In Hawaii, moving between islands or to the mainland can result in high freight costs. To save time and money, get rid of any non-essential belongings well before the moving company arrives. If you've been in your current home for some time, downsizing can be a massive undertaking. Below are some tips to help you simplify the process.

How to Downsize Before Your Move

1. Start at the Outskirts

Begin downsizing along the perimeter of the home where many non-essential or little-used items often come to rest. As you get closer to the heart of the home, you'll find it more difficult to part with items, but it's often easy to discard or donate what you find at the outskirts instead of paying a moving company to ship them.

2. Give Everyone a Say

You might have little attachment to an item, but your kids may consider it a cherished possession. Assign each person involved in the move one to five items they can take with them without having to convince others of their value to ensure no one leaves with regrets.

3. Remember the Cost

When deciding whether to keep or discard an item, think about the cost of having a moving company transport it versus the amount you'd receive for selling it. It might make more sense to sell or even donate the item before the move and purchase a new one at your final location, especially if it’s large or heavy.

4. Consider Context

Consider which items you've already decided to part with when looking at what else you can live without. For instance, if you have a matching bedroom set, but have already chosen to get rid of the dressing table and chest of drawers, it would make sense to also sell the matching bed frame and nightstand.

Once you’re done downsizing, seek help for your move from Tri Isle, a locally owned and operated inter-island freight and moving company in Wailuku, HI. They’ve served the state for more than 50 years and also specialize in logistics and warehouse solutions. Visit their website or call (808) 244-1800 to schedule movers.