Moving {SHUDDER}… does the sheer word give you itchy hives, and leave you feeling completely overwhelmed?! Don't you worry, I have a list of moving hacks I have used over the last few weeks prepping for our move, and I'm going to share them all with YOU! Now, that doesn't mean I haven't opened a few (okay, a lot) of bags of Mini Cadberry Eggs to devour the stress away, but these hacks definitely helped get me through the rough patches! I hope they help you, too!
Oh, and don't forget! Be sure to subscribe to Millennial Moms so you don't miss any of my Wednesday videos and my FunCheapOrFree YouTube Channel.
Bring on the Moving Hacks!
Don't have time to watch the video? I'm always one to help a sister out, so I've listed them out for you below — plus it will make referencing them later EASY-PEASY! #YOUREWELCOME
#1 – Purge BEFORE you move!
Getting rid of things BEFORE you move means less stuff to pack, less stuff to unpack, and… well, less stuff!
#2 – Don't buy expensive moving supplies!
Skip the urge to buy the bubble wrap (yes, I love to pop them too!), and wrap your fragile items in your own towels, sheets, and blankets. It will save you a bundle, and you'll be packing more stuff in the process. SCORE!
Annnd, coffee filters will be your kitchen-packing best buddy! They are dirt cheap, and fit perfectly between bowls, plates, and the like. Instant protection, for mere pennies!
So many stores will GIVE you their boxes! (My personal fav — the apple boxes from the grocery store. They are sturdy, and have a top AND a bottom!)
#3 – How to pack your items!
Start by clearing your walls (think pictures, and any decor that's hanging), next tackle your decor accessories (vases, knick knacks, the like.). Get it out of the way early — you don't need it!
Pack your hanging clothes… with a garbage sack! Scoot over a good handful, still on the hangers, and shimmy that garbage bag up, just like the dry cleaners do! Voila! You are ready to throw them in the truck!
Don't unpack your drawers — just wrap them up! Then when you get to the new house, you unwrap, and put back in. Voila! It's like you never left!
Label, Label, LABEL!! All sides, and with a nice black marker — include what's inside. Do you want to be knocking on the new neighbors door to ask to borrow their can opener? Yeah, didn't think so.
#3 – Time to move!
Use colored tape to coordinate where each box should go in the new home. Make a few master lists with the color coding so everyone knows where to take things, no questions asked.
Make a “Moving Supplies” box! Keep everything you need in this tote — tape, scissors, a master list… whatever you may need! Then it's easy, and accessible all in one place!
Annnnd, make an “Essentials” box while you're at it. Toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, paper plates, plastic utensils, a phone charger, shower curtain, shampoo, towels… the things you can't wait to unpack for. You'll thank me for this one.
Don't forget to snap one last picture of you and the family in front of your old house. Kodak moments — they are priceless.
That's a wrap!
What are your best moving tips? Share with me in the comments below!
Happy Packing!
I hate moving but this makes it way easier!! Purging before I start packing is #1! Good luck with the move!
Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com
Wrapping the drawers is genius! Such a great idea! I love purging too, I’m tempted to move again just so I can purge!
Jordan,
We are going to be moving soon and will be buying lots of new “big purchases” – fridge, washer, dryer, a sectional, a loveseat, bunkbeds.. and I am having anxiety just writing out that list and thinking about how much it will cost. we are so frugal and have been saving for this, but i’m wondering if you know of a way to save on those big items?!? we are also in utah if that helps. i’ve been looking through pages on your site and can’t find anything on this.. did i miss it? anyways, thanks for your hard work. You’re so inspiring 🙂
Hey Whitney! My best advice is to PACE YOURSELF. It’s hard when you need a washer right away, and a fridge…but for furniture – even couches – just take as long as you can. If you don’t have enough saved up to cover everything, consider buying used off of KSL.com/classifieds or Craigslist. We bought a junky fridge when we first moved into our town house and actually painted it black (not recommended, by the way) to make it look less junky. Then after 3 years we bought an awesome fridge. So just do what you can and consider buying used! Best of luck!
Jordan,
these were awesome tips!! I watched your video on millennial moms first and figured you had a post on your page as well so I came here. I love the masking tape idea but I am having a hard time finding that many different colors. I see the packs that they sell on Amazon but most of them say washi tape so I worry the tape will be really skinny. Do you have a link to where you bought yours?
Thank you!!
I believe this is what I bought: http://amzn.to/2ijyGxw
Or there’s an electrical tape option: http://amzn.to/2ijwmGZ
These are great tips! Do you have any tips for food to eat while moving and after the move? I don’t want to eat out all those days.
Moving work is really hard work because lot’s of things are move and not possible to easy. I read your blog and such a nice hacking tips for moving. I am happy with this blog. Your blog is very beneficial for movers. Thanks for posting something worth reading. Great work.