This post is sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are my own.
As many of you know, we just purchased our first house! While that’s very exciting, the actual process of moving is not. And trust me, I’d know. Michael and I have lived in 8 apartments/homes together. We’ve done our fair share of moving in the past 14 years.
That being said, I consider myself more of a “seasoned” mover. Not necessarily a title I’m proud of but I have picked up some tips along the way. Moving is very stressful. It’s often considered one of the top 5 most stressful life events. So, I’m going to share some of these tips in hopes that it can help make your next move less stressful.
Be Prepared for the Costs
Moving is unknowingly expensive. The boxes, the packing supplies, the moving truck or moving company, the extra take-out because you’ve packed your plates and don’t remember which box they are in (not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…) Be prepared for the little costs of moving so they don’t creep up on you.
You can also take some small steps to save on moving costs. Do your research on moving companies so you don’t overpay and maybe consider renting a truck and moving yourself to save funds. Reuse shipping boxes from any recent purchases and ask friends and neighbors to save theirs for you so you can avoid buying boxes. Use towels, clothing, and dish towels to pad fragile items instead of buying bubble wrap.
I also love the idea from this post by Allstate about moving on a budget, that suggests funding your move by selling items you’re not taking. We sold our Murphy Bed and Washer/Dryer before moving and it covered the cost of the U-Haul and most of the other moving expenses!
Give Yourself Enough Time
We always underestimate how long it’ll take us to “throw some stuff in a box.” But, honestly…IT’S A LONG TIME. It’s going to take you much longer than you think, so give yourself time if you can.
Start with basements and attics: Declutter any extra storage areas like basements, attics, sheds, closets, etc. You can work on these well before you move – or even before you know where you’re actually moving. Pack everything up into boxes and/or storage Tupperwares. This way when it’s time to move all you have to do is grab-and-go.
Pack for “vacation”: One reason we wait to pack until the last minute is that we need so much of our stuff. Consider packing a suitcase, like you’re going on vacation. That way you can have what you need to live with and can pack everything else.
Make a timeline: Create a list of every room/area that needs to be packed and create a calendar of which days you’re doing what. Packing is overwhelming, so having a timeline is great because when you are ready to pack you don’t sit there scratching your head wondering “where the heck should I start?” , just look at your timeline and you’ll know what to do today.
Say Goodbye to Stuff You Don’t Need
NOW is the time to declutter. Why pack, lug, move, and unpack things you DON’T need or DON’T use. I have a post all about how to declutter (especially when the thought of decluttering is totally overwhelming.) The hardest part of decluttering is that we hold on to a lot of stuff we don’t need.
Here are my quick tips:
Is it purposeful? Is this item something that has a purpose? It is something you’ll use again? Is it something you’ve used or enjoyed in the last year?
Are you keeping it out of obligation? So often we keep things because we feel obligated to keep it. Maybe it was grandma’s teapot or a gift from a friend, so you feel guilty letting it go. But, you can donate it to someone who will find purpose and meaning out of it. Or, you can sell it (if it is worth money).
Are you holding on to it for sentimental value? It’s common to keep items because they hold special memories. For example, for years we had a set of HIDEOUS martini glasses that were the favors at my high school prom (why we got martini glasses at our prom is a whole other story). Honestly, guys, these things were so ugly. I kept them for YEARS and NEVER used them. Michael and I went to my High School prom together, I was holding onto these glasses because I had put special meaning on them. Sometimes you need to step away and really think about the item. Does it serve a purpose? I have memories and photos from Prom and realized that was more than enough. I didn’t need a pair of dusty glasses that never got used for that memory.
Does it truly make you happy? Decluttering doesn’t mean getting rid of every special memento. If something truly makes you happy – then keep it! Just make sure you’re not putting special weight on everything.
Make a List, Check it Twice
You don’t want to go into moving without a plan. The Allstate Moving Checklist can help you make a list of things that need to be done, and ensure you’ve thought of everything.
And, make sure to check out these 5 common moving mistakes many people make.
Know It’ll Be Over Soon
When you’re in the thick of it (like moving day), you can feel OVERWHELMED. I remember getting moved into our new house, the truck was pulled away, and I was standing in a DISASTER ZONE. Boxes were everywhere. I didn’t know where I packed Miles’ diapers, it was 100 degrees and we couldn’t figure out how to work the A/C in the new house. It was a mess. I was a mess.
But, within a day or two we had started to unpack a little. I had the kitchen set up to use. Miles’ nursery was totally functional. I knew where my toothbrush was! It takes a while. We’ve still got boxes scattered about a month later, but the worst of it is short and temporary. You got this!
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting wham matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
