Packing is hard enough. Consider lightening your load by ditching these items before you leave, and making a fresh start in your new home.
Cheap furniture
The phrase “you get what you pay for” has never been more true when it comes to furniture. While you save major bucks on cheaper furniture like IKEA, you can’t really expect it to have a long life span. After all, a mahogany wood dresser has a very different quality than a faux wood one. Most inexpensive mass-produced furniture is made out of either plastics or particle board (a wood product made out of wood chips), so it’s not made to last or be moved around a ton.
Worn out furniture
If your couch is stained or missing a seat cushion, you should consider just tossing the piece rather than bringing it with you. Most moving companies charge per box or room for large moves, so you’ll save yourself some money by leaving things behind. Smaller moves are typically charged by the hour, thus the fewer boxes you have equals a quicker—and cheaper—move. But if you can’t bring yourself to throw away an expensive piece of furniture, try reupholstering the cushions or re-staining the wood. These quick home improvements are cheap and effective and may even make your old furniture look brand new again.
Old clothes
You might not think of clothes as something you need to pack and plan for when moving, but don’t underestimate the amount of space and boxes that your closet takes up. Moving homes is the perfect opportunity to go through your wardrobe and purge or donate the items you no longer wear. That sweater you bought three years ago on sale and have yet to put on? Get rid of it! If you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably never will.
Appliances
Besides being very expensive, appliances like washers and dryers are considered a necessity by many, so why on earth would you not bring it with you to your new digs? Well, for starters, they’re very heavy and hard to move, so if it’s old, you might want to consider leaving it behind. Most washers and dryers have a lifespan of about 8 to 12 years, so if yours is going on year seven, it may not be financially worth it to bring it with you. But if your appliances are brand new, they’re definitely something that you’ll want.
Books and magazines
Your pile of books and magazines lying in the corner of bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens take up a lot of space and are extremely heavy when boxed up. Ask yourself, “Am I ever going to read it again?” or, “Is there value in keeping it?” Libraries and schools are often grateful for gently used books.
