Moving is crazy. No matter whether you're moving across town or across the country, it's reckoning time--what to do with all the trove of treasures (and not-so-dear-to-you possessions) you've collected? All of your possessions must move (thus, moving) and somebody is going to have to go through it, box it, and load on a moving truck. And then repeat the process in reverse once you're in the driveway of your new home. Is that going to be you, or will you employ movers? And will you ask the pros to do everything, or pack yourself and have the movers come with a truck or two to load, transport and unload?
It is a lot to ponder, and your budget is the primary factor in determining the amount of your move you want to subcontract. But regardless of your budget, your time frame or anything else, you want to actually box and move as little as feasible. As soon as you think you might be relocating, begin thinking about the purge.
When you walk through your residence and really look at all your stuff, the prospect of boxing it all up is anxiety producing. Which is why you should commence clearing, de-cluttering, donating, and dumping as soon as you start thinking about new houses. If you're selling your house, your realtor will be all over you regarding the de-cluttering and de-personalizing before it goes up for sale, so you might as well get boxes and trash bags and get started. Cleaning house is an sensitive challenge, especially if you've been in the house several years, so follow this Protocol for Purging for a agony-free clearing out.
The One-Year Rule
The unwritten rule is, if you haven't put it on in a year, dump it. This makes a lot of sense for kid’s clothes and current fashion, but you don't need to toss that Hermes scarf if you didn't get around to wearing it last winter. Practically speaking, why haven't you worn it? if it does not fit, is out of style, or your lifestyle has changed (if you're no longer in the corporate world and have a multitude of suits in various shades of navy blue), feel free to consign or donate. If you are undecided, ask yourself is it worth the time and money to pack and relocate? Three weeks into packing, you'll be entirely cutthroat, whereas in the beginning you'll have an almost empty box of things to donate with a sweater, two pairs of maternity jeans and ratty tennis shoes, so give yourself plenty of time to purge closets, dressers, and cabinets.
If you don't have a shredder, invest in a cross-cut one that will even shred CDs. As you are purging and shredding old paperwork, save the shredded paper in large trash bags as you empty the shredder’s bin and then use it as packing material to top off boxes so the innards don't shift in transport.
Who's Doing the Heavy Lifting in Killeen?
When you're taking breaks from purging is a grand time to research moving companies; you'll want to figure out how much help you need and get on their calendar as early as possible. In the event that you're having the movers pack for you, you'll still need to weed through all your stuff for purging. The packers mission is to pack, not to decide what to keep. If you have a dirty ashtray on the counter, count on finding it again when you unpack. There are some things a moving company can't transport, and some things that they won't move. Anything flammable or toxic (gasoline, propane tanks, ammunition, nail polish and remover (seriously), and chemistry sets are a few of the things that can't be commercially moved. Click here for additional information on items that cannot go on the moving truck.
Being proactive ahead and giving yourself plenty of time to purge and pack are very important for a smooth move. Remember, everything you decide to take with you will need be packed and moved, so be sure you are taking only what you cannot live without to your new residence.
