packy
New Member
Joined: February 2009
Posts: 56
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Post by packy on Aug 1, 2009 10:42:35 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
Well it is official that my family is moving.
I have not decided yet if I am going to pack up this house by myself (hubby has to start new job in another state which leaves me and two kids 3 & 5) or pay to have movers do it. Movers have really good prices at the moment and if I can use the next month to purge and get rid of stuff, I think that might be better.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start? Clearing stuff out, I mean. I have started to make a list of furniture to put on Craig's List but next I'm not sure where to start.
Thanks,
Packy
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Blackswan
Banned
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 6,388
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Post by Blackswan on Aug 1, 2009 11:05:21 GMT -5
Congratulations on the move! I am going to be moving too, in Oct. and I am also not too sure where to start. I think the most important thing though is to just purge, purge, purge, so that you can move as little stuff as possible, and start out fresh and clean in the new place.
I remember the horrid devastion I felt when I moved from a one bedroom house to a two bedroom house and somehow there was just no place for anything there. I thought I was moving into a bigger place! It took me so long to unpack, and even though I had gotten rid of a quarter of my stuff to move, I probably got rid of half of what I actually had moved with me, over the next several months.
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Post by messymimi on Aug 1, 2009 11:45:53 GMT -5
There are so many ways to do this, and no wrong way unless you take along stuff you really don't need.
Start with small spaces is one way. Bathrooms, linen closet, coat closet, laundry room -- all are small and self contained and usually go quickly, giving you a quick victory over a space that can motivate you to do more.
Or begin with the room that means the most to you. That could be your kitchen, your bedroom, your living room. Start at the door and work your way around clockwise, asking yourself as you come to each item, "Do I love and use this enough to pay someone to move it?" If the answer is no, get rid of it. If the answer is maybe, get rid of it anyway and if you need a new one after you move, you can replace it.
You could also start with getting all of the clothes out, putting only what fits now in dressers and closets, and any other clothes go away. One box each for out of season stuff can be the exception.
Whatever method you choose, remember that you will be charged to move every single item. Also remember that you cannot really make a fatal mistake, because wherever you move to, they have stores, and thrift shops, and garage sales in that town, too.
You can do this!
messymimi
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Aug 1, 2009 12:58:48 GMT -5
I have rarely moved when there wasn't a crisis involved, so this is stuff I learned the hard way:
Identify your dearest treasures, and pack them first, in easily-identified containers.
Get the trash out next. If you can rent a dumpster now, do it. If not, pile it outside, near where the dumpster will go, if possible. If not, put it all in one room. The goal here is to have a pile that's all discards--you won't have to sort it again, and if someone offers to help, they can remove trash, instead of interfering with your sorting.
While you'll need some big boxes, try to use ones that are small enough for you to lift and carry easily.
Trash compactor bags are stronger than many other trash bags.
Pack a box to open first, with toilet paper, soap, paper towels, a few dishes, utelsils, and cups, and some multi-purpose cleaning products. You'll be able to take care of basic needs, even if you aren't able to unpack anything else.
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Post by Chris on Aug 1, 2009 14:27:34 GMT -5
Hi Packy, It has been 18 years since I moved and I was blessed that the military moved us. If I had to move right now I'd really be in a tailspin. Some good advice here already! I agree that it's a shame to move anything you don't use or like. I remember that I didn't have time (due to working) back when we moved here -- to sort thru stuff so it all had to happen here (smaller house) and that was the pitts. One of the things my husband gave me/us as advice was to self pack and prepare absolutely everything we were going to need/want right away that would fit in our cars. He was right and it made things really much easier as we had to wait several weeks for the moving truck the military hired to deliver our things. He made lists and I packed in suitcases etc. the clothing and things for me and our DS. For my husband the priority was his tv and electronics.  Well for me, I can't do without certain cooking utensils and certain books/my camera etc. So, I guess make a good list and begin to decide what will go with you in the car or on the journey to your new home. That would be helpful. Good luck! |
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Post by shopgirl on Aug 1, 2009 15:14:23 GMT -5
I have moved a lot, every time to another state across the country. First get the estimate from the movers. Call 3 moving companies. The estimators are always geniuses! They go through your entire house, closets and cabinets, and they calculate how much weight and volume you have. They are amazingly accurate, always +/- 50 pounds, and +/- 20 cubic feet. That will give you a concrete idea of what you have, and you'll be able to get rid of unneeded stuff very easily. Especially if you are paying for your own move! Last time I moved, I donated/threw away so much stuff after the estimate, that I came in 1500 pounds below the estimate, which saved $1,200 on the move from DC to CA. I also saved $600 on income taxes, wrote off the donated clothes and furniture and household goods at one dollar per item. Still, I unpacked items in the new place that didn't really fit, so I also donated about 5 car trunkloads right after moving. I love long-distance moves! Fresh start! Have fun with the purging and packing, and the looking forward to your new opportunities.  |
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Post by yearning4order on Aug 1, 2009 20:05:33 GMT -5
Wow Howardsgirlfriend, that is pro moving advice! I like it!
Keep in mind, in the US your moving related expenses are tax deductible, so save your receipts.
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