Finally, in most parts of the world, winter is slowly drawing to an end, and you’re probably trying to figure out what to do with winter accessories for the next eight or so months. As always, there is a fine line between frugality and having enough space for everything. Thus, step one to preparing to pack up all your winter items is stop and think about what you really will need and use for next winter. Are you packing anything up that you didn’t use this winter? If so, you’re probably taking up space pointlessly. Stop and think about what you really used during this past winter, and what you will probably use again.

If you’re completely lost on how many clothes you need, check out this article on Living on a Dime for help on exactly how many clothes you need in your life. Then, sit down and eliminate duplicates: you only need one raincoat, one heavy, all weather jacket, one pair of winter boots. The heaviest items such as these are top priority, because they take up the most room.  Tops and pants should be eliminated if they are too worn to still look good when you wear them, and, of course, if you never wear it. Scarves, heavy socks, and hats should be trimmed down dependent on how often you wear them and their style, as they tend to date quickly. However, they simply don’t take up much room relatively, so if you’re getting overwhelmed, remember that these small winter accessories should be your lowest priority.

Okay, once you’ve trimmed down your cold weather wardrobe to what you really need, and are ready to put it someplace for the rest of the spring and summer, you have to store it somewhere where moths and other pests won’t get to it, and you don’t have to see it or think about it again until the weather turns cold. If you’ve got room under your bed, some underbed storage can keep your clothes neat and dust-free without having to come up with closet space for the boxes. Another option is storing winter garments on high shelves that are hard to reach, but hey-you will only need to get up there twice a year. If you’re thinking of storing your clothes in a garage or some area that will be more exposed to the elements, remember to put in some cedar blocks to keep the moths away. Then smile when you realize that you won’t need to think about winter clothes again for at least six more months!