7 Reasons to Donate Your Items Before Moving

7 Reasons to Donate Your Items Before Moving

You know what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If you’re willing to let go of unnecessary belongings (hello old futons and ill-fitting clothes), you could be helping those who actually need them. Not to mention, reaping multiple benefits for yourself. From saving money on your move to selling your home faster (and for more!), here are 7 reasons why donating items before a move is a good idea.

1. You’ll save on taxesLooking to save money come tax season? Don’t forget to keep those donation receipts! Donating your household belongings is one of the easiest ways to save a bundle on taxes this April. You may need to fill in those donation receipts with an itemized list of all donated items, as well as their corresponding current cash value. If you don’t have time to record all donated belongings before moving, simply take a photo of each item. Using these pictures to keep track of donated belongings will make it easier to go back and fill in your donation receipts after you move to your new home.
2. Your move will be cheaperRule of thumb: the more stuff you have to move, the more expensive your move will be. The reason? The cost of a long distance move is based on the weight of your belongings. So the more belongings you have to move, the heavier your overall move will be. Similarly, the cost of a local move is based on an hourly rate. So the more stuff you have to move, the longer (or more hours) it will take for a moving company to finish the task. By getting rid of unnecessary household belongings, you’ll be cutting back on both the weight of your move and the time it will take to do it.
3. You’ll create a calming spaceClutter equals chaos. By dejunking your home and donating unnecessary household goods, you can easily transform your once messy abode into a calming oasis. Multiple studies have proven time and time again that less stuff can actually increase happiness. If you’re looking to embrace this minimalist lifestyle and create a calming space in your new home, read these 7 books on decluttering and organizing.
4. You may be able to sell your home fasterOne of the best ways to sell your home fast (and for more) is by donating excess belongings. This will help buyers focus on the home’s features instead of its clutter, which will hopefully make it easier to sell. If the home is decluttered and staged to appear spacious, tidy and welcoming, you can bet it will also sell for more.
5. You’ll be less likely to clutter up your new homeFeel like you can’t find anything? Moving is a great excuse to declutter and start fresh in a new home. So don’t waste time packing useless knick-knacks that will only serve to junk up your new place. Instead, focus on purging your belongings and making your house as clutter-free as possible before the move. Not only will this make it easier for you to find everyday items, but it will also prevent you from tripping over cords, toys and other hazardous belongings.
6. You won’t have to pay for a storage unitGood news! If you donate all of your excess belongings, you may no longer need to rent a storage unit. While self-storage units are fairly affordable, the costs do add up – especially if renting long-term. In addition, loading a self-storage unit takes time and energy that could be better spent elsewhere during a move.
7. You can help othersDon’t forget that by donating your clothes and household belongings to a good cause, you are also helping those in need. From old books and children’s toys to working electronics and seasonal apparel, your hand-me-downs can be recycled and reused by others who need them.

Where to donate your belongings before moving

Not sure where to donate belongings before moving? Here are five places to consider when donating clothing and household goods.

• Goodwill – Goodwill accepts new and gently-used household items. The non-profit has also partnered with Dell to collect electronics and unwanted devices. Goodwill will refurbish and recycle the materials to benefit your local community. To donate your belongings before moving, simply drop them off at a local Goodwill Donation Center. Many Goodwill locations also offer free pickup services as well.
• Thredup – To donate items by mail, simply order yourself a Clean Out Kit from Thredup. The company will mail you a bag where you can place any and all clothing you wish to donate or consign. After dropping it in the mail, Thredup will send you a donation receipt to save for tax purposes.
• Salvation Army – Consider donating your household belongings to one of Salvation Army’s Family Stores. Drop off locations and pick up options are available at various Family Stores throughout the U.S. The Salvation Army accepts clothing, furniture, automobiles, household goods and appliances. All proceeds from the Family Stores go towards funding Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
• Habitat for Humanity – The Habitat for Humanity Restores sell new and gently-used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more. Those looking to donate large pieces of furniture, such as couches, dining tables or beds, can call a Habitat for Humanity Restore and arrange for a pick up – free of charge.
• Dress for Success – Donate gently-used, work-appropriate clothing to Dress for Success. This international non-profit organization helps women thrive in the workplace by providing professional attire and development tools to those who need it. The organization accepts new or nearly-new suits, business appropriate apparel, shoes, handbags, cosmetics and jewelry. To donate your items, locate an affiliate in your area.

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