Moving is not usually a joy. No matter whether you're moving across town or across the country, it's go time--what to do with all the prized possessions (and not-so-dear-to-you possessions) you've accumulated? All of your possessions must move (thus, moving) and somebody is going to have to comb over it, box it, and load on a truck. And then repeat the process in reverse once you're at your new home. Is that going to be you, or will you employ professionals? And will you have the pros for a turn key move, or pack yourself and have the movers come with a truck or two to load, transport and unload?
It's a lot to ponder, and your budget may be an essential factor in deciding how much of your move you want to hire to be done. But despite your budget, your time frame or anything else, you want to actually pack and move as little as possible. As soon as you realize you might be moving, begin thinking about the purge.
When you stroll through your residence and really look at all your things, the prospect of packaging it all up can be anxiety producing. Which is why you must begin clearing, de-cluttering, donating, and dumping as soon as you start thinking about new homes. If you're selling your house, your realtor will read you the riot act regarding the de-cluttering and de-personalizing before it goes up for sale, so you might as well get boxes and trash bags and get started. Cleaning house is an sensitive challenge, especially if you've been in the house a long time, so follow this Protocol for Purging for a hassle-free clearing out.
The One-Year Rule
The rule of thumb is, if you haven't worn it in a year, toss it. This makes a lot of sense for kid’s clothes and current fashion, but you don't need to toss that Hermes scarf if you didn't get around to wearing it last year. Practically speaking, why haven't you worn it? if it doesn't fit, is out of style, or your lifestyle has changed (if you're no longer in the corporate world and have a multitude of suits in various shades of navy blue), feel free to consign or donate. If you're on the fence, ask yourself is it worth the time and money to pack and move? A few weeks into boxing things up, you'll be entirely ruthless, where in the beginning you'll have a sad box of things to donate with a sweater, two pairs of maternity jeans and ratty tennis shoes, so allow yourself plenty of time to purge closets, dressers, and cabinets.
If you don't have a shredder, purchase a cross-cut one that can even shred CDs. While you are purging and shredding old paperwork, save the shreddings in good-sized trash bags as you empty the shredder’s bin and then use it as packing material to fill boxes so the contents don't shift in transport.
Who's Doing the Heavy Lifting in Colorado Springs?
When you're taking breaks from purging is a good time to research moving companies; you'll want to settle on how much help you need and get on their schedule as early as possible. In the event that you're having the movers pack for you, you'll still need to go through all your stuff for purging. The packers job is to pack, not to decide what to keep. If you have a dirty ashtray on the coffee table, count on seeing it again when you unpack. There are some things a moving company can't transport, and some things that they won't move. Anything flammable or toxic (gasoline, propane tanks, ammunition, nail polish and remover (seriously), and chemistry sets are a few of the things that can't be commercially moved. Click here for further information on items that cannot go on the moving truck.
Planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time to purge and pack are vital for a carefree move. Remember, everything you decide to take with you has to be packed and moved, so be sure you are taking only what you cannot live without to your new abode.
