8 Ways to Use Attrition to Reduce Belongings Before Moving

Do you need to purge or de-clutter your belongings before moving? While this is one of the most common pieces of advice from moving professionals, it can be hard to actually do. Many people struggle with sentimental attachment, a lack of time to devote to purging, or confusion about how to do this massive project. If you find yourself facing these challenges, one thing that can help is to make use of attrition.



How can attrition — the wearing down or thinning of something through gradual, often natural, forces — help with purging? Here are a few ways to use it in your own life to make moving day easier and simpler.

One of the most logical places to whittle down belongings before moving is the kitchen. Make a determined effort to reduce your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer goods by eating them.



Look up recipes online for less common staples like canned goods. Use baking supplies to bake gifts to give to coworkers and friends as a goodbye present. Take baked goods to neighbors. And eat at home as much as is feasible to use up food supplies. As a bonus, you're likely to save money in the run-up to moving as well. 

Assess your household's toiletries. A large and busy household may end up with quite an array of toiletries scattered throughout the home. Bring all these together and make an inventory. Then do your best to empty everything you have at home before buying any more. Make it a family game and offer rewards to those who do the best at consolidating and using up everything they can. 



Duplication often occurs unnoticed over a long period of time. You might accumulate a whole cabinet of travel mugs over the years or have a broom closet filled with similar brooms. Whatever the duplication, this is an easy way to use attrition as a guide to toss the oldest and least effective in favor of the newer and more useful versions. 



Talk with your circle of friends, family, and co-workers about items you're considering getting rid of. Many times, others are happy to take stuff that you don't use any more. This doesn't have to be a formal process like a yard sale or online posting. Send photos of items to group texts or chats or post them on personal social media. This will result in naturally and easily purging many of your larger goods. 



Go through your pantry, refrigerator, medicine cabinets, and garage to see what perishable items have expiration dates. Anything past its expiration date — or even just really old — is likely less effective and may even be hazardous. These things, therefore, are easy to purge without any guilt or second-guessing. 



Want to reduce your physical goods organically without actually losing them? Then look for ways to go digital. Replace hardcopy books with digital versions — especially those which are in the public domain. Stream movies and use online music services, then get rid of the physical media. Scan household or home office documents. Switch to online invoicing. And ask for virtual gifts instead of physical ones. 

Gifting belongings to friends and family is an excellent method to let go of things in a way that's positive and meaningful. Has your sibling admired a piece of art, a lamp, or a small kitchen appliance? Is your young niece or nephew furnishing an apartment for the first time? Is a coworker always commenting on a piece of jewelry you wear? Think about who might like things you have and make gifts of them.

As a family, sit down together and make a pact to minimize or avoid buying new goods before the move. Decide not to go out to eat unnecessarily, not to buy new clothing or toys, to temporarily forgo replacement products, or to have purchases shipped directly to the new house. Cancel automatic deliveries and subscriptions. And designate certain days or weeks for skipping online shopping. 

The less you purchase or replace now, the less you'll need to move. And because it's temporary, even the inconveniences will feel more manageable. Over time, this add-nothing approach will naturally reduce excesses throughout the house. 

Want more tips for reducing what's in your home to be moved? Need to know what will have the most impact on the complexity or cost of your move? Start by meeting with the moving pros at United Moving and Storage. We will work with you to streamline your move and make it as stress-free as possible. Call today to make an appointment or find answers to your burning questions.