Moving Basics: 4 Tips for Stress-Free Moving

While moving to a new apartment or new home can be a major life event, the experience doesn't have to be chaotic. With a little extra planning, relocating can be stress-free and even fun (yes, really!). Here are four moving tips to ensure a smooth transition for you and your belongings.

1. Start early

If after taking a walk around your house you think, "I don't have many things to move," most likely you are part of a minority. Even for those obsessed with some tactics, moving to another part of town requires a lot of detail and planning. Start planning your move early — up to two to three months before the date — to take care of every detail and avoid last-minute panic.

Start with a moving checklist that lists everything you need to do, such as notify the post office of your change of address, make any necessary changes to your utilities, transfer your cable service, and plan your route. transfer. Keep that list in a conspicuous place, like on the refrigerator door. If you need more assistance, you can hire a moving company to help you with your move.

2. Stay connected

In our day, living without internet access or cable is not an option for most families. Let your internet service provider know about your move and ask for a relocation. You can transfer the service to your new address before you get there, so that you can count on your cable or Internet services from day one of your move.

3. Decide what to preserve, what to donate and what to throw away

Most likely, you should not take everything you have in your current home with you. Take advantage of your next move to dispose of belongings that you do not need. Search your cabinets and drawers to determine what to keep, what items to donate to charities, and what to dispose of.

Ask yourself when was the last time you wore that item of clothing or used that kitchen item or sports item. Although it may be difficult for you to get rid of some belongings, other people may be able to make better use of the things that you no longer use. As a bonus, you'll also have less to pack.

4. Pack like the pros do

When packing your things, go beyond the simple cardboard box. Use laundry baskets, pillowcases, and shopping bags to pack your belongings. Use a marker and painter's tape to label things, depending on the room where they belong.

Create a list of what is in each bag or box. This will help you when you get to your new home, so as not to risk forgetting where you put the kitchen utensils. Here are a few more tips for organizing and packing your move:

Objects of daily use

• Put in a briefcase the articles for personal use that you will need for the first days in your new home: comfortable clothes, personal hygiene items, cell phone charger, etc.
• Pack basic items like towels, sheets, a few plates, coffee, your cable box and remote, and cables in a box. It is advisable that you carry them in a transparent plastic container, so that it is easier for you to identify them.
• Store important moving documents in a folder and place it in a conspicuous place, such as the dining room table.

Clothing

• Pack your suitcases and briefcases first. (Hint: put seasonal clothes in these pieces so you can unpack them first when you get to your new home.)
• Roll up your clothes instead of having them fold in order to save some space.
• Insert your socks inside your shoes so they won't lose their shape (and you will free up space in other boxes).
• Instead of taking down all the clothes in your closet, carry them on the hooks itself. Cover 8-10 clothespins with a garbage bag. Tie the bags together and then secure the hooks together with drawstrings.

Electronic devices

• Take a photo of all the cables on the back of your TV or computer. That will serve as a reference when you need to plug them in again.
• Pack all your cables in one place. Use painter's tape to label them, and use garbage bag ties and empty paper towel rolls so they don't get tangled.
• Before packing your electronics, take out your CDs, DVDs, video games, and peripherals for external storage.
• Make sure you remove the ink and toner cartridges from your printer or fax machine. Store them in a seal-able bag to prevent ink spillage.
• Find out if you can use your current router and cable equipment at your new address.

Kitchen

• Use small boxes for items that can break. Use your kitchen cloth items, such as towels to dry your hands, to protect your dishes and other fragile items.
• Fill your pots and pans with spice containers and then secure them with plastic wrap.
• Put your knives in an oven mitt, to prevent any injuries when unpacking.
• Pack your cleaning supplies last, because you will need to do a final check on your old address.

Once the sofa is in place, you have made sure you have all its boxes and bags, and that you have ordered pizza to eat, the hardest part is over. Celebrate your new home and kick back with a family movie night. You've moved in like a pro and you won't even have to search for the remote.