Moving this Summer? Save Time, Money and Stress by Decluttering before You Pack
Here in North Dakota, summer is moving season, because no one wants to move in a blizzard. If you’re getting ready to move soon, whether it's to, from, or within Jamestown, decluttering before you pack can save time, money and stress. A well-organized move can make the entire transition process smoother.
Moving already comes with enough decisions. Packing things you no longer need only adds to the overwhelm. In this blog post I’ll discuss why you don’t want to pack your clutter, what to let go before moving, where to start, and more.
Why Packing Clutter Costs More
There are a lot of hidden costs to packing, including moving boxes, tape, packing paper, and sharpies. If you’re hiring movers, do you really want to pay them to carry around stuff you don’t actually want? You can save money by letting some items go before paying to move them to your new home.
Aside from the cost of packing supplies, every item you pack needs to be carried, loaded onto the truck, transported, unpacked, stored, and maintained. You can save yourself this stressful chore by only moving items that you need, use, and want.
Moving is stressful no matter how it’s done, but you can alleviate some of that stress through solid planning and organized packing. Knowing which boxes go to which room in your new home can make unpacking much less stressful. Knowing that each box contains only items you actually want in that room makes unpacking a breeze.
What to Purge Before Movers Arrive
If I’ve convinced you not to move your clutter to your new home, how do you know what to keep and what to toss before you pack? Well, that answer is different for everyone, but I have a few ideas to get you started.
Garbage. You probably don’t plan to pack garbage, but rushed moving days have a funny way of boxing up things no one actually wants. Before decluttering any space, take a quick pass to tackle any garbage. Your next step will be broken or worn out items.
Boxes still sealed from your last move. They’re sending you a message. The message is you haven’t missed any of these items. They can go.
Outgrown items. Kids’ toys, sports equipment, and clothes are all items that are useful for a season, but not forever.
Might-Could-Maybe-Someday Items. These are the random things collected in your basement or garage that you think you could maybe use or might be useful someday.
Things that won’t fit in your new home. This often includes furniture or appliances, but if you are downsizing, you may need fewer beds, end tables, and the like.
Where to Start
If the whole house feels overwhelming, start with the easiest wins first. Momentum matters.
Begin with:
Storage spaces. Basements, garages, sheds, and utility rooms often contain the most forgotten items.
Bathrooms. Toss expired products, empty bottles, and duplicates.
Linen closets. Let go of worn towels, unmatched sheets, and extras you don’t use.
Kids’ rooms. Outgrown toys, clothes, and books can often be donated.
Kitchen duplicates. Extra mugs, mystery containers, chipped dishes, and gadgets you never use.
Save sentimental items for later. When energy is low, decision fatigue is real. Start where choices are easier.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Week
The closer moving day gets, the harder it becomes to make thoughtful decisions. Start early by spending 15–30 minutes a day in one small area. A little progress now can prevent chaos later.
Decluttering Helps with Staging
If you’re already to the moving part, you can skip this section.
If your move also includes selling your current home, decluttering can help greatly with the staging process. Buyers want to see the potential of your home, and how their stuff will fit in it, so clearing as much of your clutter as possible before listing your house will help you sell faster and at a higher price.
Check out this post for 6 Simple Organizing Steps to Stage a Home While You’re Still Living in It.
Your Next Home Deserves a Fresh Start
Moving is the perfect time to decide what deserves space in your next home. Instead of paying to move clutter, move the things that truly serve your life now.
Even a few focused decluttering sessions before packing can save boxes, save money, and make unpacking dramatically easier.
If you're looking for moving help in Jamestown, Stutsman County, or the surrounding area as you decide what to keep, what to donate, and how to organize for moving day, Good Help Organizing offers compassionate, judgment-free decluttering and organizing support.
I’m Ashley, and here at Good Help Organizing, I offer compassionate, judgement-free decluttering and organizing support.
I can help you declutter before your move to make your transition easier.
