Chuck it? Store it? Keep it? Questions to Ask Yourself Before Packing

Published: October 13, 2015

When it comes to moving, one of the hardest things is downsizing and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. People often get overwhelmed at the thought of sorting through all of their belongings. But, we think it can be fun! It’s a great opportunity to get rid of trinkets and things you shoved in a drawer and forgot about in order to make room for fun new things in your new house!

Make it like a game, that way it won’t seem like such a chore. It’s a lot easier to get rid of things before you pack it up (plus, you’ll save money on the extra boxes you don’t use), rather than try to sort through everything while unpacking.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you begin your packing / purging process.

Where is this going in the new house?
If you can’t think of a place for it now, odds are it’ll stay in the box for months before you eventually toss it. Your unpacking process will also be a lot less stressful if you eliminate some of the clutter now!

When was the last time you used it?
If you can’t remember the last time you used, or even looked, at the item in question, it might be time to toss it!

Does it have functional or sentimental value?
The main things you want to have in your new home are those that are functional (aka, they serve a purpose, like a vacuum cleaner or shoe rack) and those that are sentimental (like the teddy bear your husband gave you on your first date). If it doesn’t serve one of those 2 purposes, consider adding it to the “toss” pile.

Should this go to storage?
If it’s something you know you’ll use, but not very often, consider putting it in a storage unit to avoid having to move it and letting it clutter up your new house.

Can you sell it?
If you have a relatively valuable object that you don’t mind getting rid of, do some research to see if it’s worth anything. Have your old belongings help you pay for your new ones!