Moving Tips

Charlie and I are moving in the next month or two and being the Type A individual that I am, I have done a little research on how to have a stress free move (yeah, right!). Okay, trying to stay positive here.

In the past, I’ve been very motivated to stay organized during the moving process, and then as the move gets closer, I just end up throwing everything in a box. Or making piles, as you can see from this picture of last years move. This years going to be different because I’m going to be prepared.

Here are really great tips that I found:

1.Keep, Donate, Trash

A month before moving, go through your storage areas, open up those boxes you haven’t unpacked since the last move and make 3 piles: Keep, Donate, and Trash. You should also do this for every room of the house, but start here first. If you deal with it now, there’ll be less stuff to move later.

2. Open Me First

Create Open me First Boxes for each room of the house. This will really help you on your first night and when you can’t find the toilet paper or towels. Definitely been there.

3. Room by Room

Pack one room at a time  labeling each box by that room name and box #. This will help in a number of ways: 1)prevent your utensils from being packed up with your bathroom stuff, 2) make sure you aren’t missing any boxes,  and 3) if you are organizing to the extreme like me, it will  help in making a inventory of everything. If you aren’t a list maker, try taking a quick picture with your phone of each box before you close it.

4. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Tape small parts like screws and bolts to the furniture they belong to as you dissemble them. Also take pictures of complicated set ups like your entertainment systems before you pack it up. I’ve seen people use color coding to help them remember what goes where. You should also get zip ties for all the cords. It can be a nightmare trying to unpack it later if you don’t.

5. Last One but Definitely my Favorite

Place a string on top of the box before you tape it shut. When you are ready to unpack, just pull the string. No need for box cutters. How smart is that?!

 

Anyone have any tips for me? Or stuff you wish you would have thought of when you were moving?