What to pack?! Am I bringing too much?

[TeaCup 65]

Ok guys, we are anticipating our move will be in January sometime, I dont want to leave everything to last minute so I have began packing, I've sold off and got rid of everything big, furniture and what not.

Now, for the little things

I have quite the collection of mugs! I'm bringing just about all of them, out of the 50 or so that I have I'm willing to part with 5! I've sent most to the states already and I'm only bringing my most precious with me in my hand luggage. I have lots of baking items, I'm bring all of my rubber moulds and shapes which is quite a lot! lol I have a lot of clothes, and I've gotten rid of a lot too (hopefully going to get rid of more) ! Am I mad bringing so much?! and I'm quite petite, it'll be impossible to find clothes? I also have a huge collection of baking magazines that over the years cost me hundreds! There's around 130 magazines, bring or not?! hmm.. I feel it will be expensive to replace all these in the states

Also, I have a lot of cr*p (MY CR*P!!) I just can't seem to part with, just stupid things, things I wouldnt look at one day to the next, like knick knacks and what not, but they are all just so sentimental to me. I feel like I'll regret it if I don't bring them!

I have 4 suitcases set aside 2 large and 2 medium. I'm considering getting rid of one of the large ones and forcing myself to downsize!

So tell me, am I mad bringing everything? What did you pack?! Looking forward to hearing other peoples experiences!!

Edited November 9, 2014 by TeaCup

[Maritah 77]

Bring all your stuff, dont let anything behind! its part of your life, so its fair take all that with you! (ll do it!)

[JIJourney 96]

mainly bring the necessities

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Ok guys, we are anticipating our move will be in January sometime, I dont want to leave everything to last minute so I have began packing, I've sold off and got rid of everything big, furniture and what not.

Now, for the little things

I have quite the collection of mugs! I'm bringing just about all of them, out of the 50 or so that I have I'm willing to part with 5! I've sent most to the states already and I'm only bringing my most precious with me in my hand luggage. I have lots of baking items, I'm bring all of my rubber moulds and shapes which is quite a lot! lol I have a lot of clothes, and I've gotten rid of a lot too (hopefully going to get rid of more) ! Am I mad bringing so much?! and I'm quite petite, it'll be impossible to find clothes? I also have a huge collection of baking magazines that over the years cost me hundreds! There's around 130 magazines, bring or not?! hmm.. I feel it will be expensive to replace all these in the states

Also, I have a lot of cr*p (MY CR*P!!) I just can't seem to part with, just stupid things, things I wouldnt look at one day to the next, like knick knacks and what not, but they are all just so sentimental to me. I feel like I'll regret it if I don't bring them!

I have 4 suitcases set aside 2 large and 2 medium. I'm considering getting rid of one of the large ones and forcing myself to downsize!

So tell me, am I mad bringing everything? What did you pack?! Looking forward to hearing other peoples experiences!!

I'm petite as well ( 4'10") and I also believe couldn't find clothes that fit with me in the US. I had 4 large boxes, 2 large suitcases, one small one, handbag, and 2 backpacks ( mine and my husband's backpack). I brought all my clothes, some of my kitchen appliances since my husband never cooked and I love those so I can cook immediately.

I left behind all other things like television set with home theatre, I brought some of my books. I donated other books to my friends and family. I gave away things that can't work in the US like blender and other electronic stuff. I think I brought more that you have already planned.

Edited November 10, 2014 by Girl from Celebes

[eieio 1,594]

Is there anyplace you can store some of the things?

Hopefully you are able to return back in a year or so and bring more if it is needed.

[TeaCup 65]

I'm petite as well ( 4'10") and I also believe couldn't find clothes that fit with me in the US. I had 4 large boxes, 2 large suitcases, one small one, handbag, and 2 backpacks ( mine and my husband's backpack). I brought all my clothes, some of my kitchen appliances since my husband never cooked and I love those so I can cook immediately.

I left behind all other things like television set with home theatre, I brought some of my books. I donated other books to my friends and family. I gave away things that can't work in the US like blender and other electronic stuff. I think I brought more that you have already planned.

Wow!! I'm 4'9!! lol I went through more clothes today and managed to donate 8 more items!! I'm just so bad at this! I'm going to mail one of the suitcases full this week, (works out cheaper at $75 instead of $100 at the airport) I'm allowed 20kg so I was able to send a bunch of clothes and some mugs.

I'm going to get rid of my hairdryer and stuff and replace when we get back. We'll be living at his moms temporarily so I'll be able to use his sisters.

I'm getting rid of all my books except 2, the rest are going to charity. Hubby won't part with his and is bringing like 30 books. There's no changing his mind!! haha

Thank you for your answer!!

Is there anyplace you can store some of the things?

Hopefully you are able to return back in a year or so and bring more if it is needed.

Unfortunately no, my family all have kids etc and I just wouldnt burden them with my things. Parents are not an option and paid storage is just too expensive :/

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Wow!! I'm 4'9!! lol I went through more clothes today and managed to donate 8 more items!! I'm just so bad at this! I'm going to mail one of the suitcases full this week, (works out cheaper at $75 instead of $100 at the airport) I'm allowed 20kg so I was able to send a bunch of clothes and some mugs.

I'm going to get rid of my hairdryer and stuff and replace when we get back. We'll be living at his moms temporarily so I'll be able to use his sisters.

I'm getting rid of all my books except 2, the rest are going to charity. Hubby won't part with his and is bringing like 30 books. There's no changing his mind!! haha

Thank you for your answer!!

Unfortunately no, my family all have kids etc and I just wouldnt burden them with my things. Parents are not an option and paid storage is just too expensive :/

LOL. Are you kidding me? I always have had a thought I am the smallest woman in the world, (normal size). You really are. I am trying to get used to US Units because in my country we use metric system - I am 148 centimeters by the way-.

Just donate things you can't carry. I had to let go some books that I had collected for years especially Paulo Coelho's books. It broke my heart. But my husband promises will buy me new ones in English version.

Good luck for the trip. And have a safe flight!

[landr 126]

Thankfully, I'd built up a small wardrobe during my previous trips, through leaving items as well as US purchases. So even if I didn't bring any clothing items with me, I'd still have things to wear.

With an entire house to go through, downsizing was probably one of the most painful experiences during this part of the process. I left some winter clothes and a few bits and pieces with family. I ended up with one large suitcase and two rucksacks. And I was still left "panic-packing" half an hour before my taxi arrived to take me to the airport.

If I were you, I would think long and hard about what you want to keep. You are starting a new life and you won't have room to build that new life if you are still holding on to a lot of items from your past. This might sound a little hokey, but what I did was to hold some items to me, thank them for being in my life and giving me joy, then I told them that I would be letting them go now. Then I disposed of them, either through charity, as presents, recycling or the bin. You definitely should not be bringing items with you that need cleaning and/or repair - this should be the first lot of items to get rid of.

I'm also a petite woman. I've found casual clothes, e.g., basic t-shirts, in girl's junior departments as well as Forever 21, Wet Seal, H&M, etc. Jeans, I go to the Levi outlets. For more formal clothes, I shop the petite ranges of New York & Co, J. Crew, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. Underwear is harder, especially bras - I go to Target for their size 4s and junior t-shirt bras. I'm in California though and have access to a lot outlet malls.

[TeaCup 65]

LOL. Are you kidding me? I always have had a thought I am the smallest woman in the world, (normal size). You really are. I am trying to get used to US Units because in my country we use metric system - I am 148 centimeters by the way-.

Just donate things you can't carry. I had to let go some books that I had collected for years especially Paulo Coelho's books. It broke my heart. But my husband promises will buy me new ones in English version.

Good luck for the trip. And have a safe flight!

Yeah, I'm super smal!! Thank you so much!

Thankfully, I'd built up a small wardrobe during my previous trips, through leaving items as well as US purchases. So even if I didn't bring any clothing items with me, I'd still have things to wear.

With an entire house to go through, downsizing was probably one of the most painful experiences during this part of the process. I left some winter clothes and a few bits and pieces with family. I ended up with one large suitcase and two rucksacks. And I was still left "panic-packing" half an hour before my taxi arrived to take me to the airport.

If I were you, I would think long and hard about what you want to keep. You are starting a new life and you won't have room to build that new life if you are still holding on to a lot of items from your past. This might sound a little hokey, but what I did was to hold some items to me, thank them for being in my life and giving me joy, then I told them that I would be letting them go now. Then I disposed of them, either through charity, as presents, recycling or the bin. You definitely should not be bringing items with you that need cleaning and/or repair - this should be the first lot of items to get rid of.

I'm also a petite woman. I've found casual clothes, e.g., basic t-shirts, in girl's junior departments as well as Forever 21, Wet Seal, H&M, etc. Jeans, I go to the Levi outlets. For more formal clothes, I shop the petite ranges of New York & Co, J. Crew, Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft. Underwear is harder, especially bras - I go to Target for their size 4s and junior t-shirt bras. I'm in California though and have access to a lot outlet malls.

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

I'm such a hoarder and I really need to let go of some things, everything I find I feel is just too sentimental even though it's not!! lol . That's exactly what I don't want to happen, "Panic-Packing" I know I'll end up doing it and want to avoid it at all cost. Thankfully, The rented house I'm in now almost everything in it belongs to the landlord apart from some bedroom things and small kitchen items, we are having work done on the bedroom so I've had to take EVERYTHING out and it's really helping me find things to get rid of.

Underwear- I hadn't even thought of!! Now I'm afraid I won't be able to find a comfortable fit like I do here, especially with bras. I'm small chested so it might be hard for me. Maybe I should stock up before I leave!? lol Thank you for the reccomendations for small fit clothes , I'll be in Illinois and only 30 minutes from Chicago so I'll hopefully find some of those stores!

[Dakine10 5,452]

Ok guys, we are anticipating our move will be in January sometime, I dont want to leave everything to last minute so I have began packing, I've sold off and got rid of everything big, furniture and what not.

Now, for the little things

I have quite the collection of mugs! I'm bringing just about all of them, out of the 50 or so that I have I'm willing to part with 5! I've sent most to the states already and I'm only bringing my most precious with me in my hand luggage. I have lots of baking items, I'm bring all of my rubber moulds and shapes which is quite a lot! lol I have a lot of clothes, and I've gotten rid of a lot too (hopefully going to get rid of more) ! Am I mad bringing so much?! and I'm quite petite, it'll be impossible to find clothes? I also have a huge collection of baking magazines that over the years cost me hundreds! There's around 130 magazines, bring or not?! hmm.. I feel it will be expensive to replace all these in the states

Also, I have a lot of cr*p (MY CR*P!!) I just can't seem to part with, just stupid things, things I wouldnt look at one day to the next, like knick knacks and what not, but they are all just so sentimental to me. I feel like I'll regret it if I don't bring them!

I have 4 suitcases set aside 2 large and 2 medium. I'm considering getting rid of one of the large ones and forcing myself to downsize!

So tell me, am I mad bringing everything? What did you pack?! Looking forward to hearing other peoples experiences!!

If you know what airline you are flying, check the overage fees for weight and number of bags. Then check the postage cost for surface mail.

It's getting to the point now where it's not much difference to send by post than to go over the airline limits. Might work for the magazines or clothes and things.

[TeaCup 65]

If you know what airline you are flying, check the overage fees for weight and number of bags. Then check the postage cost for surface mail.

It's getting to the point now where it's not much difference to send by post than to go over the airline limits. Might work for the magazines or clothes and things.

I just checked the airline we're most likely to fly with (Aer Lingus) They allow one 23kg checked bag free of charge and 1 small hand luggage free of charge then it's €100 per excess bag weighing 23kg

Now, the post office are saying €75 for a box weighing 20kg as that is the heaviest they can take, but for €80, I can send that same box registered with a tracking number so it's not a bad deal!!

I think I'll get rid of some suitcases and send everything over my box. and just bring my one suitcase and hand luggage. seems much cheaper!!

Thanks for the advice!

[Kajikit 65]

It doesn't matter what size you are, clothes are EASY to find in the US. So are ordinary everyday household items like your baking magazines and baking supplies. Bring your favourites but don't think you 'have to' take anything in particular because they really will be easy to replace.

The things I really wish I'd brought with me were larger sentimental items that were left behind because of size/weight and my miniscule mailing budget of four or five 'flat rate' mailing boxes. I couldn't fit them into my three suitcases so I left them behind. I was going to go back and get them later, but I never did, and ten years later I still long for my paintings and my beautiful handmade quilt (that mama persuaded me to give to her because she wanted to keep it!) And my photographs... I scanned a bunch of them to save weight and thought I had EVERYTHING covered digitally but somehow I only ended up with a partial selection (I seem to remember a disk or so went bad). I still wish I had the (long gone) originals of my baby pictures etc.

[TeaCup 65]

It doesn't matter what size you are, clothes are EASY to find in the US. So are ordinary everyday household items like your baking magazines and baking supplies. Bring your favourites but don't think you 'have to' take anything in particular because they really will be easy to replace.

The things I really wish I'd brought with me were larger sentimental items that were left behind because of size/weight and my miniscule mailing budget of four or five 'flat rate' mailing boxes. I couldn't fit them into my three suitcases so I left them behind. I was going to go back and get them later, but I never did, and ten years later I still long for my paintings and my beautiful handmade quilt (that mama persuaded me to give to her because she wanted to keep it!) And my photographs... I scanned a bunch of them to save weight and thought I had EVERYTHING covered digitally but somehow I only ended up with a partial selection (I seem to remember a disk or so went bad). I still wish I had the (long gone) originals of my baby pictures etc.

Thanks for your input!

I have things set aside that I need to still decided whether to keep or not. I'm really trying to let go, but when I do, my inner hoarder comes out lol

The only thing I'm keeping here with my dad until I have the money (only because he's using it right now) Is an old toy chest that I don't want to get rid of but it's way expensive to ship over right now.