Everything But the Kitchen Sink? What Not to Take With You When You Move
If you're planning to move in the near future, it's likely that you've looked around your home and wondered how you would fit everything into your moving truck, your new home and your new life. The truth is, there are some items that you might want to leave behind, whether you offer them to the new owners of your home or you donate them to a thrift shop. Take a look at this list of items and ask yourself if you really need or want to bring them with you.
Hazardous Items
While it might seem logical that you would not bring hazardous chemicals and other items with you to your new home, many forget not to pack potentially combustible or otherwise dangerous items. Atlas Van Lines has compiled a list of items that they cannot move due to the possibility of danger. They include household chemicals like bleach and nail polish remover, as well as things like fireworks. If you are using a moving company, find out what their policies are as far as items that are prohibited in the trucks.
While you can move these items yourself if you want to, keep in mind that a leak or a spill can endanger not only the people in your vehicle, but also the other items being transported. It is probably safer to just replace these items once you arrive at your destination.
Old Furniture
You might not be wild about your sofa, your dining room table or even your bedroom set. You can save a lot of space in your moving truck if you leave old, worn furniture behind. Granted, you will have to replace items if you are moving into a home the same size as (or larger than) your current home. If you have the finances available, this is an option worth considering.
If you don't have a lot of extra money, consider whether selling your old items and buying used items once you arrive would make sense. You might be able to order a smaller truck, which would save you some cash, as well.
Consumable Items
Many movers charge by weight, so if you have a pantry filled with canned goods or jarred items that you bought on sale, think twice about moving these goods. Eat out of your pantry for the last couple of weeks before you move so you can use up these items if at all possible. Whatever you have left can be donated to a food pantry.
Other consumable items to avoid taking with you are bathroom supplies. It's fine if you want to bring half-used bottles of shampoo or shower gel in your car with you, but if you're flying (and paying for checked luggage) or if you're paying movers to relocate your belongings, think twice about whether it's worth the money and the hassle. You will have a pharmacy in your new town where you can stock up on these items once you arrive. Just try to use up the items you have now so there's more room for more important items.
Before packing boxes, it is worth spending some time deciding what you really want to bring with you. It would be a frustrating experience to unpack your boxes, only to find that you have quite a few items to dispose of after you arrive to your new home. Local moving companies can help you decide what's worth bringing, in some cases. You might also consider asking a trusted friend to help you make decisions, if you find it difficult to pare down. Remember that the less you take with you, the less unpacking you will have to do later.