My newsfeed has been filled lately with people moving – college students are moving into dorms, young families are transitioning to new homes before the school year and retirees are looking for an easier, more maintenance-free living situation. Are you about to start a new chapter in your life with a new home?
Here are some tips that go beyond choosing the right size box or the appropriate padding:
Take inventory and mark your boxes. Don’t be one of those people who lose or misplace things when moving. I remember moving in with hubby. It was a mess because I had no system. When you take the time to properly mark boxes and write out a detailed inventory of their contents, you’ll know where everything is and avoid misplacing anything. With just this small step, you’ll save a lot of time in the end. So, get your clipboard, some paper and a permanent marker.
Remember to take care of yourself. Any life transition — no matter how exciting — can be stressful! Whether you’re moving or starting a new job. It’s important to decompress and unwind. One of the best ways to do that is to take a break. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Take a walk – the fresh air and exercise will do wonders for your stress level.
Consider insurance. If you’re hiring a moving company or have valuable items you’re worried might be damaged during the move, you should consider purchasing moving insurance. Many recommend insuring anything that goes into a truck. Not only will insurance provide financial relief in case anything is mishandled, but it will give you peace of mind that can reduce the stress of moving.
Protect your valuable documents. Even after you move and are settling into your new residence, it’s important to keep your valuables protected. For documents like a passport, birth certificate, social security card and more, keep them under lock and key. Be sure that it is a fire proof box for added security. For the tech savvy, take pictures and store them on your phone. This is a big help for those large ticket items in your home. Should there be an incident, there is proof that those items were in fact in your home.
Lastly, here is a timeline to help make that move a little less stressful:
4-8 weeks out:
- Pick a Mover – Make sure they are licensed. If you are moving yourself, check out truck rentals.
- Get a written estimate. Don’t accept anything verbal.
- Decide what Not to Take – great time to clean out closets, etc
4 weeks out:
- Start packing or arrange a date for your mover to start packing for you. Headed to your own place for the first time, this is a good time to start taking inventory of the items that you will need.
3 weeks out:
- Make arrangements for utilites to be disconnected in your current home and connected in your new home.
- File separately all pertinent records (medical, licenses, insurance, etc)
2 weeks out:
- Notify post office of change of address.
1 week out:
- If you have medications, transfer them to a pharmacy near your new home
- Cancel any deliveries that come to your current home (newspapers)
Moving day:
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Keep healthy snacks and water on hand
- Stay Calm!
Best wishes for much happiness in your new home! Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 