Moving and organizing tips
 

Ok, so I did a search but a lot wasn't relevant and I hate bumping old threads.

Tips and suggestions for moving out of my apartment?

Most of my stuff is going to a storage unit but I'm struggling about how to get rid of things, how best to pack, etc. A lot of my furniture was free or is old (and cheap) and isn't going to move with me. This is the first time I've had a full "home" worth of stuff to try and relocate.

Any suggestions? I'll be downsizing to a bedroom essentially.

Also, moral support would be good. I'm not enjoying this at all.

Be sure that you know what you're putting in each box. Don't throw your iron, stapler, and hangers all in one box. Because packing/unpacking is such a pain, when I have everything fairly organized, it makes the whole unpacking process a lot easier.

I have moved a million times, so I'll think of more things as I go about doing whatever.

Oh, when it comes to dressers and armoires (sp), I usually fill them up with clothes and what not and then using masking tape to keep the drawers shut. It makes those pieces of furniture way heavier, but it reduces the amount of boxes you'll need for clothing.

I ended up moving at least once a year for the first few years following college so I got pretty good at it. One thing I really stuck to was "If you haven't used it in a year, you probably never will". There are a few things that it's not true for, but I identified those early on.. for example, keepsakes which may just stay in boxes most of the time or a special gadget/heirloom type thing. For the most part though, what you haven't used in a year isn't going to be used and can be donated/tossed.

Label boxes like he said above. Try to keep like stuff with like stuff. Be methodical, empty the linen closet, move to the bathroom, etc.

Drolefille, you have my deepest and most sincere sympathies. I'm also moving this week. Only I'm taking all of my things from my mother's house (plus sentimental items) and moving into my small house. I've been moving a lot of awkward items for months, but am just boxing the heavy stuff for the movers.

I packed a suitcase, just as if I'm going on vacation, with the items I'll need this week (well, past two weeks), and am living out of that. It's streamlined quite a bit.

U-Haul will buy back any unused boxes, if you need any. They have good instructions, which I immediately lost :( and this is very stressful for me. While I've moved 17 times in my life, this is the first time it will be, "that which I don't take now, I will never see again," and it's freaking me out.

As for the food, I haven't bought anything "exciting" in the last month, and that which I don't take will go to the food bank. We're having an estate sale, so I'm not so sure about the clothing - but the way my mother dressed, it will probably go to the estate sale or to a consignment shop. There are major designer clothes that she never wore. I haven't even gotten into the two attics yet!

So, come cry on my shoulder. Maybe we can both get through this together!

I use the blue painter's tape to label boxes - easier to read than writing right on the box and if I'm re-using boxes from a former move or got some from a friend everyone knows that the blue label is the one I put on.

Don't wait until last minute to pack your kitchen (made that mistake last time).

Pack any heavy things toward the front of the truck.

If you're using movers, don't leave checkbooks and stuff laying around. My movers stole my checkbook and ended up nearly cleaning out my checking account (bank took care of it, but had I not had a decent amount of cash in the bank at the time, I'd have been on the hook for overdraft fees aplenty).

Well on the plus side, no movers to steal my things, on the downside, no movers to move my things.

It's probably a net loss since I don't have much in the way of things to steal.

I just moved, as a matter of fact just went to my moms and got the last load. I'd definitely agree with packing by room and using labels (I used masking tape). I made the mistake of packing all the clothes from my dresser rather than just taping them with everything inside. I also packed the kitchen stuff last and that WAS a huge mistake as well, there's just so much little stuff that takes up space. I packed all my clothes toiletries ect in a suitcase and that def helped when I needed to shower and change at the new place after a long day of moving. Then I left all my, I haven't used this in a year or been in storage, stuff for last Now I can go through that after the hard stuff is done to determine what can be given away/sold/shredded at my leisure.

If you don't do this already, put all of your important paperwork/checks/etc. in a hanging file box and transport it in a place (it was in the trunk of my car) where you know you'll be able to find it easily and quickly. I kept all the information for the truck, etc. in that box so I knew exactly where it was when I needed it.

I did the same for all of live-in's important paperwork.

I'll be the dissenter and say DO NOT go nuts purging clothing etc - as a matter of fact don't purge at all. It sounds like you're not in a good head space about the whole thing and the last thing you need is to pitch something and then realize a year later you needed it. Put it in a box and store it, then come to your storage unit someday and go through it at your leisure.

Ditto what pshhx1 said about labeling. Label to a ridiculous extent on boxes. As long as you know what it is it doesn't matter if it sounds really stupid.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.

Yeah I'm not in the best head space about it. However for example I'm taking 4 bags of clothes to my parents' and doing laundry and can purge some from there. I have a ton of clothes left from high school/college or hand-me-downs that I've been meaning to get rid of for a while so that makes it easier. But like a well reasoned critical thinking process? No, not there now. (And all my books are getting the same packed up and moved home treatment too.)

The sharpies and the masking tape are my friend for the labeling.

When we moved my bed last, we taped all of the legs together and also the head board and foot board (mine are tiny). It's not something major, but it reduces what you have to carry by just a little bit and by the 7th hour of packing/unpacking, those 10 minutes saved are a blessing.

Also, I don't know about anyone else, but I never pack all of my fragile stuff together (aside from kitchen things). I try to somewhat scatter those small things and picture frames and wrap them in newspaper, paper towel, bubble wrap, or some combination. Also, I keep those boxes that happen to have a fragile item packed nice and snug.

The mattress bags that Uhaul sells are pretty handy for moving your mattress/box spring and keeping them clean. Another handy item for moving and cleaning and purging: builder bags. These are the heavy duty, thick, black trash bags that come on a roll. They are huge! These bags hold a ton of trash when you are throwing stuff out and want to minimize trips to the dumpster. They also are the perfect size for making garment bags. Whever I move, I keep clothes on hangers, put a few like items together, make a garment bag out of one of the builder bags, and then tie up the bottom. That way, you can just throw the clothes in stacks in the back seat of your car or on top of some boxes in the moving truck. The clothes are ready to hang up when you get to your new place. These bags are also great when you decide what you want to donate to Goodwill, etc. because they can hold so much more than regular trash bags.