Moving can be incredibly stressful. It doesn’t have to be, though! Whether you’re moving far away or close to home, you can use these moving tips to help make your move better.
How to prepare for a move.
There are a lot of things you’ll have to consider before you make your move. Use moving tips to help you determine what you need to do before your move, how you can make your move run smoother and what you’ll need to do protect yourself during a move.
Whether you are moving to be closer to a job, to upgrade your home or just because you need a change, you’ll need to take some things into consideration. If you’re moving more than just a few neighborhoods away, you’ll have to consider how you’re going to move and the logistics of your move. If you’re just moving across town, you’ll still need to plan the logistics like how you’re going to get your stuff there.
If you can, look into relocation assistance. Some areas offer incentives for people to move into the area. If you meet the criteria, you could get financial assistance with your move!
Moving Tip #1: Plan your move far in advance.
Get started on your move as early as you can. When you start thinking about moving somewhere else, it’s a good idea to start taking actionable steps to move. While there are some situations, like new jobs, that don’t allow you to plan your move in advance, many people find the earlier they start moving, the better. If you can start planning your move early, you’ll have plenty of time to get everything done.
Planning your move far in advance is one of the best moving tips because it can help reduce the stress of moving. The earlier you start planning, the more time you’ll have to move and that can make a huge difference when it comes to what you plan each step of the way.
Moving Tip #2: Start trashing or selling stuff early on.
The right time to prepare for your move is as soon as you start thinking about moving. By downsizing and getting ready for your move, you’ll not only free up space in your home but you’ll also make it easier on yourself when it’s time to start packing the things you will take with you.
It’s never too early to start donating or selling things you don’t use. You will want to do this before you throw things away. Selling things will help you make money that you can then put aside for your move. Donating is also great for things you can’t sell because it can help someone else and it’s great for the environment.
As a last resort, you can throw things away before your move. The only things you should really throw away are items that are broken beyond repair or clothing that people probably won’t benefit from (we’re lookin’ at you hole-y sock you’ve held onto since you were 23).
Moving Tip #3: try to keep your boxes close to the same size.
If you’re trying to save money, it’s going to be almost impossible to get your moving boxes all the same size. If you’re not trying to save money, you can purchase your moving boxes from a moving store. You might also be able to find them at a home improvement store. Buy all your boxes in the same size. Even if you think you’ll only use 15 large ones and 20 small ones, buy all the large size ones you need for your stuff. By mixing sizes, you can create waste in the trailer or moving van you’re using. One exception is books! You should never fill large moving boxes with books. They’re too heavy and can cause the moving boxes to tear. Instead, get small boxes for your books and pack them in a way they won’t waste space.
Check out our helpful tips on how to find free moving boxes!
Moving Tip #4: Use labels for everything.
Label all your items in every single box. This is one of the most essential moving tips, but it’s one that many people forget to do or simply don’t do because they think they’ll remember. There are new systems you can use for your smartphone to help you pack, but the old fashioned way works just as well and only costs about $2.
Here’s the easiest and cheapest way to do it:
Get yourself a big pack of different colored markers at the dollar store. Buy a pack of index cards while you’re there.
As you’re packing your boxes, write down each item you put into the box on an index card (this may sound time-consuming, but it doesn’t take that much extra time).
Make sure you use a different colored marker for each room. Write the name of the room at the top of the index card and on the box.
Tape the index card to the top of the box or the side (your preference, I actually made two and did one on the side and top).
This works easier with two people, but it can be accomplished if you’re doing it on your own.
Moving Tip# 5: Move your boxes to a central location.
One of the most unconventional moving tips you can use is to move your boxes and the items you’re moving to a centralized location. If you have a garage or another first-level storage space, this is a great option for your boxes. They’ll be easy to access while you’re loading up the moving truck, but they’ll still be out of the way when you’re working on packing your house up. When you have all your boxes in a central location, you’ll also be less likely to forget anything.
Moving Tip #6: Pack in your items the way you want to unload them.
If you want to make sure the most important stuff gets unpacked first at your new house, you should be sure you pack it last. By putting your boxes in the moving truck in the reverse order you want to take them out, you’ll make it easier on yourself when you’re unpacking. Labeling comes in handy when you use this tip as you’ll be rearranging all the boxes you’ve filled up with your stuff.
Moving Tip #7: Do it yourself.
Hiring a mover can be so expensive and really cut into your budget. In fact, many people who are moving don’t really have the means to hire a mover. The good news is that, unless you have very heavy furniture or tons of stuff, you don’t really need a mover! One of the best moving tips we can give you is to DIY the move. Follow simple packing tips, downsize your home if possible and check out local truck or trailer rental companies to find the best rates!
Unless you have a health condition, you’re moving a gigantic house or you have a relocation stipend from your job, a DIY move is the best way to go.
Are you looking for more in-depth information on different moving subjects? We’ve found the best tips and compiled them each into their own articles! Click below to learn how to do each of these things!
Where to Get Moving Boxes
Finding moving boxes shouldn’t have to be hard. It also shouldn’t have to cost you a fortune! You will be able to find the best boxes when you know what you’re looking for. It is possible to find free and very cheap moving boxes (legally). Check this out for moving tips on finding boxes.
How to Pack for a Move
Packing for a move is all about preparation, making sure you have the right size boxes and organizing so you can save as much space as possible. If you pack your items the right way, you can help reduce the stress that comes with a move. You might even be able to make it easier to find your stuff once you’ve moved to a new house. See all our best tips for packing!
How to Move Out of State
If moving out of state seems like the most daunting thing you’ve ever done, you’re not alone. It can be overwhelming. While it can be very expensive to move out of state, it doesn’t have to be! We found the best moving tips for people who are moving to a different state. You can do it on a budget and you can reduce the stress of moving! Read this for our tried and true tips.
Cheap Apartments: 10 Things to Look Out For
Think you found the perfect cheap apartment? Congratulations! But, make sure you’re looking out for these 10 warning signs that there are problems lurking. We highlight the most common problems from bed bugs to slumlords. You’ll also find out ways to combat problems and what you can do to protect yourself. See it all here.
What is Rent Control?
Rent control seems to be a buzzword for people who are moving and looking for apartments, but what is it really? You can learn more about the basics of rent control and what it means for your apartment hunt. Check this out for more.
Afton Jackson
Tuesday 13th of October 2020
Your suggestion of moving the boxes to a central location for unpacking really helped to read. We recently invited our brother to live in with us in our house for the holidays since it's much larger than his, and he planned to bring in his home electronics devices so we have a theater entertainment setup to enjoy. Since he has a garage building, it would definitely make it easier if we placed all the items there before getting a moving company to help us relocate everything safely.