Moving or Relocating? Keep it Simple!

Moving can be an overwhelming task. No matter if you are an organizer and Type A or a fly-by-your-pants and wing it kind of person, the process has a lot of moving parts. Here are several things to consider if you’re relocating to help keep it simple. 

Making a Moving To-Do List

The first, most important thing to do, is to begin the process early. When you receive the end date, don’t wait! There are only a small percentage of people who can multitask and stay organized under pressure; assume you’re not that person so you maintain sanity.

Here are a few helpful steps:

1. Generate a list of household projects that must be done before you leave, ie: touch-up paint on living room trim. Print a calendar for the remaining weeks / months and use it specifically for moving related items only. Put it on your refrigerator so it’s something you see each day. 
2. Put out an all-call post on social media asking for boxes; generally people are willing to drop them off! 
3. Choose a room for each week (assuming you have weeks!) to go through and physically write them on the calendar, ie: 4/16/20-4/18/20 {Kids’ Bedroom}. Once there, create piles: Throw / Donate / Pack. Use garbage bags for donations & trash, and use your boxes to begin packing the things you’re taking with you. Keep those boxes or bins in that room and label them as you go.
4. As you go through the rooms each week, consult your list of things that must be done and do them while you’re there. 

10 Questions to Ask Before you Move:

1. Will you need assistance moving particularly heavy or awkward furniture? If so, consider professional help such as Piano Movers in Blaine. They can take the heavy burden off your shoulders!
2. Will your new home need a professional cleaner? Again, use an all-call on social media asking for recommendations.
3. Would you benefit from having a sitter to aid in having hands-free packing? Poll your co-workers, family, or friends, and arrange for someone to help if you do. Write those dates on your calendar.
4. Will you be transferring your cable / internet / phone, etc.? Do one each day so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
5. Will you be able to live in your current home until you are able to move into the new house? If so, begin the process of creating a meal plan using the food you have in your freezer and pantry. Make weekly trips to the grocery store for perishable items only. Create the calendar and stick to it so you can weed out the food in your home so you don’t have to transfer it. 
6. Are you on a budget? If so, consider purchasing a gift card each time you go to the store and putting it away in an envelope. It’s helpful to have a little stash available–moving has a lot of different expenses that come up. Consider places you frequent: the grocery store, Target, Home Depot, etc. 
7. Will you be storing things in your new home that might be near water? Rubber totes are a fantastic way store important or valuable things in. They keep things air tight and waterproof!
8. Will your new home need the same outdoor tools or equipment? If not, survey what you have, take some photos, and add the items to Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Add that extra cash to your envelopes for #6. 
9. Will your new home have more space? Look at what you have in terms of furniture and begin the process of purchasing before you move and scheduling the delivery for after your closing date. 
10. Are you overwhelmed by moving in general and it seems like too much? You might find it necessary to hire a moving company such as Relief Movers Company, LLC to ease the load. 

Moving can be Fun!

Kids can be a handful even when you’re not packing up your life and moving, so consider the following to keep them busy:

1. Let them help you pack up their toys / toy room. Get a separate box or bag for toy donations. Give them an opportunity to help decide which toys can be donated to kids in need.
2. Use different colored rubber totes for things in the kids’ rooms. When it’s time to put clothes away, forgo folding and let them put as many things in the bin as they can! Plan on folding it when they go into their new spot.
3. Create a scavenger hunt of items in the room that they can grab and put into a special box as you’re packing. Choose items that aren’t breakable so they can run and help!
4. Create a kid-friendly playlist and let them help you choose the songs. When they help, blast their playlist so they can sing along. 
5. Keep plenty of snacks on hand. If you’re in a room cleaning or packing, you could hide a snack somewhere so they can stay occupied trying to find it. 

They say two heads are better than one, so make sure you consider help as you go. Ask your friends and family to join you on a particular date to either help with moving / cleaning / small projects, or all of the above. Plan ahead and provide the group with pizza and beverages to make the move more fun! 

And last but not least, make sure your radio or portable speaker is one of the last items on you pack so you can blast the tunes as you move on out. Moving is a big process, but you can help simplify the process by using some of the tips above and staying organized. 

XO,

Linds

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