How to purge possessions when you move

Removals companies quote by volume so the more items you bring to your new home the more you’ll pay. In the months before you more purging your possessions is one of the best things you can do as not only will it cost less money to move but you’ll clear out your life and revitalise it, ready for your new home and your future.

But purging your possessions does not automatically mean throwing them out into the dustbin. There are many ways to reduce the clutter, some of which will earn you money as you go:

Selling your items

• Car boot sales – get down to a car boot sale early and set up a stall. Don’t put prices on your items, and be prepared to sell it for less than you want. The whole point is to reduce your clutter, not make a lot of money. Aim to leave with no more than half what you went with.
• eBay – one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure, so list your items on eBay if you think they could be worth a fair price. Don’t forget to factor in selling fees.
• Gumtree – eBay’s free listing service does not charge fees so you get a higher return but there aren’t as many visitors. If you want to list on both just add a caveat saying you’ve listed the item elsewhere and that you reserve the right to end it at any time.
• Local advertisements – a lot of people don’t like the online world and search locally for items. Put adverts in newspapers, shop windows and community magazines.
• Specialist publications – if you’re selling high end equipment in a particular niche check out specialist publications e.g. fishing equipment in a fishing magazine.

Giving away your items

• Friends and family – you know they’ll go to a good home if you give them to friends and family so consider doing this. You may also want to loan them and take them back when you have more space/time.
• Charities – most charity shops will be only too happy to accept donations, but check with them before hand to see what they need. If you can’t drop your items off many will come to your door to pick them up. Some also drop off bags to enable you to donate clothes.
• Schools – schools always need painting equipment, computers, printers and other materials. Check with your child’s school and other local schools to see if any items will be of use.
• Freecycle – a nationwide network of groups that promote recycling of goods between users, there will always be a homeowner in your local area who could benefit from what you have to give away
• Gumtree – the online listing service operates a ‘freebies’ section so you can give your stuff to a good home

Recycling your items

• Local facilities – large superstores and retail parks often have recycling facilities for clothing, glass and cardboard
• Dumps – dumps will have superior recycling facilities including for furniture, TVs and electrical equipment

Throwing away your items

• Hire a skip – skips really are an easy and practical way of throwing stuff away and are very cost-effective. If you don’t need a full skip consider renting one with a neighbour to save money.
• Dumps – if you have a decent sized car you can take full loads down to the dump. Great for furniture, garden waste and assorted household items