Why You Should List Your Possessions

You can’t decide how to move until you know what to move.

If all people had to do was move themselves, moving would be a painless process. The problem is moving involves transferring everything you own as well. Before you can truly plan your move, you need to know what you’re moving. The best way to do this is to list of your possessions:

Things to consider:

• Pets – your pets might not take up a lot of space, but they’ll require plenty of attention when you move.
• Computers – computers are fairly easy to move, but don’t get too confident… one wrong move can mean losing all your information.  It’s a good idea to back up your computer, if you can.
• TVs – TV’s require care when moving.  The pricier the TV, the more care.
• Vehicles – your car/boat/snow mobile are all going to need to be moved, which usually requires a lot of planning.
• Pictures and artwork – Artwork requires additional care to ensure it isn’t smudged or chipped.  Even the smallest blemish can seriously ruin a good piece of art.
• Plants – plants are not easy to move and keep alive, but there are some steps you can follow if you really like your basil plant.
• Clothes – clothes are easy to move and can be bagged up to save space.
• Machinery and tools – you’ll need your tools in your new place, so don’t forget them in the shed.
• Furniture – your furniture will take up the most space in the moving truck.
• Bedding – like clothes, bedding is quite easy to fold up and move.
• Weights and sporting goods – deflate your balls to create extra space.  As for weights, it might be best to leave them behind, as they can add major, well, weight to your move.  For moving companies that charge by the pound, this is a problem.
• Bikes – most bikes can be disassembled for easy moving.
• Utensils and dishes – wrap up the china and glass so they don’t break.

The Three D’s

1. Detail – Take a walk through your home with a notepad and list everything you own, even if you don’t plan on moving it.   Don’t just look at the big stuff, like furniture and artwork.  Check cabinets and drawers, and don’t forget the garage and attic.  Making a detailed list is the best way to guarantee that you don’t forget leave anything out of your planning.
2. Decide – Once you have a complete list, think about which possessions you want to take with you.  What will actually be of use to you in your new home and what will just end up being clutter (if it’s not already)?
3. Dump – If some of your possessions don’t make the cut, selling them to friends, on the Internet or at a yard sale can be an easy way to make a quick buck.  You can also donate what you don’t need to the Salvation Army or simply dump it if it’s that useless.

For those possessions that you want to take with you, you’ll have to figure out how to move them.

Next Step: Choosing the Right Move for You

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