mjro2's Profile

I live without a W/D. I recently converted to drop-off "wash-dry-fold" service. At $0.90/lb it's almost cheaper than doing it myself.

I've moved 16 times in the last 10 years, no joke. Some of these moves were short down-the-hall of the dorm moves, but the later ones were halfway across the country. I've done the 2 suitcases thing and I've done the professional movers thing. Most recently, after spending 2 years in a 750 sq ft suburban apt, I moved halfway across the country into a tiny 1 BR in a shared urban 3BR. Like you, the value of my stuff was about the same as the cost of moving it and I was on a tight budget.

When I found out I was being transferred back to a "real city" I thought it would be difficult to part with my carefully curated furniture and beloved souvenirs. In fact, the minute I began selling this stuff I began to feel free! I sold, donated, gave away, and junked most of my stuff. I shipped some books and moved everything else in two car loads. I have no regrets. My whole life feels leaner.

It's just stuff! You can get new stuff in your new city that suits your new place! Think of it as an opportunity to redecorate! Beds are expensive, but mattresses only last 5-10 years, so consider how soon you'd have to replace it anyway. Anything IKEA doesn't last that long either and probably isn't worth moving. I would suggest to identify the few most prized items, and consider photographs of the people you love, spending time with them, or other ways to remember them that don't need to be hauled around the country in big boxes.

Shifting Duvets/Covers: If you aren't crafty or are too lazy to sew buttons or ties to your duvet and its cover, you can also use safety pins! I line up the duvet and its cover (inside out) and then pin them together in the top corners and once along each side. I then flip the duvet cover right side out and the duvet is nicely positioned inside. I've done this safety pin trick for years and never been poked by a wayward safety pin.

Love the idea of making a bed "kit" inside a pillowcase! So smart!

I second the worn-but-not-yet-dirty clothes storage problem. I usually end up draping them over the side of my tall hamper, which isn't exactly a great solution.