First and foremost, it's important to start early. The sooner you begin purging, the more time you'll have to go through your things and make informed decisions. Take it one room or one area at a time, and schedule a specific day or two each week to tackle different locations. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and allow you to take your time and really think about each item.
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Top Tips for Purging Your Belongings for Full-Time RV Living
Simplify Your Life and Make the Transition to RV Living a Breeze
Are you looking to start a full-time RV lifestyle but feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of purging all your belongings? Don't worry, you're not alone. It can be tough to decide what to keep and what to get rid of, especially when you consider how much stuff we tend to accumulate over the years. But with some careful planning and a f
ew practical tips, you can purge your possessions and make the transition to RV living a breeze.
As you go through your belongings, try to be honest with yourself about what you truly need and what is just clutter. If an item doesn't serve a specific purpose or bring you joy, it's probably time to get rid of it. Create boxes for donating, selling, or giving away and place them in a convenient location. Whenever you come across an item that you're ready to part with, put it in the appropriate box.
One helpful tip for purging clothes is to hang all of your hangers backwards. Put them back in your closet with the hangers facing the correct way after you wear them. After a few months, you'll be able to see which items you actually wear and which you can easily purge. The same goes for your kitchen – move utensils and tools from your commonly used drawer into a rarely used drawer and see which items remain after a month or so. These are the ones you can probably live without.
Another thing to consider is cost. Don't base your decisions on how much you paid for an item – if it's not being used and is just taking up space, it's not worth keeping. Instead, try to sell it or give it to a friend who can put it to use. And when in doubt, remember that the goal is to simplify your life and make the transition to full-time RVing as smooth as possible.
Preserve Photos
If you have a stack of photos sitting in boxes, consider scanning them and storing them on the cloud or on drives. You could also create photo books with online companies.
Sell items online
To get the most money for your larger items, try selling them on Facebook Marketplace or apps like Let It Go.
Don't feel guilty about purging gifts
Remember that the people who love you give you gifts to make you happy, not to burden you with unnecessary items. Don't let guilt force you to keep things you'll have to pay to store.
Use the curb
In many areas, you can put items on your curb with a "Free Take Me" sign and they'll be gone by the time you come home from work. This is a great way to get rid of your stuff and allow others to put it to good use. Consider setting up a free box at garage sales as well.
Purge CDs and DVDs
These items take up valuable space and with all the ways to stream movies and music, you don't need to carry them with you. Consider allowing your kids to choose which DVDs they want and donating the rest. Consider purchasing movies on iTunes or other platforms as an alternative.
Purge books
Books can take up a lot of space and add weight in an RV. Unless a book is very special to you, consider donating it to a library, school, or thrift store. Consider switching to digital editions to save space and weight.
Purge electronics with caution
It can be tough to get rid of electronics because they often become outdated quickly and we often spend a lot of money on them. When purging electronics, focus on what they are worth now rather than what you paid for them.
Wipe your devices
Before getting rid of your electronics, make sure to wipe them of any personal information.
Recycle responsibly
Many electronics contain chemicals that can harm the environment, and some states have laws against throwing them in landfills. Look for recycling centers, such as Best Buy, that will take your electronics for free.
Finally, don't be afraid to keep things that bring you joy. It's important to surround yourself with items that make you happy and bring a sense of comfort. Just be honest with yourself about what truly brings you joy and what is just clutter.
By following these tips and taking the time to carefully consider each of your possessions, you'll be well on your way to a successful purge and a smooth transition to full-time RV living. Good luck!
Thank you for following along with our adventures! Let us know if you have a favorite spot you would like to suggest we search out on our travels through this great country of ours.
All the best,
Tammy & Judy
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As we quickly learned, good trip planning can make moving day relaxing and enjoyable or totally stressful. Driving a large RV is already a little more mentally stressful than a car, so you sure don't want to add to it by having issues with your route. These tools help us with our budget, route planning, fuel stops and overnight stays.
Our visit to the Smoky Mountains National Park
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