Get packing: Tips to ensure a smooth move
On the unofficial list of life’s most stressful events, moving is bound to be in the Top 10. Apart from finding a new residence, having the utilities turned on and learning your way around a new neighborhood, just the thought of facing all of the “stuff” you’ve accumulated over the years is enough to send you into a tailspin.
If you are a first-time mover, you don’t have the advantage of learning from past mistakes and developing efficient ways to pack. There is no room for cutting corners when packing, as anyone who has ended up with a boxful of broken dishes or a punctured lampshade can attest. Follow these tips on packing properly and learn the basics to keep your move stress-free.
• Assess Your Mess — Your first step is to take an inventory of your belongings. Make a list of the items that you will need immediately, and those that can stay packed for a while (i.e. if you are moving in the summer, you probably won’t be using your wooly winter sweaters for a while). Also take the time to discard items with a sole purpose of taking up space — you know, the things accumulating dust that you haven’t touched in years. Pack the items you won’t need readily first and put them aside. You’re already on your way.
• Research, Research, Research — It’s amazing how many people will spend hours scouring the Internet or local sales flyers for a new DVD system or computer package. However, they will take all of five minutes looking for a moving company. Investigate and receive quotes from a few different companies. When possible, get recommendations from friends and family. This company will be responsible for your most valuable possessions — don’t just go with the lowest price or fancy advertising. If cost is an issue and you want to move yourself, examine the fine print. Professional moving trucks can transport a larger amount of your belongings more efficiently. While you may think you’re saving money by moving yourself, extra trips, breakages and injury from heavy lifting could actually cost you more in the long run.
• It’s All in the Packaging — Be sure to purchase the proper containers for the job — not just raiding the local supermarket dumpster for discarded boxes. Many boxes are just not strong enough for your household items, and can have holes in the bottoms or lids.
It’s also a good idea to adequately line your boxes with packing paper or bubble wrap to doubly insure that prized possessions will not end up broken and in the trash heap. Never pack a lampshade with any other item, as innocuous as it may seem, because you’re just asking for puncture trouble. Also, don’t over-pack boxes to save on the number needed for the move. The bottom of heavy boxes might drop out when lifted.
• Possible Roadblocks — Some things to watch out for: Don’t ship aerosols or household chemicals in a moving truck, especially during warm months. Excessive heat could cause combustibles to explode. Also, keep an eye out for pets, like cats. Feisty felines love to explore empty boxes, and inadvertently end up packed away ... yes, it’s happened! • Look to the Future — While packing and moving can be a bit hectic at times, just think of the possibilities that lie ahead in your new home. Concentrating on the future can keep you focused and a little less stressed.