Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to declutter and simplify your life. 

Downsizing not only reduces moving costs but also makes unpacking and organizing your new space easier. But knowing what to keep, sell, donate, or digitize can be overwhelming.

 This guide will help you make those decisions efficiently — without regrets.

Step 1: Start With a Plan

Before you begin sorting through your belongings, set clear goals:

• How much do you need to downsize?

• What’s your timeline for selling or donating items?

• Do you need to digitize important documents before the move?

Breaking the process into manageable tasks will keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

Step 2: What to Keep

Some belongings are essential, sentimental, or practical for your new home. Keep:

• Items you use frequently (clothing, cookware, electronics).

• Sentimental items that truly matter.

• Multi-functional furniture or storage-friendly pieces.

• Important legal and financial documents, but store digital versions with Trustworthy to save space and improve security. (More on this in a moment.)

If an item is damaged, outdated, or hasn’t been used in over a year, consider parting with it.

Step 3: What to Sell

Selling unused or high-value items can offset moving costs. Consider selling:

• Furniture that won’t fit your new space.

• Electronics or appliances in good condition.

• Brand-name clothing, handbags, and shoes.

• Collectibles, vintage items, or valuable artwork.

You can sell online via Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Craigslist, or similar sites, or host a garage sale if you have time.

Step 4: What to Donate

If you want to give back to your community while decluttering, donate:

• Gently used clothing, linens, and home goods.

• Books, toys, and games.

• Kitchen items and small appliances.

• Office supplies and furniture.

Organizations like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and local shelters often accept donations. Some charities even offer free pickup services.

Step 5: What to Digitize

Paperwork can take up unnecessary space and add weight to your move. Instead of hauling boxes of files, consider digitizing important documents and storing them in Trustworthy's Family Operating System®.

Documents to digitize before moving include:

• Financial records: mortgage and other loan paperwork, banking information, and tax records.

• Home-related documents: insurance policies, lease agreements, and warranties.

• Legal documents: powers of attorney and advance medical directives.

By using Trustworthy’s secure digital storage solution, you can safely upload and organize your most important documents. 

Trustworthy’s intelligent digital vault keeps your files protected and easily accessible when you need them — no more digging through boxes or worrying about losing paperwork during the move.

Final Step: Dispose of What’s Left

For items that aren’t worth selling or donating, dispose of them responsibly:

• Recycle paper, electronics, and plastics.

• Shred old documents with sensitive information.

• Schedule a bulk pickup for large unwanted items.

Make Moving Easier With Less Clutter

Downsizing before a move saves time, money, and stress. By keeping only what you need, selling or donating unused items, and digitizing important paperwork with Trustworthy, you’ll start fresh in your new home with a streamlined, organized lifestyle.

Would you like to explore how Trustworthy can simplify your move? You can get started with Trustworthy for free.