April 9, 2012
Recently my husband and I purchased a home (!!) and embarked upon The Big Move.
I detest moving.
But knowing that everyone has to move, I saddled up and trudged through. Since this was my biggest move to date (moving the lives and belongings of two people instead of just one), I tried to be more organized and more prepared than normal. Here are a few tips and lessons I learned along the way.
Top Five General Moving Tips
• Label every box on one side and on the top with specific descriptions ("China, champagne glasses, serving platters" vs. "Glassware: Fragile" is more helpful when unpacking)
• Note the room where each box should go
• Pack items that should be grouped together
• Leave boxes unsealed if there is any room leftover. At the last minute there is always a stray knickknack or forgotten item that needs to be stashed somewhere
• Plan for everything to take more time than it needs to: It always does!
Top Five Tips for Preparation (3-6 weeks out)
• Save some cash a few months ahead of time for the cost of movers, packing materials and a shopping trip to Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Moving always costs more than it should, and it's nice to be prepared.
• Purchase all your moving supplies before you begin packing (tape, boxes of varying sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap)
• Before packing ANYTHING, recycle or give away as much as possible. Stacks of already-read magazines and old movie tickets don’t need to move with you. Donate anything you haven't used or worn in a year or more to Goodwill.
• Pack items you don’t use often, first– holiday decorations, books, extra sheets and blankets.
• Let your groceries run out. Food is a pain to move, especially cold items. Just know that you’ll eat takeout or Lean Cuisines for a week as the pantry contents dwindle.
Top Five Tips for the Last Minute
• Pack a tote bag with essentials: a change of clothes, a tube of mascara, a clean pair of socks and undies, toothbrush, a nail file and lip balm. Keep the tote by your purse on moving day so you have the basics by your side.
• Have a designated container for phone chargers, laptops, TV cords etc. These items are easy to misplace, and we all know how aggravating it is when they’re missing.
• Pack COMPLETELY before movers arrive. My movers told me it’s frustrating when they show up and people are still packing – it slows them down and costs you more.
• Don’t forget to clean your freezer and fridge and check the washer and dryer. I left behind an entire load of clean towels in our apartment and will never see them again.
• Do one last-minute load of laundry so you have clean clothes and towels on hand. It's easier than having to do laundry at a new place before you know how the washer/dryer work or where they are.
And remember, breathe. It will all be over soon.
Did we forget anything? Let us know in the comments below! Also, you can print this list for easy reference!
