Preparing for a Move
Moving is a tiring and stressful time. Any advance planning you can do may make the event a little easier. As soon as you find out when you'll be moving, make a list of everything you need to do.
Prioritize the jobs on your list, and try to estimate about how much time you'll need for each task. Then start enlisting help.
Older kids can pack up their own stuff. Be sure to encourage them to use the occasion as a chance to get rid of all the items they no longer use. Ask other family members to help you. This isn't a time to be shy, or to think you can do everything yourself.
Packing and moving is a great chance to get rid of all the unnecessary stuff you've accumulated. If you haven't looked at your college textbooks in 22 years, for instance, chances are that you don't need them.
Take the items you won't use to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, a women's shelter, or your church or synagogue's bazaar. Thoughtfully decide where the items can best be put to good use. Any items you give to charity can be listed as charitable contributions and deducted from your income tax. Just be sure to get a receipt from the charity and itemize what you've donated.
The following table is a listing of suggested price ranges for gifts of donated property to charity, in good condition. The IRS requires proof of the donation and documentation supporting its appraised value.
Donated Goods and the IRS—a Taxpayer's Guide
| Furniture | Ladies Clothing | ||
| Studio couch | $50 to 200 | Dresses | $4 to 25 |
| Kitchen set (table/two chairs) | $65 to 120 | Suits | $10 to 85 |
| End tables | $16 to 65 | Shoes | $2 to 12 |
| Coffee table | $25 to 90 | Coats | $10 to 80 |
| Washing machine (working) | $50 | Skirts | $3 to 15 |
| Vacuum cleaner (working) | $20 to 60 | Blouses | $2 to 8 |
| Dryer | $60 | Handbags | $1 to 4 |
| Refrigerator | $60 to 150 | Hats | $2 to 8 |
| Gas stove | $60 to 150 | Sweaters | $3 to 8 |
| TV (b&w) | $50 to 70 | Slacks | $4 to 20 |
| TV (color) | $15 to 200 | Bathrobes | $4 to 12 |
| Dresser w/mirror | $45 to 150 | Men's Clothing | |
| Chest | $35 to 100 | Suits | $20 to 85 |
| Wardrobe | $30 to 80 | Jackets | $10 to 45 |
| Bed (double, box spring/mattress) | $50 to 200 | Shoes | $2 to 12 |
| Bed (single, box spring/mattress) | $35 to 80 | Slacks | $4 to 20 |
| Mattress (double) | $25 | Shirts | $2 to 5 |
| Mattress (single) | $15 | Overcoats | $20 to 60 |
| Folding bed | $20 to 60 | Sweaters | $4 to 8 |
| Sofa | $50 to 350 | Belts | $3 |
| China cabinet | $60 to 200 | Children's Clothing | |
| Trunk (wood) | $15 to 30 | Coats | $5 to 15 |
| Floor lamp | $12 to 30 | Snowshoes | $5 to 10 |
| Table lamp | $8 to 20 | Shoes | $1 to 6 |
| Upholstered chair | $25 to 80 | Dresses | $3 to 6 |
| Convertible sofa w/mattress | $90 to 300 | Pants | $2 to 5 |
| Desk | $45 to 150 | Shirts | $1 to 2 |
| Bicycle | $20 to 60 | Boots | $2 to 4 |
| Radio | $10 to 35 | Sweaters | $3 to 5 |
| Crib w/mattress | $10 to 85 | Sporting Goods | |
| Playpen | $10 to 30 | Fishing rod | $3 to 15 |
| Dry Goods | Ice skates | $3 to 15 | |
| Bedspreads | $5 to 20 | Roller skates | $3 to 15 |
| Pillows | $4 | Tennis racket | $3 to 15 |
| Sheets | $2 to 5 | ||
| Drapes | $10 to 20 | ||
| Throw rugs | $3 to 5 | ||
| Blankets (synthetic, double) | $5 to 12 | ||
| Curtains (single window) | $2 to 6 |
More on: Buying and Selling Your Home
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Personal Finance in Your 40s and 50s © 2002 by Sarah Young Fisher and Susan Shelly. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.
8 Printable Thank-You Cards for Teachers
