Moving 101

In the process of our last move I have learned a few things I thought I'd share. Sorry I don't have a lot of great pics to go with these. Maybe in another lifetime I'll be that organized think that far ahead

• Start early. As soon as you even think about wanting to move, start going through those closets and hidden rooms. This way you'll have more time to sell nicer items on craigslist, ebay, etc., or have multiple yard sales. Inevitably, you'll still have carloads of stuff to bring to the thrift store. This also will help to make your house more presentable to sell.


• Hefty Big Bags are awesome! (Thanks Liz) The zipper feature is worth the extra few quarters over the zip-loc brand. These were perfect for bedding, clothes, hangers...It's easier to find what you need when just unpacking, and it also makes nice padding for other items i the tuck. They also fill up those odd spaces in trucks that otherwise would be void.


• That brings me to smaller gallon zip bags. I stash Easton's clothes in them to keep orderly and clean while traveling.


• Thrift shops are a great place to buy old blankets to wrap your furniture for travel. By law they have to be sterilized, so it doesn't bother me to cover my dressers with them.


• Think replacement value when deciding whether to toss or keep. Ask yourself, "how much would it cost me to replace this if need be?" For me if it was never used and/or replacement cost was around $30 and under - out it went.


• Label, label, label!! Sounds obvious, but I label the box with just about every item in it. If you start soon enough it's no big deal. It has saved me a million times. Because by the end you'll end up with 10 or more boxes of kitchen items and it'll drive you nuts to search them looking for those darned potholders.


• Don't change your address until last minute. I tried to be on the ball and start early nad ended up with no internet for a month. Technology has made it easy to update you in a second. Oh, and the phone seemed to be the best way, surprisingly.(except for credit cards)


• Dishes and food travel best in plastic totes. For food, the clear kind so you can see what you have. When you have no food and need to buy groceries quick this is a lifesaver. They're more sturdy and less likely to get crushed. I wrapped all my dishes in single layer newspaper (not caring if they broke) in plastic totes and nothing even cracked.


• Don't mix. When the last items are going into boxes, resist the urge to mix unlike items as much as possible. It is impossible to find anything, even labeled. Best to stick with the room, then the items in the box.