How much of your stuff can you stuff into storage pods? That’s often a question long distance movers wonder as they prepare to pack up their lives and move away. Learning how to prioritize your possessions and make proper packing choices will help pave the way during your time in transition. Aside from deciding between a self move or hiring long distance moving companies, choosing properly sized storage pods, portable storage containers and units and self storage are keys to the mover’s success.

It can be such a daunting task to face up to the amount of stuff you own. From tennis racquets and skis and other sports equipment collecting dust to that framed motivational poster about precision that has somehow lost it’s edge, the best thing you can do as a long distance mover is to declutter your house and your life. Why should you spend the time and money to pack, haul and store the items in your life that you really don’t need or want? Storage pods may come in a range of sizes, but being able to determine what is absolutely necessary in your life when packing will be helpful and cost effective when it comes time to store or unpack.

Be sure to use an online calculator to determine the cost of your long distance move. You don’t want any surprises when it comes time to hire long distance movers or rent moving containers. Another way to save is to consider distance. Those who relocate for a job more than 50 miles away from their old residence are often able to deduct moving costs from their taxes. The money you save here can be useful later when you have to spring for larger storage pods because it’s just so hard to say goodbye to all that stuff!

The Census Bureau, through a population survey, estimated that the number of nationwide movers has dropped significantly since the late 1950s and early 1960s. Though the reason for the decline was not immediately known it would be safe to say that those who remain in one place for longer periods of time tend to have more items to store and move. Fortunately, there are solutions for those people who have an abundance of goods in need of movers and storage.

Begin by prioritizing your possessions. Determine what things you really need or want to bring with you, what can be put into portable storage containers or self storage and what can be thrown away. If you are moving your family long distance, make sure each family member is included in the moving and storage checklist.

Every family member should contribute items to a “survival box” containing all of your Day One or Week One essentials. This box may include a coffee pot, basic utensils, cellphone chargers, pillows and comfort items and a change of clothes. Another option is to have each member pack a suitcase with their own personal essentials. If you plan to use moving pods or other moving containers be sure to load the survival boxes or luggage in a way that they can be removed easily.