Life is full of responsibilities and tasks. Some of these are simple and require little time and planning. Others will affect you for years to come and demand your full attention and preparation. Moving is one of the most impactful experiences you will have. It can be physically and emotionally demanding. There is a lot of stress and anxiety involved with this process, so it’s important to start early and get all the help you can. Financially, you must budget wisely and find the most inexpensive options for your move.
Organization and planning are critical with any move. This isn’t an occasion where you can throw things together at the last minute and expect things to go smoothly. You will want to follow certain steps to help your move be a successful one and keep your spending as low as possible.
Finalize housing issues
As soon as you know you will be moving, make sure you get your housing in order, both present and future. Decide whether you are going to buy a home or rent your next place. It will be easier to leave your home if you are currently renting, as you won’t have to worry about listing it or finding a buyer. Still, you may have to negotiate ending your lease early. Hiring a real estate professional is a good move if you are selling your home and buying your next one.
Another key step in getting into your new home is obtaining financing. Speak to a mortgage professional right away to see how much you can qualify for. Look at your budget and decide how much you can put down. If you are careful with your finances, you can find a good interest rate and get a home that works well for you.
Organize your belongings and decide what to keep and what to toss
If you’re like most people, you accumulate more items the longer you stay in one place. You probably have things in your home that you haven’t used in a while or that you no longer need. Maybe you’ve got some clothes that don’t fit anymore or that have long since gone out of style. Or perhaps your kids no longer play with the toys or games you have. You might even have worn-out furniture or electronics, and it doesn’t make much sense to take them with you to your destination.
Packing up and loading items such as these will only take up valuable space and waste time. Early in the moving process, take inventory of everything you have. Scour every square inch of your home and write down all of the items you own. Decide which ones you must have in your new place and which ones you don’t mind donating, selling, or discarding.
If you want to make some extra money, holding a yard sale can put cash in your pocket and lighten the moving truck. You can also look for free-to-use online classifieds sites or use social media to sell old belongings.
Start spreading the news
You don’t want your move to be a last-minute surprise to anyone. Inform those people closest in your life about your big news as soon as you can. If you have children, tell them first, as this change will affect them the most. You also need to
let parents, siblings, and other relatives know. Break the news to your employer and coworkers as well as to friends and neighbors.
Talking about your move will prepare people emotionally. It is also a good way to get some extra help organizing, packing, and loading. When you tell people that you are moving, speak positively about it, but respect other people’s feelings. The news can make loved ones sad or disappointed.
Hire a professional moving company
It’s hard enough worrying about finding a new house and leaving behind familiar routines and people. You shouldn’t suffer additional grief by worrying about the packing, loading, and transportation issues. Leave much of this work to professional movers. A professional moving company can take care of these tasks, freeing up your time for other matters.
Don’t wait until a few days or weeks before your move. Shortlist
professional moving companies like Allied Van Lines right away. Make sure to get price quotes from several movers, so you know you are getting the best rates possible. Compare these quotes and make sure they fit within your budget.
Start packing
It’s never too late to start boxing up your belongings. Start by packing up those items you won’t need to use every day. This may include seasonal belongings. It may be helpful to rent temporary storage and place these boxes in a unit until you are ready to move. The earlier you start packing, the less stress you will feel as moving day approaches.
If you don’t have a lot of moving boxes, you can use suitcases, duffle bags, and garbage sacks. You can also use towels, pillowcases, and paper towels for packing materials. These options can save you money, as you don’t necessarily have to spend money on purchasing new boxes or moving items.
The bottom line
Moving can feel overwhelming. You may feel as though it is an impossible task. But as you follow these steps and start early, you can have a successful move and be more in control during the entire process.
Kara Griffin is communications manager at ProMoverReviews.com, which compares moving companies across the U.S. using a rigorous and proprietary set of standards. It knows firsthand how stressful the moving process can be without preparation or reliable help. It's goal is to keep you informed and help you gear up for your move from start to finish.
