In 2021, just 8.4% of US citizens moved to new homes, down from 7.4% during the pandemic, and the lowest rate since 1948. That’s not altogether surprising, considering that Americans have been moving at lower rates for the last five years.
Perhaps it’s the hassle and stress associated with moving that’s encouraging people to stay put, or the low-interest rate of recent years leading to more people buying their dream homes.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who is planning a move to greener pastures, these moving and packing tips will make it all worthwhile.
Do the Paperwork First
If you’re moving long distance, you need to start planning as soon as you can to ensure a seamless transition. Some things you’ll need to finalize as soon as you can include:
- New schools for your children
- Pet boarding services for the duration of your move
- Shipping for large items like an extra car, an RV, or a boat
- Disconnecting and reconnecting utilities
- Address changes for all your bills
- An internet provider
Getting all this admin out of the way first ensures you can focus on packing and moving, without worrying about daily essentials when you arrive.
Declutter and Donate
Cutting down on the things you don’t need is potentially the most distressing part of moving. It seems to be human nature to hold onto things we don’t need or hoard duplicates of things we do.
Go through every closet, shelf, and drawer and show no mercy. Donate duplicates and anything you haven’t touched for six months and throw away broken items.
Get Help Moving and Packing
Contact your local moving services as soon as possible to book your move. No matter how close your new home is, ferrying load after load on your own will put a damper on proceedings.
While you have them on the phone, find out if they offer packing services, too. These professionals know how to pack your possessions carefully and logically to ensure an effortless move for you.
That way you can tick one more item off your list and focus on more pressing ones.
Pack the Essentials Yourself
One of the best moving tips is to make lists of everything you need to do and pack. This helps you divide the tasks into manageable chunks and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Pack your overnight bags for the first night at the outset. This is the best way to ensure you’ll have what you need on arrival before your local moving company starts packing.
Make sure you have all your toiletries, pet food, and medications packed separately so you don’t need to go rummaging through boxes in search of necessities.
Plan your meal for the first night, even if that means little more than saving a local pizza delivery service’s number on your phone.
Getting Going
These simple moving and packing tips help you focus on the enjoyable aspects of your move rather than the stressful ones.
A successful move depends on planning well in advance. So, stop procrastinating and get packing.
Would you like some more motivation to make your life easier? Browse our blog for more of the best lifestyle tips and hacks.
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