So you want to move, downsize, start fresh, or simply declutter your house, but how do you get rid of your stuff? Decluttering makes staging, selling, and moving easier—and less costly. As selling and spring cleaning season kicks into high gear, here's a toolbox of local solutions to help you shed unnecessary stuff.

Here are tips on how to reduce the stress of decluttering:

1. Downsizing

Don't be tempted to put off those difficult decisions about what to keep and what to ditch until after the move. Rather, focus on what you can realistically fit in the new home. Cutting the cord early could save you significant money in moving costs and is an especially important factor for those moving long distances.

2. Consider professional help

Homeowners who can't handle the task on their own should consider bringing on a certified member of the National Association of Professional Organizers or someone with many years of experience. As the former president of NAPO, Isaak says the national hourly rate typically charged by members hovers between $50 and $100. Clients appreciate how professionals speed up the process by keeping them focused on maximizing profits and avoiding digressions over each object's history. Professionals know what will sell.

3. Start small

Start with a single room, closet, or drawer that will offer immediate gratification once cleaned. For most, that means not starting in a garage or attic since there's usually so much stuff there, but in a smaller space that's used daily where homeowners have crammed takeout menus, rubber bands, twist ties, plastic cutlery, and sugar packets. You will not miss these.

4. Tackle a whole room in a methodical way

Head to a corner, work on that area, and move clockwise until the room is completed. This might take several hours or days, but you will see results.

5. Think in terms of categories

Pair up all your shoes, then purge the ones that need repair, are worn out, aren't in style, or that you are simply tired of. Then, move on to a new category such as belts, scarves, socks, or ties.

6. Love your thrift shop

Keep a box or large sturdy bag in a convenient place and add items to it that you're ready to part with. As soon as the box or bag is filled, take it to a local shop.

7. Wear it or ditch it rule

If you haven't worn something in a year or two, give it away, If it's vintage and valuable, it can instead become a candidate for an estate sale or auction.

8. Get rid of broken stuff

If you have stuff around the house that's broken, torn, or missing a part, get rid of it, period.

9. Keep, store, sell, donate, or toss rule

Here's specific help you can offer them for each pile:

Sell: Midcentury modern furniture and contemporary art both appeal widely to buyers of all ages, especially if they're good quality and in decent condition. Create a list of estate sales specialists and consignment shops in your area that are known for fair dealing. However, be aware that many services that do the work of selling take a big cut, often half the sales price. If your clients are inclined to try to sell items themselves, suggest they try eBay for the best prices. Facebook groups or Craigslist is good if you're not willing to ship.

Donate: If the kids don't want it, then find out which charities will accept and when, and even which ones will pick up donations, saving your clients time and hassle. Some charities have gotten choosier about what they accept. For instance, many won't take mattresses, box springs, pillow cases, or sheets. Keep detailed notes of what you donate and to consult a tax adviser for the exact write off information.

Toss: Leave it on your street with a free sign, or call a local trash-hauling company or call 1-800-GOT-JUNK,　which operates nationwide. It's important to be aware of laws governing trash. Some municipalities also allow homeowners to leave stuff by the curb with a sign "please take me," while others levy fines for such activity. A more organized version of this idea comes in the form of local　Freecycle　chapters, part of a grassroots nonprofit where local people post stuff for free pickup in their own towns to help keep usable goods out of landfills.

Store off-site: If you simply can't part with it, storing furniture is an okay short-term solution, but months can easily extend into years and even decades. Often storage is a matter of postponing the inevitable. It's better to get rid of whatever you don't need.