Although moving can be a stressful time for many people, it also provides a great opportunity for you to purge your life of items that you no longer want or need. Your moving costs will also be less expensive if you have fewer household items, and you will be able to start a clutter-free life in your new home. Fortunately, several ways exist for those who are moving to get rid of items that they would prefer not to take with them. Following are five options for you to consider when deciding how to dispose of certain household items.
1. Consignment Shops
If you have clothing or accessories that are of good quality and show minimal wear and tear, you may be able to sell them through a consignment shop. Consignment shops will keep a certain amount of the sale price and send you the rest after the items are purchased. Although consignment shops frequently only deal in fine clothing, jewelry, handbags and other accessories, some carry items such as furniture and household decorations.
2. Good Old-Fashioned Thrift Shops
While consignment stores are usually somewhat selective about items that they will accept, thrift stores will generally take anything as long as it is clean, in good repair and usable. Many thrift stores will also pick up items from your home, saving you the hassle of loading things into your car and driving to the store locations. Keep in mind those items given to thrift stores are donations that you will not be paid for. If the value of your donations is of considerable worth, however, you may be able to obtain a tax credit.
3. Have a Garage Sale
Having a garage sale is a good way to quickly get rid of things you don’t need anymore. Be sure to advertise your garage sale in your local paper as well as put up signs around your neighborhood. Some people offer leftover items for free after their sale is over.
4. Craigslist
If you have household or personal items that you would like to sell but don’t want to organize a garage sale, consider putting an ad on Craigslist or another free advertising site. You will be able to show the items to interested parties at your own convenience, and it’s possible that you will be able to make a significant sum of money on your unwanted personal items and household goods. Another option is having an online garage sale through an auction site, but you may not be able to dispose of things as quickly as you like if you go this route. You will also have to package items and ship them if the buyers do not live in your geographical area.
5. Give Things Away to Family and Friends
If you have household things that you won’t be needing in your new home, take a look among your family and friends to see if anyone needs anything that you would like to discard. For instance, if you are moving to a smaller place because you are downsizing or retiring, that large dining room table may be perfect for the young family in your circle.
Most people find that getting rid of superfluous items allows them to feel as if they are starting fresh in their new environment.
