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Most of us can admit to holding onto stuff we no longer need, wear or use. If you’re considering buying a manufactured home, NOW is a great time to finally tackle that clutter. You’ll get a better idea of how much storage space you will actually need, and you will have less to move! Plus, if you’re selling your current home, a clutter-free space is more appealing to buyers. Let’s get started. Go room by room (and closet by closet) and put each item into one of these four categories.

KEEP—Set your own rules and guidelines for determining what to keep. For example, keep only clothing you have worn in the past year, or only favorite books you’ll read again. Don’t keep items just because they were expensive, or a gift … if they are just shoved into a closet and forgotten, they are worth more to someone else. TIP: If you are unsure about whether to keep any particular item … remember that you’ll have to pack it, load it on a truck, drive it to your new home, unload it, unpack it, and find a spot to store or display it. If this item isn’t worthy of that effort … it’s time to donate, sell or recycle it.

DONATE—Anything that is usable and clean can be donated to charity. Finding a local one with a specific mission might help motivate you to part with some items. There are organizations that seek out business attire for job hunters, special occasion dresses for high school proms or warm winter coats for kids, just to name a few. Or, almost everything can be donated to organizations like Salvation Army or Goodwill to sell to bargain hunters.

SELL—Garage sales are a great way to get rid of stuff you don't want or need and make some money at the same time. If you don't have time or the resources to host a garage sale, then selling your things online might just be the way to go. Everything from clothes to appliances to kids toys and more can all be sold with just the click of a mouse.

RECYCLE—If an item is broken, missing vital pieces, stained or otherwise unusable, it’s time to get rid of it. Whenever possible, recycle what can be recycled and keep household items out of landfills.

While this takes time and some effort, it makes packing and unpacking that much easier. Plus, you’ll know that you’re starting your life in your new home clutter-free!