Moving is one of life’s great adventures.
And when 43 million Americans move each year, it’s always nice to know you’re not alone.
But are you fully prepped for the big day? Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Don’t Overload Your Family Vehicle
Your family car has come to be a reliable friend over the last few years, but that doesn’t mean it should bear all of the responsibility of moving!
Your entire family has to fit inside on the day of the move, after all.
So instead of taking that blue Ford logo for granted, be smart about how you’re packing!
If you’re moving everyone on the same day and the new house is a little while away, make sure everyone has their most important personal items and a day bag with them for the trip.
Outside of that, only a select few important items should accompany your family vehicle on the way to the new house.
If you’re particularly nervous about some of your more precious belongings, those should be with you and your family instead of with the moving van provided that they can fit in your vehicle with everyone.
In addition, make sure you’re still packing these items carefully in boxes.
Boxes are easier to stack and organize in the trunk of your vehicle.
In addition, they’ll help you save space if there are any last-minute additions to the trunk.
Just remember to keep it minimal!
Take Inventory Before and After Your Move
Inventory is going to help you ensure you didn’t lose anything during the course of your move.
And if you’re moving far enough away from your current home, you’re going to need to pay close attention to your inventory.
There may be no going back!
While taking inventory does involve counting and making lists, it’s also helpful to be detailed in your box labels.
Instead of a generic “kitchen” label, list out the items that are in each box and how many of them there are.
Not only will this help you stay organized throughout your move, but it will also give you some peace of mind knowing that you’re absolutely certain of where everything is before you even start unpacking.
Your inventory lists and labels can also help you make sure the movers you hired got everything to your new home safe and sound.
Make sure you share this list with the moving company you choose, as well.
The clearer you communicate your inventory, the better for everyone.
Take Time for You
Moving might be exciting, but it can also take a lot out of you.
That’s why it’s so important to take a break from preparing every once in a while and spend some time on yourself.
Whether it’s just taking your car for a drive or treating yourself to an afternoon of rest and relaxation, giving yourself a little bit of TLC can make all the difference in your moving experience.
You’ll find that when you have the energy to complete all of your moving tasks, they’ll get done faster and you’ll likely have more fun doing them.
Moving burnout is real, which means you need to take steps to actively stop it in its tracks.
Moving to a new house should be an exciting new chapter for you and your family.
While these tips are just the beginning of your moving to-do list, they should help give you a good head start preparing for your move.