If you’re moving to a new city, state, or country, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed. The thought of packing up your life and starting fresh in an unfamiliar place is both exciting and daunting. But some things can make the process easier for you if done correctly. Here are five tips to help you move like a pro:
- Set a budget: The best thing you can do is set a budget and stay within it. Many people who are moving don’t think about what they’re spending until the very last minute. It usually results in overspending, which leads to an unhappy bank account. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. If you go into your move with a set budget in mind, you will be more likely to stick to it.
- Start early: Other people mistake waiting until the last minute to get things done. It is a surefire way to become overwhelmed. Instead, start as soon as possible and take out a little time each day or week to focus on your move. It will pay off big time at the end of the project. Also, before hiring movers, walk through every room in your house with them to make sure that nothing will be damaged upon moving.
- Find moving companies online: Make sure your moving truck is large enough for all your belongings. Some people find it hard toย trust strangersย with their items, especially if they’re expensive or delicate. It may mean that you take care of the entire move yourself, which can be very tiring. Instead, find moving companies online where you can compare prices and find out more about what each company offers. This way, if your budget is tight, but you want to ensure the safety of your items, you can ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have used services like this before. Please find out theย top moversย who provide their service in your area.
- Pack in advance and make a checklist for what to pack: Before walking out the door, write down everything you need to do, and check each item off when completed. It will ensure that nothing slips through the cracks, and you won’t have to pay for last-minute movers.
- Gather boxes and tape early: One of the most important parts of moving is making sure that all your items are packed securely. To do this, you need a large number of strong boxes and packing tapes. You can break cards easily, so it’s best not to rely on them as sturdy containers for your belongings.
- Ask yourself if you need those items: It’s always hard to part with things, especially when you’re moving. But if you can’t fit everything in your new home, it’s not worth dragging along the extra load. Thoroughly think through your items and ask yourself if they are really necessary or if you can rent or borrow them from a friend for a short period. Some people also consider selling some of their belongings, especially if they know they’ll never need them again.
- Know what to label: If you’ve ever watched a professional moving crew at work, you will have noticed that they label every box with a number or letter. Labeling boxes makes unpacking so much easier because it means finding the right carton quickly and being able to stack them in the correct rooms of your new home more easily.
- Pack like items together: Smaller boxes go inside bigger ones so that the smaller ones don’t get crushed or damaged and can be carried more easily. Put all your glassware in one box, bedding products in another, andย kitchen stuffย in another. It will help you unpack your belongings faster than if they were scattered across numerous boxes.
- Make sure to pack your valuables: Most items are replaceable, but there are some things that, if they’re broken or missing, you will have a hard time replacing. So pack up things like your passport, any electronic devices, or breakables carefully so that they don’t get banged around in transit. You may even want to consider packing them in a suitcase or some other container before putting them in one of the moving boxes.
- Keep all of your receipts for tax purposes: For most moving expenses, you are allowed to claim up to 10% of it as a deductible expense. So long as you keep all of your receipts and invoices, this should be an easy task. Once you’ve finished all of the moving expenses, it’s important to keep all of your receipts if theย Internal Revenue Serviceย ever audits you. Even if there are no follow-up audits, why not keep them anyway to be safe?
- Is your transport ready? Make sure that your car and other vehicles are ready for the big move! Get an oil change, tune-up, or any other kind of maintenance before the day arrives. You will be hauling over 1,000 pounds of your life in the back of that car, after all, so you want to make sure it can handle it.
- A moving out sale: Having a moving sale might seem old school, but it’s a really good idea. You get rid of unwanted items while making some extra cash for yourself, and you limit the number of things you have to move. If you aren’t sure how to go about it, here are some tips for having a successful moving sale. It can be especially helpful if you’re living in an apartment.
- Pack the big items: Be sure to take measurements of large furniture items that are difficult to transport. Make sure all items are well marked, especially the large furniture pieces. If there is damage to any of your belongings, it will be easier to track down who’s at fault if everything has a clear label. Tape boxes in the order that they will be put into your new home. For example, tape together all the items that will be going into the kitchen first. This way, you’ll have an easier time unpacking them once you’ve settled in.
Be careful not to go overboard with packing. If you have too many boxes, it’s going to be very hard for movers to get around them and potentially dangerous as well if they topple over! Plus, less stuff means easier travel, right? Happy moving!