5 Tips For An Easier Move

The excitement of buying your next place is over. You have been handed the keys and all of the sudden, a wave of panic sets in. You are going to have to move all of your stuff. No matter how many times you have done it, moving is a daunting task that requires careful planning. Out there in the world are a few lucky people who are extremely seasoned in moving and have nailed down the art of packing perfectly. If you do not happen to be one of those people, we are here just for you.

Here are five tips to making your move as seamless as possible.

Stick to a timeline

How much time do you have before you need to go? If you need to get out right away, use this information the best way you can and condense your timeline to the amount of days that fit your schedule. For those who have a bit more time, grab a hot cup of tea or coffee to get a quick boost of caffeine and begin planning. You will want to start by writing or logging down what you need to do weeks in advance. That usually includes changing your address and rerouting mail and subscriptions. If you plan on hiring movers, do your research now to save you from the hassle of finding availability within short notice. If you have pets, think about how you can safely move them from your old place to your new home. Finally, gather all important documents and valuables to keep close by during your move and make sure you have enough funds to cover all expected moving costs.

Clean and declutter

If you would like to have only the essentials when you are ready to move, it would be wise to get rid of as much stuff as you can before your calendar hits the big moving day. Weeks out or months if possible, go through every room and pack up items you do not want or no longer need. If you have not used the item in over a year, it is probably time to toss or donate. It is important you find out what you can use and no longer want early on. If time permits, this is a great opportunity to have a garage sale, which will help get rid of those unwanted items while gaining you some pocket change in return.

Cut out unnecessary costs

Another great step to take early on is seeing where you can save money during your move. This should be another one of the first steps you make so you can avoid last minute spending. Go ahead and find out if anyone has boxes they can give you so there is no need to go about buying any. You can also use laundry baskets and any plastic tubs you have on hand to serve as a moving box. Ask friends and family to see if they have the time to help you move the small things so that only the larger things are left. This can cut down the amount you may spend hiring movers the day of. Also, be sure to utilize any non-profits or other donation locations around you. Many people have no idea that they can often call or go online to schedule their donations to be picked up. This can save you a ton of grief later on when you realize you do not in fact want to take that couch you have had since your first wedding anniversary.

Wrap and save

Use anything from newspapers to bubble wrap to safely secure items made of glass or other delicate materials. Taping cabinets and drawers shut will save your movers some of the time it would take so they can quickly get to the heavy lifting and you can get into your new place even faster. This method will also make it so that you do not have to remove large amounts of clothing or other items only to unpack them again once you have moved. Make sure everything stays extra secure with a heavy duty plastic wrap and you should be good to go. Cords can be bound by some velcro fasteners so they won’t become a mess. Jewelry can be wrapped on pencils and taped down to keep them from tangling.

Label everything

Taking a small trip to the office supply store before you get packing can pay off. Invest in a few colored stickers and labels and you will easily be able to tell which boxes belong in your bedroom or in your kitchen. Some jumbo permanent markers and pens will make all the difference when you are trying to decide which cardboard box you marked "glasses" and which one you named "pillows." Be sure to label each box both on the top and the side so that when the boxes are stacked, you will still know what they are.

Above all, the most important thing you can do when you are moving is to be organized. Soon it will be over, and you will be able to enjoy your new home!