Helpful Tips for Moving
Moving usually tops the list as one of the most stressful life events. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips for surviving your next move.
1. Pack ahead. If you know that you are going to be moving, start the packing process right away. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re going to dump all your stuff in boxes:
- Start with decluttering. If you haven’t touched it, used it or worn it in the past year and half to two years, get rid of it. If you have more than 1 of the same thing, then get rid of one. Even if the item is not “trash” you can still unload it, just take it to a local charitable donation center or get yourself a table at a flea market or yard sale.
- Pack away off-season stuff. If it’s May, then go ahead and pack up Christmas, just make sure you clearly label the boxes!
- Pack the delicate and heirloom items. One way to almost guarantee that an item will break in a move is to rush packing it in the first place. So pack your delicate and heirloom items early. Remember to give them plenty of padding, fill any cavities and keep the boxes as light as you can.
2. Pack by the numbers. One trick to packing, and more importantly unpacking is to be able to quickly find what you need when you get into your new home. Here’s a trick to doing that: Number every box that you pack, then on a pad of paper keep a list of the numbers and what is in each numbered box. That way when it comes to unpacking, instead of opening and digging through countless boxes, you just check your list and find the right box!
3. Pack small. When it is possible, pack smaller boxes. You may end up with more boxes, but smaller boxes are easier to load into moving vehicles and easier to carry into your new home.
4. Pack smart. You don’t have to buy packing peanuts to ensure that the dishes don’t break. Use your towels and clothes as padding. Pack a couple essential outfits in a suitcase, then the rest can become packing materials! Have a lot of suitcases? They’ll work just as well as a cardboard box. Dresser drawers also make good boxes. Blankets and pillows? They can help protect your furniture in transit. Use your stuff to pack your stuff.
5. Get help and help for the help. If you’re hiring a moving company… problem solved! Just remember to say thank you and tip well. But if you are moving yourself, ask (or hire) more help than you think you need and try to have plenty of dollies or hand-trucks on hand. Even bulky but light loads are easier to move if wheels are available. And if you have lots of stairs to contend with, the bucket brigade method works well for non-furniture and smaller items.
6. Give yourself the entire day. Moving into a new place can take longer than you anticipate. So start early, eat a decent breakfast and pace yourself. If you have prepared well, the first item on your list should be loading the vehicles, if you are behind, then you can finish up any last minute packing. With any luck, you can be done, or at least be able to return the rental truck, by dinnertime.