Moving is no fun. No matter whether you're moving across town or across the country, it's go time--what to do with all the treasures (and trash) you've collected? All of your possessions must move (thus, moving) and somebody is going to have to sort it, box it, and put it on a truck. And then repeat the process in reverse once you're in the driveway of your new home. Is that going to be you, or will you employ someone? And will you have the pros to do everything, or pack yourself and have the movers come with a truck or two on moving day?
It's a lot to ponder, and your budget is most likely a fundamental factor in deciding the portion of your move you want to subcontract. But regardless of your budget, your time frame or other factors, you want to actually pack and move as little as feasible. As soon as you recognize you might be relocating, begin thinking about the purge.
When you go through your house and really look at all your things, the prospect of packing it all up can be staggering. Which is why you should commence clearing, de-cluttering, donating, and dumping as soon as you start looking at 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 start. Cleaning house is an emotional challenge, especially if you've been in the house several years, 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 put it on in a year, get rid of 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 December. 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 are undecided, ask yourself is it worth the time and money to pack and relocate? Three weeks into packing, you'll be entirely 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 give yourself substantial time to purge closets, dressers, and cabinets.
If you don't have a shredder, buy a cross-cut one that can even shred CDs. While you are purging and shredding old paperwork, save the shreddings in large trash bags as you empty the shredder’s bin and then use it as packing material to top off boxes so the innards don't shift in transport.
Who's Doing the Heavy Lifting in Dallas?
When you're taking time away from purging is a good time to look for moving companies; you'll want to figure out how much help you need and get on their schedule as early as possible. If you're having the movers box your belongings for you, you'll still need to go 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 a table, count on finding it again when you unpack. There are some items 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.
Being proactive ahead and giving yourself plenty of time to purge and pack are vital for a smooth move. Remember, everything you decide to take with you must be packed and moved, so be sure you are taking only what you cannot live without to your new home.
