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A family squeezes its belongings into 30 bulging boxes for a big move, but the movers tell them to pick the five boxes they will need most and promises to send along the remaining boxes shortly.

The remaining boxes get lost in the move and when the boxes finally arrive a year later, it's like opening presents at Christmas: No one can can even remember what was in the boxes, an indication just how useless these objects really were to them.

Don Aslett, author of Clutter's Last Stand: It's Time to De-junk Your Life, says he's heard countless stories involving people who choose to move their junk instead of just parting with it.

I think about my collection of empty cigar boxes, my broken cameras and my four winter coats, and I know I'd make room for them in the moving van. Whether or not we admit it, most of us tend to be "junkers," Aslett says. A move can be a great wake-up call as long as we don't make the costly and time-consuming mistake of taking our junk with us.

Here's Aslett's strategy for a clean, junkless move:

1. If you are moving your belongings yourself, rent a smaller moving truck. Space limitation is a great decision-maker for junkers. If there's no room, it has to stay behind.

2. Give each item the test. "How long you had it, who gave it to you, how much it cost, are all irrelevant," Aslett says.

A client of Aslett's kept a single hiking boot because it was worth $300, ignoring the fact that a boot without its partner is useless.

The only question that should matter is, "Does this enhance my life right now?"

3. Remember where and why you're moving, and pack accordingly. For example, if you're moving into a retirement condo where space is limited, you should get rid of a good deal of junk. If you're moving to the Bahamas, get rid of your coats; yes, even the $1,000 one.

4. Let your kids decide. Often, over half of the junk that parents keep is "for the kids." But parents would be surprised to learn that most of the time, their kids don't actually want all of that stuff.

Line up your kids' toys and let them choose what they want to keep.

5. Leave behind notorious clutter items: unread books, unfinished projects (if you haven't finished it yet, you probably won't when you move), furniture that doesn't fit into your new environment, anything half-empty (paint cans, cleaning products, etc.), plants and food.

6. Tell everyone you're paring down your possessions. People will think you're insane for giving away many of your nicest stuff, and they will take full advantage of your "impaired judgment," Aslett says.

But having neighbors who like to hoard will come in handy. It can be an effective and quick way to get rid of stuff, and you won't even need to have a garage sale. They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure; perhaps, you could be doing your friends and neighbor a favor. Make an announcement months before you start packing or put a sign on your lawn.

You'll feel better, and it'll be easier giving up that expensive couch, if you know your best friend will make good use of it.

7. Consider the benefits of simplifying your life. Besides making a move easier on your budget and sanity, de-junking may actually be therapeutic, Aslett says. "When you start throwing tangible stuff out ... you'll find you don't need accumulation to be happy."

8. Don't go overboard. Don't sell things you'll need as soon as you'll get to a new place, like the vacuum cleaner. It should be the last thing you pack, says Aslett, because it's likely the first thing you'll use at your new home.

This article was written by Annika Mengisen, a contributor to Relocation.com, a leading provider of moving quotes and information on moving companies.

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