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Everyone knows how stressful moving can be, especially when you've accumulated an entire house full of materials. Organizing, ensuring that items won't be broken or damaged, and doing it all quickly and efficiently is a tricky thing. After moving several times, you'll find that you become a professional at packing, moving, and unpacking. But if you're new to the game, here is how you can make your move a little smoother.
The most difficult part of moving is the planning. Changing your address, closing bank accounts and timing everything to coincide with the actual moving date takes some skill. Here is a general timeline for tying the loose, but necessary, ends.
* Contact your postal office about your change of address- You should do this as soon as you know your new address, typically 4 weeks before the move takes place. Notify credit card companies, magazines you subscribe to, and of course your friends and relatives about your change of address as well.
* Make necessary travel arrangements- If you'll be flying, be sure to get your tickets ahead of time. Also be sure to rent your moving van, if applicable, and calculate if you'll need to stay overnight in any hotels.
* Contact your local utility and phone companies- Let them know about shut off dates. Also contact the companies near your new residence, so that you won't be without electricity, heat, and water after you've made your long trip.
* Get your boxes & supplies- Ask friends and relatives for spare boxes. You're bound to need more than they have, so contact your local discount store and ask if you can have boxes from their freight. Most discount stores receive daily merchandise and destroy the packaging and boxes after unloading. Try to take lots of smaller boxes to avoid over packing boxes, causing them to become to heavy. While you're at the discount stores picking up the boxes, purchase bubble wrap, boxing tape, and large black markers.
Now, let's get down to packing:
* Make a plan- Whether it's a written plan or one in your mind makes no difference. The point is to have a plan of attack. Decide which room to start off in. You should try to start in the rooms that you use the least, so you aren't rummaging through boxes for the next two weeks. A good rule is to plan on packing one room a day. It may take you two or three days to do bigger rooms, so be sure to calculate how much time you'll need.
* Start in the first room and clean- You should be armed with boxes and trash bags. Decide what you plan to take, what you can throw out, and what you can give to charity. A good rule to follow is that if you haven't used something in a year, you can probably do without it. Of course, there are some exceptions. Remember that many items can be purchased after moving to your new home.
* Save your primary rooms for last- This saves you from digging through boxes for the next few weeks before moving. You should also not pack bendable, easily damageable goods until the day before moving. Be sure to label all boxes with three things: 1) The room they were in/or will be in, 2) A summary of the contents in the box, 3) Whether the box holds fragile contents. Don't overpack your boxes, they may become too heavy to carry or load.
Quick Tips:
* Wrap anything remotely fragile in bubble wrap and mark boxes fragile.
* When taking apart furniture that has screws, bolts, accessories, put small pieces in a tupperware bowls with secure lids. Attach a piece of masking tape on the lid of the bowl with the furniture that the pieces belong to.
* Remember to check behind doors, in attics, basements, and garages for left behind items.
* Don't forget your plants and outdoor ornaments.
Packing with Children and Pets:
* The ideal scenario would be to take kids or pets to a friends house while packing, but that's not always an option. Instead, put your pets in a secluded area temporarily, or close doors to the room you're working in. Older children can be put to work. Allow toddlers and older children to go through their own rooms. They can decide what stories, toys, and items can be thrown out or donated to charity. Of course, you should always double check the donate and trash boxes! Play games with children such as, ''Can you find an object that is square/red/straight?'' This will keep them occupied and they'll be helping. Allow children to tape boxes up for you. You'd be surprised how much they can actually help out with a large project like packing.
* With younger infants or kids who always seem to be underfoot, try not to lose your cool. Take frequent 15 minute breaks for reading books, playing games, or talking to your children. You can also have children do artwork for their new home. If you have absolutely no luck getting things done with your children around, take turns with your spouse. One watches the kids, while the other packs.
Packing is never an easy task, but it can be less stressful. If you find yourself feeling frustrated, tired, or stressed at the thought of packing another box, take a few minutes to regroup and enjoy the last few moments in your old home.
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