First, use this advice from Rent.com as an overall rule of thumb: "For one, if its damaged, it should be thrown away, no exceptions. Also, if its spent more than six months unused, you likely wont miss it if you get rid of it. For clothes, if you havent worn a garment in over a year, it should be donated that way you dont get rid of seasonal clothes you may need in a few months."

Now, lets break down the specifics.

Paperwork

If youve got boxes and boxes of old receipts and taxes and printed emails dating back to the turn of the century, its time to dive in. "Keep everything for seven years" is ingrained in many of our brains, but, according to financial expert Suze Orman, thats not necessary. She says the only thing that needs to be kept for seven years are records of satisfied loans. Income tax returns only need to be kept for three years can we get a Hallelujah?. But, there are some reasons to keep them longer, depending on your withholdings. You can see all her recommendations here.

Mementos and heirlooms

It can get sticky when it comes to things youve been willed or handed down. If you feel like you need to hold on to that old antique dresser thats been in your family for two generations - and thats sitting in the garage because its not your >Clothes

Getting rid of clothes can be overwhelming. No one is saying you have to pare down to a weeks worth of outfits and shoes, but if youre moving to a smaller space or just want to be more organized when you move, the closet is a great place to start.

Most experts recommend getting rid of anything you havent worn in a year, but if the thought of purging that many items is giving you anxiety, start by asking yourself a few questions, said The Spruce:

• Do I love it?
• Do I wear it?
• Does it project the image I want to project?
• Does it itch or scratch?
• Does it pinch my toes? Are the heels too high to walk in?
• Is it moldy? Smelly? Stained?
• Does it fit?"

When you get to No. 7, take a deep breath. Many people have clothes in a couple of sizes to accommodate things like post-pizza-pigout days, but if youre holding on to 15 pairs of pants that havent fit you since 2002, maybe its time to ditch them.

Broken, scratched or tired furniture

Old, boring, broken, or otherwise undesirable pieces youve been living with in your current home may not be so tolerable once you move. Your shiny new place deserves some shiny new stuff, right? If youre not in a position to shell out a bunch of money after buying your new home, wait a bit. Youll undoubtedly be receiving credit card offers after you close escrow; sift through them and set aside those offering 0 interest from furniture stores like Rooms to Go.

These can make big purchases easier - if you are good at managing your credit. Miss a payment or fail to pay off your balance within the allotted time and youll have interest accrued going back to the date of purchase plus a whopping interest rate, which can put payments out of reach. You may also receive 0 interest offers from places like Lowes and Home Depot, which can be a great way to update appliances, flooring, or countertops, and Best Buy for your electronic needs.



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