home move

Moving can be stressful. Packing, planning, and preparation can all be overwhelming. There are ways to prepare for your next move to make it easier on yourself. The key is to stay organized and keep your sanity intact throughout the process. Here are eight tips to make your upcoming move a breeze!

Prepare Early

As soon as you know you will move, start looking for a new home, such as homes for sale in Port Orange FL. Also find a mover and learn more about your destination. Get quotes from at least three moving services and book as early as possible. During your preparation process, make a to-do list and create a timeline for packing, moving, and unpacking. You should also schedule your utilities and other local services like cable or internet. Purchase boxes, or see if local retailers have free boxes they will give you.

Declutter Each Room

Reduce your moving stress by clearing out clutter and junk. Anything else you don’t need or want to keep can be donated or thrown away. There are also companies that will haul your junk away for you. Some donate usable items to charity and recycle other items. You can also challenge yourself to eat as much of the food in your pantry, fridge and freezer as possible before your move without buying more.

Make Pet Arrangements

Moving can be especially stressful for pets, but it can also be easy for pets to escape during the process. It might be safer for your pet if you board it for a few days after you move in and while the movers arrive. If you do not board, plan for pets to stay in a quiet bathroom. Have food, toys, leashes, and treats on hand in your suitcase. For cats, you can get biodegradable temporary litter boxes until you are ready to set up a permanent litter box in the new location.

Gather Supplies

Make sure you have all the supplies you need for moving on hand well before the move. This can include boxes, tape, box cutters, markers, cardboard dividers, packing paper, and bubble wrap. It may help to make a basket of supplies that you can carry around from room to room while you pack. You may also want to consider colored dot stickers to put on boxes as a visual reminder of the room where each box will go. You should pack suitcases or duffle bags with everything you need for your trip.

Use Proper Packing Skills

You can think of packing as a combination of art and science. Use small boxes for heavy and fragile items, while larger boxes can be used for lighter items like bedspreads. Learn how to pack kitchen items such as plates and glasswares with plenty of paper and use cardboard dividers to ensure they don’t break. Clothes can be stored in suitcases or wardrobe boxes. If any box has extra space, fill the empty space with pillows, blankets, or towels. Once a box is full, tape it securely and label it with the room where the items will go. If you have special items like expensive art or sculpture, contact your mover about special arrangements for those pieces.

Plan Moving Day

When moving day arrives, you may have a lot of things going on at the same time. If you can, have your kids stay with relatives or a babysitter, for their own safety and your peace of mind. If not, have a travel activity kit ready for the kids with some books, gaming devices, paper games, washable markers, and other small toys that can keep them occupied in a quiet corner. Have your suitcases packed and ready to go the day before. Also prepare a cooler with easy-to-grab meals and snacks, water, and other drinks.

Unpack Systematically

Once you arrive in your new home and furniture and boxes unloaded to each room, start unpacking the kitchen first. The kitchen can be the most difficult to unpack, but then the worst job is over and you can prepare meals. You should spread out the unpacking into smaller chunks. You can open boxes and see what’s in them, but you don’t have to unpack everything immediately. As soon as you unpack a box, immediately break it down for recycling. Plan to have family and friends over at a certain date to give you a timeline to be unpacked and your new home ready for guests.

Whether you move locally or across the country, moving can be extremely stressful and expensive. When you have so many things to think about, it’s easy to overlook something you need for your new home or the moving process. Thankfully, there are also many ways to prepare for moving so you can have a smoother and easier transition. The next move can be easier and less painful with the right planning and preparation.

By Sambit

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