Moving Made Easy

The process of moving into a new home or community inevitably brings much frustration and stress. Moving can be very overwhelming, but here are a few ways to make your household move easier and much smoother.

Write everything down!

Before packing anything at all, create a record keeping system. A simple printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents or a spiral-bound notebook will do. Place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents.

Stock up on packing supplies.

How much and what kind of insurance should you get for your belongings in the event that something is damaged, stolen, or lost? This depends on the value of what is being shipped as well as your budget and comfort level.

Stock up on packing supplies.

Boxes -- you will need LOTS of moving boxes--more than you would think. If you buy your boxes from USA Moving & Storage, you can return unused boxes for a refund. If you got them free from the grocery store, you can just toss any leftovers. Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day; these items may include bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll also need strong plastic packing tape to close the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain items), packing paper, or bubble wrap to wrap/cushion household goods. Again, you'll probably need more supplies than you think, so have extra on hand for a smoother packing process.

How to make use of wardrobe boxes.

These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items like comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as nice clothes that need to remain hanging to avoid wrinkling and such. Call your mover to ask the width of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Measure clothes in your closets to see how many wardrobe boxes you'll need. You can also use them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and bulky items like fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes. Be careful not to make the boxes too heavy to lift as well as to prevent the bottom from busting open..

Be colorful.

Color coordinate rooms in your new home, such as yellow for kitchen, red for dining room, etc. Apply matching colored stickers on the box near the box number and also on the doors of each room. This ensures that the movers know where to put everything when they arrive at the destination. It's also helpful to post large signs on walls of rooms where you want boxes stacked, ("Boxes here please") to keep them out of furniture/traffic areas.