| The following is a summary of my recent moving | | | | People: |
| experience and was written to provide a step by | | | | - You may think that it is a men's job to do the |
| step guide on moving. Some of the tips are provided | | | | move, but there are things that everybody in your |
| to let you learn on my own mistakes, some are a | | | | family or friends can do. Women are generally better |
| result of common sense and some of a background | | | | at organizing things, packing fragile items, handling the |
| in travel. So go ahead read on and I hope this will | | | | paperwork etc. Don't leave out the kids, not only |
| become of help to you or your friends... | | | | you'll be able to do more by keeping them occupied |
| Preparation: | | | | but the entire process of moving will be less stressful |
| - Start digging from your closets and garage in | | | | on them. |
| advance, because this is complicated and frustrating | | | | - Assign the task according to skills and areas of |
| process, and it doesn't really combine well with | | | | expertise( I think letting a men handle a garage or |
| packing. | | | | electronics is generally a better idea than packing a |
| - During the excavations you shall discover things | | | | bathroom or a kitchen) |
| that you forgot existed and besides the "throw | | | | - Decide who is "In Charge", choose person that |
| away Definitely" and "wow how did I survive all | | | | overlooks and supervises everybody. |
| these years without!" kind of stuff, the Will Donate | | | | Labeling: |
| category should emerge. | | | | - The better you label your items the easier the |
| - You may have "a bad feeling" about "throw away | | | | move! |
| Definitely" items, what if you may need them some | | | | - Get markers or sharpies, labeling stickers, stickers |
| day, you never know right? Wrong throw it away! I | | | | with sequential numbers etc. |
| Know It's hard but you can do it. | | | | - Mark your boxes by: |
| - Donating the stuff should be easier, you simply | | | | 1. weight |
| need to convince your self that someone may | | | | 2. room |
| actually use your beloved set of tolls (that you | | | | 3. fragileness |
| haven't touched since you got a new TV set), the | | | | 4. contents |
| old boom box ... I wish everything was as easy as | | | | - Pack your boxes all the way but try not to |
| donating your wife's old iron or fifty pairs of shoes | | | | overload them. I recommend doing this to avoid |
| (btw never do, actually never even thing about doing | | | | boxes collapsing. Always place the heavier boxes on |
| something like this without her consent) but hey | | | | the bottom and lighter ones on top. |
| that's life nobody said it's going to be easy. | | | | Survival Kit: |
| - If you are one of those people that have time and | | | | - Make a "survival kit"- a few boxes with absolute |
| most importantly willpower, organize a garage sale, | | | | necessities that should go in to the truck at the end |
| you never know you may be able to get some cash | | | | of the load (in order to be taken out in the beginning |
| for your items. | | | | of the unloading process). The kit should contain the |
| - Places like Salvation Army may pick up your heavy | | | | following: |
| items (fridge, washer, dryer etc) and you can get a | | | | 1. Medicine - if any one in the household has a |
| tax deduction for your donation. | | | | condition that requires to take medicine on regular |
| - Ebay can be of help, it can aid well in showing you | | | | basis always take some with you and have a spare |
| what your items are worth, and you can | | | | just in case. |
| conveniently sell them there. | | | | 2. Food and snacks - the last thing you want to |
| Supplies: | | | | worry about when you start unpacking is - getting |
| - Always get more then you think you need, that's | | | | food for everybody. This may include baby's formula. |
| the general rule of thumb! | | | | You can order Pizza once even twice, but chances |
| - Heavy duty trash bags can be used not only for | | | | are you'll be new to the area and grocery shopping |
| trash, but also for packing linens, bedding and even | | | | wouldn't be an easy task. |
| some clothes. | | | | 3. First aid kit - you may be tired and the level of |
| - If you are using a moving company, ask about | | | | alertness will decrease towards the end of the move, |
| wardrobe boxes (many companies provide them free | | | | so it's a good idea to have some basic band aides |
| of charge) - a good idea for anything that you want | | | | and alcohol wipes available in case of minor cuts or |
| to remain on the hangers. You may even purchase | | | | bruises. |
| some yourself but they are usually pricier than | | | | 4. Phone and computer components - chances are |
| conventional moving boxes. | | | | you'd want to be able to keep in touch with the rest |
| - Masking tape is the best for taping lose drawers, | | | | of the world after you move. |
| glass cabinet doors etc., because it comes easier and | | | | 5. Plastic cups, dinnerware and paper towels. |
| doesn't leave marks. You should still use regular | | | | 6. Trash bags - remove the waste right away so it |
| scotch tape for taping up boxes. | | | | would not accumulate and be in the way. |
| - Try to use boxes of the same size; they'll be easier | | | | 7. THE REST OF THE ITEMS YOU MAY NEED. |
| to place/stack in the truck. | | | | |