You are all so creative and great on this website. I am wanting to know if anyone has suggestions on how to prepare for a home move. We will be moving in a few months and I am just overwhelmed with the idea of packing all this stuff. I have already thrown out all the stuff we don't need. I am not a pack rat at all, but am still overwhelmed with the amount of stuff to pack (especially the garage area). Any ideas would be appreciated.
Marianne from Trenton, OH
When I was getting ready to move, I got a bunch of colored markers and used a color code on the boxes so I could tell whose/which room the stuff should end up in at the new house. I put a mark on top and sides of the box so it was easy to see. I didn't buy them I just borrowed from the kids school/craft supplies and packed them last. (01/08/2006)
By Kathy J.
I have moved 14 times, and believe me, it never got any easier. I wrapped all breakables with newspaper end rolls. Go to your local newspaper and ask for the end rolls, they are the newspaper without all the print so you don't have to worry about the ink transferring to your things.
Also, pack a suitcase or backpack with your night things and clothes for the next day in case you can't find the boxes with your clothes in them. On the boxes write the room that the box belongs in and make sure to write what you put in the box. When you have all of those boxes piled up, and they all say kitchen on them, exactly which box has your pots and pans, and which has your dishes? It helps to know what is in each box in case you want something unpacked first.
I also recommend having plenty of paper plates, cups, and napkins, and buying quick to eat food like pizza or a bucket of chicken. You won't want to cook because you will be too busy and it will take a while to have the kitchen set up to cook in. Most of all, the most important thing, is to not let the stress get to you. When you feel like you are getting overwhelmed put a great big smile on your face and yell, "I just love my new house". It makes it all worth it. (01/09/2006)
By Paula
All of the suggestions are good and I've used all of them.
When I know I am going to be moving, I start getting organized by look at my belongings as to how often I use them.
Pack up as much of your least used items first, extra linens, extra cookware, summer (or winter) clothes, pictures, and decorations on the walls, etc. Keep working your way through it by asking yourself, "Will I need this before I move?" If not, pack it up. Make sure to pack your boxes with items that go together or will be put away in the same place as much as possible and mark them well. Find a place to put your packed boxes so you don't have to trip over them and feel like you are making progress. If you have an extra room, use that.
As it gets nearer to moving day, make a box your last out, first in box that contains all of your most important items. This would include medications, extra checks, bills that will need to be paid, address book, cash, keys, simple tools like a hammer, screwdrivers, and pliers so they will be easy to find if you need them. Make sure this is easily recognizable and make sure it doesn't get put in the moving truck, but stays with you. You will need to do everything in reverse when you get to your new home.
Also have another box or tub with cleaning supplies for cleaning up as you go.
Best wishes for an easy and stress free move.
Susan from ThriftyFun (01/09/2006)
By ThriftyFun
Excellent ideas so far. My only suggestion is to watch how you label the boxes. On one move, all boxes made it except the one labeled "bedroom-quilts" and "livingroom-collectibles". Needless to say, on the next move we labeled important boxes with "cleaning rags, etc.". Only we knew what it really was. Good luck. (01/10/2006)
By Carla P
Time to discipline yourself. You say you are not a pack rat. Wow. That is a big step already. Go to your fast food chains and ask when their delivery day is. Ask if you can have their boxes when they are done unpacking their foods. Most just throw them out, and will gladly give them to you for free. I have yet to be charged for a box and I have moved a lot.
When you go through more of your things, label the boxes: keep, seasonal (Christmas things, or summer things, etc.) donate, trash and one for "not sure". Do one room a day. Also, when you get to the bathroom, go through your medicine chest. Toss the meds that have expired. Don't forget to remove labels with your name, address, and sometimes medicaid # or SS#. I would get one big box and put each category of meds in a Ziploc bag (pain reliever in one, cough meds in another, prescriptions in yet another.)
After you are done going room by room if there is a lot of stuff in your garage, why not rent a locker for a month or so. A small one isn't too much and it is out of your way until moving day. Maybe find a locker near where you are moving? Every big chore can be broken down into smaller tasks. Be methodical, slow and steady wins the race, and such. (01/17/2006)
By KLS8800
I had to wait four weeks for all my stuff to come to my new place, so I spent that extra time planning where everything would go. Each cabinet had sticky notes so if my hubby unpacked, he knew were everything went. Did the same with pictures, too. (01/20/2006)
By Kelly
Especially if you pack your own boxes, make an itemized list, both for insurance and just to know where things are if you need them right away. (01/20/2006)
By Kelly
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