Step-by-Step Declutter
  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog

Planning for a Move:


What to Toss, What to Keep, and What to Carry with You

Planning for a move can alleviate a great deal of the stress associated with moving.  Thinking through the process and figuring out how to deal with each aspect of the move will help to ensure that everything goes smoothly.  

I recommend that you start by making a list of things you need to do to prepare for the move. Also think through the logistics of the move itself and what you will need to do to get settled in your new location. 

Get the eBook!

For tons more information on planning for your move, check out my eBook:
Moving Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Move.

​In addition to how-to information, you'll find 10 printable checklists to use before, during, and after the move to stay on top of things. 
Picture

Start with Purging


There is no sense in moving things you no longer want, need, or use. Consequently, part of planning for a move should include purging your belongings.  This means sorting through everything you own and deciding what goes with you and what gets left behind.  In the eBook, you'll find a list of 100 things to leave behind when moving (and much more!). 

If you are using a moving company, there will be some items which they will not transport (and which I generally do not recommend you move yourself).  It’s best to separate these items from your shipment before the movers arrive rather than be faced with a kitchen counter covered in black listed items on move day and no idea what to do with them.  

What to Toss 


Generally speaking, anything flammable, combustible, explosive, bad-smelling, prone to spoiling, or likely to leak is forbidden. 

When planning for a move, determine how best to use up the items listed below so that you have as little as possible to get rid of before you leave.
This advance purging will ensure that all or most of the stuff you're not taking gets a good home or is properly disposed of rather than just ending up in the trash. 

​The following list touches on the main items movers will not pack. This is not to say that your movers won't have other items that aren't included here, so be sure to ask them for a list of stuff your specific movers can't move.
​

*Items the Movers Won't Move


  • Oil and gas (to include empty red gas cans like you use to fill your lawnmower)
  • Butane
  • Propane cans or tanks (even if they are empty)
  • Bleach and other disinfectant cleansers
  • Paint
  • Aerosols
  • Automotive fluids such as antifreeze
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Ammunition
  • Open containers of alcohol
  • Open food containers
  • Perishable foods
  • Open liquids (this includes shampoo, lotions, cooking oils, etc.)
  • Money (I've even had kids’ piggy banks rejected)
*A free printable version of this list is available here.

Items to Give Away


In addition to those items which moving companies forbid, plan on leaving the following items behind simply because they do not move well:
  • House plants --- I always give mine away as gifts to friends and neighbors
  • Candles --- In warm temperatures candles can melt and reform leaving them looking worse for the wear and potentially damaging other items packed around them.  In addition, the smell from scented candles will permeate everything stored in the same box. 
  • Delicate children’s artwork --- Take some photos of the child with the project and dispose of it or give it to an interested relative, teacher, or friend remaining in the area. 

What to Carry with You


In the process of planning for a move, you will also need to set aside certain items to transport with you which are of high intrinsic or sentimental value. 

Below is an extensive list* of items to hand carry with you on a move. It is not all inclusive. Many of the items on the list may not apply to you and your family. On the other hand, some items of significance to you may be missing from the list. Use it as a guide to get you thinking.
*Items to Hand Carry with You on a Move:
  • Prescription medications
  • Computer files backed up either on an external source or via the cloud
  • Photos (or external hard drive/CD's/SD cards containing digital photos)
  • Cash/coin collections
  • Jewelry
  • Rare or highly valuable collectibles
  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificate/license
  • Passports
  • Adoption, custody or foster care records
  • Immigration & naturalization records
  • Military records
  • Divorce records & settlements
  • Any court documents
  • Copy of will/living will
  • Death certificates/burial records
  • Social Security & Selective Service records
  • Voter registration information
  • Medical files (including dental and immunization records)
  • Insurance information (auto, homeowner's/renter's, medical, dental, life, business)
  • Bank account numbers and contact information
  • ATM debit cards (& pin numbers)
  • Cash
  • Checkbook
  • Credit reports
  • Credit card information (and contact info)
  • Income tax returns
  • Investment information (account numbers and contact info)
  • Pension/retirement plan (information and contact info)
  • Savings bonds
  • Safety deposit box (information & key)
  • Serial numbers for valuable items
  • Safe combination
  • Loan or lease information
  • Mortgage information (including record of property tax)
  • Record of employment benefits (including contact and account info)
  • Record of government assistance (Medicare/Medicaid, food stamps, etc.)
  • Business licenses, insurance, records
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Deeds to property
  • Warranties 
  • Auto registration, title, bill of sale
  • License plate and VIN for all vehicles you own
  • Children's school records
  • Test results for college entrance exams
  • Diplomas, transcripts 
  • Membership cards and information
  • family history records
  • keys (to all vehicles, home, safe, business)
  • key to post office box
  • list of emergency contacts 
  • Copy of your household inventory
  • Any and all information associated with your move - rental/service contract, terms & conditions, insurance, etc.
*A free printable version of this list is available here.

Free Printables


The lists referred to above are available in printable form. Use them as a checklist when planning for a move to make sure you haven't overlooked anything.
Picture
Picture

A Solution for Scrapbooks


Some people will advise you to carry your scrapbooks with you when you move, but I find this too cumbersome and impractical given the number and size of our scrapbooks.  Instead, we have scanned each page into a computer in case the book is damaged or lost.  As a bonus, this allows me to share my scrapbook pages with others electronically as well.

Final Thoughts on Planning for a Move


While you are planning for a move, I highly recommend preparing a household inventory.  You can move with greater confidence knowing that you have an accurate record of your belongings which can be referenced in the case of loss or damage.

As you prepare your inventory, take the time to measure your furniture and jot down the dimensions.  This is a great task to assign to older kids.  Keep your list of furniture dimensions with you as you travel to your new home.  You can use this information to decide which items will go where.  In addition, knowing the size of each piece will help you determine how best to arrange the furniture within each room and whether or not a particular piece will be too large for a particular space.

Read More


Click on the icon below for more information on preparing a household inventory.
Picture
For more tips on preparing for your next move, check out the following pages:
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Please Share


If you found this page helpful, please share it on social media. Feel free to leave a comment below as well. I would love to hear from you.
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog