So you’re planning to move to a new home? Of course, one of the first things that comes to mind is the gargantuan task of packing all your belongings. Not only does this process take a lot of time and effort, it also entails significant costs. Typically a person can spend up to $200 for packing supplies alone. That’s already a huge chunk of the moving budget!
But as with most things in life, there are a few hacks that we can all do in order to pack more efficiently. Just follow the tips below and you’ll find packing a breeze:
The worst thing you can do when it comes to moving is to pack every single item in your possession. We all know that the more stuff you need to transport, the more time and money you will need. So logically speaking, to pack faster and cheaper, you need to minimize the load. It’s important to begin the packing process by sorting your belongings into 4 groups namely:
Old appliances that no longer work, furniture that can no longer be salvaged, anything that is close to decaying—do yourself a favour and just throw them away.
One man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. If you have the time, maybe you can hold a yard sale or sell some of your things on e-bay. This will not only save you on moving costs, you can also get a bit of extra cash.
Look at your old clothes and think hard. Maybe some of them would look better on your younger sibling? Or better yet, maybe you can drop them off at a local charity? A little goes a long way!
These are the things that you absolutely need to bring with you to your new address. They are either truly still functional and useful, or provide a personal sentimental value.
Did you know that you can actually get packing supplies for free? You can also use some of the things that you already have.
Go to the nearest grocery and ask them for boxes. Chances are, they have so many of them (from package deliveries) that they’ll give it to you for free.
Ask your neighbors for old magazines and newspapers as these can be used to wrap and secure breakable items like plates, cups and figurines. You can also do the same thing with towels and clothes. Use them as protection for delicate items.
When transporting wardrobes and cabinets, you can use the drawers as extra packing boxes. Just pull them out, pack them with small items, then secure it with a cover.
Remember those big luggage bags you use for out of town trips? You can actually use them to store some of your clothes and towels.
Injecting a systematic process when packing is important for several reasons. First is it allows you to ensure that everything is accounted for. Secondly, it will make unpacking so much easier.
Do you really need to bring all of your winter gear if you’re moving to Florida? Sorting clothes according to season will enable you to analyze each item, and also help you sort them out when unpacking time comes.
This way, you can tell the movers to place each box in the appropriate room for easier unpacking.
Since you won’t be needing them anytime soon, you can pack them up right away.
This way, once you arrive at your new home, you can quickly be comfortable thanks to toiletries, a change of clothes, and maybe your favorite blanket.
There can never be enough labels when it comes to moving. Every box and container should be labeled.
Packing your life belongings indeed takes some time, but with a little ingenuity and organizing skills, it can actually be therapeutic and enjoyable too.
