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15 Smart Ways to Move
By Taylor DeJesus MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Are you getting ready to move into a new home? While you might be excited to start a new chapter in your life, you’re probably also stressed about managing all your tasks. It helps to have a plan.
We’ve compiled a list of the 15 smartest ways to move. Keep reading to learn how to prepare for your move, and follow our tips to reduce stress and spending.
15 ways to move smarter
Moving smarter involves tasks that help you stay organized and prepared. These tips may seem small, but they can significantly save you time and stress in the long run. Additionally, some of them can even save you money by stretching your budget.
1. Start the process well in advance
Plan a moving timeline that keeps you on track without being too stressed. If you’re buying a new home, the closing process may take 30 to 60 days, which gives you time to declutter, sell unwanted items, book moving services, pack and tend to administrative tasks.
If you’re hiring movers, book services in advance to save money and avoid rushing around to find an available company. Starting the moving process in advance will also give you ample time to sell unwanted items. Overall, having an organized plan that leaves plenty of time for all the items on your to-do list will reduce your stress.
2. Declutter before packing
Before you begin packing, go through each room and purge items you no longer need or want. Getting rid of unused items means you have less to pack, less to move and less to unpack at your new home. It can help save energy and time, as well as make you some extra cash if you have items you can sell.
Start the selling process in advance, with plenty of time to organize a yard sale or create listings on local websites. After selling or donating all you can, you may choose to hire a junk removal company for larger items, such as furniture that won’t fit in your new home.
3. Tackle one room at a time
It can be overwhelming to look at your whole house and realize you have to pack everything. Instead of trying to pack everything in one day, split it up and focus on one room per day. Start with nonessential things, such as items in storage in the garage or attic, clothes that are out of season or books.
4. Color-code your moving boxes
Packing room-by-room will also help you organize your boxes so that each box contains items from only one room. Packing this way makes it easier to unpack at your new home. Label your boxes with the room they belong in.
To make things even easier, color-code your moving boxes with different colored packing tape or labels so it only takes a quick glance to see which boxes go where. At your new house, put a piece of corresponding-colored tape on the door to each room before you start unpacking, so you don’t have to remember whether blue is for the living room or the primary bedroom.
5. Schedule your move during the off-season
Moving can be expensive, especially during warmer months when more people are trying to relocate. To save money, you may want to move during the off-season in the colder months from September to April. Some companies offer cheaper rates during these months.
While weekends may be more expensive than midweek moves, they are typically more convenient times to move. If you move on the weekend, you can avoid taking time off work and get help from friends and family that also have the weekend off. On the other hand, if you have a flexible schedule, moving in the middle of the week can be one of the cheapest ways to move.
6. Use a rental truck for larger items and your car for the rest
If you’re looking for cheap ways to move furniture by yourself, a rental truck is a popular choice. Find a moving truck with a ramp that will make loading and transporting large items easy.
Large rental trucks can be expensive, so consider getting a truck just big enough to fit your largest items and use your car for smaller items and boxes. This is especially helpful if you aren’t moving far away since you’ll spend less on gas with your car than if you got a larger rental truck to fit all your belongings.
7. Take advantage of free packing materials
One of the best ways to save money when moving is to find free packing materials. Visit local retailers to get moving boxes left over from their deliveries. Just be careful to choose boxes that are in good shape and can withstand moving day. You can also ask friends and family for packing materials, especially those who have moved recently or do lots of online shopping and have leftover boxes.
8. Consider hiring a full-service moving company
If you have room in your budget, hiring a full-service moving company might be worth the investment to reduce stress. Moving can require a lot of time, physical activity and organizational skills. A full-service moving company will help you pack, load your belongings in their truck, transport your items and unpack at your new home. A full-service moving company can be especially helpful if you’re moving across the country or abroad since those moves often require major transportation and packing considerations.
Moving company costs vary based on factors such as your moving distance, your house size and the movers’ experience level. Check out our guide to the best moving companies to learn more.
9. Ship your belongings in a portable storage container
Portable storage containers — also called moving containers — can be helpful for those looking to pack without rushing. The company will drop off a moving container, pick it up when you’re ready to move and ship it to your new destination. Therefore, you could order the container weeks or even months ahead of time and pack it at your leisure.
Containers can also be convenient if you’re looking for the best ways to move across the country. You won’t have to drive a large rental truck. For an additional fee, you can use your moving container as a short-term storage solution before and after your move. Read more about the best moving container companies to decide if this option fits your needs.
10. Schedule a stop and start of utility services at your old and new addresses
As soon as you know your moving date, call your utility companies to transfer utilities to your new home. If you’re moving to a region with different utility companies, call your existing servicers to schedule a stop date at your current address. Then contact your new utility companies separately to schedule a start date at your new home. On moving day, don’t forget to take a picture of the utility meters at your old home to ensure accurate billing on your last statement.
11. Use a moving checklist
A moving checklist can help you stay organized during your move. When you start planning your move, make a master list of everything you need to do, such as hiring movers, booking rental trucks, packing, transferring utilities and more. Combine your moving checklist with a timeline and leave plenty of time to finish things before you start packing. For example, if you know you want to hire a moving company, do so about eight weeks before your move to help save money and reduce stress.
Your moving checklist may also include things you need to do in your old and new homes, such as repainting and cleaning. In addition, it can be helpful to keep an inventory of furniture and other items — including pictures — to ensure nothing gets lost in the move.
12. Keep your essentials nearby
The closer you get to moving day, the more you should have packed. However, always leave your essentials last. The night before your move, pack a tote bag with things you will need for your first few days in your new home. Include toilet paper, toothbrushes, hair brushes, clothes, phone chargers, non-perishable food items, important paperwork and medications. Pack a box of basic cleaning supplies with you in your car to make it easy to clean your new home before you start unpacking. In addition, consider setting aside a few boxes of essentials, such as bedding, shower curtains or dishes that you know you’ll need to unpack immediately.
13. Have the right moving equipment
Before you start packing, stock up on packing supplies, including the following:
- Boxes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
- Garbage bags and plastic baggies
- Permanent markers
- Box cutters
You may consider investing in larger moving equipment, such as furniture covers, a dolly or tie-down straps. Moving companies sometimes rent these items or include them in the cost of your move.
14. Ask friends and family to help out
If you’re managing a DIY move and you’re on a tight budget, ask friends and family if they’re available to help pack or load your rental truck. You’re bound to find someone in your circle who won’t mind spending a few hours to help you move. In return, you can provide a simple lunch like pizza and cold drinks, which will set you back much less than the cost of movers.
15. Leave your old place clean and tidy
Take time to clean your old home before you leave. Sweep and mop floors, vacuum, wipe down cabinets and walls and so on. This is especially important if you’ve been renting to increase the chances of getting your security deposit back. Take pictures of your old home before you leave to prove that you left the space in good condition.
Don’t make moving harder than it needs to be
Moving is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Breaking the process down into smaller projects, such as administrative tasks, budgeting and packing, can help you work through your to-do list without getting overwhelmed. Whether you’re looking for easy ways to move down the street or cheap ways to move across the country, our tips will help you reduce your stress and costs during your next move.
Taylor DeJesus has been a freelance writer for over 5 years where she specializes in writing SEO blogs and other online content for small and medium-sized businesses. She has also written books, research papers, and more on a variety of topics, ranging from business and marketing to lifestyle. In her free time, Taylor likes to read, spend time with her daughter, and achieve personal development goals.