TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham gives tips on preparing for a big move.
- Instead of packing towels and washcloths separately, use them as packing materials for breakables. You'll save space, and you won't have to worry about newspaper print rubbing off.
- Select a day in the middle of the week to move to get cheaper rates and avoid heavy traffic.
- Make a calendar with all of the important dates and stages of the move. A dry-erase calendar is good for this.
- Use the calendar to remind yourself of things like arranging help for the move. Be sure to let friends or family members know well in advance when their help is needed. Keep in mind that you will need some stronger people to move larger items and that there should always be at least one person at each home.
- Also include dates for notifying companies of the change of address, including financial institutions, utility companies, local groups and personal contacts.
- Rather than filling out piles of post office change-of-address cards, just do one, then bring a package of 3-inch-by-5-inch blank, unlined index cards to the local quick copy shop and have them make duplicates. The small charge for this service is makes up for the time and energy you would have spent.
- Before packing everything, create a well-labeled moving kit to keep with you that includes the items listed below. All the items will come in handy during the move, and knowing exactly where they are makes them all the more handy.
- utility knife and scissors--These will come in handy when it comes time to open all of the boxes.
- coffee cups--With all of these people around helping, you might want to serve them coffee, and since your mugs are all packed, you'll need a substitute.
- instant coffee and snacks--Keep in mind that your coffee maker and cooking utensils will be packed away.
- disposable cutlery and plates and paper towels--Once again, with everything packed, you'll need a substitute.
- tape--There are a million uses for tape during a move, so be sure to have a couple different rolls of different sizes and strengths.
- trash bags
- flashlight and light bulbs--If you should happen to move at night or need to go into the basement, remember that you may not know exactly where to find all of the light switches in your new home.
- ibuprofen, towels, a day's worth of clothes, a sleeping bag or bedding and toiletries
