Tips for making a move easier

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-17-2007, 01:22 PM

Our friends are moving next fall ('08)...just wondering if anyone has any tips to make preparing, saving $, packing, etc. easier and cheaper...

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-17-2007, 02:03 PM

Well as for cheaper, I would say try freecycle in their area for free packing supplies, buble wrap, boxes, etc... our local one is always giving this type of stuff away.

Remember to label each box by room, this makes moving in and unpacking MUCH easier.

Good luck on the move

**coltsmama** · 07-17-2007, 02:29 PM

Cleanout as you pack . If you havn't used it in a whil give it away. Also make sure to notify any co's that you have subscriptions with as they usually will not forward those.

**sdrjeolsen** · 07-17-2007, 03:03 PM

One nice thing we did that I would do again is to ask our realtor on the buying end if she knew of a couple of college age kids who are in need of $. We packed our U-haul with the help of friends and they unloaded it all for us for 200.00. We had a 26' u-haul and they did all the heavy work, well worth the money.

Also, we decluttered a lot. Sold, donated & tossed lots of stuff.

I just read these tips today on another site:
1. Visit book stores for free packing boxes. The boxes that book stores use for book shipping are fantastic.
2. Check Craigslist/freecycle for free packing material.
3. Label your boxes - the more detail, the better. Write a target room on the top, along with a few words summarizing what was inside. The few seconds it takes to do this for each box is well worth the time when you move in
4. Unless you have tons of help or are highly organized, get a moving service. Even if you do all the packing yourself, their efficiency can be utterly incredible.
5. Keep a “vital stuff” box. Put items in it that you’ll need to find quickly at the house, like prescription medication and highly important personal materials, and keep track of it yourself.
6. Invite family and friends over a couple of days after you move. An invasion of family and friends after the move can help a ton. They can help move furniture into appropriate places, clear out tons of empty boxes, put stuff in appropriate rooms, assemble furniture, and so on.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 07-17-2007, 03:35 PM

This is good stuff!!

They'll be moving from up here in Alaska to Wisconsin! Looooooong move! It's a 3500 mile drive! Eek! They're debating driving or flying...long story...

They aren't super organized, but they did say they were planning to just sell/give away most of their stuff...keeping kids clothes, their clothes, and some personal items...

We'll see how it goes...