Travel

7 Top Moving Tips Plus Packing Hacks You Need To Know

Did you know that the average American moves 12 times in their lifetime…12 TIMES! Moves are extremely stressful and having just done a cross-country NYC to LA move recently, I learned a lot along the way and am here to share!  I’m hoping the 7 moving tips and helpful packing hacks below help those of you who are currently planning or preparing a move in the near future.  (If you aren’t moving but know someone else who is, please send and share this with them)! 

1. Make (and stick) to a timeline with monthly and weekly goals.  To minimize overwhelm, break down the giant moving task into smaller, more manageable to do lists.   Create a timeline and focus on just that week’s goals.  All those little details like changing addresses with the post office (2 weeks prior), returning cable boxes, and buying extra packing tape will not be forgotten once this list and timeline are made.
2. The prep work begins with the purge– When you have less to move, you’ll not only save money, you’ll have less overwhelm and a feeling of a fresh new start.  Even though I religiously edited down our things every season (since as a New Yorker, you’re pretty much required to do so given tight living spaces), I mercilessly edited even more months before the move.   You’d be surprised how much stuff you’ve collected along the way and need to either giveaway, toss, or SELL.  Moving requires you to take a cold hard look at your belongings and re-evaluate how much you need, or love each and every one of your items.  You’ll find that many things simply won’t fit or make sense in the new place.  Being we were moving to a warmer climate, we got rid of 80% of our winter fashions for example.  And we realized it would be more expensive to move our old couch than to simply buy a new one so always consider that.  Additionally, selling items may take a few attempts and avenues (FB marketplace, Ebay, Craiglist, eblasts to friends) and you’ll want a comfy cushion of time so you’re not forced to simply giveaway everything last minute.
3. Start packing unused, and off-season items making sure boxes are categorized by room/category.  Bonus points if you color code your boxes/labels for each room! (Think colored tape, and/or markers).  And try to create a basic list of contents for each box either by creating a list and numbering each box, or simply listing contents on the box’s exterior.
4. Pack what I call your getaway bag.  That suitcase you’ll be traveling with to your destination needs to have all your essentials and most valuable items for peace of mind.  When you arrive, you’re not going to want to look through a hundred boxes to find your toothbrush, outfits, prescription meds, laptop and cell phone chargers for instance. Note, if you don’t pack it up early, it could easily and mistakenly get packed up by one of your helpers along the way.
5. Save money on bubble wrap and padding by getting creative!  Stemware can be stored in clean socks, knives can be stored in oven mitts & empty paper towel rolls.  Picture frames can be stored in pillow cases. Paper plates can be placed between breakable plates. Basically anytime you are packing soft items like linens or clothes, look around the room to see what fragile items can go in between! Large artwork in a duvet? YES!  extra tip, pack plates vertically in boxes (like records), and they will be less likely to break!
6. Save money on boxes.  Start collecting delivery boxes that are shipped to you (hello Amazon!) the month prior to your move.  Reuse original boxes for electronics and small appliances.  And remember that all the suitcases, hampers, bins, baskets and garbage bins around your house can be used as moving containers too! (
7. Research, budget and plan for your moving company/moving vehicles– Research and start budgeting for your move.  Do you need help packing?  Do you need to book a vehicle?  how much will it cost to have professionals move you in/out and will it cover basic furniture setup and insurance?

This post is sponsored by Big Deahl’s Movers. I hope you find these moving tips helpful and/or can SHARE with someone who might!

‘Big Deahl’s Movers offers a wide range of services including: residential moving, commercial moving, labor only, packing and pool table movers in Cucumango, California.  Be sure to check out their website for more information!