About Moving
After coping with a death or being involved with a divorce, moving comes third as one of life's most stressful situations. People forget how comfortable they are in their personal space and become completely disrupted by moving. The best way to reduce the stress and worry is to make a specific plan and timetable of all the steps involved and take them one by one. This way, it will not feel so overwhelming. Here are some other tips for making the right move.
1. Considerations
o The first important decision you have to make is whether you are moving yourself or hiring a professional moving company. You may want to save money, but be careful. There is a lot more furniture and items in your place than you think. Essentially, there are three types of moving companies: Full-service providers take care of all aspects of the move. They pack and load all belongings, drive to the destination and unload. They are licensed and provide insurance for your personal items in case anything is damaged or lost. Self-service moving consists of you handling all the packing and loading and unloading and the moving company assuming responsibility for the driving. This offers a compromise for individuals making smaller moves within the same state. It saves money and is more convenient. Completely do-It-yourself moving requires you to manage the entire move, including packing, renting the truck, driving, determining the route, finding storage if required and unloading. It is a lot of work, but saves a great deal of money. If you are just moving out of your family home and only have a bedroom of things to bring to an apartment or a short distance away, you can get a few friends together and load up several cars or rent a moving van (age of driver varies by state). If you decide to use a moving company, be sure to get three quotes that cover the same services. Besides seeing how they compare financially, see how their record is with the Better Business Bureau and ask them to supply the name of their last move as a reference.
Identification
o If you are doing your own packing, you will need many different supplies. Get boxes from the local grocery stores, see if your company gets many packages with bubbles or other packing materials. If not, newspaper will always work. Wrap larger items that can't fit in boxes with blankets or sheets. Put all hardware in plastic bags and tape to disassembled equipment or furniture. Use smaller boxes for heavier items, such as books or plates. Make a numbered list of all boxes and their contents and single belongings. Number each box or item with the same number. Strengthen the bottom of each box with tape. On each box, put the room where it goes. Pack as much as you can into boxes and keep like items together. Be sure to use plenty of padding and do not pack so tightly that fragile items are squeezed together. Clothes and linens can be put into large garbage bags. Some boxes need to be opened right away, while others can wait for a few days or even go up into the attic or down into the basement. Do, however, try to eliminate as many belongings as you can, so not too much remains in storage. Never wait until the last minute for packing. You will, of course, need to keep some items out for the last couple of days, but everything else should be packed in advance. If you can get into the new apartment or home before the move, bring over some of the more fragile items. Once you bring over enough personal items, which have the scent of your previous house, you can let your cats roam the new place. Don't try this without any furniture or pillows, for example. They will be quite anxious.
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Effects
o If you have children who are old enough to understand that changes are being made, which can be any child over the age of 18 months, be sure they are included in the move at their level. Very young children will not know what is happening, but will feel the increased tension and activity. They may miss some of their special belongings if they are wrapped up. Even sounds will be different as the room becomes more empty of items. They may need extra attention and have trouble sleeping. Older children will be mixed about the move, especially if they are leaving their friends behind. Be sure that they help plan the move and are part of the different activities at the old and new house. You can even take them to some of the places in the new location, if it is not too far away.
Benefits
o Several months before the move, put aside a box for all important information and moving-related receipts. Check with the local Internal Revenue Service or your accountant or look online to find out what deductions can be used on your following tax return. Also use this box for essential personal papers, such as insurance, medical information, school materials and identification. All these may be needed very quickly, and you don't want to start looking in boxes. As mail comes in, make a list of those places that need to be notified with a change of address card. Send emails or letters to those locations about a month ahead with the date you will be leaving. Also go through your previous year's calendar to remind yourself of other places that will need address changes, such as the eye doctor. Go to the post office and fill out a change of address card. If you are moving out of state or far enough away that you will be going to different doctors and schools, it will be necessary to arrange for information to be sent to the new health care and educational facilities. You probably will want to move your safety deposit contents as well.
Prevention/Solution
o If you live in an apartment or condominium, you may have to reserve an elevator for the day of the move. Also, if you live on a busy street, you will have to make accommodations for where the truck will be able to park. Check with the police. You may have to hire an off-duty officer to direct traffic. Decide what additional steps you will take in case of inclement weather, especially snow, ice or strong winds. Even if it is going to be hotter than usual, you will need to take precautions, such as extra liquids. Don't say "no" to friends who want to come by and lend a helping hand or give you a small gift. This makes them feel good and it should also make you feel good about being remembered.
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