Packing is the best time to get rid of all the extra stuff you don’t want or need. Why pack it if you don’t need or want it anymore? Here are some things you should get rid of before taking the time to pack them:

Clothes- I you haven’t worn something in 6 months get rid of it. If it doesn’t fit or just isn’t your style anymore it is time to let it go.

Junk- Old posters, appliances you never use, books you’ve never read, free promo items, crappy presents you’ve never touched, and so many unmentionables. If you can’t justify a legitimate reason why you need to hold onto something, get rid of it. Junk is junk is junk and it takes up a lot of space.

Magazines- All those cooking and design magazines you are holding on too. It’s time for them to go. It’s okay to hold onto your favorites, but you don’t need them all. So into the recycling they go!

DVD and CD cases- Unless you are a truly die-hard collector and you just have to have the cases in tact, really, they’re just going to take up a ton of room. It’s so much more compact to put them all in one of those books with CD sleeves.

Old electronics- Time to get rid of any old stereo equipment, laptops, computer stuff and old remotes. If you don’t use it toss or donate it.

Mail and Notebooks- Toss all those receipts and bills that are just taking up space. Get rid of all those handwritten notebooks that you never use or reference any more.

Borrowed Items- Time to return all the stuff you borrowed.

Stuffed Animals-  They are a ton of wasted space  that could be making other children happy instead.

Bathroom Stuff- Time to purge all your almost empty bottles of lotion and other bottles. Clean out all the old make-up you never wear. Expired vitamins or medicines.

Doubles- If you already have one get rid of the other one. Especially if you barely use the first one.

Kitchen Stuff- So much and be cleaned out. Chipped anything- get rid of it! Appliances or cookware that you never use. Gadgets or as seen on TV items that take up space. Old kitchen towels. Spices and pantry item that will never or have ever been used.

Anything you forgot was there in the first place- Unless it is something you genuinely thought you lost and mourned for a long time, if you find something while you’re packing and are surprised by its existence, you didn’t miss it enough to justify keeping it in your life.

Vases and Nick-Nacks- All those vases that once came with flowers and all those little dust collecting items that have no purpose or sentimental value can all be donated or recycled.