Although the idea of moving and starting a new chapter of your life may sound exciting, the daunting task of packing and moving your belongings can be quite overwhelming. In fact, the thought of boxes, sticky tape, and bubble wrap is intimidating enough.
Do you have enough boxes? Did you mark the fragile items? Will your furniture squeeze through the doors?
I think you get the picture. Moving isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Thankfully, we have 6 killer tips up our sleeves that make packing and moving easier. So first things first:
- Do you ACTUALLY need to move?
And by ‘need’ I don’t mean relocating just because you can’t stand your neighbors. You need to have solid reasons for moving. Here are some key questions you should ask yourself before making the big decision to move to a different place:
- Can I afford the cost of living there?
- Is the location right for me?
- Does it have the necessary amenities?
- Do the benefits outweigh the downsides?
- Will this move make me happier?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you’ve definitely thought things through.
- Don’t spend money on boxes
Moving is expensive as it is. There’s absolutely no need to spend money on moving supplies that you can easily get for free, such as boxes.
Find free boxes at your local grocery stores. They usually receive stock daily so they have a good supply of boxes sitting around waiting to be recycled. Surely, they’ll be more than happy to give them to you. Plus, they are often a small-medium size which means they will be easier to shift around once full. Just make sure you ask the staff in advance so they can put the empty boxes aside for you to pick up.
Bonus tip: Cut triangle-shaped holes on the side of each box to create handles. This way you can move your boxes around without worrying about losing your grip.
- Sell items you don’t need
No good can come from hoarding, especially if you’re downsizing. You essentially end up keeping things you most probably will never need or use. So the smartest thing to do is sell these items.
You can sell your old treasures online on Craigslist, AptDeco, or eBay. If you prefer something simpler, organize a garage sale. Who said moving is all about spending?
- Color-code each box
Label each box with a color specific to the room it belongs to. This will make it easier for movers to put boxes in the correct room and makes unpacking much less stressful for you. It’s also a good idea to keep tabs on what each box contains by writing up a list of contents or taking some photos.
Bonus tip: Put labels on the top and on the sides of boxes in case they are stacked on top of each other.
- Pack an overnight bag
It’s highly unlikely you’ll get everything unpacked on the first day of your move. Make sure you pack an overnight bag with all the essentials to get you through the day. This includes a change of clothes, toiletries, and some medicine.
- Get professionals to do the moving for you
You don’t want to scratch those freshly polished hardwood floors, do you? Of course not. That’s why professional movers have an advantage over DIY movers. They know exactly how to load, move, and carry each piece of furniture without causing damage to your belongings or your home. It’s a small investment that can make your whole move a lot easier.
Are you ready to move to your new home? Invoke Moving will get you settled and ensure you have a flawless move. Contact us today for a free quote.