How to Start Sorting and Organizing Your Stuff.
One of the main ways to save money on moving and storage fees is to throw or give away all items you don’t need. Eight to ten weeks before your moving day, start sorting and organizing your house. In sorting your items before your move be as ruthless as you can be, but take care when it comes to disposing of the belongings of other family items.A garage sale is a great way to get rid of unwanted articles. Garage sales can be lots of fun, you get a chance to say good bye to neighbours down the street and you can even make some money in the process.
Remember to start using up canned goods and frozen food well before your move. Do not pack perishable food items as they cannot be moved or put into storage. Bagged and boxed food also must be thrown away as they will attract pests if put in storage.
Volatile materials such as propane tanks, gasoline, naphtha, acetone, lacquer thinner, paint thinners (mineral spirits) are too dangerous to move and store. Give them away to friends.
Getting Started
First, get three boxes. In large letters label the boxes:
- Box 1, the first box is the 'throw away’ box,
- Box 2, the second box is the 'give away,' box
- Box 3, the third box is the 'put away' box.
- 1. Have I used this item in the past year?
- 2. Does the item have sentimental or monetary value?
- 3. Will the article come in handy someday?
Keep in mind that a “yes” answer to question three should not mean it automatically goes to the “put away” box. We all have a tendency never to use the things we keep for a rainy day.