General Tips

Save all receipts!  Some of your moving expenses are tax deductible.

Figure out how much your time, energy and mental health are worth – then consider hiring movers, house cleaners, carpet cleaners, so on.  Moving is stressful enough without adding other tasks and projects.

Don’t be afraid to say “no” to social gatherings and meetings prior to and during your move.  You can get caught up with your social life after you have settled into your new home.

Look to the future as you decide what items to sell, give away, donate, throw, or recycle.  By being future-oriented and moving only those items that fit into your future (plus a few items of sentimental value) you will lighten your load.

Pack boxes to 50 pounds or less.

Pack heavy items into their own smaller boxes and put lighter items into larger boxes.  Do not pack all your books in one box!

Don’t move flammable, corrosive, explosive items such as paint, gasoline, ammunition.

Place china in plastic bags and stack plates upright on their sides, not flat.

Label boxes that contain fragile items with large red lettering.

Number the boxes and keep a list of what’s in them and which room the box goes into.  Pack by room – do not combine items from different rooms into one box.

Reinforce the bottom of boxes with heavier items for added strength.