Pare Down and Pack Up

Rather than stow all your old summer gear, determine what might last another season and what won't. You'll cut down on clutter and storage, as well as save yourself the trouble of making these same decisions next spring. If those ratty beach blankets have seen better days, don't pack them into winter storage; cut them up and use them for dust rags. Recycle, donate, or sell your unwanted stuff, and pack the rest of it away.