Moving can be expensive and exhausting, but there are 18 professional tips to make it a little easier. You can use apps designed to help keep track of your things and that will find the best moving rates. You can rent reusable plastic bins instead of collecting cardboard boxes. But more importantly, you can minimize the headache by minimizing the amount of stuff you have to schlep in the first place. Below are the 18 things you should do to find the best moving rates.
1. Unused kitchen gadgets or small appliances
That spiralizer that’s been sitting untouched on your counter? The toaster oven you’ve had for years that’s full of crumbs? Toss it. No need to bring a gadget along if it only has one barely-used function or is easily upgraded.
2. Throw away books you won’t re-read to find the best moving rates
“Set up a miniature book fair in your apartment and invite all your friends to come.” — Caleb R.
Mismatched dishes
If your kitchen cabinets are full of a hodge-podge mix of plates, cups, and bowls that don’t go together, use moving as an opportunity to get a new set of dishes and ditch the spares.
Food items
“Food products!! Give them away to someone you love.” — Leah S.
Shoes you don’t wear
Shoes don’t pack well and are heavier than they seem. Any pairs that you haven’t worn in a few months (or ever) can go.
Clothes you don’t wear
“I’ve been doing a mini fashion show seeing what fits and what doesn’t. If something doesn’t fit, or I don’t see myself wearing it, it goes in a pile to either donate or sell to friends.” — Danielle F.
Towels
Towels are cheap, bulky to pack, and should be replaced every few years anyway. Furnish your new bathroom with new towels.
Loose papers
“Papers! They have a way [of] creeping in places and just being annoying.” — Melissa S.G.
Instruments you don’t play
Maybe you bought a guitar a few years ago thinking you’d teach yourself how to play. Possible it’s still sitting in your closet covered in coats. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye.
Cleaning supplies
“Partial liquids and cleaning supplies. It’s more of a hassle to move them safely and it’s always the first thing you need so I find I wind up rebuying them anyway.” — Melissa S.G.
Alcohol
The last thing you want when you’re moving is for a bottle of wine to break and soak everything else. Give bottles of alcohol to friends or get rid of them altogether.
Cheap furniture
“Cheap furniture that you can buy for the same price as it takes to move it (or cheaper!)” — Tova M.
Half-used toiletries and cosmetics
“The old empty shampoo bottles that are still lurking in your shower.” — Angela S.
Knick knacks
“Any give-away stuff you’ve picked up over the past year. Teddy bears with the school logo, nightlights with school logos, whatever other stuff your school or workplace gives you. Plus anything you don’t use, no matter how much you are inexplicably drawn to keeping it. A shell you found on the sidewalk, or a paper you got an A on, or a pair of socks your friend left in your room several months ago and never came back for. Don’t use it? Get rid of it.” — Baila E.
Air conditioning units
“A/Cs are too expensive to move.” — Tova M.
Pillows
Unless you’ve invested in a special fancy pillow that you absolutely can’t sleep without, it’s worth the extra space to dispose of them in favor of new ones.
Everything you forgot you owned
“All things you haven’t seen or used in the last year, throw out or give away.” — Devorah M.
Anything you haven’t unpacked since your last move
Don’t bother moving things that you clearly didn’t need to bring along last time.
Those are the 18 things you should do to find the best moving rates.
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