Organizing Tip: How To Pack For Your Big Move
Packing up all your belongings and moving to a new home can be daunting. But with a little bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Organizing your things as you pack can help make the unpacking phase much smoother. Handling the logistics in stages can also help you manage the chaos of moving.
Start with the more substantial details and work down to the small things. Securing your moving truck and choosing from several car shipping companies will be dealt with two of the most enormous tasks. Then you can start packing and getting ready for the big day.
Saved by the List
There’s a lot to do when you’re moving, and it can be tough to keep track of everything. That’s why it’s a good idea to create a list of the tasks you need to complete before turning in your keys and heading off to your new home base. This way, you can ensure that everything is taken care of and that there are no surprises. Of course, your list will be unique to your situation, but here are a few things that you might want to include:
– Packing up all of your belongings
– Changing your address with the post office
– Forwarding your mail
– Setting up utilities at your new place
– Notifying friends and family of your new address
– Enrolling your kids in their new school
By taking the time to create a list, you can help ensure that your move goes smoothly and that everyone involved knows what needs to be done.
Our list includes the following, in addition to some family-specific tasks.
Moving the Big Stuff
One of the first things you’ll need to do is decide how to move your belongings. Are you going to drive yourself? Rent a truck? Hire an out-of-state moving company? Or use a car shipping company? If you’re driving yourself, start making a second list with everything you need to pack. Once you have your list, start packing room by room, so you don’t get overwhelmed.
Transporting your car (s)
If you choose to drive your moving truck, you may choose to ship your car. Another reason your vehicle may be sent via a transport company is that your family has more than one car, and there aren’t enough drivers to go around.
There are a few things you’ll need to do to get your car ready for transport:
– Make sure it’s clean, inside and out
– Remove all personal belongings
– Check the oil and tire pressure
– Disable the alarm system
– Make sure there is a quarter tank of gas, no more
Some companies specialize in safely and securely transporting your car, truck, SUV, or boat to a new location, no matter how far away. There are two primary methods of transport if you’re staying in the continental US, and a third option comes available if you’re traveling overseas for your move. Shipping by truck or train is standard for land travel while packing your car onto a ship or a shipping container is the third option for sea travel.
There are many different options out there for vehicle transport, but even if you’re looking for the cheapest vehicle transport, it doesn’t mean that they don’t provide great value at a great price.
Each company will outline its needs and requirements for preparing your car. You can sometimes pack the car with some of your belongings to utilize the space, but this is decided between you and the transport company.
Packing and Labeling Your Small Stuff
As you start packing up your belongings for a move, it can seem like a daunting task to keep everything organized. However, a few simple tricks can make the process much easier.
First, label each box with its contents and destination room, later saving you time and frustration. Ensure there is a label on the top and the side so you can easily see where it goes and what it has.
Labels should include information about where the box goes and anything that could be considered a hazard, such as weight, fragility, or special care instructions. A few example labels are “Heavy Books – Living room,” “Linens – Hall Closet,” or “Kitchen – Non-perishables.”
You can streamline this process by pre-writing several labels on inexpensive mailing labels and packing them down one room at a time. Try to use consistently sized boxes for more stability. Packing one room at a time simplifies the process because all the boxes for each room are clustered together.
The Essentials Box
Anytime you move to a different apartment or across the country, there will always be a few boxes that are more important than the rest. One of the most important boxes you can pack is your essentials box.
This box should contain everything you’ll need to get through the first night and day in your new place. A set of clean clothes, toiletries, snacks, and any medications you take daily are all good things to include. This way, you can have everything you need at your fingertips and don’t have to worry about unpacking everything immediately. Trust me; an essentials box will make your life a lot easier when you’re in the middle of a move.
Sorting out Finances
Moving to a new house is a lot of work, but there are some things you can do to make the transition a little bit easier. One thing you need to take care of is updating your billing information with all your service providers. That way, you won’t have any interruption in service or unexpected charges on your account.
You should also call your bank and let them know about your move. This will help to prevent any issues with your card being locked for suspicious activity. And if you’re moving to a new area, you may want to consider transferring your accounts to a new bank.
There are many options, so it’s essential to do your research to find the one that’s right for you. With some planning, you can ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.
Connect to Your New Medical Team
Scheduling an appointment with a new health professional can be a daunting task. Not only do you have to find a provider who is within your insurance network, but you also have to contend with long wait times for appointments. However, there are some steps you can take to make the process easier.
First, call your insurance company and ask for a list of covered providers in your area. This will help you narrow down your options and save you time. Next, contact the provider’s office and inquire about their scheduling policies. Some offices allow patients to book appointments online, while others require that you call and speak to a representative.
Doing your homework in advance can save you time and frustration when scheduling an appointment with a new health professional. While at it, look up the emergency room and urgent care facilities closest to your new home.
The most common negative things during the move are sustaining property damage or personal injury while moving and loading stuff in or out of the house.
Update People on New Contact Information to Stay in Touch
As anyone who’s ever moved to a new city or town knows, one of the most challenging aspects of the transition can be making new friends. It cannot be easy to meet people, especially if you don’t have a built-in community like you might have had at your previous location.
However, it’s essential to reach out and connect with the people around you, as these connections can provide invaluable support during the moving process. Start by clicking with your co-workers, neighbors, and the parents of your children’s friends.
Please get to know them before you move, exchange contact information, and then reach out to them once you’ve settled into your new home. These connections will help ease the transition and make your new community feel like home in no time. Often you can connect to people in your neighborhood through social media by joining community groups on Facebook or NextDoor.
Once You’ve Landed
Moving to a new home is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. One of the most challenging parts of the move is packing everything and getting it ready to transport. However, you can take some simple steps to make the process less complicated.
First, start by making a list of everything you need to pack. This will help you keep track of your progress and ensure that nothing gets left behind. Next, begin packing early, giving yourself plenty of time to finish. You can also enlist the help of friends and family members to make things go more quickly. Finally, don’t forget to label all your boxes, so you know where everything goes in your new home. By following these tips, you can make packing for your move a breeze!
If you are looking for more tips on how to organize your life? Check out our blog for great ideas, like this post about organizing your car.
Happy packing!
