MOVING TIPS

When you look at the big picture of a move it can be all too overwhelming. Like with every big project, the best place to start is to come up with a plan. Take out a pad of paper and a pen and start breaking the move down into smaller tasks so that you will feel less swamped. At this point you can also decide whether to color code things by family member or room. After you have completed this task, start gathering your supplies together.

Packing Supplies

• Boxes: These can be purchased from a moving supply company or picked up for free from a local business like the liquor store. Don't get huge boxes, because they will be too heavy to be manageable.
• Packing Tape: Get at least one dispenser and plenty of rolls of tape. The last thing you want to do is have to stop and go buy more tape just when you are getting on a packing roll!
• Scissors: Absolutely necessary if you didn't get a tape dispenser, but also handy for cutting ribbon, labels, or anything else that needs cutting!
• Garbage bags: See through ones are helpful so you can distinguish between what is trash and what is actually a stack of clothes you are trying to move to your new house. If you use regular garbage bags, try tying the tops with ribbon (color coded for each member of the family or room where it belongs) so that you can easily tell what stays and what goes.
• Colored Markers: These are invaluable if you have decided to color code boxes by family member or room. Just mark the contents on the side of the box in the designated color and when you arrive at your new home you can deliver each box quickly to where it belongs. If you have people helping you move, you can post a matching colored piece of paper on each room door.
• Newspapers: Use these to wrap up dishes and anything else that is fragile. You can never have too much. Your local newspaper may also sell unused rolls of newspaper for cheap.

Before you start packing up, you need to make sure that you get rid of clutter. Only keep the stuff you use regularly and the stuff that you love. This is the perfect time to get rid of those clothes you haven't worn in years!

Now that you are decluttered, you can start packing boxes. Take it one room at a time and start packing up the stuff that you won't need before you get to your new house. Label the boxes in ascending order (with your color coded markers) and when you get to your new house, you will know that the boxes with the higher numbers need to get unpacked first.

Keep all of your moving supplies together, keep a master list of your progress and take it one step at a time.

The last box / boxes packed at your old house should also be the first unpacked at your new house. And those should contain your cleaning supplies and a few basic necessities to get you through the first night or so at your new home.

• Cleaning supplies including dish soap
• Rubber gloves
• Disinfectant
• Vacuum, broom, mop
• Rags and paper towels
• Basic kitchen utensils (skillet, pot, coffee pot, cups, paper plates, silverware, etc.)
• Simple food like peanut butter, crackers, sugar and creamer for your coffee
• Clothing (a couple of changes for each family member)
• Personal items like toothbrushes, razor, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, etc.
• Sheets and blankets for everyone's beds

Don't start unpacking things, especially in bedrooms, until the furniture has been moved in. Your goal is to unpack, put away and discard the boxes in one go and then move on to the next box. Before you know it you will be moved in, unpacked and cleaned up!