We sold our house and now we are packing to move (with 4 kids from 10yrs to 6mos..........AAAHHHHH!). We thought we were just moving to another place here in town, but it looks like my husband's job may be moving us further away (several states away).
I really need advice about how to decide what to bring/not bring for a move that far. Obviously, our sentimental things will follow (and the kids lol). I also am using the if we haven't used it, out it goes. But, things like picture frames, extra toiletries, wrapping paper, etc. The things that are not necessary for living or particularly important to us, but we do use now and then. How do we decide what we should get rid of and buy over there and what we should pack and take with us?
BTW: We are downsizing, BIG time with housing. We have accumulated 11 years of "stuff" in this 2400 sq ft, 4 bedroom house (with a storage barn). Now, we need to fit into a small 3 bedroom rental. ;)
Edit: BTW: My husband is a pack rat.....I am not. We will probably need a whole moving truck just for his "just in case" stuff. lol
Here is the easiest way to figure it out. If it cost more to ship/transport it than it costs to replace it then leave it behind.
In other words, paper towels $1.29 shipping paper towels $2.00, leave the paper towels behind.
We moved from Seattle to Long Island last year. We did a u-pack which was very reasonable. We used 17 square yards. We kept most of our furniture, my daughters favorite toys, kitchen stuff, wedding presents, art, photographs, books. We did not move anything that you could buy at the grocery store... extra food, etc. The one silly thing we moved was my husbands extensive collection of albums and cd's. But I didn't even move my craft stuff or wrapping paper. We got rid of half of our clothes. and still when we got here we had way too much stuff. If you haven't used it in a year toss it. You will thank yourself later.
We had a huge yard sale and raised $1000 which paid for our airline tickets.
We moved last year, and because I was in charge of all the packing (my husband had to start working three months before the rest of us joined him), I confess I didn't feel like weeding out anything. I really regretted that when we got to our new house which is considerably, hmmm, cozier than our previous house. We took probably 15 boxes worth of stuff (that's probably a low number) to Goodwill while trying to dig ourselves out from under the clutter. It was easier on the front end, but resulted in a months' long battle with junk that hasn't entirely finished even now. We also have four kids, and one of my biggest regrets was not following the advice of a military mom who came to help one day who recommended throwing away/donating at least half the toys. We have been particularly overwhelmed with them here since we no longer have a play room. My advice: if you (or your kids) don't absolutely love it/need it, get rid of it. It will save you many, many headaches later.
Are you using a moving company? If so--all furniture that can be used in the new place.
Otherwise, my motto is PITCH, PITCH, PITCH! (or have a house sale OR make a giant trip to donate to a thrift store)
When I moved cross country with the kids, I started prepping early.
Clothes, I turned all my hangers backwards, kids too, if I wore it the hanger went the right way when I hung it back up. anything backwards on packing day didn't go. The dressers I stopped putting things away after we wore them and simply folded them into a moving box, it's amazing how many items I never put in my kids in or never wore myself.
Kitchen items.same drill, started a box, stuff we used went in the box rather than the drawers, anything left in the drawers stayed behind.
knicknacks, wall art, basement clutter and decorations, I took what had meaning, or things I really liked, obviously if it had sat in the basement (in case I liked it again) it stayed behind.
For holiday stuff I took a standard large moving box and only took what would fit, start with stuff that means something and work back to stuff you like ect. same with craft or hobby items.
My kids also each only got a box. I personally packed their favorites and the big toys I knew we had to take, but they each had a box to put in what they felt they needed to take along.
bedding and blankets, standard rule of thumb for me is 3 sets of sheets per bed, 2 spare blankets and 1 comforter.
What kinds of "things"
Replaceables that are expensive like cleaning supplies I usually keep. Paint I only take the paint chips from the store,
Craft paint I move
Paper goods I move--especially tp, papertowels, paper plates and plastic silverware
Canned goods, if I have room I will have the company pack them, last move I got rid of almost everything in my pantry.
picture frames, I have moved extra picture frames 7 times. I have used some, different ones, in each house.
All broken toys--out
All broken chairs/furniture--out
Magazines--out
Infant equipment, for newborns-out
Wrapping paper, I have moved 7 times. MIne's in a sterilite.
If you do not absolutely love it then out it goes.
Blankets, are you moving to FL?? then out they go, keep the ones you love or Gma made
Winter coats,boots again if you are moving to a warmer location--out
Plastics that aren't tupperware, things like coolwhp containers--out
Cookbooks, go through them and get rid of the ones you have never really used.
Good luck. I wish I could practice what I preach but we went over limit twice on miitary moves because I keep things like wrapping paper and spaghetti sauce .
Is your husband's company paying for the move? If so, I'd keep picture frames, extra toiletries, wrapping paper etc. because you will need them in your new place. However, it is expensive to move stuff so if you have to pay to move it to your new locations, then get rid of those odds and ends and buy new when you get there.
It seems like you shouldn't be asking us these questions. You need to have a meeting with your husband and go through things together. If you have an unlimited income and can afford to buy all new stuff then you don't need to keep everything. Do you have relatives near that would appreciate your unwanted stuff?
