Moving Day: Items You Shouldn’t Bother Transporting

Moving is a significant undertaking, often involving considerable time, effort, and expense. While it’s natural to want to bring all your belongings to your new home, some items simply aren’t worth the hassle. Deciding what to leave behind can streamline your move, reduce costs, and even provide a fresh start.

Quick answer

• Declutter ruthlessly before packing.
• Avoid moving broken, outdated, or low-value items.
• Consider the cost of moving versus replacing items.
• Get rid of hazardous materials or items with high disposal fees.
• Donate or sell items in good condition that you no longer need.
• Factor in the size and weight of items; bulky, heavy items can be expensive to move.
• If an item is easily replaceable and inexpensive, consider leaving it.

Who this is for

• Individuals or families undertaking a local or long-distance move.
• Anyone looking to reduce the stress and cost associated with moving.
• People who want to declutter and organize their belongings before relocating.

What to check first (before you act)

Goal and timeline

Before you start sorting, define what success looks like for your move. Are you aiming for the fastest, cheapest move possible? Or do you have specific items you absolutely must bring? Understanding your primary goal will help you make decisions about what to leave behind. Your timeline is also crucial; if you have ample time, you can plan to sell or donate items. If your move is immediate, you’ll need to make quicker decisions, possibly involving donation centers or bulk trash pickup.

Current cash flow

Assess your financial situation. Moving itself incurs costs: hiring movers, renting a truck, packing supplies, and potential deposits for utilities at your new place. If moving an item will significantly increase your moving costs (due to weight, size, or special handling), and the item has low monetary or sentimental value, it might be more financially prudent to leave it. Conversely, if you’re on a tight budget, selling valuable items you don’t need can generate funds for moving expenses.

Emergency fund or safety buffer

Ensure you have a solid emergency fund in place, especially before a move. Unexpected expenses can arise, such as damage to belongings during transit or costs associated with setting up your new home. If you’re debating whether to move a heavy, awkward item, and doing so would strain your budget or deplete your emergency savings, it’s likely not worth the risk. Prioritize your financial stability over transporting non-essential goods.

Debt and interest rates

Review your current debts. High-interest debt, like credit card balances, should be a priority to pay down. If selling items you don’t intend to move can help you eliminate or reduce high-interest debt, that’s a financially sound decision. The money saved on interest over time will far outweigh the cost or effort of moving those items.

Credit impact

While not directly related to deciding what to move, maintaining good credit is vital, especially when moving. New leases, utility accounts, and even some moving services might require credit checks. Focus on responsible financial behavior throughout the moving process. If selling items can free up cash to pay down credit card balances, it can indirectly support your credit health.

Step-by-step (simple workflow)

1. Gather all your belongings in one area.

• What to do: Designate a space in your current home, like a living room or garage, and bring everything you own into it. This allows you to see the full scope of what you possess.
• What “good” looks like: You have a clear, albeit potentially overwhelming, visual of all your possessions in one location.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Trying to sort as you pack or move items from room to room. Avoid this by dedicating a single staging area first.

2. Categorize items into “Keep,” “Donate/Sell,” and “Discard.”

• What to do: As you look at each item in your staging area, make a quick decision. If you love it and use it, it’s “Keep.” If it’s in good condition but you don’t need it, it’s “Donate/Sell.” If it’s broken, worn out, or unusable, it’s “Discard.”
• What “good” looks like: You have three distinct piles or boxes representing your decisions for each item.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Indecision or creating too many categories. Stick to these three core categories to keep the process moving.

3. Evaluate “Keep” items for necessity and value.

• What to do: For items in the “Keep” pile, ask yourself: “Do I truly need this?” “When was the last time I used it?” “Is it worth the cost and effort to move?”
• What “good” looks like: You’ve refined your “Keep” pile, identifying items that are essential or hold significant sentimental value.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Keeping items out of obligation or vague “just in case” scenarios. Be honest about your actual usage and need.

4. Identify items that are not worth moving.

• What to do: Specifically look for items that are broken, outdated, bulky and heavy with low replacement cost, hazardous, or have significant sentimental value but are difficult to move.
• What “good” looks like: You have a clear list or pile of items that you’ve decided are not worth transporting.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Overlooking small, seemingly insignificant items that add up in weight and volume, or holding onto “project” items that will never be completed.

5. Address hazardous materials.

• What to do: Gather items like old paint, solvents, cleaning supplies, propane tanks, and batteries. Check local regulations for proper disposal or recycling. Many moving companies will not transport these items.
• What “good” looks like: Hazardous materials are safely and legally dealt with, either disposed of, returned, or handled by a specialized service.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Trying to pack and move hazardous materials without understanding the risks or disposal requirements. This can be dangerous and violate moving company policies.

6. Plan to sell or donate usable items.

• What to do: For items in the “Donate/Sell” pile, decide on your strategy. Schedule yard sales, list items online, or plan donation drop-offs.
• What “good” looks like: You have a plan and schedule for getting these items out of your home and potentially earning some money.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Letting items linger in the “Donate/Sell” pile for too long, becoming clutter again. Set firm deadlines for these items.

7. Arrange for disposal of unwanted items.

• What to do: For items in the “Discard” pile that can’t be donated or sold, arrange for bulk trash pickup or take them to a local landfill or transfer station.
• What “good” looks like: Your unwanted items are scheduled for removal or are already gone.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Assuming your regular trash service will take everything. Check your local municipality’s rules for bulk item disposal.

8. Pack strategically for the remaining items.

• What to do: Once you’ve decided what you’re moving, pack efficiently. Label boxes clearly with contents and the room they belong in at your new home.
• What “good” looks like: Your remaining belongings are packed securely, labeled, and organized for transport.
• A common mistake and how to avoid it: Overpacking boxes, making them too heavy to lift, or not labeling them clearly, leading to chaos at the new home.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Moving broken or damaged items	Increased moving costs, potential damage to other items, clutter in new home.	Thoroughly inspect all items; discard or repair before packing.
Transporting outdated electronics	High disposal fees, potential obsolescence, low resale value, heavy to move.	Research local e-waste recycling options; consider replacing if functionality is poor.
Moving cheap, easily replaceable goods	Wasted moving labor and cost for items that can be bought new for less.	If an item costs less than $50 to replace and isn’t sentimental, consider leaving it.
Keeping excessive amounts of clothing	Bulky, heavy, and time-consuming to pack; often items are never worn again.	Conduct a thorough wardrobe audit; donate or sell anything not worn in the last year.
Moving large, bulky furniture with low value	Significantly increases moving costs (labor, truck space); difficult to maneuver.	If furniture is inexpensive, worn, or difficult to get through doorways, consider selling or donating it and buying new at your destination.
Ignoring hazardous material regulations	Fines, safety hazards, refusal by moving companies, environmental damage.	Research local disposal guidelines; use designated hazardous waste drop-off sites.
Holding onto “project” items	Items that will likely never be completed, taking up space and mental energy.	Set a realistic deadline for projects; if not met, sell or discard.
Not decluttering before packing	Overpacking, increased moving costs, stress, and unpacking a cluttered home.	Dedicate specific time to decluttering before any packing begins.
Moving duplicate items	Unnecessary packing, transport, and storage space required for redundant items.	Consolidate items; keep the best version and let go of the others.
Failing to consider sentimental value carefully	Regretting discarding items with deep personal meaning.	For sentimental items, assess if the memory is tied to the object or the experience; photograph if needed.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If an item is broken and cannot be easily repaired for less than its replacement cost, then do not move it because repairing it before moving adds unnecessary expense and effort.
• If an item is bulky, heavy, and has a low replacement value (e.g., under $50), then consider leaving it behind because the cost of moving it will likely exceed its value.
• If you haven’t used an item in over a year, and it’s not a seasonal item or of significant sentimental value, then consider donating or selling it because it’s likely taking up unnecessary space and incurring moving costs.
• If an item is a hazardous material (like old paint or chemicals), then do not attempt to move it yourself and instead research local disposal or recycling options because moving companies often refuse these items, and improper disposal is dangerous and illegal.
• If an item is outdated technology (e.g., an old CRT television or VCR), then investigate local e-waste recycling options because these items are heavy, difficult to move, and often have little practical use or resale value.
• If you have multiple similar items and one is in significantly better condition or is more functional, then keep the better item and discard or donate the others because moving duplicates is inefficient.
• If an item requires significant effort to move (e.g., requires disassembly, specialized equipment, or multiple people) and has low monetary value, then it is likely not worth moving because the labor and potential damage risk outweigh its worth.
• If you are moving a long distance, then be more stringent about what you pack because every pound and cubic foot adds to the cost.
• If an item is a “project” you’ve been meaning to get to for years but haven’t started, then it’s probably not worth moving because you likely won’t prioritize it in your new home either.
• If an item is easily and cheaply replaceable at your destination, then consider leaving it, especially if it’s large or heavy, because the cost and effort of moving might be more than buying a new one.

FAQ

What are the most common items people regret moving?

People often regret moving old furniture that’s difficult to get through doorways, outdated electronics that are heavy and offer little functionality, and clothes they haven’t worn in years.

Should I move old paint or chemicals?

No, it’s generally not advisable to move old paint, solvents, or other hazardous chemicals. They can be dangerous, many moving companies won’t transport them, and local regulations dictate their disposal.

How do I decide if an item is “worth” moving?

Consider the cost and effort to move it versus its replacement cost, its usefulness, its sentimental value, and the space it will take up. If the moving cost is high and the item’s value is low, it’s often not worth it.

What should I do with items I’m not moving?

Items in good condition can be sold, donated to charities, or given away. Items that are broken or unusable should be disposed of according to your local waste management guidelines, which may involve bulk pickup or special disposal sites.

Is it worth moving very heavy, bulky furniture?

This depends on the furniture’s value and condition. If it’s a high-quality, valuable piece you love, it might be worth the cost. If it’s inexpensive, worn, or difficult to maneuver, it’s often better to sell or donate it and buy new at your destination.

What about sentimental items that are also impractical to move?

For deeply sentimental items that are impractical, consider taking high-quality photographs of them. If the item is small and relatively easy to move, the sentimental value might justify the effort.

How can I make money from items I’m not moving?

You can hold a yard sale, list items on online marketplaces (like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay), or sell them to consignment shops.

What is the cost-benefit analysis for moving?

It involves weighing the expense and labor of moving an item against its monetary value, utility, and sentimental importance. If the costs significantly outweigh the benefits, it’s usually better to leave it.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed packing techniques for specific fragile items.
• How to hire and vet professional moving companies.
• Legal requirements and insurance options for long-distance moves.
• Strategies for unpacking and organizing in your new home.
• Specifics on selling or donating large quantities of items.
• Emotional aspects of letting go of possessions.