What are some tips to not being a Pack rat?

Question

I seem to not through anything away... I'm moving soon and I don't want to take the junk iwth me... Please help

Answer 1

visit The Fly Lady @ www.flylady.net

She has lots of tips to get you started and to keep you going.


The best tips I have since you are moving soon are:

1) do not pack anything to be moved to your new home if you haven't used it in the last year.

2) do not pack anything you "found" while packing unless you absolutely love it. (If you didn't know where it was and didn't know you had it you couldn't have used it so you need to get rid of it.)

3) don't pack any clothes you can't fit into.

4) don't pack anything you think you MIGHT use in the new house. If you weren't using it in the old house it'll be the same piece of junk when you move it to the new house.

Answer 2

Pick a room where you can begin. Have a large trash can for throwaway stuff, a basket for giveaway stuff, and boxes to fill with whatever you absolutely have to keep.

If you are going to start with a bedroom, begin in dresser drawers then move to the closet--shelves first, hanging items next, and stuff on the floor last. Until you move, you'll need clothes; so leave clothing items you will need for the coming week(s). Sort all the remainder and put in the appropriate containers. When a box that you are saving is filled, write with a felt-tip pen what the contents of the box are. Do this for each box--it gets tedious, especially when you move into other rooms, but it is well worth it. You can mark those boxes that aren't essential as not a priority for opening. If you haven't worn or used items for a year or two, get rid of them. If you have clothes in your closet that are too big or too small, get rid of them--by the time you might need them, they will be out of style! When you are boxing items, you might label the box kitchen utensils, top-shelf items from china cabinet, etc.

Accept no more stuff from anyone unless you really have plans to use the item(s).

It is hard to get rid of stuff; it is time consuming when you've let the pile(s) get too big, but you will definitely feel better once you have accomplished going through the stuff.

Once you finish a room, throw out the junk and take the giveaway stuff to an appropriate store (ARC, Goodwill, etc.)

Good luck--don't give up: It can be done in small periods of time and long periods of time.

Answer 3

Keep bank statement, tax documents, paycheck stubs other important documents for 7 years and shred when they are past 7 years. Documents you need to keep get a file box to sort.


If you haven't used it in the last 6 months get rid of it.

Clothes it's been over a year since you wore it, get rid of it

When you move designate a place for everything, get rid of the "junk draw" instead get of the habit of filing paperwork.

Another area that always get cluttered is the bathroom and linen closets. Same thing throw away any old products or things that haven't been used. Think to yourself if you really need that item, if not get rid of it.

Answer 4

I'll make it simple: 3 large boxes 1-keeps 2-give aways 3-throw away. Your keeps should be only things that really mean a lot to you. Give aways, things that are still good and you can live without. Throw aways, you don't need or want and no one else would either! This will probably cut your packing in half. Good luck in your new home.

Answer 5

well first off lets get rid of easy things like papers. If you keep all your old cards from special occastions then go through and only keep the most dear ones and throw out the rest, and do the same with old school papers and letters from people. If you are like some i know you will need a few paper bags for what you throw and the recycling man will get his/her workout from you. then go through your cloths and find out what you honestly do not plan on wearing or using again. if in good shape put in a bag and give to a thrift shop (where you can get a donation slip for when tax season comes) if in bad shape throw in the garbage.

Answer 6

Hey Curious,

Move a lot. Sort (everything you do not use goes somewhere else - through out, recycle, sell, give). Demand all nice looking horizontal spaces.

Straighten everything, Sweep/clean, Schecule, and Sustain (5S's) . The point is to keep after the clutter constantly.

If you have not used it in 18 months, you do not need it. Later.

Answer 7

Simple, when you pack something, ask if you really need it, or just keep it "in case". Donate clothes you know you never wear to charity, toss old papers which are out of date. If there are pictures, put in a book or album.

Unless you are useing something, don't keep it. If you are useing it, put it away correctly.

There is no reason to keep something, or buy something, becouse you might use it ot it's a good deal, ask what you are going to do with it, if you need to think, or defend an object, think about tossing or donating it.

Answer 8

Moving is actually a good incentive to get rid of things. Give everything you don't love or use to charity.
Homes/rooms look better when they're not cluttered with extra stuff.
If you haven't touched it in the last year, you probably won't miss it.

Answer 9

Clothing- Give any unwanted clothing to charity, ie: Goodwill, American Veterans, homeless shelters, Salvation Army

Papers- Unless you absolutely need them, shred any unwanted documents, receipts, etc.

Boxes- Recycle any empty boxes to use as containers for tools, magazines, etc. Make them into a family project and decorate them creatively.

Answer 10

Keep only what you use regularly, and give the stuff you don't use to charity. That way you aren't throwing away good items. Your trash is another person's treasure.