Moving is always exciting! There are new adventures ahead, new paths to forge, and new memories to make. Let’s be honest, though. The excitement of moving is often muted by the stress and anxiety that comes with the process. We understand how it can all be overwhelming.
Everything from where you will be donating your boxes of unwanted clothes to how many movers you will need to carry your seven-foot couch requires planning. Luckily for you, whether it is your first time moving or your tenth time moving, the process can be made much easier with just a couple of tips!
The biggest suggestion we have for you is to plan, plan, plan! We can not stress this enough, and you will see us repeat this point repeatedly. If you have that down, there is no adversity in your moving journey that you won’t be able to overcome! Keep reading to find out how that applies to the rest of our suggestions and how we can help you make your move stress-free.
Here is the guide on how to make moving easier:
1. Packing lists
Unsurprisingly, our first point relates to planning. The more you plan and the greater detail you put in your packing list, the more it will pay off in the long run. By writing down what you are keeping and throwing away in each room, you set yourself up for success. You now know exactly what you need to buy and what exactly you can avoid buying duplicates of.
To go even further in detail, note down what categories are grouped: maybe books and DVDs are placed together, or even glassware and clothing (to protect the glassware). Write it on an online document to ensure you can access it and whoever is moving with you anytime, anywhere.
2. Timeline
A move can start up years in advance— you first have to find the place you are moving to, figure out a date for the move, find out how many people (if you even need people) are needed to help, and discover schools in the district if you have children. A thousand other deliberations you have to consider. As such, we recommend starting a timeline as soon as possible.
A couple of items to include are: when you want your packing lists completed when you want the old home cleared by, when you want everything packed by, and when you want to go shopping for your new home. Keep in mind that although timelines are amazing ways to ensure you do not forget anything, it is alright to adjust and change your timeline based on your needs.
3. Portable storage containers
Packing and unpacking are tedious, but the actual physical move is stress-inducing to another level. To streamline the process, opt for portable storage container rentals. You simply load your boxes and furniture onto a container (one that is delivered to you) and then catch it at your new home!
This is a great way to avoid multiple trips back and forth, but it also reduces the commute and travel stress. By entrusting your items to a portable storage container, all you have left to do is enjoy the view on the journey over.
4 Clear, not clutter
Many people have one issue with moving: knowing what to keep and discard. This is something that a packing list will help greatly with. Purging unwanted and unnecessary items will help you lighten your moving load, making the process easier and cheaper. It will also significantly reduce the time wasted packing things you don’t want in the long run.
To do this, walk around your house with a box and consider what you can donate/sell. Get rid of items you haven’t used or worn in years, even if you think you’ll wear them “the next time.”
5 Saving up
Despite the new adventures to look forward to, moving can be costly. Everything from the new furniture you have to buy to initial start-up fees for electricity, wifi, hydro, etc., can cause moving to wreak havoc on your wallet. You must save for the months or years leading up to your move! Ensure that you have enough money to cover all predicted expenses plus a little bit more and that you have a rainy day fund sitting nearby.
Perhaps a box full of electronics gets ruined in the rain, and you need to purchase a new TV, gaming console, and microwave: expenses you did not previously predict. An emergency fund provides a safety net if something were to go wrong and allows you to still have a safe and comfortable move.
6. Open my first box
With the sheer number of moving boxes you may use to complete your journey, it is virtually impossible to unpack and sort yourself out the first night you move in. Moving into a new place is a process that takes weeks, if not months, and you want to ensure that you have the necessities you need to survive the first couple of days.
Pack one box with all the items you need before properly organizing: toilet paper, bed sheets, medication, toothbrushes, toiletries, electronics, an air mattress, etc.
