Even the simple thought of moving can be overwhelming for some. But with some careful planning, there are some things you can do ahead of time to prepare for the big move.
- Determine your budget. Moving can be as expensive or inexpensive as you allow. Do you have enough time to pack and move all of your belongings, or is it worth the money to bring in a mover? During the moving process, will you need to stay in a hotel until your new house is ready? Consider all of your options then determine a set amount. Be sure to leave a little wiggle room just in case any unforeseen circumstances arise.
- Arm yourself with the right supplies. Boxes, packing tape, scissors, newspaper and markers are standard protocol when it comes to packing up your life. Boxes come in every size imaginable and can usually be bought from a mover a discount price with the use of their services. When putting the boxes together, chances are you will need way more tape than you think so buy plenty. Newspaper is great for wrapping anything fragile or breakable. If you are worried about getting newsprint on your favorite dishes, visit your local paper, and they will gladly sell you a roll of unprinted paper. Use markers to specifically label the contents of each box, and if you are super organized, color code according to which room each box will go in at the final destination.
- Leave some things behind. As you pack, ask yourself, “Do I really want/need/love this?” If not, trash the item or donate it. Many charities have drop spots for you to deposit your things, and some will even come to you. Getting rid of what you don’t want or need before the move will save a great amount of time and money in the end.
- Contact the utility company. Don’t leave yourself packing in the dark on the last day in your old house. And the same goes for the first day in your place. Look at the calendar as you schedule shut-off/turn-on dates with the utility company, and don’t forget to do the same for you gas and water service too.
- Don’t forget to change your address. This one is pretty self explanatory, but still, it probably won’t be the first thing on your mind. A good rule of thumb is to notify the post office of your address change a week to two weeks before the move. This will give ample time for your mail to be forwarded to the new address, and you can make sure you get all of the stragglers before you leave the old house. Also, the post office can hold your mail if you are not yet ready to have it sent to the new address.
For other helpful moving tips check out our moving checklist.
