Moving enables you to begin your life’s journey with a clean slate. It results in working and socializing with people you have never encountered before. However, relocating is a mentally and physically challenging process. If you are planning a move, it could sound scary. Fortunately, you can alleviate a lot of stress by walking the tight line of the moving hacks mentioned below:
Clear Out All The Clutter
People living in the same place for a long period tend to collect many useless items. Thus, it is crucial to purge all your unwanted belongings before the big day, whether you are relocating to a smaller apartment or a mansion. The total cost of your move will increase proportionally with the weight or quantity of your consignment. In other words, decluttering before moving will save you a substantial amount along the way.
To start proceedings, you should look at the expiry dates of different items. You likely have some expired toiletries stashed away in your bathroom. Therefore, before packing them, be sure to check their expiration dates. However, you may not be able to know the expiry dates of many items. Take the example of kitchen spices; most households throw the packaging and store them in jars. It is a good idea to take a closer look at the contents of the spice jar instead of preserving them based on their outlook. If you are moving to a smaller house, you may still be left with more items than your new place could accommodate after all the cleaning. In that case, renting a self storage unit is hands down your best bet.
Select The Best Moving Company
Movers have the appropriate experience and training. So they will safely transport and unload your belongings. On top of that, having a professional moving company by your side means you can avoid lifting heavy boxes and risking an injury in the process. That said, the market is peppered with a truckload of moving companies. Nowadays, It is easy for a group of people to pool their money for a few moving trucks, create a website, and market themselves as moving experts. Therefore, you should conduct the necessary research before partnering with any service provider.
To begin your search, you may get recommendations from people you know and trust. Inquire them further by asking questions such as Did movers show up on time? Did they damage anything during transportation, and if so, how did the claim get settled?”
If you do not find recommendations from friends and family, you may narrow your options by reading online reviews on trustworthy third-party review websites. Be it a pleasant or terrible moving experience, people usually share their reviews about companies if they feel it to be significant. Reading these testimonials may provide insight into key underlying aspects that will help you during the decision-making.
Create A Packing Plan
Packing is not about randomly stuffing your possessions on one another. You have to be systematic about it. To get started, decide which rooms or storage spaces you want to tackle first. It is best practice to hold off packing the belongings in your kitchen and bedroom until the very end because you may need them at any time before moving.
Before packing, make sure you have boxes and other packing materials such as tape, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, scissors, labels, and marking pens. If you have a tight budget, consider going through local advertisements to get free moving boxes. Ideally, you should have a diverse selection of boxes, including bookcase boxes as well as wardrobe boxes.
Remember that each packing box has a fixed weight capacity. If you load them up too much, they can give way and collapse. Carefully examine boxes before putting anything into them, especially if they are old. According to professional movers, the recommended weight for a small box is 50 pounds, a medium box is 65 pounds, and a large box is 80 pounds. To be on the safe side, you should not go past beyond the mentioned weight limit. Every box must have a label that specifies what is inside it. That way, you will not have to rummage through six boxes before finding what you need.
Carry A Moving Day Survival Kit
The term “survival kit” entails a collection of moving day necessities stored in one easy-to-carry container. Up until you have unpacked everything, the items in a survival kit will let you go about your daily business without any disruption. It may include a cozy blanket, a screwdriver, a handy flashlight, some canine treats, and a roll of toilet paper. There is no one-size-fits-all “moving day survival kit. So you should modify the contents according to the needs of your family members. For instance, if a family member has a serious illness, you should pack any necessary prescriptions and medical equipment.
It is also a good idea to have extra cash on hand to pay for pizza delivery because you are likely too worn out to cook. Do not forget to create a single source for your most important documents that you can access instantly.
Keep Tabs On Your Expenses
You must keep track of every dollar spent during the relocation, even if you have already devised a budget. The expenses associated with moving can pile up very fast. Keeping a close eye on your spending will prevent you from having to use your emergency fund. Depending on the circumstances, you may even be liable to deduct part or all of your relocation expenses from your taxable income or have them reimbursed in full by your new employer. Keeping detailed records is essential for submitting a proper reimbursement claim.
Conclusion
Moving could be due to several reasons. You might be relocating to a more desirable or economically feasible location or recently landed a job that requires you to relocate to a different city. In any case, packing up your possessions and moving may be a stressful ordeal. Instead of hoping for the best and praying everything goes smoothly, you should make a solid moving strategy by following the above guidelines.
