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There are many things that must be done when moving: hiring a relocation company or renting a truck, deciding what’s going and what’s being sold or donated, getting organized, packing your belongings, taking things to storage and the list goes on. Moving all your belongings from point A to point B is only part of the process, though. It’s also important to consider the long-term effects that this move will have on your day-to-day life, how you might purchase and store belongings differently in the future and what resources you will soon have available compared to now. In order to be happy with the long-term results of your current storage and/or moving project, it is absolutely necessary to plan ahead. Here are five tips to help you make a perfect plan before you start moving.
1. Take an Inventory
Before packing a single item into a box, it’s wise to start the process by taking an inventory of your belongings. Chances are you will realize there are many things you no longer need, and maybe even some things you didn’t remember you had. A good rule is to get rid of things you haven’t used in more than a year, with exceptions for sentimental items or things like camping gear that you may only use once every few years. There may also be some items you want to keep in a storage unit, either because your new residence does not have as much storage space or because you haven’t yet decided whether you’re keeping it or getting rid of it.
2. Get Rid of What You Don’t Want or Need
Now you can get rid of everything you don’t want or need. Yard sales are a great way to sell all your stuff while making some extra money. Many people also choose to sell single, high-ticket items through eBay, classified ads or free sites like Craigslist. If you want to be charitable, or if you still have usable items that didn’t sell through these other channels, there are many organizations that are eager to accept your donations.
3. Organize and Account for Everything
Once you have decided what you are not going to keep once you move, then you can pack everything else into boxes that are organized based on where they’re going and what’s in them, and properly labeled to ensure protection and avoid confusion. This will make it easier once the moving company arrives, or your friends arrive who are helping load up the rental truck and/or take things to your self-storage unit.
4. Think about the Future
You should also think about where the future will take you and your stuff before you move. Are there possible life changes around the corner, such as college graduation, marriage, career change or retirement? If you expect that you may move again sooner than later, it’s worth the effort to hang onto things like moving boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap. If these are easy to find, it will make the next moving and storage project a breeze.
Because Linda’s father was in the military, she moved a great deal as a child. As such, she has become very comfortable, as an adult, with picking up and moving, and has learned a myriad of tips and tricks for doing so. She likes to share her knowledge of the relocation process with others who might have less experience than she does.
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