10 Essential Moving Tips for Everyone

Plan Ahead

One of the best things you can do for yourself with a move is to plan ahead. Schedule movers way in advance, change your address a week before, cancel internet and other services with enough time to return equipment, and buy PLENTY of boxes. Taking care of these tasks with plenty of time will greatly reduce your stress your final few days in your home as you’re getting all of your possessions and family members ready to go.

Throw away as much as possible

There is no better time to get rid of everything that you don’t need or doesn’t spark joy than during a move. It makes perfect sense! If you don’t need it – you certainly don’t want to spend the time, money and effort moving it just to not use it in your new place. Throw away as much as possible, and donate the things you can. Scheduling a donation pick up is quick and easy – and can be one of the tasks you check off during the planning ahead phase. 🙂

Pack a clear box with items you’ll need right away

There are some items that are going to be essential right when you arrive at your new place. These are things like paper towels, wipes, toilet paper, trash bags, etc. You’ll save yourself a headache by packing a small crate with a kit to get you started, before you have the time to make a big trip to the store.

Pack a personal overnight bag

There are many great, reliable moving companies out there, but even the best places can’t avoid external circumstances like weather and traffic that could delay your belongings from arriving at your new digs. If this happens, you don’t want to have nothing to wear or no toothbrush while already trying to adjust to a new place. Pack yourself a few days worth of clothes and some overnight items like face wash and a cell phone charger in case your stuff gets delayed. We hope you don’t need to use it, but you never know.

Make copies of your most-important documents

This one is kind of a pain, but in the worst case scenario you’ll be so glad you did. Make photocopies of all important documents – social security cards, passports, birth certificates, and other essentials. The likelihood of all of this getting destroyed or lost in your move is low – but taking an extra half hour to do this instead of having to spend weeks or months getting it all replaced is motivation enough.

Schedule all disconnect times and change your address a week before

We mentioned this one in the first section, but it can’t be emphasized enough. Having your mail and all deliveries still being sent to your old address and missing important things because of it will make the moving process much more stressful than is needed. You can change your address quickly and easily online via the Post Office or UPS. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.usa.gov/post-office

Call in favors early

If you’re asking friends to help you move or having people take belongings you no longer need/want – schedule these things early and CONFIRM. There’s nothing worse than relying on a friend, forgetting to follow-up and learning the day of your move that you actually can’t borrow their truck or they can no longer make it. Do a quick check a week or so out so you have time to replace their help if necessary.

Be tedious with labeling your boxes

This one also makes a huge difference. Be diligent about the labels you put on your boxes – clarifying certain rooms, closets and even shelves. This can make unpacking so much easier once you know where things were and thus where they need to go now. Take the time to do it while you’re throwing everything into the boxes, and you’ll be able to unpack everything and get settled just as quickly.

Do your do diligence while researching moving companies

This one’s essential. All moving companies are NOT made the same. Let me repeat that: NOT. A quick scan online may not always be what’s enough to find the best one in your area – ask around, look at actual message boards and reviews, call and get a few quotes before you decide. You’ll be happy when you avoid the many horror stories we’ve heard from people relying on those that are less than reliable, to say the least.

Get every piece of moving supplies you think you may need – and grab extras if you can

Last but not least- do your shopping and do it well. Buy every little item you even remotely think you’ll need – because if you don’t get it odds are you’ll end up desperately needing it. That’s just how moving works. Packing tape, foam corners for pictures, post-its, tabs, sharpies, extra packing tape, etc — all will come in handy one way or another. Don’t make yourself do multiple trips and get it all in one fell swoop.