5 Moving House Tips to Save Your Sanity
Moving can be the pits, trust me I know! That’s why it’s always good to have moving house tips under your belt to make sure your move to your new place is a seamless as possible.
In my life I’ve lived in over 11 different states. Yup, let’s see if fibro brain can remember them all.
Hawaii, Georgia X5, Illinois, Maryland x2, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, California, Florida X3, Indiana, and of course now Minnesota.
That’s not including all the times that I’ve moved within those states. Believe it or not, I was only a military brat for the first 18 months of my life.
So, if you are looking for someone that has tons of moving experience under her belt, them I’m your gal!
You can’t move that often without having a few moving house tips under your belt!!
Even though I’ve moved around a lot, I”m happy to say NOW we are never moving again. Last year we bought our very first house, so all of my moving house tips are finally used up. And we are happily settled into our new home. Isn’t she a beauty?
Though I may be done moving, I want to help you with my moving house tips because I’ve also learned a bajillion ways NOT to make your move go smoothly.
Let my back aches, stress, and wallet woes be your lesson. Each and every one of my moving house tips is a tried and true way to make your move go as seamlessly as possible.
Moving really sucks, so you might as well have a few tricks up your sleeve (or cases of wine in your truck) to help you survive the process, right?!?
Read more here about How to Save Money on Your Move
5+ Moving House Tips to Save Your Sanity
1. Make A Budget: Whether you’re moving out of state or just locally, it’s really important to make a budget. This will help you know if you can afford to let movers do it all for you or if you are going to have to put in some effort yourself.
2. Decide If You Are Going to Move/Pack Or Hire Out: Once your budget is set, then you can figure out whether you are going to do it yourself and rent a truck, or if you have the funds to hire movers! Have no idea where to start? Here’s some great resources to see what fits in your budget.
- UPack: You can really save a lot of money by packing yourself. You can get free Upack quote, if you don’t mind packing boxes to save big bucks.
- If you do decide to pack yourself, you can even save money on boxes by ordering quality used cardboard boxes!
- Moving Truck Rentals: Here are some great companies to get rental truck quotes from
- Budget Rental Trucks Save up to 20% Off
- UHaul Rental Trucks
- Moving Company Quotes: If you can afford it, let movers do it all! Make sure you get quotes though!
3. Purge (And We’re Not Talking About a Horror Movie): It’s true what they say, the more you get rid of the less you have to move! Here are a few ways to do that:
- Read How to Declutter Your Home Room by Room
2. Pack an essentials box last: One of the worst things is packing everything up and then realizing the most important things you need are nowhere to be found. When packing up, put a separate pile for essentials you will need immediately.
Pack this up in a separate box last, and LABEL the heck out of that box. These moving labels make it SUPER easy so you don’t misplace this box!
This would be things like bills, financials, important papers, personal care items, scissors, basic cleaning supplies. That way when you really need something you don’t have to dig through mounds and mounds of boxes.
Or you can even use a portable file folder so it’s easier to keep your files with you!
3. Use suitcases to pack clothes: If you are like our family, you own at least one suitcase. Make sure that you pack at least one suitcase with at least a week’s worth of clothes for everyone in your family.
There is nothing worse than wanting to shower and change after a long day moving to realize you’ve literally packed every piece of clothing that you own. Packing it in a suitcase, makes it easy to find and makes sure that you have clean clothes to wear while you unpack.
4. Unpack Kitchen Boxes First: The kitchen is one of the very first places that you will need to get to the items you packed. Eating out every single night means you will be wasting a lot of money that you could be saving on your new place.
5. Keep an Entertainment Box Handy: It takes time to get things like cable and Internet ready, and it doesn’t matter if you are 5 or 50 you are going to want something to DO while you wait for your life to get back in order.
6. Move Your Utilities in a Snap: Cancelling and setting up new utilities can be such a flippin’ hassle! That’s why when I can delegate setting up my new utilities I do.
Cablemovers are an awesome company that will tell you who your local telephone, cable, and other local providers! You can even get moving quotes and forward your address on their website! Talk about a sanity saver!
Just like that, moving doesn’t have to be ulcer inducing. With these 5 moving house tips to save your sanity, you can move to your new digs, whether permanent or temporary, and know that you can handle the stress that comes with moving!
And in case moving does drive you to drink, you can always find something to soothe you over with these drinks made with wine.
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Jeanette says
We have moved a lot in the last 10 years and boy let me tell you everything you say here is really spot on! The more organized you can be the better when it comes to moving.
Ash Sears says
This is our LAST move thank the gods! I’ve moved way too many times, and hope peeps can learn from all the chaos I’ve endured b/c of it.
Kelly Hutchinson says
Congrats on your home purchase! We hope to do the same within the year. I am not a fan of moving, but I have gotten it down to the science!
Stacie says
Being an ex-military wife I have moved my far share of times. Having an entertainment box is a great idea. No need to have bored kids wanting to know where there things are.
Brett Beyer says
Renting furniture seems like a great idea I never thought of! Although, I would also recommend going to the state liquor store for packing boxes. They are usually strong, and always free (the liquor store is actually trying to get rid of them, so it’s a win-win).
The only problem with this is that when I moved in, the neighbors thought they’d found the party house when they saw my moving boxes. They were sorely disappointed.
Ash Sears says
That is a great suggestion Brett! I also love stashing my Amazon boxes, but I may have more of an Amazon addiction than most.
Meagan says
How have I never even heard of furniture rental? That would have saved me during my last move!
Amy Desrosiers says
These are great tips that I will pass onto my sister. She is going to be moving in 3 weeks hopefully.
William Sweeney says
I love the idea of an essentials box for when you first move in!! I hate moving it is such a chore, I would also have to add a box for kids stuff as well to be kept separate.
Alicia says
These are great tips! I love the one about packing clothes in the suitcase. That makes a lot of sense.
Kelly Reci says
Our last move was 3 years ago and let me tell you it was tough! These are really great tips and I will be sure to pass them on to my friends that are moving in a few months.
Nancy @ whispered inspirations says
Great tips! Moving can be very stressful and seems endless when it comes to unpacking! I moved 3 years ago and I’m still unpacking boxes here and there lol
Kathy says
These are all such great tips. I’m planning on moving next month if all goes well. I like the idea of an essential box. I’ll make sure to do that!
Ann Bacciaglia says
These are great moving tips. I never thought about renting furniture before. I am hoping I will not have to move for a few more years.
Lisa Bristol says
I am in the process of moving right now. I was lucky and got the keys early so I can slowly move over. I will have to use my suitcases for my clothes.
Ash Sears says
Good luck on the move! Yeah the suitcases are a life saver. That way you CAN pace yourself
Elizabeth Lampman says
Packing an essentials box is a great idea. I hate it when you cannot find something important.
Tammi Roy says
We always unpack the kitchen first. It is such an essential room to get organized quickly.
Janeane Davis says
These are great tips for making the move easier to manage. The idea of packing a suitcase for clothes is a brilliant one.
Jennifer says
Congratulations on your new home! I had no idea that companies like CORT even existed – that would have been a lifesaver for us during our last move! I’ll have to keep them in mind for the future.
Ash Sears says
As I’ve been waiting for my furniture to be delivered for a MONTH now, I am SO happy companies like this exist!
Aubrey says
Moving is a ton of work. I hope to do it in a year or so though.
Reesa Lewandowski says
Moving is always such a pain! We have moved more times than I like but it did get easier (maybe) every time. These are great tips to make it smoother.
Ash Sears says
Seriously still have not met someone that LIKES moving, well at least the packing part.