Tips for Moving

Moving house is one of the most frustrating experiences there is, even if you are thrilled to be moving in the first place.

Make a Plan
If you are going to need more than one day to pack – and many people do, as it is a huge job when you have lived in the same home for many years – try not to hurry yourself. It is not worth the stress just to get everything crammed into one day. Sit down and make a plan, dividing everything. Divide your actual packing up between two or three days, so you aren’t rushed. De-clutter and start packing one day and get the rest of the packing done the next day while cleaning up at the end of the day. Perhaps schedule an extra packing day in-between, if you need it.

Supplies
If you are on a budget or just don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for boxes and cushioning materials, just ask around. Get in contact with local businesses, such as supermarkets and bookstores, and ask if they have or can save any boxes for you. Often, stores will give you the boxes that would end up in the garbage or recycling anyway. If money is tight, try using towels and t-shirts to pad breakable items as they are packed.

Getting Rid of Clutter
Go through everything in your house as you pack and get rid of any items that are broken or don’t get any use. This includes clothing. If you have clothing that has been sitting in the back of the closet for years, set it aside. Throw away old magazines and broken dishes that you have been hanging onto. You might be amazed at how much you won’t have to pack after de-cluttering. When you have weeded out everything that you are not taking, either have a garage sale or give it to a charity or shelter.

Packing Up
Pack your boxes solid – make sure that nothing slides around or rattles inside the boxes, even if you have to fill in empty areas with cushioning material. This will keep the boxes from collapsing when they are stacked. Also make sure that you label each box clearly. Instead of simply writing ‘kitchen’ and ‘bedroom’ on the boxes, be more specific by labeling them with ‘plates,’ ‘plastic glasses,’ ‘jeans,’ and ‘nightstand paraphernalia.’ This will help a great deal when unpacking because you will know exactly where each box goes, rather than stacking them up and opening them all to find what you’re looking for.

At Your Destination
Have a plan for the night you arrive. You might want to order out so that you don’t have to cook in the middle of the chaos. A good tip is to have each person moving with you pack an overnight bag. This will ensure that everyone has clothing and toiletries even if they don’t get those items out of boxes the first night. Most people want to clean the house, even if the previous inhabitants cleaned before leaving. With your cleaning supplies clearly labeled, you can clean the bathrooms and kitchen – the germiest areas of the house – to your own specifications so that everyone will be comfortable using them.

Austin, Texas has been Peter Wendt’s writing headquarters for a number of years now. For readers who wish to learn more about this subject, he recommends they check out unicornmoving.com.