Decluttering makes moving easier for everyone—and less costly, too. It is also helpful for those who want to live more simpler in their current residence. In fact, having less clutter and being more intentional about what homeowners bring into their space is a positive for mental health and financial health. Who could argue?

Many saw the wisdom of doing so during the pandemic when they were stuck at home, looked around, and wondered: Why do I have all this stuff that I never use?

Now, in the dead of winter when many again are indoors for long stretches can be a good time to encourage you to begin. Think of it as an adventure to pursue gradually rather than feel pressure to tackle it all at once.

Truly effective—and lasting—decluttering represents a multistep process that varies according to each person’s situation. Those who’ve inherited a roomful of “brown” furniture from the 1950s and ‘60s, stacks of books, photo albums, crystal, and more may feel overwhelmed if they don’t want or can’t fit these furnishings in their new home or apartment.  Try finding consignment shops interested in selling your pieces, even if they have so much that’s similar to others hoping to unload their possessions.

The following toolbox is a resource that anyone can get started with on their decluttering journey. (think:  The Long, Long Trailer!)

Share What Experts Advise

There is more fun in owning fewer belongings and having more space to display things that spark joy. Many have done this and are thrilled with unloading things they thought they desperately needed to save.

If this doesn't quite spark joy in your being, there are alternatives. The “Swedish Death Cleaning,” involves getting rid of anything not needed to relieve others of the task to discard a loved one's possessions after they’ve died. Margareta Magnusson, author of "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Make Your Loved Ones’ Lives More Pleasant," says the practice offers an underlying message of caring for our heirs.

Cheer On the Downsizers

Decluttering, even if moving isn't on the immediate radar, is a great idea for many reasons. First, you never know when a move might be necessary. An intentional approach to decluttering well before moving takes a lot of stress out of the moving process. Doing so can save time in packing up later, slash moving costs and help reduce the amount of new living space someone might require. Even before it's time to move, there's the listing process to think about. Decluttered homes help present a better visual, which helps maximize sales.

While many find it tempting to put off the difficult decisions about what to keep and what to toss until after they move, try being realistic about what can fit in your new home. This is especially important for those moving long distances. Remind these clients about their new climate, too. They might be able to ditch most of their winter clothing and that snow blower or will it to a good neighbor that you could make very happy!  Giving is Great!

Know When to Suggest Professional Help

Homeowners who can’t handle the task on their own should consider hiring a certified member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) or the National Association of Specialty and Senior Move Managers (NASMM) or even someone with years of experience. The national hourly rate professionals typically charged hovers between $50 and $100, depending in part on their locale but worth the advice and peace of mind collaboration can bring. Professionals speed up the process by keeping you focused on maximizing profits (hooray!) and avoiding digressions over each and every object’s history. Advantage: With a professional, you have the best chance to cut your time in half and get some money in your pocket since they know what will sell.  

Group Items Into Categories

Whether you decide to bring in a professional, it helps to categorize each item in a given area into one of five groupings: keep, store, sell, donate or toss.  The litmus test is to save an object only if it fits one of these three criteria: It’s useful, beautiful, or loved. I would suggest to homeowners snap photos of favorite items that are difficult to part with to give them a visual memory they can retain rather than keeping the item itself. Here’s specific help you can offer them for each pile:

Sell

Midcentury modern furniture and contemporary art both appeal widely to buyers of all ages, especially if they’re good quality and in decent condition. Create a list of estate sales specialists and consignment shops in your area that are known for fair dealing. However, be aware that many services that do the work of selling take a big cut, often half the sales price. If you are inclined to try to sell items yourselves, try eBay for the best prices. However, if you are not willing or able to go through the trouble of shipping sold items, encourage them to post goods on hyperlocal online sites, such as neighborhood Facebook groups or Craigslist.

Donate

Remember the adage, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. First, ask your children to claim beloved items from their childhood. it’s important to set a time limit for those who are interested to pick up what they want. Donations are another great idea. Take note of what charities will accept and when, and even which ones will pick up donations, saving time and hassle. Some charities have gotten choosier about what they accept. For instance, many won’t take mattresses, box springs, pillowcases, or sheets. I might suggest a local halfway house (if you have one) that helps troubled young adults stabilize their lives, as a great destination for used goods. You can provide furniture and clothing you don’t need to those who may have nothing. You also may be able to secure a tax donation from the IRS if you contribute to a qualified tax-exempt organization. Because of recent changes in the tax code, it’s best to keep detailed notes of what you donate and to consult with their tax adviser for the exact percentages they will be able to write off.

Toss

You could also save some work by calling a local trash-hauling company or 1-800-GOT-JUNK which operates nationwide. Have information on pricing and what haulers won't take on hand. Homeowners can also consult HomeAdvisor’s list of trash-hauling service providers by ZIP code. Also, it’s important to be aware of laws governing trash. Some municipalities allow homeowners to leave stuff by the curb with a sign that reads, “please take me,” while others levy fines for such activity. A more organized version of this idea comes in the form of local Freecycle chapters, part of a grassroots nonprofit where local people post stuff for free pickup in their own towns to help keep usable goods out of landfills.

Store Off-Site

It may be tempting to store certain household items off-site, and one in three Americans do. There are numerous reasons why. Aside from apartments getting smaller, people are unwilling to part with stuff permanently. The pandemic required a bit of a shuffle as well, requiring work-from-home space that didn't exist previously. Some families moved in with one another and needed a place for the extra stuff. Have we all been there?

Picking self-storage requires homework. For safety, consider units that are locked, insured, climate-controlled, and offer access whenever they want. Prices can vary widely. Self-storage isn’t a great long-term solution, as months can extend into years and beyond. “Often storage is a matter of postponing the inevitable. It’s better to get rid of whatever you don’t need now! If you know you’re storing something for a granddaughter who will use it in a year that makes sense. Otherwise, get rid of it now!

Hard decisions, but with some help from family and experts, the job becomes doable and cathartic for all!  Need help or suggestions?  Call me.  I can offer you my LITTLE BLUE BOOK of contacts for a place to start.  Once the job has begun...there will be no stopping you!