Have you ever experienced moving? It’s such a headache, right? Moving is said to be one of the most stressful experiences a person can go through. It’s time-consuming, tedious, and often overwhelming. Yet, with careful planning and a simple guide to follow, the experience can be made much simpler and less overwhelming. If you’re going through a move right now or if you’ve gone through a move in the past, then this article is for you! We’ve compiled a list of 10 helpful tips to help make your moving process stress-free.
Tip #1: Make a Moving Checklist
A moving checklist is probably the most important part of your move when it comes to saving time and keeping track of what needs to be done. You don’t want to end up like one single mom in North Carolina who went through her entire life in storage only to discover she was missing items when it came time for her new apartment. We understand how easy it is to forget little things during a busy process, so creating a list will keep you on track.
Tip #2: Start Packing and Donating in Advance
Start packing at least three weeks before your move. You will end up saving yourself a lot of time if you get rid of the things you don’t need any longer before it’s time to step back into your old abode to pack them up. Most importantly, this is also when you should donate all the items that are in good condition but simply don’t belong in your new place. People can always find a use for these items. Thank you for donating them. You’ll feel good knowing they’re going to a loving home instead of being wasted away in storage.
Tip #3: Get Rid of Unnecessary Boxes
Once you’ve started packing, there is no need to keep packing boxes that no longer hold anything. Boxes are expensive and wasting them is unnecessary. If you have any unused cardboard boxes, consider using them to start recycling. Good for the environment and good for your wallet—win-win.
Tip #4: Hire a Moving Company
Hiring a moving company will save you lots of time and energy. Not only do they handle all the heavy lifting for you, but they also know exactly how to pack each item securely to arrive undamaged at your new home (probably even better than you would). You’ll save yourself from an unexpected injury or worse if you let someone else take the wheel here.
Tip #5: Pack Food and Drinks for the Trip
While under normal circumstances, you would want to pack your perishables in a separate bag prior to loading them in the car, we understand that when moving, this is not always possible. Make sure you pack some snacks and drinks in an accessible place in your car so you can munch on something while driving and avoid buying overpriced foods at gas stations and rest areas. Also, make sure you keep drinks cool with an ice chest or cold packs if needed—especially if it’s summertime when traveling long trips isn’t advisable without air conditioning.
Tip #6: Contact Your Bank Before You Move
If you’re moving to another city or state then it’s crucial that you contact your bank well in advance to notify them of your new address. Otherwise, any recurring monthly fees accessed via debit card will continue to be charged at the old address and potentially cause overdrafts in your bank account. Avoid this by giving yourself plenty of time for this notification process.
Tip #7: Set up Utilities at Your New Place
Once you’ve arrived and everything is unloaded, the last thing on your mind will likely be to get all of your utilities set up. However, it’s important that you do this as early as possible so that you don’t get stuck without light or air conditioning in the middle of July. A tough lesson to learn. Call them prior to moving day and make sure they send a technician out in a timely fashion after you arrive with a new address.
