It’s a Friday evening and just as you’re about to clock out for the day, your boss decides to give you that promotion you’ve been wanting for years. The only trouble is, you’ll have to relocate within the next 3 weeks… Sure you want to take the job, it’s the one you’ve been waiting for… but how in the world are you supposed to move all the way across town in a short amount of time?
Life is funny that way. One minute you’re carrying out your normal routine, and the next minute you’re forced to change everything in an instant. There’s really not much time to plan, let alone enough time to process the situation. Whether you’re moving for a job, to care for a sick loved one, or for other unforeseen circumstances, the stress can really pile up…if you let it. The solution? Plan, strategize, and stay positive.
- Call In Some Favors
When you’re planning a move, you have time on your side. However, when you’re moving at a moment’s notice, your time has been cut in half, thus requiring the need for a few helping hands. If you don’t have the funds to pay for a full service moving company, the next best thing is to call in a favor to your friends and family members. They can help you sort through your things, package and label boxes, as well as load the truck on moving day.
- Grab Inexpensive Packing Materials
Now that you have a few friends and family members lined up, you’ll need to get some packing materials for your belongings. Instead of paying high costs by purchasing them in stores, you can check around and find durable boxes and other packing materials at no cost. Go to your favorite shopping center and check near the dumpster areas. Retail shops generally throw out their boxes and other materials. You can also use old newspapers for wrapping breakable items instead of bubble wrap.
- Sort Through Your Belongings
The best way to save money is to pack as little as possible. Now this doesn’t mean throw away things of value to you, because then you’ll just have to purchase them again. However, it does mean that you should not pack things that you don’t use or have not used in the past year. Place three boxes in every room so that you can sort them. Things you’re keeping in one box, things to throw away in another and things you’re going to give away in the last box. Once a box is filled up, have those helping you put them where they belong. Try to get everything all boxed up in one room to make it easier for when the movers arrive. The site www.unitedvanlines.com suggests that you also keep your valuables close by packing certain things separate.
Once you’re done sorting, be sure to call a residential junk removal company to get rid of the items for garbage, then get rid of those for donation. You don’t want to end up packing the wrong boxes on moving day.
- Have a Checklist
As you’re sorting through your belongings, it is a good idea to have a checklist in hand. This will prevent you from forgetting very important things. Since you may not have had time to itemize everything in the boxes, it is ideal that you at least count the number of boxes you’re taking from each room. For example, three bedroom boxes and two living room boxes. On moving day, you can use this list to make sure that you have all the boxes you’re supposed to have with you. This saves you money on gas so you don’t have to travel all the way back to your old place for forgotten items.
- Let the Movers Handle the Big Stuff
If you’re moving larger appliances such as huge television sets, refrigerators or a washing machine, it may be best to allow the professionals to handle that stuff. While it may cost a bit more for the movers to load these items on the truck, it would cost you even more if you or a friend were to damage the appliance. Professional movers have the necessary equipment and expertise to get your appliances onto the moving truck without issue. They also have insurance which would cover any damage to your belongings.
Organization and planning can still be used when planning to move at the last minute. By asking others for help, finding free moving materials, and leaving behind unnecessary belongings, you can also save a great deal of money along the way. After all… you’re going to need to hold onto every penny you have to afford your new monthly rent.
