Helpful Moving Tips

Are you moving or do you know someone moving in the next few years? Well, you know me, so the answer is yes. My husband and I plan to retire in the next five or six years. We’ll be moving 1,500 miles away from our current home we’ve lived in for twenty-four years. I’ve already started making a list of all the address change notifications (magazines, insurance, utilities) and getting a few things ready for a garage sale.

Here are a few helpful moving tips:

1.       DIY Box Handles. Make picking up and lifting heavy boxes a little easier by cutting handholds in two sides of the box with a utility knife! Leave the top flaps of your triangular cut-outs attached and simply fold them in.

2.       Take a Photo of Your Cords. Before you disconnect them to be boxed up, take a quick snapshot of the cords on the back of your television and other electronics so that you can remember where they all go.

3.       Use Rolling Luggage for Heavy Items. If you’ve got them, use your rolling luggage bags for heavy items like books.

4.       Put Hanging Clothes in Garbage Bags. Keep them on the hangers while still protected in garbage bags.This saves the hassle of taking them on and off of the hangers. It also keeps your clothes all together in the order you had them hung, less wrinkled, and ready to hang up when you get to your new home.

5.       Pack a First-Night Box. Chances are you’re not going to be able to unpack and organize your new home the day of the move. Pack a labeled box with all of your first-night essentials and load it last so it’s the first thing off the truck. Better yet; keep it in your personal vehicle. Items include: toilet paper, toiletries, medications, snacks, basic cleaning supplies, a first-aid kit, a utility knife, pet supplies, a night light for the kids, bedding, disposable plates, cups, and utensils.

6.       Safely Pack and Move Plates. Because foam plates are already in the shape of a plate, it makes perfect sense to use them to protect your delicate glass and ceramic plates. Place one in-between each place to prevent them from chipping or breaking.

7.       Plastic Wrap is Your Friend. Use plastic wrap to keep items in their place. No sense in emptying your drawers or silverware tray when you can use plastic wrap to keep drawers shut or smaller items in their intended container.

8.       Make a Packing Supplies Basket. Put together all of the things you need for packing in a basket. This way you can carry it around with you and have everything at your fingertips. Items include: packaging tape, labels, scissors, sharpies, a screw driver, baggies, and a utility knife.

9.       Utilize Everything. Think outside of the box. Use your pot holders to safely hold knives and store socks inside of shoes and boots.

10.   Print Out Bright Colored Labels. Packing is a tedious job. Writing and labeling every box is something you will have to do over and over again. Plan ahead and print out brightly colored labels. Now you can just slap it on to identify each box. It will also be much easier to spot a box from across the room! Use a different color for each room in the new home.

11.   Non-Packing Essentials. Make a list of all of the things that will need to be done in the weeks ahead of your moving date. This will relieve stress and ensure that every little detail is taken care of. Items include: fill and transfer prescriptions a week before the move, withdraw cash for unexpected expenses, set up checking account with a new bank (or change address), back up computers, and empty gas out of all gardening equipment.

Most people probably wouldn’t do this, but I’ll have a detailed list of what is put in each numbered box. (Because that’s The Nancy Way®.)

Nancy Roe
Author