ITEMS TO MOVE YOURSELF
(even when you hire movers).
When you are moving it is easy for the little things you use everyday to get lost in the shuffle. You are living in a flurry of to-do items, from scheduling your electric and gas, to paperwork for your mortgage company, and the infamous “do I take this, leave this, sell this” debate. To ensure that you are not left opening 15 boxes to just find one item, here are some helpful tips to keep track of your most needed items while moving.
Box 1 – Your Most Sentimental items
These are the items of the greatest value to you, from your wedding album to your children’s photos, you baby’s first shoes to your grandmother’s blanket. These will be different for each person, just think of the items that can never be replaced if lost - this should be your first box.
Box 2 – Your Most Important Documents
From your family’s birth certificates to their passports, marriage licenses to home deeds, home insurance and health insurance paperwork. Important documents can cause month’s of headache to replace if lost. If you do not already have this box in your home, we recommend you create one – it should be fireproof and have a combination or key lock (but make sure you take that with you as well).
Box 3 – Your Jewelry and Electronics
Your computers, laptops and adapters, cable boxes and wires, internet boxes and wires, and all your remotes should be packed up and placed in your closet the morning the movers are coming. This is especially helpful if the cable guy is meeting you to re-install your cable and internet. Your jewelry should always stay with you as a rule of thumb, as well as any collectibles you may have.
Box 4 – The “Unknown” Fragile Items
The last box is not something one normally talks about, but the unusual items, like a lamp shade when not packed professionally, can be damaged irreparably. If you have miscellaneous fragile items such as these—a paper lantern, a piece of artwork that is delicate, then place them in this box.
Box 5 – The Final Box
Your final box should be the “I am going to need this in the morning” box. If your movers are not unpacking, (which we highly recommend) then this box will be vital. Start with instant coffee or tea (or your coffee maker and coffee if needed for your favorite brew – Grab some crackers or your go to snack, toilet paper, new toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap and deodorant, towels, your comfortable “it’s time to get things situated” outfit, your cell phones, tablets, take out menus (you will likely not be cooking this day), charger cords, and anything else that you may need to start your day. We recommend you make one of these for each member of your clan and add some touches like the items that will keep the tikes busy while you are working on your home. Labeling and placing these boxes in your “take with me” closet will ensure you have all you need to make this transition a smooth one.
Pro Tip
Empty one closet, this is where you will place all the boxes you’re moving yourself. Leading up to the move, place your “take with me” items in boxes and keep them in the empty closet. On move day, mark these boxes with “DO NOT TOUCH” so the movers know to leave them to you. Once your house is empty, you can always ask for the movers to place these boxes in your car at the very end of your move. Waiting until the end keeps your carefully packed personal boxes from intermingling with the professionally packed moving boxes.
