We have talked about four steps to properly downsizing when you are moving.  Step five is a key step, it is your throw out strategies.  This step could make your downsizing and moving a lot easier.  When deciding on what is to be donated or goes to the trash depends on a few things and a specific mindset.

• Try not to use the ” Maybe we’ll need it again” – if you have not used it in a while, good chances you will not use it anytime soon.

• If it has not been used in a year – get rid of it.

• What is the cost and effort to pack, move, and unpack it? If it is not worth the time then get rid of it.

• If it is in need of repair, do you have time to fix it or will you fix it? If not, get rid of it.

• Not able to decide? Get a box, label the date on it and if you do not touch it in a year then get rid of it?

Throwing out things that are not used, broken, or just not needed in your next home is very important.  The more you decide to throw out the easier and the less cluttered your next home will be.