We are in the midst of the dreaded packing, sorting, selling, tossing phases of moving. Nothing reminds you of just how much stuff you have like the process of packing and moving. Fortunately, we don’t have far to go, so we have looked upon the move as a positive opportunity to simplify our household by clearing it of clutter.
Just yesterday we rounded up all our old clothes, jackets, etc. that we no longer wear and plan to give them away to shelters, and other charitable organizations in our area that may need them (there is particularly high demand in the winter months). I’d encourage you to go through your closets and find an old jacket, or set of blankets that you no longer use, and find someone who could use them. A good place to start is with churches, missions, shelters, and organizations such as The Red Cross and Salvation Army.
The Frugal Roundup
The Argument Against Frugality. Not on the frugality bandwagon yet? These reasons for not being frugal may change your mind. (@The Sun’s Financial Diary)
100 Goals. I came across this site the other week and thought it was pretty cool. It chronicles a guys attempt to complete 100 goals he has for his life. Check it out! (@Hundred Goals)
“What Works For You” Can Be a Trap. The personal finance theory of “do what works for you” comes into question. (@Consumerism Commentary)
Ditch Productivity For A Day: 12 Great Sites To Kill Time & Have Fun. Sometimes it’s OK to sit down and unwind. (@Dumb Little Man)
Avoid a Financial Holiday Hangover This Year. Great steps for avoiding the dreaded holiday credit card bills in January. (@Generation X Finance)
Best of the Rest
- How Working Overseas Helps Your Career
- How One Homeless Person Lives: Coping With Homelessness
- Adventures in Dallas (How We Saved Money There)
- Why Canadians Don’t Redeem Coupons
- Year End Tax Tips 2009
- Understanding Health Savings Accounts
- Choose Your Words Carefully… You May Have to Eat Them
- Survive a Financial Crisis: 12 Tips For Married Couples
Good luck with the move! I just went through all of the motions of a move and even though we were selling, donating and disposing for months before the move, it still felt like we had way too much stuff to drag along with us. Since then, I’ve continued to eliminate as many non-essentials as possible. Its quite liberating actually! Keep us updated on how things go!
Moving is stressful. The last time we had to do it we were forced – due to mis-timings – into putting all our stuuf into storage. I can tell you, it took up alot of space, and wasn’t particularly cheap. Good luck with the move…
Blankets, towels and sheets are very welcome at veterinarian’s offices, animal shelters and dog rescue organizations.
I hate moving… My father-in-law bought a new house and I’m helping him move the heavy stuff.
It’s always so tempting to hire movers…
At least it’s a good opportunity to get rid of that old furniture that you’ll never use that stored in that basement or attic… Not to mention the tax deduction for the donation to charity!
I am in the process of moving too. The other day I threw away a huge carpenter’s bag worth of stuff and also have a huge box worth of stuff to donate. A few weeks ago I got rid of about 6 bags of clothes we can’t use. I even sold some of my kid’s clothes for $30.
Two years ago we moved from an apartmnet that was two times the size of our rental house, so we got rid of about half our stuff. Now our new house is about the same size as the house we are currently in, but with less storage, so we are purging again. I love to give stuff away and to simplify.
We’ll be joining you in a few weeks when we move to our new place. I didn’t realize (how much we have (and don’t really use) I have 3 bags of clothes to donate and if my husband will let me, a couple of computers to give.
We’ve moved a lot. The one good thing about it is that it forces you to go through everything and get rid of stuff. We recently put our house on the market, planning to live in our converted bus, so this time, we’re really downsizing to the extreme. I love getting rid of all these things I haven’t even thought of, let alone used in some time.
I don’t think there are may things in life more stressful than moving. While it can be an expensive cost, paying for professional movers will always be my choice. Avoiding the stress is worth the cost in my book.
If there is one thing in life that I hate, it has to be moving. My wife and I joke that two things provide a great test for our marriage: moving and canoeing together!
Best of luck and thanks for the great links!
Hey, look at the bright side, new place, new people, new environment,new opportunities. Good luck on the move man.
I still have a few boxes of unpacked items still stored in my basement from the last time I moved…
And the kicker is I moved to my house over 10 years ago (embarrassing :”>)…
I remember that “going to work to get a break” feeling all to well…
Well, at least you see the light at the end of the tunnel!
-D