Simple Moving Tips on How to Lessen the Stress

Moving is one of the most stressful life events, and there's no doubt why. Between packing, getting everything set up in your new home, and arranging the actual move, it's easy to lose track of the details. Following some or all of these tips will help simplify your move and make the transition to your new home go much more smoothly.

Hire a Moving Company

Having a moving company load up your belongings and deliver them to your destination is an easy way to simplify your move. Movers will do all the heavy lifting and take care to protect your furniture and other large items. The difference between renting a truck and hiring full-service movers can be a couple thousand dollars, but the stress and effort saved is priceless.

Hire Professional Packers

Packing is definitely one of the most stressful and time-consuming aspects of moving. Expert packers are available for hire from your moving company. They will come into your home the day before your move and pack everything for you. Hired packers do an excellent job of packing and protecting your belongings. They also save you the trouble of obtaining supplies and since they pack everything at once, you don't have to go without any items that you've packed ahead of time. However, be warned that professional packers will pack everything in your household, whether you want it packed or not. Remove any items not going to your new home, and also separate and clearly label and items you will be bringing with you.

Buy Boxes

Rather than spending your time collecting boxes from alleys and grocery stores, go to a moving supply store and purchase boxes. Not only will this make procuring boxes easier, it will also help with your packing. Boxes in uniform size will be much easier to pack and load. New boxes, boxes made for moving and storage, will also protect your belongings better. If you can't afford or don't want to pay for new boxes, try a box exchange website such as U-Haul, where you can find used boxes for sale or to be given away, by location. A site like this is also a great idea for getting rid of your used boxes after your move.

Sort Your Belongings

Before you begin packing go through all of your belongings, getting rid of unused, out-of-date, broken and no longer needed items. Sort through your clothes, files, kitchen items, food etc. Consider if each item is worth the expense and effort to pack and move it. Some good rules to go by: If you haven't used or worn the item since you last moved, get rid of it. If you don't want to pack it, you won't want to unpack it; get rid of it. If you're not sure what it is, get rid of it. Donate items to a local thrift store, or offer them on a website such as Freecycle As you begin packing, continue to ask yourself if each item is worth the space it takes up, and keep adding to your donation pile.

Pack One Room at a Time

Putting things from the same room in one box helps simplify moving into your new home and unpacking. For example, pack all of the books from your living room in one box, rather than gathering books from throughout the house to pack together. This reduces the amount of time you spend wandering between rooms, while both packing and unpacking.

Label Everything

Label every box with what room it goes in as well as the contents. For example, label the box of books you packed in your living room "Living Room - Books" so that you or your professional movers will know where to put the box in your new home, and you will know the contents. This will simplify unloading and unpacking.