Moving Tips – What to Keep, Sell, or Donate

When it comes time to move, many people throw everything into boxes, whether it’s their wedding china or the ten take out menus they have from the same Chinese food restaurant. Few people see moving as the perfect opportunity for going through and clearing out their belongings.

This task should be straightforward, direct and uncomplicated.

Keep in mind your new location when making decisions. If you are moving to Texas from Minnesota, you can probably get rid of your snowboard. If you are leaving Florida for Maine, you might want to reconsider packing all 12 of your bikinis.

box full of pictures

What to keep

Deciding what to keep is probably the most intuitive of all the categories.

Keep the things you need as essentials. This is the category for the clothes you wear daily, furniture that fits your new environment and your keepsakes.

This category also includes your kitchen items, such as pots and pans and your silverware. If you have 40 forks, you may want to donate a few. If you have two sets of dishes or cooking ware, don’t pack the second set.

It’s important you pick these items carefully to ensure that your choices are wide-ranging enough to cover all your needs in your new home.

What to sell

Generally, these are the luxury items like the recliner that won’t fit into your new living room or the bed from your guest room that you may no longer need.

You can also sell clothes that no longer fit or that you don’t wear anymore. Also consider selling your shoes, unused lawn equipment and tools, and the kitchen items previously mentioned.

Online sites like Letgo and Facebook allow you to post pictures of the items you’re selling. With each image, provide a description of the item for sale, its condition and the selling price. You can also list the price as negotiable and extend your buyer audience to reach miles from your location.

Yard sales and friend-to-friend exchanges are also ways to earn money off the things that won’t be making the move.

What to donate

Any clothing or items in good condition that you either no longer need or want to replace should be donated.

Donate whatever you can’t sell. Items that have use value can be important items for those in need.

The Salvation Army and Goodwill both accept donations. Additionally, they can provide you with receipt of donation for tax purposes.

Donating is a great way to de-clutter while giving back to the community.

On your next move, be sure to consider going through your belongings to lighten your load, and check out our other moving tips in our “Moving on a Budget” and “Make the Process Easy” posts!

Most Commonly Forgotten Moving Tasks

Moving can be a stressful affair.

From closing on the property, packing, transporting, unpacking and everything in between, it is easy to forget some of the most important jobs associating with a move.

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with these most commonly missed moving tasks to help ensure your next move goes a little more smoothly.

Address Change

Putting a change of address is something a lot of people, surprisingly, forget.

U.S. postal service logo

In the past, residents would have to go to the post office to file a formal change of address. Today, address changes can be filed from the comfort of your own home.

Though the task can be completed after you have moved, it may be easier for you to get your mail squared away before leaving your old address.

On your phone, laptop or tablet, visit the U.S. Postal Service website where there is an easy and quick change of address form.

The form provides spaces to put your new address and when mail should start being forwarded to that address. You can also mark whether the residence will be permanent or temporary.

A lake home that serves as your primary residence in the summer qualifies as a temporary change of address.

Contact Utility Companies

When moving into a new home, your utilities will need to either be canceled or transferred. This depends on where your new home is located.

Some companies only operate in certain areas so it is important to determine whether your current provider services your new address.

If not, these companies may be able to provide an alternative servicer in the area to whom you can take your business.

In the event that information cannot be provided, websites like InMyArea provide databases of service providers that serve your zip code.

It may also be possible, if your new home is part of a homeowner’s association, that a list of preferred companies is provided.

Before cancelling your utilities and your current address, it is a good idea get final readings and reports to keep for your personal records.

This is the time to settle up any unpaid balances with these companies, as well.

Also, you should strive for utilities such as water, electric and gas to be connected at your new residence on the same day.

Smoke Detectors and Emergency Exits

Once in your new home, check that all smoke detectors are in working order. Be sure to check that all batteries have been changed.

Additionally, discuss a fire escape plan with your family. This discussion should include determining a family meeting place and what to pack in an emergency go-bag.

Change the Locks

High on the priority list is changing the locks.

key in door lock with house keychain

Though this may seem trivial, your family’s safety is number one. You never know how many people have copied keys to your new home.

Protect yourself and your loved ones by eliminating the chance that the previous owners, or other unwelcome guests, might try to gain reentry into the house.

Update Important Documents

It is important to ensure that all significant documents are updated with your new address as soon as possible.

These documents include your diver’s license, voter and car registration, insurance, student loans and professional memberships or licensing boards.

Subscription service services and mailing lists should be updated, as well.

Moving into the next home of your dreams may be a little nerve wracking, but checking these items off your to-do list will help ease that stress, even if only by a little.

Try reading our “Tips to Make the Moving Process Easy” and “Moving on a Budget” articles for more advice and tips.