What to Purge Before You Pack
We all know the adage: “You Can’t Take it With You,” but when moving, you actually need to know what you shouldn’t take with you. One of the first steps in moving is to know what to purge from your household of unwanted and unused items. After all, it is costly to move things to your new home that you rarely or never use or need. Here are some things to think twice about before you wrap and pack.
What to Purge: Electronics
Look for electronics that are either out of date or just no longer used. Tablets, phones, chargers, laptops, cables, cables, and more cables … these can be donated to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore if they are not older than five years old and still working. If they are no longer serviceable, drop them off at an electronics or metal recycler.
DVDs and CDs
My kids tell me that DVDs and CDs are OUT! You no longer really need them as we have entered the streaming media age where anything you want to watch or listen to can be uploaded to an electronic device. If you really want to play your videos and music on a DVD/CD player, cull from your collection only your favorites and sell or donate the rest.
What to Purge: Miscellaneous Items
Books and Magazines
Most of us who love to read are guilty of having way too many books on hand. Some of them we’ve already read, but just don’t want to part with them. All your books and magazines can be borrowed from a library near your new home, so you don’t need to take them with you. Take only your favorites or valuable first editions.
Outgrown Children’s Toys
Do you have Cabbage Patch Dolls, Lego sets, and stuffed Animals packed away in boxes under the beds? A great way for children to help get ready for a move (and feel part of the process) is for them to go through unused games and toys and select those that can be donated to a local charity or women’s and children’s shelter.
What to Purge: Bathroom Belongings
Lotions and Notions
Pare down bathroom and beauty products by tossing near empty shampoo, conditioner, hand and body lotion, and perfume bottles. The same goes for products that are old and past their expiration dates. Go through your makeup and soaps and repeat the process.
Expired Medications
You’ll need to dispose properly of old prescriptions no longer needed and expired medications. If you have unused pain killers in your bathroom cabinet, call your local police department and ask they accept them for disposal. Also, the FDA provides a guide on how to responsibly trash meds.
What to Purge: Kitchen Pantry
Think about donating non-perishable foods to a local food pantry. Canned goods, cereal, unopened boxes of rice, pasta, and more will be willingly and gratefully accepted and given to those in need. Only items that haven’t passed their expiration dates qualify. You’ll be helping the less fortunate and saving money by not paying to move these items.
Select the best frying pans and pots and put the duplicates aside. Decide just how many saucepans you really need and that goes for spatulas, slotted spoons, and paring knives. Check that shelf of small appliances and determine if you will need/want the electric donut maker or scone pan. You can sell gently used appliances and kitchenware through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist or donate locally.
Coffee Mugs
How many coffee mugs does one family need? We accumulate coffee mugs with pithy sayings or cute animal pictures, and they sit unused most of the time. My favorite mug gets used, washed, and used again without seeing the inside of the cabinet. Again, donate or sell your overflow mugs at your moving yard sale!
What to Purge: No Longer Worn Clothing
Clothing takes up a lot of room in your moving boxes or dresser drawers. Ask yourself these questions about each piece before deciding to take it with you: Have I worn this in the last year? Does it fit? Is it still fashionable? Is it in good condition? There are many places that welcome used clothing, including Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and local thrift stores.
If you need further guidance on what to purge for your next move, consult the relocation specialists at Ayer Moving and Storage by email (info@ayermoving.com) or call 800-233-6683.
