We’ve already thrown a checklist at you along with some of the pitfalls of moving, however you still may be in a quandary about what should even travel with you to the new location. Believe it or not, moving is one of the best times to free yourself of unwanted items and “things” you no longer need.

One way to determine what to eliminate from your life and what to take depends upon your destination. If you are downsizing from a large home to a small condo, unloading some rooms of furniture is a logical choice.

Consider who is moving. Parents who decide to move once the children have grown and flown the coop could consider giving some of the child’s old bedroom furniture or juvenile toys away.

Another consideration is storage and space. If you own more cookware or linens than cabinet space you may want to decrease your collection. Holiday items can be stored in the basement or garage, however if you are moving to an apartment, plan accordingly.

Once you’ve decided to purge, do what’s best for you. During these tough economic times, donation is one of the best ways to give back to the community—it’s also tax deductable. Otherwise, consignment or upscale second hand stores often take gently used items. Garage sales continue to be popular with American dumpster divers so if you have the time and patience advertise one or two sales.