Most of this is stuff you already know...
1. Don't move furniture while wearing flip flops.
2. Get rid of everything that has any sentimental value that you really can't use anymore anyway. When you are my age (72) there is no point in looking back, as you have so little time left, looking forward is really all there is to do. And since we have no kids to pass this crap stuff onto, what is the point of keeping it? Unfortunately my DH thinks exactly the opposite of this, and I have gone behind his back, I confess, and dumped stuff he packed.
3. Only self move things that fit in a small car. Buy a small car just in case this isn't your situation, and don't try and move stuff that requires shoving it in and tying it down with bungee cords. Just not worth the trouble. Let the movers take it.
4. Wait til the last minute to bring food and frozen stuff to the new place, otherwise all your meals become fast food and extra expense you don't need. Of course that means keeping a few cooking pots and pans at the ready. Or eat all your food at the new place as you make a zillion trips back to the old place. There is no optimum way to do this. I've tried every way and am done trying.
5. Pawn off things that are not up to snuff, on relatives or donate to shelters, Goodwill or ReStore. Don't bring things to the new place that are shabby and need replacing. Replace them after you move in and then won't have to get rid of them after moving them again.
6. Downsizing is a great concept, but really requires being ruthless. I thought I got rid of a lot of clothes, but aparently I am kidding myself. But I did get rid of a lot of shoes, so I'm not all bad, and since most of them came from the thrift store anyway...they went back to have another life with someone else.
7. Don't move anything that isn't the entire set, of whatever it is. And duct tape parts together before packing, so they are not lost. Get rid of most of your mismatched glasses, all plastic storage, and half used beauty products. Really.
8. Tools....ugh. We fought over this and I keep losing. My darling thinks he is possibly going to need some of these things in the future, just in case, even tho I won't allow him to fix the car, paint, work on the plumbing, paint, fix the non-existent lawn mower, do anything electrical or store anything in the crawl space. Because his balance is terrible, even the tall ladder has to go. I realize this strips him of his manly-man-ness, but that's the breaks. I have a set of my own tools and when I ask him for a Phillips head screwdriver, I am done with the project before he finds his.
9. Get new pillows.
10. Toss five of your six opened salsas.
11. Buy those big black garbage bags, strip your beds and put the bedclothes right in the bag. That way when the beds get reassembled, the sheets can go right back on and you can fall into bed immediately.
12. Pack towels, soap, shampoo and hairdryer in one of those bags and put it in your car. A hot shower before dropping into bed makes the move so much better.
Thanks, lots of good ideas. Am moving my 91 yo mother into an apartment on Tuesday. Will have to use some of these. Also have found since i have not heirs I need to start parting with things as well. Have always loved your style.
ReplyDeleteJackie - I've had to do this ... three times (mother, mother-in-law and special aunt-mother-person) . You will need to be devious. She'll want you to keep stuff you don't want. Just say yes, then think through the family. If someone would actually like it, give it to them, or ask (as I had to) if they'd say they want it, and store it until it's safe to dispose of it. I found the much-loved-oldies accepted stuff going to a family member or friend much more easily than just "It's Got To Go, There Is No Room For It" . I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday.
DeleteI like your idea about a new car :)
ReplyDeletePriceless! I passed it on to a friend who is moving... I on the other hand don't plan to move until I'm so old someone will have to come take me away to the old folks' home! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you put this in writing ...... a friend is making the sixth move in 10 years today..... and while she talks the same talk you have not so sure the get gone part was adhered to. Now me..... I am willing to let my kids get rid of my Nonna's stuff, my mom's stuff and my stuff..... I just need a bigger storage unit..... Had one kid still willing to work with me but something happened last year and she is no longer willing to "help". My street of 24 houses has 20 over 70 so we have become big on no ladders.... things are hung on the bushes by the doors....
ReplyDeleteGreat list, but I have a suggestion re: #11. Never put ANYTHING you want to keep in a black trash bag. Ask me how I know.
ReplyDeleteI'd be very careful with #2. You never know when someone will be searching for that thing you tossed and you'll have to admit you tossed it and then there will be a scene and a melt-down. My parents did this to some of my "toys" when I was 13 and at 65 I am still haunted by the violation. Oh, and that stuff they got rid of? Worth a fortune now. I have some "stuff" that doesn't look like much but is worth a lot and that I use. Some of my watercolor palettes are worth a few hundred dollars. I can so see someone tossing them or selling them for $1 at a garage sale. I also have some sentimental things that really make me happy and I enjoy putting on display.
ReplyDelete#11. I would buy a new sheet set (great excuse) and make the bed with the new so I can launder the old and put it in the linen closet for laundry rotation. I always have at least 2 sheets sets so when I strip the bed I an immediately make it again and then go wash the dirty set. Otherwise at the end of the day I may have clean sheets but the bed won't be made yet because I've been busy doing other things. Plus I love sheets. Just bought two sets 60% off at Macy's. I've been waiting for them to be both in stock and at their lowest price. Finally hit the trifecta yesterday and bought two, one solid and one striped.
I also don't save or move anything that's a keeper in a garbage bag. Especially during a move. In a box or loosely carried (like clothes on a rack with hangers) I also label with the room they go in rather than what it is except for kitchen, where I want to know which box has dishes, pots, utensils and food.
Of course, I haven't moved in a while and never more than 10 miles from where I was. My last move was 30 years ago but I'm starting to think of my next move, which will be back to my parents' house to take care of them. I see this happening in the next few years so it will be a matter of having a double household settling in with a few things in the guest room or a full out move. I know I'm going to resist leaving my home after I've spent so much time making it my own and to my tastes and comforts.
Such good advice. I am going to save this for future needs. Congrats on this move and I think your place looks lovely.
ReplyDelete