  Sell; Donate; Throw Out.


I love craigslist.  I think it's important to be very specific in your ad and to include at least 3 photos (it's free for Pete's sake).  I actually put my phone number in the ad because I need immediate results.  However, be safe.  If I don't have lots of people around me, I will meet the potential buyer at a busy parking lot or the police station parking lot.  I've never had a problem though.  I've actually always had really nice people buy my stuff through craigslist.  If your item doesn't sell, be sure to go into your account and renew your ad.  When your item sells, go into your account and delete your item.  


It's really easy to get rid of junk using craigslist also.  Create an ad entitled "Curb Alert".  You can list what you are putting out or just say it's a bunch of stuff.  I would put an end time so they know when it's over.  I would not give a phone number or you will have so many calls.  But yeah, just put the stuff you don't want at your curb and it'll be gone.  It's kind of like magic.  After one sale (during one of our moves), I put stuff at the curb that I was sure no one would take.  But I figured, what the heck, it's the same place I put the garbage and so I wouldn't even have to move it.  But it all got taken!  Even a garden house with two holes.  Amazing what some people don't consider junk.  So at the end of your sale ... Curb Alert!


In regard to your large items that you want to donate, most thrift stores have trucks and they will come and pick up the stuff.  They will even move it out of your house.  For free!  And it's tax deductible.  And if that doesn't work for you, curb alert!


Congratulations on the de-junking - you just made your move easier, cheaper and you're going to have a new clutter-free home!