Moving can be stressful. Going around the house packing stuff and ensuring you don’t leave anything behind while keeping track of what items go in which boxes can make you feel like it’s a never-ending process. Stress is inevitable when moving. That’s just an inconvenient reality of life. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do to reduce stress and make the whole moving process faster and easier. Here are some tips on how you can make that happen.
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Declutter before the move
Weeks prior to the date you’ve set for moving, do a decluttering session. You can do it room-by-room over a span of a few weeks or go all-in and do it all in one go. Go around the house and see which items you no longer need. You can sell, donate, or throw these items so you’ll have less to pack when moving day comes.
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Gather up free moving supplies
Before you decide to hit up Home Depot for moving boxes (that you need to pay for), see if any of your neighbors or your friends and family living near your area have some moving supplies they’d like to get rid of such as boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or old newspaper for wrapping glass and other breakables. This will save you a pretty hefty amount, making it less heavy on the pocket.
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Use linens and other soft items to prevent breakage
Packing a box of breakables? Instead of buying bubble wrap, use towels, pillows, blankets, and other soft items as padding to prevent breakage while your items get transported. It’s free and more environmentally friendly and it works just as well (if not better) than bubble wrap.
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Label boxes clearly
Label your moving boxes on all sides. Use a dark-colored marker and make sure the labels are easy to read and big enough not to miss. Include the box number (ex: box 1 of 24, 2 of 24, and so on), a general description of what’s inside, and which room it should go in. This will make it easier for you to unpack later on and it will also help you keep track of the boxes more easily.
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Move your tech with you
Your computer and other tech equipment should be handled with care and no one knows how to handle your gadgets better than you. If possible, take these items with you in the car instead of loading them up in the moving truck. Before moving day, back up any important files to the cloud, too, so you have a copy of everything in case something happens during the transport.
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Organize important documents and keep them in one place
Another thing you should carry with you when you move is your important documents. Things like passports, IDs, financial statements, and deeds should be kept in a folder or a file organizer and you should take them with you instead of packing them in one of the boxes to prevent the risk of losing them during the move.
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Make moving folder/booklet/checklist
Keep track of how many boxes you’re packing and what’s inside each box. If possible, create an inventory of the items in each box so you can check that nothing goes missing later. If you’re packing big-ticket items, include pictures (and videos) of their condition before moving so you can claim insurance if they get damaged during the move. In this folder, include important contact numbers including those for the movers you’re using, your realtor/real estate agent, emergency numbers, and insurance numbers.
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Pack a “load last” box
Pack a special box of the items you’d like to have instant access to when you get to your new home. This could include disposable cups, plates, utensils, tools for basic repair and maintenance, coffee supplies, vitamins, and whatever else you could think of that you’d need immediately that you wouldn’t want to hunt for when unpacking. Mark the box clearly so you know that’s your “load last” box. Alternatively, you could also call/mark this as your “open first” box.
We hope these tips will help you make moving a little easier and more stress-free. Remember to take it easy and enjoy your new home!