If you're one of the millions of people who will move this year, consider this advice: get rid of unwanted household items before you move.

It makes little sense to transport old junk or clothes you never wear to your new house. By taking some time to go through things now, you won't have to pack or move them. If you're paying movers, a smaller load will save you money.

First, go through your house, being sure to include the garage, attic, basement and closets. Organize things into groups: things you want to try to sell, things to give away, and things to be thrown away.

Garage sales are great ways to turn your junk into someone's bargain. Be sure to plan ahead for your garage sale by checking with city hall to see if your community requires permits for garage sales, and then take the necessary steps to obtain one. Find out if you're allowed to hang signs on telephone poles, light posts, etc., advertising the sale. If so, make clear, readable signs with large black print that includes the dates and address of the sale. Use hard cardboard or poster board and secure it tightly so it doesn't fold or flap in the wind. You can also advertise the sale in your local newspaper.

Start your garage sale early in the morning on the weekend - lots of bargain hunters hit the streets early and you'll miss out on possible sales if you're late setting up. Mark prices clearly on all items and price things reasonably - the object should be to get rid of things and make a little money, not to score big profits. Before the sale starts, make sure you have plenty of small change including quarters and dollar bills. Also, save up packing materials like paper and plastic bags so you can wrap purchases for your customers.

After the sale, contact one of your local charities to donate the unsold items and other things you've marked to give away. Many charities will send a truck by to pick up your donations, particularly large items like furniture and appliances. Get a receipt from the charity so you can deduct the donation on your income taxes (remember to consult a tax professional for deduction guidelines). Remember, things that may have outlived their usefulness to you could be a blessing to someone else.

Finally, throw out what's left. If you haven't used it, can't fix it, didn't sell it and didn't give it away, get rid of it.

On moving day, you'll be grateful for the extra work you did ahead of time. And when you move into your new house, you'll be pleasantly surprised at all the storage space you have.

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