Packing and Moving Guide / Tips for a Smooth Move
One Month before Moving:
- Gather moving supplies, boxes, tape, rope/string. (Old newspapers are always handy for wrapping breakable goods before packing / boxing)
- If moving far away, make any necessary travel arrangements such as airline, hotel, and rental car reservations.
-
Select a moving company or reserve a U-Haul or National Tilden movong truck.
- Finalize real estate and apartment rental needs.
- Place legal, medical, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
- Give the post office your new mailing address. You can also ask the post office to forward your mail to your address.
- Give your mailers your new address.
- Remember to notify all your friends and family of your new address.
- Banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions must also be notified.
- Charge card and credit card companies.
- Doctors, dentists, and other service providers.
- State and Federal Tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed.
- Save moving receipts (many moving expenses are tax deductible).
- Make maps of your new neighborhood to familiarize yourself and your family with your new area.
- Plan your moving budget.
Two Weeks before Moving:
- Inform gas, electrical, water, cable, telephone services of your move. Remember to sign up for services at your new address!
- Recruit moving-day help.
- Confirm travel reservation.
- Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if needed.
Packing Tips:
- Keep the following supplies and accessories on hand:
- Boxes, all sizes
- Bubble wrap or other cushioning material
- Marking pens
- Tape measure
- Furniture pads or old blankets
- Packing tape and scissors
- Money and credit cards
- Label each box with the room in the new home to which it should be delivered.
- Number the boxes and keep a list of what is in each box.
- Clearly mark fragile items.
- Pack a bag of personal items you'll need during the move (change of clothes, toiletries, medicine, maps, food, and drinks). Keep it in an easy-to-find place when you pack.
- Keep a medical kit accessible.
- If you have children, pack a bag of games and activities for the trip.
Here are some more useful tips for when you are getting ready to relocate into your new home
If you have other useful tips, please let us know as we would be happy to add them to our site.
- Select a packing room and begin packing a few things each day.
- Donate or sell any clothing or household items that are no longer needed to avoid clutter and unnecessary moving.
- Use clean white paper for packing instead of newspaper, which can stain items.
- Mark boxes with contents and destination room at new location.
- Utilize moving company boxes or packing material to avoid the damage to personal items.
- Mail change of address forms two to four weeks prior to moving. These cards are available at your local post office.
- Plan move for a weekday to avoid natural weekend rush. Weekday moves are also convenient as utility companies, banks and other businesses you need will be open.
- Pack essential items last so they are readily available at new home.
- If you have a family pet, consult your vet for best ways to make the move less stressful for it.
- Find a way for your children to be involved. They will feel more comfortable and things will go in stride.
- Plan your move well in advance to avoid last minute expenses.
- If you have friends or family helping with your move, show your appreciation of their time and effort.
20 Ways To Keep Motivated While Moving
by Wendy Jones
Packing and Moving can put undue stress on any family Listed below are some helpful tips to make your move as smooth as possible.
1.) Stop Endless “Mind Chatter”. Stay Focused in the Moment
Under stress, your mind can become an endless recording of negative chatter. “I can’t do this.” “I should have done that.” “What if this does not work?” “What if that happens?” In an effort to halt such an energy drain, try staying focused in the moment. Concentrate fully on the activity at hand. Act deliberately, be aware of how things feel, smell, sound and taste. Eventually, the chatter will fade. Once this happens, your mind quiets down and you will discover more inner control.
2.) Eliminate Distractions
When you are absorbed in a task that absolutely must be completed, only a dire emergency should stand in your way. Don’t allow yourself to become sidetracked and pulled off balance. Turn off the television and the radio. Let your answering machine pick up your phone messages. Leave a note on the front door asking friends to return later at a specific time.
3.) Establish Your Boundaries
A boundary is an imaginary line. Draw it around your “personal space” in order to protect your values and beliefs from the unacceptable behavior of others. Once this boundary is in place, you must be prepared to maintain it - particularly in times of stress.
A wobbly boundary will only lead to resentment, confusion and frustration for all involved. A firm boundary acts as a guideline for others, letting them know what you will and what you will not tolerate.
4.) Know Your Limitations When Setting Goals
It is all very jolly to arbitrarily set goals to help you achieve your targets. However, having goals that are unrealistic and too difficult to achieve, will only create more stress … along with feelings of guilt, which you definitely do not need in your life. Know your limitations and know when enough is enough. Be proud of small achievements and don’t risk going into overwhelm.
5.) Clearly Establish the Outcome
When surrounded by a large number of tasks to perform, take one and start with the end result first. What is the outcome you wish to achieve? Once this is clearly established in your mind and on paper, you will have a much clearer route for arriving at that particular destination.
6.) Have Contingency Plans
Since you will be thinking about worst case scenarios anyway, take the time to actually write them down. Now, come up with two different contingency plans for each “horrific happening”. Commit them to writing. Then put the paper away in a safe place. Your mind is once again free to concentrate on more positive matters.
7.) Do What You Don’t Want To Do … First
You might have to break it down into manageable portions, but get it out of the way right at the beginning. You will feel positively airborne when you have this behind you, rather than in your face!
8.) Forget Trying to Multitask
Some can, most can’t. Trying to do more than one thing at a time can spell frustration. You can’t find where you put something. You’re not sure whether you labeled something. You can’t recall phoning someone. Better to totally focus on one thing at a time. It doesn’t seem as invigorating as packing 6 boxes while preparing lunch and speaking on the phone to the moving company.
9.) Solve Problems, Immediately
Problems happen. When they do, pounce on them. Do battle with them. They will never “just go way”. Instead, problems mysteriously multiply. By the end of the week, instead of one, you now have seven hundred and fifty-five!! So, eliminate them as soon as they rear up.
10.) Be Flexible
Things don’t always go exactly according to plan. Plan A goes missing. Plan B actually becomes Plan D. Was there ever a Plan C? Allow for flexibility. Forcing things to work according to a predetermined schedule is totally anti-productive and extremely exhausting.
11.) When Things Become a Struggle – Halt and Step Back!
When you find that you just can’t stand whatever task you are performing. STOP.... Keep the blood pressure down by taking a guilt-free time out, sit in the garden or take a walk around the neighborhood. Or my particular favorite, climb into the car and just “hit the road” for 30 minutes. Allow time for your energy level to rise back up.
12.) Honor Yourself
First things first. You are not a machine!! Make sure you schedule “down times” that are entirely selfish. Arrange to do something that you want to do.br Get a massage. Visit the horse races. Walk in the woods. Curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and a murder mystery. It does not have to be extravagant or expensive … unless a weekend in Paris is the only thing that will rejuvenate you!!!
13.) Plan a Fun Activity with the Family
Remember that there are more important things in life then sifting, sorting, cleaning and packing. In order to fend off family squabbles and mood downers … plan something fun that you can all do in the evenings. It is crucial to maintain this happy balance in your lives, right now. What you decide upon need not be anything complicated or time consuming. It might only take 10 minutes. Try being spontaneous. See who can be the first person to make the rest of you laugh! Or plan to try new take-out food. Or rent “the worst” video you can find. Or …..
14.) Chat with a Friend
If you have friends who are non-judgmental, who love and respect you no matter what sort of a predicament you are currently in, having them on the other end of the phone can be very soothing. There are times when balanced point-of-view from someone who has not packed all the shoes and cutlery by mistake.
15.) Delegate!
Nobody can do everything by himself or herself. If you have a family, make sure they are not sitting on the sidelines. Get them all involved, each with a clear set of instructions. However, it might also be time to enlist the help of a professional organizer, house cleaner or contractor. Anything you are doing that you are not excelling at should be on the “Delegation List”. This will free up your precious time to concentrate on the top priority tasks and any emergencies.
16.) Create a “Quiet Zone”
Designate one room where you can go to just “be quiet”. No phone, no doorbells, no computer, no television. Try locating a comfortable chair by a window in the spare bedroom. When the door is shut, it means that someone is in there and does not want to be disturbed. Just one regulation however, you must eventually come back out. No fair staying in there for 24 hours!! A strong possibility if you live alone!!!
17.) Take a “Helicopter” Point of View
When you find that stress is winning … its time to change your perspective. Move a few steps away from where you are. Imagine you are looking down
on the scene from above. How does it look? Can you see yourself fighting with the bubble paper and the carton that won’t open? Does if seem less crazy from up here? What do you now feel is most important? What are you going to tell yourself when you “land”?
18.) Drink Lots of Water or Fluids
Preferably non alcoholic or you may not remember where you packed anything. :) Perhaps a strange tip… However, without your 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, you will start to suffer the effects of dehydration. Dehydration will block your ability to stay alert.
19.) Keep to a Regular Pattern for Going to Bed
Your body has a rhythm. When gets it all jumbled up, it will retaliate by leaving your mind feeling equally jumbled up! However, by maintaining a regular pattern for going to bed, you should waken feeling restored, refreshed and ready for another day.
20.) Maintain a Gratitude Journal Stop Groaning
Each night make a list of at least five things you are thankful for. Sometimes it can be a struggle. You might have a page that simply reflects that you are grateful for actually getting out of bed. You are grateful for locating the coffee in the kitchen and a mug to drink it out of!
You are grateful for not having driven over the dog asleep in the driveway. And, of course, you are grateful that your foot has only suffered a bruise and not a sprain when the books fell. Just five things. Each evening. You can do it!! And it will start to create wonderful things in your life.
Packing
and Organizing Guide
Helpful packing tips for a smooth
and stress free move!
Introduction
Do go through these suggestions
to pack your articles. Small articles such as dishes,
table lamps, pictures, and other fragile bric-a-brac
must be thoughtfully and carefully packed in boxes,
with some paper covering them.
Materials
You Will Need
Wrapping
Paper: You are going
to need plenty of wrapping paper. Many people save
and use their old newspapers. Keep in mind, however,
that the ink on newsprint never thoroughly dries.
Consequently, the goods you wrap in newspapers are
most likely going to be soiled and will require cleaning
after unpacking, and before you put them away. For
items you prefer to keep clean it would be best to
purchase some packing paper from your mover.
Cartons: You'll need many boxes in assorted sizes. All
boxes should be in good condition, and must have covers
on them in order that they can be closed up and sealed.
You can purchase cartons from your mover, if you wish.
It must be pointed out, however, that all paper products
are expensive these days, and specially designed movers
cartons are no exception. With the huge investment
movers have in cartons, they cannot afford to give
them away.
Sealing
Tape: The
best tape for this purpose is plastic tape. Your rolls
of tape should be at least 1.5 to 2 inches wide.
Permanent
Marker: This is for marking your packed boxes
with such information as the contents of the box,
"FRAGILE" "THIS SIDE UP",etc.
Some
Things To Consider
Start collecting boxes
early. An easy way to store cartons so that they won't
require a great deal of storage is to open both ends
of the cartons and flatten them out. You can open
them up again and re-seal the bottoms with your plastic
tape as you are ready to use them.
Pack on a room-by-room
basis. That is, don't pack articles from the living
room in boxes with articles from the kitchen. This
will save much confusion later when it's time to unpack.
If possible, start packing
early. You could start in areas where the goods are
not in frequent use - such as the cellar, attic, garage,
closet shelves, etc.
It will probably be necessary to have your mover do
some of your packing for you. At the very least, it
may be necessary to purchase some of his specialized
cartons that will be impossible for you to find elsewhere.
This category would include such cartons as mattress
cartons, wardrobe cartons, containers for large pictures
and mirrors, and possibly some large cartons for tall
table lamps.
Hanging clothing, such
as suits, dresses and coats, should be hung in movers'
wardrobe cartons. This will save you the trouble and
expense of having your garments cleaned and pressed
later. Hanging clothing cannot be left in garment
bags. Garment bags were not designed to be used as
movers wardrobes, and they will not withstand the
stress. Clothing to be hung is usually taken out of
the garment bags, hung in the wardrobes, and the garment
bags folded and placed in the bottom of the wardrobe.
Dresser drawers need
to be empty. Movers usually do not move chests of
drawers with the contents of drawers left intact.
Too much weight in the drawer could cause damage to
the drawer while your furniture is enroute.
What size boxes should
you use? The rule-of-thumb here is the small, heavy
articles, such as books, records, canned goods, etc.,
would go in smaller boxes. Bulkier, but not-so-heavy
articles, such as pots and pans, linens, small kitchen
appliances, etc., would go in somewhat larger boxes.
Very bulky, lightweight articles, such as blankets,
pillows, toys, large lampshades, shoes, etc., would
go in the largest boxes.
Do not pack for moving
on a van any flammables, combustibles, or explosives.
The safety of the shipment is the primary concern.
Movers are not supposed to transport aerosol spray
cans, paint thinner, gasoline, or anything else of
a flammable or explosive nature.
Packing
Flatware
- Place one plate in approximately
the center of your packing paper.
- Grasp about two sheets of paper
at one corner. Pull over plate so as to completely
cover plate. Stack second plate on first plate.
- Grasp second corner of your paper.
Pull over and cover stacked plates.
- Stack third plate. Take remaining
two corners (one at a time) and fold each over your
stack of plates.
- Turn your wrapped stack of plates
upside down onto your packing paper.
- Re-wrap entire bundle. Follow same
wrapping procedure as before, Start with one corner
of packing paper, and pull two sheets over the bundle;
cover bundle with next corner, then the third corner,
and finally, the fourth.
- Seal the bundle with plastic tape.
* Place the bundle of flatware in carton so the
plates are standing on edge.
- For all flatware, saucers, bread
and butter dishes, etc., follow the same procedure.
* Note: Small
dishes (saucers, bread and butter dishes) can be stacked
in greater quantity in a bundle. Also you can omit
steps 5 and 6 and seal your bundle without rewrapping.
Packing
Cups And Glasses
- Cups and glasses may be "nested"
(one placed inside another) and three or four wrapped
in a bundle. Tear or cut-up some small sheets of
paper.
- Use at least a couple of small
sheets between each glass or cup as protective lining.
- Take first glass and line with
a couple of sheets of your cut-up paper.
- Place second glass (or cup) inside
the first one. Line with two more sheets of paper.
Insert another glass (or cup).
- Using your best judgment, nest
three or four glasses (or cups) and lay these on
your stack of wrapping paper in a diagonal manner,
off center closer to your body.
- Grasp corner closest to you of
two sheets of wrapping paper. Wrap around your glasses
(or cups).
- Repeat procedure with remaining
corners of wrapping paper. Then roll into a bundle
- If you have collected some liquor
cartons with dividers, pack glasses, cups and stemware
in these boxes. If your bundle does not fill to
the top of the compartment, stuff additional wadded-up
packing paper in the compartment to fill it up.
- If you don't have liquor cartons
then pack your glasses, cups and stemware in boxes
with your other dishes fitting them in whereever
you find some spaces. Be sure these articles are
toward the top of your carton.
Goblets And
Stemware
- Pack goblets and stemware singly.
Do not attempt to nest them as you did with glasses.
Follow the same wrapping procedure as you did with
glasses and cups.
Packing
Small Kitchen Appliances
- It's better to pack your small
kitchen appliances (blender, toaster, can opener,
coffee maker, etc.) together in one or two boxes
(or more, as necessary) rather than in other boxes
with other goods. Later, when unpacking, you will
find this much more convenient.
- Wrap each appliance individually
with two or three sheets of your packing paper.
Place each one in the box you have selected for
appliances. When all appliances have been packed
in a box, or boxes, if there are small spaces that
are empty, wad-up some packing paper and fill in
the spaces. If you have a great amount of space
left over, then fill it up with some other things
and not waste the space.
Packing
Pots And Pans
- Approximately three pots or pans
can be nested, one inside the other. Tear or cut
up some pieces of your packing paper (large enough
so that they will line the entire interior of the
largest pan). Place two or three sheets of your
lining paper in the larger pan. Place the next small
pan inside the first pan. Again line this pan with
two or three protective pieces of lining paper and
insert a smaller pan.
- Place these pans upside down in
the middle of your stack of packing paper. Use at
least three sheets of packing paper to wrap the
pans. Start by grasping one corner of approximately
three sheets of your packing paper, and pulling
over, and covering the pans. Then pull the next
corner of paper over the pans; then the third corner,
and finally the fourth corner. Seal with your plastic
tape so that the bundle will not come apart. Pack
in a medium sized carton. This same procedure can
be followed in packing large bowls, too.
- Some items such as perishables
are not to be packed especially when the items are
going to be stored.
Packing
Tall Table Lamps
- Your major problem in packing a
tall lamp may be acquiring a carton large enough
to accommodate the lamp. If you can't find such
a carton you can purchase dishpack cartons from
your mover in which to pack tall lamps. Dishpack
cartons are tall, extra sturdy cartons originally
intended for packing fragile articles, such as dishes.
- Remove lamp shade and bulb, Wrap
cord around base of lamp.
- Line the bottom of your carton
with a considerable amount of wadded-up packing
paper. This will insure extra cushioning and protection
for the lamp.
- Spread out several sheets of packing
paper so that your packing paper is extended longer
and wider than the lamp. Place lamp in the center
of your packing paper.
- Roll packing paper around your
lamp. Tuck in the end of the paper at base of lamp.If
necessary, use sealing tape to prevent end from
coming apart.
- Seal the seams where packing paper
overlaps around your bundle with your tape.
- Fold up other end (at the top of
lamp) of packing paper and seal with tape, Place
bundle in previously lined carton.
* Note: If you
have several tall table lamps, place them each in
the carton so that the base of one lamp is next to
the top of the next lamp. Alternate them. This will
make them fit better in the carton. When all lamps
are packed in the carton, fill out the carton with
plenty of wadded-up packing paper. Be generous. Mark
"FRAGILE" and "LAMPS" in large,
clear letters on all sides of the carton.
