I know how tough it can be to move—I’ve done it several times throughout my life. Packing for a move is often a stressful and labor intensive activity, but it doesn’t have to be. If you prepare your move ahead of time, you can eliminate the stress from moving and enjoy it! Moving can be scary, but it is also a time to celebrate the new and exciting things you’ll experience in your new home. The tips found below are what helped me get past all the unorganized, stressful mess packing has been for me. I hope they help you too!
Your Moving Journal You don’t have to document every step of the process. You’re not writing a novel. Just keep a notebook to help you plan your move. One of the biggest problems I’ve had is remembering where I packed specific items. To help me remember, I wrote things down, so that when I got to my new place I knew exactly which box they were in.
Moving Costs I don’t know about you, but I’m not made of money. When I’ve moved in the past, I had to have a moving budget. Getting everything you need for a move, even if you’re doing all the packing and moving yourself, can get expensive. So, I’d suggest you figure out what moving supplies you’ll need to purchase ahead of time so that you can budget your spending. Here are some things to think about:
Supplies: moving boxes, tape, padding, and supplies. Cleaning: carpet shampoo & cleaning of prior residence. Travel: gas, food, lodging, or bus/plane tickets. Other: storage units or temporary housing accommodations.
Don’t Go It Alone One of the reasons why moving is so stressful is because a lot of people try to do it all by themselves. There is no shame in asking for some help with your move, so do it! However, don’t go asking for help the day of your move. Call around to friends and family days or more before your move. Give them plenty of time to take the day off, cancel, and then reschedule.
Label Everything You don’t have to go out and buy an expensive label-maker; just using a good old sharpie on the top of the box will do the trick. Labeling your boxes will save you time and energy in the long run. The last thing on your mind while packing is the unpacking, but if you plan it out before hand then your first experience in your new home will be a good one.
Empty Your Pantry Having to lug your entire pantry to your new home will be a lot of work. Therefore, during my last big move, I stopped buying groceries a few weeks before moving and just ate what I already had. By the time I moved, I barely had to pack any food items at all! So, try to eat and drink your fridge and freezer dry before you move out. At the very least, you’ll want to consume your perishable food items before moving.
Pack Your Essentials Last In my quest to make sure I was prepared, I packed my things early. Too early. I found myself having to unpack a few of my boxes to find items that I use on a daily basis. So, my advice would be to pack your essential items last so that you won’t undo any of your hard work. Packing early is a good way to get a head start on your move, just be smart about what you’re doing. If you have to pack your essential items early, keep the box open and in an easily accessible place.
Your Moving Kit Now you’ve packed and moved to your new home, but where is your laptop? Your vitamins to take in the morning? Your toilet paper? Labeling is a good way to eliminate the problem of finding the things you’ll need right away, but you can take it a step further. Pack everything you’ll need the first day or two in a separate bag so that you won’t have to hunt them when you get into your new home.
In your moving kit, pack basic toiletries, medications, vitamins, a change of clothes, eyeglasses or contacts, ID and wallet, moving contracts, bills & other important paperwork, phones / tablets & chargers, and a first aid kit with bandages and antiseptics just in case. I would also suggest you put any tools that you’ll need to put together furniture pieces in your moving kit as well. I couldn’t put my bed together for four days while I searched through a mountain of boxes for an Allen wrench!
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