Resources for Your Transition
When transitioning, we know there is a lot on your mind. Here are a few tips and checklists we have put together based on our experience.
Overnight Checklist
Toiletries
Household Essentials
Toiletries
- Oral Care Products
- Deodorant
- Personal Hygiene Products
- Makeup
- Towels/Robe
Clothing
Household Essentials
Toiletries
- Undergarments
- Pajamas
- Change of Clothes
- Shoes
- Jacket/Coat/Sweater
Household Essentials
Household Essentials
Household Essentials
- Snacks
- Cookwear
- Dishes/Silverwear
- Utensils/can opener
- Ingredients
- Coffee/Tea
Documentation
Health and Safety
Household Essentials
- Moving Document/Floor Plan
- Home Sale Documents
- Checkbook
- Financial Documents
- Personal Identification
Health and Safety
Health and Safety
Health and Safety
- First Aid Kit (band aids, pain relievers)
- Prescription medications and supplements
- Glasses and hearing aids
Miscellaneous
Health and Safety
Health and Safety
- Paper goods
- Phone charger
- iPad/Laptop
What to Get Rid of as you Right Size
Prioritize Discarding what you Don't Need
Letting go of outdated, unneeded, or expired possessions is at the top of many people’s to-do lists. It’s also one of those tasks that can be such a headache that it never gets checked off those to-do lists. The perfect time to tackle this job is while you’re preparing for a move. Now is the time to downsize and declutter.
These are all the items you should consider discarding before your move, divided up into easy-to-understand categories:
Stuff you don’t use anymore.
Just because you’ve had something for a long time doesn’t mean you need to hold onto it. Some things just need to go, even if they were well-loved in their time. When you’re working through you downsize, focus on anything you don’t have to use anymore, such as:
- Expired prescriptions and other medications
- Clothes and shoes that no longer fit.
- Anything that you can’t remember the last time you picked up or used.
- Old electronics like unused telephones, VHS players or outdated routers or cords
- Linens that are worn out
- Any paperwork, bills or receipts that aren’t absolutely necessary.
- Stuff you have too much of
Don't Let The Clutter Build
Some things tend to accumulate… and accumulate… over time. Usually, there’s a (relatively) logical explanation as to why these things keep multiplying. Sure, they’re things you need! Yeah, they’re things that are easy to buy and forget about. Wow, that was quite a sale! Or maybe they were even gifts! There are reasons why you seem to keep collecting stuff. However, if you’re honest, you may find that you have one or two too many of these accumulating things. Or three too many. Or 20 too many.
Moving is a perfect time to put a stop to the endless accruing of things you “need.” Cut down to the essentials during your downsize by re-homing your extra:
- Coffee mugs
- Hotel shampoo and conditioner bottles
- Serving dishes
- Miscellaneous junk drawer stuff
- Spices
- Water bottles
- Garage or closet knick-knacks you don’t even look at
- Pens and pencils
Look for What You Didn't Even Know You Had
Stuff you didn’t even know you had.
While you’re going through things before your move, you’re likely to discover items you didn’t know you had. Don’t fall for the excitement of discovery. Most of the time, there’s a reason you forgot about these things–and they’re perfect targets for your downsize. Sell or rehome each of the following:
- Books you’ve never read
- Appliances you forgot about
- Items you hope to return to your children from their childhood
- Seasonal items that take up more space than they’re worth
- Gifts you were given but never asked for
- Things that are broken – we understand you planned on fixing it, but it’s okay to admit you’ll likely never get around to it
Stuff that won’t fit in your new home.
Sometimes things that fit in one space won’t serve the same purpose in another. Whether it’s because of their size, shape or use, it’s time to downsize! A new home is a chance at a new start. These sorts of things include:
- Awkwardly-shaped furniture
- Climate-specific items
- Items that don’t fit with your new space – this can include pool toys, gardening tools, air filters and curtains
Now that you know exactly what to get rid of, the task of doing it is less daunting.