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Moving on a Dime
by Jill Cooper and Tawra
Kellam
Have you ever been so stressed out moving that you wondered if the
easiest way to pack was to get a gallon of gasoline and a box of
matches?
Moving can be a stressful time for everyone involved, but don’t make it
more stressful than it needs to be. Just getting started is the hardest
part. Here are few tips to point you in the right direction.
ORDER IN WHICH TO START PACKING
Start with things you don’t use every day.
Memories - Grandma’s dishes, quilts, old books, Bibles, childhood toys
and photos
Garage items - Christmas and Holiday decorations, camping equipment and
things in storage
Things stored in closets that aren’t used often and out of season
clothes
Knick-knacks, pictures, mirrors and wall hangings
Seasonal dishes, canning equipment, roasting pans, good china, good
silverware, large serving platters
Unnecessary CD’s, DVD’s and video tapes.
Sewing room and craft items.
Home office - Pack as much as possible except bills that need to be
paid. Leave office boxes open and tape them closed at the last minute
before moving just in case you need something out of them.
Children’s toys and games - Pack most of the toys they don’t play with
regularly.
One week before moving, pack all unnecessary kitchen items, clothes and
linens (except what you need for one week).
Tips to pain free packing:
Don't leave empty spaces. Here are some examples of how you might use
all available space:
I fill my china cabinet with light weight soft things like stuffed
animals, balls of yarn, quilts, artificial flowers and greenery.
If you will be moving your refrigerator or washer or dryer, fill it with
pillows, wicker baskets or plastic items from the kitchen.
Fill clothes hampers with bathroom items. If you have a lamp that needs
special protection, wrap it carefully in towels and place it in a
clothes hamper.
Fill up even small items like plastic pitchers with kitchen utensils or
kitchen knick-knacks.
I clean out a large outside trash can and use it to pack my hoses, small
pots and gardening tools. If I’m not sure if I should keep something, I
allow myself to take it if I can fit it in that one trash can. My
son-in-law says it is one step closer to the curb that way. (
Don't pack glass, porcelain or ceramic containers with loose items in
them that could break them. Canning jars filled with marbles or baby
food jars filled with nuts and bolts are recipes for disaster.
Pack heavy things such as books in small boxes.
Don't pack things like photos, videotapes, cd's, candles, plants or pets
(especially pets!!!) where heat or cold can get to them. Don't think any
of those things will be safe and protected in a car or truck overnight.
If it gets cold, they will freeze. Also plants left in a hot car will
not be safe because the heat will kill them. When transporting plants in
a car, protect them from direct sunlight with a covering of newspaper
because the sun will fry houseplants.
Pack kids’ rooms last. They need the security of having their room the
same for as long as possible. Be sure to put their favorite items in the
car such a blanket, stuffed animal or books.
About the author
Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are the authors of Moving on a Dime: Save
Money, Save Time, Save Your Sanity. To order Moving on a Dime and for
more free money saving tips visit our web site at
http://www.notjustbeans.com
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