Moving to a new place? Found a great apartment for too cheap to pass up? Great! Now for the task of planning, packing, moving, and unpacking before you can actually call yourself living in your great new apartment. And just for the record, nobody likes to move. But until one of NJIT’s finest invents teleportation, we have to go through the process of moving like we’ve always done it. Or do we?
Moving is annoying enough. But, it doesn’t have to be the worst case scenario. All it takes is a little preparation and creativity and you can move a lot faster. And you might even enjoy it! Here are some points we’ve gathered that you should keep with you for the next time you “teleport”.
It’s Never Too Early To Start!
Some experienced movers recommend that you start two or three weeks before moving day. Also, pack items you use least first. Chances are, these items may be easiest to pack anyway (i.e. books, DVDs, out-of-season clothes). This also gives you a chance to clear out items that you can’t/won’t use again – like that lamp you’ve never even plugged in since you moved into your current apartment, or the 6 pair of jeans that you haven’t worn since 2007. Put these items up for sale online or tell your friends/family what you’re getting rid of so they can come pick them up. At worst, you’ll clear up some space and give yourself less stuff to carry, and at best, you may make a couple of dollars!
Use Your Friends & Family…That’s What They’re There For!
If you’re not using a moving company to get your stuff from the old place to the new place, make use of your friends and family. But don’t spring it on them at the last-minute, and don’t abuse their time or their generosity. Keep the vibe as fun and enjoyable as you can. They’re all doing you a huge favor, so try to keep everybody in good spirits. On top of that, make it worth their while! It’s common etiquette to buy a few pizzas or something to feed the crew. But you’re better than that, aren’t you? Yes, order the pizza. But on top of that, why not grab a few bottles of Prosecco, a case of beers, and make a batch of that sangria you’re always bragging about and have a full-fledged celebration at the end of the move? Hook up the speakers, plug in your cell phone or laptop, and let Spotify handle the rest! Make use of these tips and I promise you, they’ll thank you for it.
Save $$$ On Boxes!
There are a few ways to save money on boxes to transport your stuff. Try one of these tips. Try a few! Try them all!
- Believe it or not, U-Haul started a Take a Box Leave a Box program in an effort to go green. After a move, customers can drop off still-good boxes at the nearest U-Haul, where others (such as, I don’t know, YOU!) can pick them up and reuse them for free.
- Collect used boxes from stores, restaurants, and other businesses. And this doesn’t mean rummaging through their dumpsters. If there are businesses that you frequent as a “valued” customer, simply let them know that you’re moving and are looking for empty boxes to use. They’ll probably be happy to fold up and wrap a couple of stacks of boxes for you.
- Look online at Craigslist or utilize your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to see if you can find free moving boxes or buy them for cheap. You’d be surprised how many people out there have “useless” stuff and want to give it away until you’re actually looking for it.
Don’t Pack Hangers……That’s Crazy!
So, you have a closet full of clothes on hangers and you’re dreading taking each item off the hanger, folding them, packing the hangers in a box – hoping they don’t break in transit – only to unpack them and hang each item individually in your new closet.
Don’t do that.
Instead, make use of your hangers! Just take a laundry bag or a large trash bag, bundle a dozen or so pieces – still on the hanger – and transport them all together. When you get to the new apartment, all you have to do is hang them up, take off the laundry/trash bag, and you’re done! And you can still use the bags for laundry…….or trash……or whatever.
Label Everything……Twice!
As you pack everything for the move, make liberal use of labels. It’s your way of communicating without having to verbally tell someone where each and every box should go. Label the boxes based on the room(s) in the new apartment that you’ll be moving to. And don’t just label it with the room the box belongs in. Be as specific as possible. The labels should tell you what’s in the box, what room it goes in, and if you really want to get fancy, color code your labels by room to make them that much easier to organize and unpack in the new apartment.
Do you know anyone who is about to move or planning on moving soon? Share this with them! Do you have any tips for moving that you want to share? Add them in the comments below. We’d love to hear what you have to say!
