The moving process may be tough, but it seems an inevitable fact of human existence. Whether you’re moving down the street or to another country, here are 9 moving tips to make your life easier:
1. Be Frugal
Moving is expensive, but there are many ways to get creative and save money on your move. Great Guys Moving (facebook | dribbble) recommends the following hacks to save money on long distance moves:
- Getting rid of extra belongings prior to moving day
- Move during off-times, like during the winter months and on weekdays
- Scrounge for free packing materials by picking up boxes from grocery stores, clothing, stores, and other retailers
- Do as much as you can yourself (but know your limits)
- Take a tax deduction for your move
In addition to these great tips, try to trim transportation expenses while driving or flying to your new destination. The cost of hotels, gas, tickets, and food can really add up!
2. Lose Some Weight
During the packing stage, you realize how many belongings you actually own. Drop the pounds by purging items you no longer need. Broken or damaged items, forgotten items, and ‘rainy day’ items can go to the dumpster, a thrift store, charity, or on eBay/Amazon/yard sale. Not only will this cut down on the cost of your move, but you will have less to unpack and organize once you are there.
3. Capture Installation on Camera or Phone
In the months or years since your last move, you may have forgotten how challenging it can be to get all of your electronics hooked up and working properly. One nifty trick to eliminate the stress of reassembly is photographing or videotaping wires from electronics, routers, and appliances. This makes reconnecting a cinch!
4. Create a First Night Box
When moving, it can be easy to get carried away with packing. However, immediate use items such as oral health products, facial/body/hair products, toiletries, snacks, medicine, computers, phone, and a few clothing items should be left out of the boxes you send with the movers. Use a backpack, purse, box, or bag for these essential items and carry them with you on moving day. Having the things you need handy will make your first night in the new house so much easier! Check out this essentials box checklist from Bournes Moves.
5. Pack Boxes by Room
Make moving easier by concentrating on one room and boxing or tossing belongings in that room. After completion, pack the next room, and so forth. This process is better than overwhelmingly packing the entire house simultaneously and will help keep everything organized for unpacking purposes.
6. Label Boxes
After packing things by room, make sure to label your boxes. Label boxes on top and the side with the room name and the general contents inside it. You may even want to add different colored tape to the box depending on its destined room to make it visually easy to see what goes where. On moving day, having everything clearly labeled makes it easier for the moving company to know what goes where. Plus, it’s nice to be able to read the box, rather than opening it to figure out what’s inside.
7. Use Boxes Correctly
You might assume that it’s best to pack heavier things in large boxes and lighter items in smaller boxes. The opposite is actually true. Pack lighter items (clothes, bedding, pillows, etc.) in larger boxes. Pack heavier items like books in small boxes. It’s easier for lifting and carrying items to and from the moving truck, and will help you avoid back injury. Read more helpful tips on box sizes from relocation.com
8. Embrace Plastic Wrap
Plastic wrap and saran wrap are a lifesaver for keeping things together while you move. Try using a layer of movers wrap underneath the lids of cleaning bottles to keep the contents from leaking. It’s also great for wrapping dresser drawers so the drawers and contents inside won’t fall out.
9. Choose a Good Time
The peak moving time is summer. Most people move then due to convenience and warmer weather. Additional times to avoid are Fridays, last days of the month, and holidays. To get better prices on homes or leases, and the lowest rates from moving companies, try to move on a weekday during the fall or winter.
The moving process never gets easier, but these tips will save you time, money, and energy.