By Margaret Semezko
PERSONAL MOVING CONSULTANT

What to do with all this stuff?

If you have a large collection of something that you know isn’t going to make the move to your new home, start by putting all of your collectibles in one place so you can see just how much you have. Then try these tips for paring down:

Use the one-to-five ratio. Go through the collection, and for every five you keep, get rid of one. After you’ve done it once, go back and do it again. You’ll cull down the collection gradually.

Make a memory book. Photograph items that have memories attached to them but which you don’t want anymore. Keep the photo in a small memory book or decorative box.

Create family heirlooms. Offer items to your children and grandchildren.

Sell on the Internet. Use the Internet to sell keepsakes; other collectors may be looking for what you have. Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) and eBay (www.ebay.com) are great sites for sellers.

Donate items. Donate books and magazines to places such as:

• Schools and libraries
• Early learning and after-school centers
• Food banks, pantries, and kitchens
• Homeless and domestic violence shelters
• Disaster relief programs
• Local literacy programs

Here are ideas for presenting what you’ve opted to keep:

Put items on display shelves. For small collectibles like glass figurines, curio cabinets and display cases take up valuable floor space. Try hanging narrow display shelves in hallways or on the wall over furniture like desks and chests.

Display collectibles in narrow bookcases. For books and large items, narrow (9") bookcases placed along the wall behind furniture work well.

A personal moving consultant can work with you to find a solution for your collectibles either in or out of your apartment home. We understand your connection to your keepsakes and will help you find the right place for them.