Packing for Your Move - Let the Purge Begin
Moving is crazy. If you're moving across town or across the country, it's go time--what to do with all the prized possessions (and trash) you've collected? All of your possessions must move (thus, moving) and someone is going to have to sort it, pack it, and load on a moving van. And then repeat the process in reverse once you're at your new place to live. Are you going to handle it by yourself, or will you enlist movers? And will you ask the pros to do everything, or pack yourself and have the movers come with a truck or two to load, transport and unload?
It is a lot to ponder, and your budget is most likely a fundamental consideration in deciding the amount 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 feasible. As soon as you think you might be moving, start thinking about the purge.
When you stroll through your house and really look at all your things, the prospect of packaging it all up is overwhelming. That is why you need to start 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 on the market, 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 stress-free clearing out.
The One-Year Rule
The rule of thumb is, if you haven't got it out of the closet in a year, toss it. This makes a lot of sense for kid’s clothes and current fashion, but you don't need to part with that Hermes scarf if you didn't get around to wearing it last year. Practically speaking, why haven't you worn it? if it does not fit, is out of style, or your lifestyle has changed (if you're no longer in the corporate world and have a closet full of suits in various shades of navy blue), feel free to consign or donate. If you're undecided, ask yourself is it worth the time and money to pack and relocate? A few weeks into packing, you'll be completely ruthless, where in the beginning you'll have a barren box of things to donate with a sweater, two pairs of maternity jeans and ratty tennis shoes, so allow yourself substantial time to purge closets, dressers, and cabinets.
If you don't have a shredder, purchase a cross-cut one that can even shred CDs. As you are purging and shredding old paperwork, save the shredded paper in big 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 Tulsa and Oklahoma City?
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 calendar as early as possible. In the event that you are having the movers box your belongings for you, you'll still need to sort through all your stuff for purging. The packers mission 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 more information on items that cannot go on the moving truck.
Being proactive ahead and giving yourself plenty of time to purge and pack are very important for a carefree move. Remember, everything you decide to take with you must be packed and moved, so be sure you're taking only what you cannot live without to your new abode.