I need all packing tips that you have!!!!

**baxjul** · 06-18-2008, 06:58 PM

We are moving into our new house in 2 weeks, give me all your tips!!!

**prftstrngr** · 06-18-2008, 07:27 PM

Are you moving yourself? Or a moving company? We packed everything ourselves and then had movers come load and unload at the new place. We also went to a U-Haul place and got boxes. You can buy them...and return them after and get money back. The biggest help to me was the wardrobe ones because you hang the clothes in them...so no packing and having to hang up again. Sometimes stores(Walmart)will let you get packing material they throw out...like those styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap. They also break down all their boxes so if you went in mid day they should have lots in their compactor. I also wrapped valuables in towels and sheets to save room and provide a soft cushion for them. Label each box with the room it belongs in...that REALLY helped! If I think of anything else...I will post! Good luck and enjoy the new house!

**Buc-O-Mama** · 06-18-2008, 07:40 PM

Don't move stuff you don't want/don't use anymore. Decide what rooms are priority for you to get settled first in your new home. For us it was always the kids' rooms and the kitchen. Make sure that you load those rooms onto the truck last so that you can get to them first. If you have newspaper recycling in your area, you could drive around and get extra for packing breakables.

I would recommend buying at least the wardrobe boxes from Uhaul, and possibly dish packs. Hit your grocery store for the rest, they can tell you what time of day to pick them up. Electronics stores are great for big boxes too. On moving day, rent a hand truck if you don't own one. We bought one at BigLots for 12$ and have used it a lot.

Are you moving locally, if so here is a not so frugal way to move that we have used on many occasions. We rented a storage unit about 2 weeks before we moved, loaded it gradually with our things as we packed them to clear out the house. We would take a load or two every evening after work and a few on the weekends. It helped so much on moving day to only have to move the big stuff because most of the little stuff was packed and gone. It made the moves so much easier, and we would do it again. WE moved 16 times in our first 10 yrs. of marriage when DH was in the USMC, and we always moved ourselves.

Take time to breathe and remember this is only a phase and it will be over before you know it.

**StaceyS** · 06-18-2008, 07:40 PM

Use up all the space you can - i.e. pack bowls inside your crockpot, small kitchen items (measuring spoons, paring knives, etc.) inside a koolaid pitcher. I have moved ALOT in the past 5 years and I HATE carrying boxes, so I try to get as few boxes as possible! Oh - and bedding, clothes, etc. can be (if you're moving yourself) "packed" in large lawn trash bags. Then they can be "molded" to fit in spaces in the truck.

**Libby** · 06-18-2008, 09:00 PM

Tips for moving? NEVER be afraid to ask for help from family and friends with the muscle and vehicles.

Use your towels, bedsheets and clothes to wrap up your fragile items so you wont have to pay to rent/buy bubble wrap etc. If there are really near and dear items to yourself, pack them up and ask a friend to store them until after the move so you know they won't get broken.

Purge all that you truly do not need or have not used = less to move

Pack up all the piddly things/knick knacks, non daily things and get them ready to go first

Plan food for your moving day - drinks too and be sure to offer the movers/helpers energizing snacks and water. Hey who wouldnt work happier and more efficent if they knew they were cared for and taken into consideration? Plus this way you'll avoid temptation of just going out and picking up something - more frugal.

Coordinate with a friend for someone to watch the lil'uns while the big move is going on. Less lil ones to trip over = more efficent move

Colour code labels on boxes. Pink = daughters bedroom Blue = master bedroom etc. Or just use plain white paper and coloured makers to help colour coordinate. Put signs on the rooms in the same colour. IE On your daughters bedroom door, tape a sign written in pink "bedroom1" or however you want to call it.

Also, make a list of all the services you need to inform of the move, credit card, cell phone, landline phone, car company, utilities etc etc etc. Make it in checklist format this way as each one has been done you'll know that it was done 2 wks from now and not left scrambling and wondering if you did it. Cancel services that will not be needed at your new home.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head. Good luck with the move!

**baxjul** · 06-18-2008, 10:28 PM

Great tips so far ladies!!!! We are only moving 7 miles away from where we are now. No moving company. Just trucks and trailers. I have dd's room cleared out and all the boxes are being put in there. she is sleeping in the living room. (her choice)

**Marie78** · 06-18-2008, 10:43 PM

Now would be a great time to donate unwanted items or have a yard sale

.

**One Frugal Mom** · 06-18-2008, 10:46 PM

IF you have not already done so... this is a great time to DE-CLUTTER!

It is amazing how brutal you can be with what you own when you look at having to wrap it and pack compared to either tossing it or throwing it in a box to go to Good Will. :-D

Save your newspapers to pack with... use your sheets and towels to wrap breakables.

And to echo what others have said... if you can work it into the moving budget.... those garment boxes are wonderful. OF course, if you are just moving 7 miles... then just taking things off the closet rack and laying them in the back of the truck (after binder the hangers together) will work and is cheaper.

I hope your move goes smoothly.

**HisDaisy** · 06-18-2008, 11:30 PM

We got boxes from local stores. We also got boxes from friends that moved recently. One time, we were the third family to use them and we passed them on to another family. We then used them again for another move and passed them on again.
Also check with your local newspaper and see if they will give you or sell you endrolls of newspaper. My DH and I got one for our last move and it was great. It is the same as newspaper with the print so it does not leave marks.

**FrugalWitch** · 06-18-2008, 11:36 PM

Label your boxes. As you move them into the new location place the labeled boxes in their new proper location before you start unpacking. Sounds very obvious but several of my friends never thought to do it that way.

**Jenibelle** · 06-30-2008, 10:08 AM

As a recent college graduate, I have lived in 5 different apartments/townhouses/houses in the past 6 years so here's what i've found works the best...

*I swear by the trashbag packing system as someone mentioned before. I've used it on all of my moves finding more and more items that can be packed that way on each move. Towels, linens, curatains, rugs, clothing, pillows & basically anything soft. I've also used them to package up shelving units (the hard plastic ones) because they usually disassemble into smaller parts. And on the last move I stored all of my kitchen paper/plastic goods such as baggies, foils, wax paper along with some pitchers and plastic utensils in trash bags as well

*My friends helped me move for Pizza & Beer...try it out

*Don't be afraid to ask your friends with Trucks/SUV's to help move...but don't call that old buddy from high school you haven't talked to in 2 years just because you know they have a truck, then it just looks like you're using them

*LABEL LABEL LABEL!

*If at all possible pack your glassware in your own personal vehicle in the front seat...It doesn't matter how many times you label it FRAGILE some people dont read the signs and you may have to replace EVERYTHING as I had to recently...replacing is definately not frugal