It’s Why Not Organize Something Wednesday. I’ve received a lot of questions on the best way to pack for a move so here’s some ideas I’ve used with clients and my own family.
1. Create a timeline. Make small goals and deadlines for yourself. Start from the date you need to move and work backwards to create the timeline. Be realistic and give yourself some wiggle room.
2. Start using up things you don’t want to move, such as perishable foods and cleaning supplies.
3. Make arrangements to have your children’s school records transferred to their new school.
4. Use a binder to store important information you will need for your move, such as moving company info, utilities info, local companies, real estate info, etc.
5. Keep cleaning supplies together in a small laundry basket or milk crate. Load it in the moving van last so you have easy access to it when you get to the new house.
6. Keep packing supplies all together in a caddy. You’ll always have easy access to a marker, scissors, packing tape and other packing supplies. Make sure you have lots of boxes and padding on hand too.
7. Before you pack an item, ask yourself if you love it enough to pack it, move it and then unpack it. This is a chance to clear some clutter before you move.
8. Take items you decide not to keep to a local charity or better yet call one and have them come pick it up from you. Your trash might just be someone else’s treasure.
9. Pack an Essentials Box. Some things you might want to include in it are a flashlight, band-aids, candles and a lighter, a corded phone, emergency phone numbers, paper towels, toilet paper, take-out menus, alarm clock, screw driver, cooking and eating utensils, etc. Mark it “Open First” so you have these items if needed.
10.Don’t pack anything that needs repaired or is dirty. Either take care of the item before you move or get rid of it.
11. Pack a box of maybe items that you’re not sure you really want to keep. Mark on the box “6 months”. If after 6 months you haven’t had to get in the box, donate it to a charity.
12. Pack “like with like” and label all boxes with the contents. Also label what room the boxes go in. Don’t mix rooms or contents or it will be too hard to find what you need at your new house.
13. Measure your new space to see what furniture will fit before you move it there. You might need to downsize or loan some things out to family or friends if you’re moving to a smaller place.
14. Have snacks and water available to everyone the day of the move.
15. Fill out a change of address form at www.usps.gov if you still receive items through the mail.
16. Make arrangements to have someone watch the kids for the day of the move if that’s possible. You and the kids will both be happier.
I hope this has helped a little and happy moving if that’s in your future.
