2 MONTHS BEFORE YOU MOVE
Draw up a list of your main possessions
- Decide what items you’ll take to your new home, and where you will place larger items. A floor plan of your new home may help here, otherwise your seller may be able to sketch a rough plan for you.
- If you have items you don’t want to take with you, there are a number of ways you can dispose of these, including car boot sales, online auction sites and charity shops.
Purge Possessions – the painless option
- Removal companies quote by volume, so the more items you transport, the more you’ll pay. Purging your possessions prior to the move is one of the best ways to save money and clear out unwanted items. Purging does not necessarily mean throwing stuff on the rubbish tip – there are many ways to reduce clutter, some of which can earn you money:
- Car Boot Sales: Get there early and set up a stall. Don’t put prices on your unwanted items. That way you can also sell them for less then you intended (or more than you expected). The whole point is to reduce clutter, not to make a small fortune! Aim to leave with no more than half of what you went with (and resist the urge to buy other people’s unwanted items!).
- eBay – one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure! List your items on eBay if you think they could be worth a fair price. Remember to factor in selling fees.
- Gumtree: A free listing service, but not as many visitors.
- Local Advertisements: Adverts in shop windows, newspapers, community magazines.
- Specialist Publications: If you’re disposing of high-end equipment that has a particular niche market e.g. fishing equipment, sound equipment, etc.
Giving Away Your Items
- Friends and family – will provide a good home for unwanted but precious items. Perhaps you’ll want to loan them and take them back when you have more space or time.
- Charities: check with your local charity shop before you donate, they may even collect from your door.
- Schools: they always need painting equipemnt, computers, printers, and other materials. Check with nursery schools if you have toys to donate.
- Freecycle.org is a world-wide network that promotes recycling of goods between users to take the pressure off landfills.
Recycling Items
- Check with your local Municipality for the location of recycling facilities.
Throwing Items Away
- Hire a skip: An easy and practical way of throwing stuff away.
- Local Dump: Great for furniture, garden waste and assorted household items.
- Check if your insurance policy covers your move. Or, your removal company should be able to provide cover. Arrange this early to avoid complications.
- Research local schools in your new area. Visit them if necessary until your child finds one they like.
- Arrange to have your child’s school records transferred.
- Spend time with friends and relatives and arrange to meet-up regularly over the next couple of months.
- Ask around to see who’s free about the time of your move. The more help you can get, the better!