I’ve moved so many times that I have it down to a science — so much so that moving doesn’t stress me out in the least. As a matter of fact, I look forward to it, which I realize is weird. It probably has to do with my underlying desire to constantly get rid of stuff. Moving allows me the opportunity to purge. An uncluttered space or an organized sock drawer is my drug of choice.
Here’s what I’ve learned in all my years of moving:
Make lists. The first step to a successful move is to make a master list of everything you need to do and when. Change your address, get a new driver’s license (if you’re moving out of state), cancel your cable and turn off your water, for example. Sort your list into what you need to do before you leave and what you need to do when you get to your new home. In this master list, keep track of all important info like login names and passwords for your new services or ticket numbers for cancellation requests. That way, you have one place to find all your important info. (And make sure it’s backed up!)
Purge early. Look around your house and purge as much as possible two to three months before you move. Go room-by-room and start getting rid of stuff. You’ll need to divide things into three piles: sell, donate and throw away. If you’ve got the luxury of time, snap pictures and post them on CraigsList, OfferUp or Facebook’s Marketplace. If you don’t, have a one-day garage sale or donate the items. Just don’t pack them — wasting your time and resources on things you’re going to get rid of anyway makes no sense.
Number your boxes. When you start packing, number each box and keep a master list so you know exactly what’s in each box. Keep the master list on an app like Evernote so you have it easily accessible on your phone no matter where you are. (Another bonus to Evernote: The text in your document is also searchable — you’ll quickly know that your favorite kitchen mug is in box 67.)
Choose movers wisely. What about when it comes to picking a mover? Lisa and Rodrigo Rojas of America’s Family Moving based in Boca Raton, Florida, offer some tips. “Go online and do your research. Once you find a couple of companies, look for reviews online and see if they are a legit company,” Lisa suggests. “Find a local moving company. Some companies might have an office far from you and advertise in the same city you live in. The closer the company is to you, the better chance you have of not having any surprises or hidden costs in at the end of your move,” they explain. Finally, be sure to set up appointments for an estimate. “It’s impossible to provide an honest quote over the phone.” If they won’t come out to give you an estimate — nix ‘em.
Now, get a move on!
