The Best Way to Pack for a Stress-Free Move

If your goal is a stress-free move, you need to pack with a plan.

Rushing around in a frenzy, stuffing everything into garbage bags the night before moving day? Not a great plan. That’s how your things end up broken, forgotten, or accidentally thrown out with the garbage.

The best way to pack for a move is to start early and pack smart. Just follow the guidelines included in the 3-step process below, and you’ll be well-prepared for a stress-free move!

1) Purge.

Start 5–6 weeks before moving day, by taking stock of your things. Decide what you actually want to bring with you, and for everything else, check out our guides on how to get rid of it all. You can give extra stuff to friends and family, donate it to charity, sell it online or set up a garage sale, or simply throw it away.

2) Prepare.

Once you’ve purged, it’s time to gather packing materials.

If you’re using a moving company, they may provide you with everything you need, in which case you’re off the hook!

But if you’re in charge of getting your own packing materials, you’ll need the following: boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, wrapping pads for fragile items, and — if you’re using cardboard boxes — scissors/box-cutters and lots (and lots) of packing tape.

You can save money and grab used boxes from people on Craigslist who’ve just finished moving, Liquor and grocery stores, and sites like UsedCardboardBoxes. Another, environmentally-friendly option is to rent plastic moving boxes from companies like RentAGreenBox, Gorilla Bins, Bin-It, and JuggleBoxMoving.

Don’t forget you can save space by packing things in your laundry baskets and suitcases!

Finally, take note of everything that you’ll need a special box for, like hanging clothes, guitars, stand-up lamps, cribs, artwork, televisions, etc., and get those boxes as soon as you can.

3) Pack.

Three weeks prior to moving day, start packing all of the non-essential items in closets, attics, and out-of-the-way spots.

With two weeks left, pack the majority of your clothes, dishes, books, artwork, etc.

If you spread it out effectively, then the last week is basically just clean up!

Leave for last an “essentials box”, which will include your valuables and anything you might need during the move or in the first few days after arrival. Options include: toilet paper, toiletries, towels, flashlights, batteries, snacks, bottled water, valuables, a change (or two) of clothes, laptops, phone chargers, basic cooking supplies (plates, cups, utensils, can opener, soap, sponge, etc.) medications, bedding and pillows.

The “essentials box” is also great for kids! Have your children pack their own box with whatever items they deem special. They will love being able to pack it themselves, and you can add to it yourself after they’re done.

A few general packing tips:

  • Label boxes! Use printout labels or a big marker to let future-you know what’s inside.

  • Pack room-by-room to keep things organized.

  • Heavy stuff at the bottom, lighter stuff on top.

  • Fill empty spaces with clothes or packing paper to avoid damage.

  • Wrap fragile items in clothes to save on paper and bubble wrap.

And the last of our packing tips for moving? Don’t forget anything!

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Don’t Forget These 3 Things When You Move

Moving is like juggling 50 balls while running down the street. If one or two balls dropped behind you, who could blame you for not noticing? You’re still trying to keep 48 other balls in the air!

Here’s a list of things people commonly forget when they move…

1) They Forget to Bring Everything.

  • Things in the home. It’s easy to forget to pack things that seem a part of the house itself, like curtains, drapes, rugs, mirrors and plants. Other common areas forgotten include the cabinets under the sink and over the fridge, storage areas in the basement, attic or under the stairs, and medicine cabinets.

  • Things outside your home. Don’t forget your outdoor furniture, garden accessories and tools, hoses, plants, flower pots, planter boxes and whatever is in your shed, if you have one.

  • Things around town. Make sure to remember the contents of your safety deposit box, clothes at the dry-cleaners, items in storage, things neighbors, friends and family have borrowed over the years.

  • Collect records. To avoid a potentially expensive, lengthy hassle having them transferred later, you’ll want to collect all personal records, including medical, dental and pharmaceutical records, children’s school files and veterinarian records if you have pets.

  • Speaking of pets, don’t forget them! You’d be surprised how many cats and dogs get left behind during moves. Here are some tips on this.

  • Leave some behind. Amidst the packing frenzy, make sure you do leave behind spare keys, garage door openers, and any items you borrowed.

2) They Forget to Tell Everyone.

  • The people. Let everyone know you’re leaving! That includes family and friends of course, but also neighbors, housekeepers, gardeners, babysitters, etc. Then there are the officials: schools, employers, banks, government agencies, insurance companies, and the post office.

  • The companies. Call your utility companies and schedule your water, electric, gas, satellite, etc. to be disconnected the day after you move.

  • The memberships. Cancel memberships (gyms, yoga studios, etc.), return library books and movie/game rentals, and pick up any prescriptions.

3) They Forget to Prepare for Arrival.

  • Take measurements. “Will it fit?” Don’t forget to ask this question! Trust me, you don’t want show up with a couch that won’t fit through the door.

  • Get the keys. Get all the keys: You have the key for the front door, but does it open the deadlock too? A successful move is one where you actually get inside your new place.

  • Accommodations. If your beds won’t arrive ’til after you do, make sure to book sleeping arrangements well beforehand, so you’re not scrambling for a place to sleep after a long day of moving.

  • Parking. “Where can I park?” Another great question, easily forgotten. Waking up to realize your car’s been towed is no fun.

  • Pack the essentials. Include anything you might need in the first few days. A good place to start is toilet paper, toiletries, towels, bottled water, snacks, a change of clothes, phone chargers, and things like plates, cups, and utensils. See #3 here.

It’s easy to forget what you’re forgetting, so don’t hesitate to refer back to this post throughout the moving process!

And if, despite your best efforts, you end up still forgetting a few things, make sure to write them down when it’s all over. That way, the next time you move, you’ll have a personalized list to refer to.

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The Proper Way To Donate Stuff You Don’t Need

As you pack things for your move, you’ll notice a lot that you no longer need but could be valuable to others. Clothes, furniture, electronics… anything really. As long as it’s not broken or gross, it likely can be donated.

There are three benefits to donating…

  1. You help others in need.

  2. You get rid of things you don’t use.

  3. You can get money back with a nice tax deduction.

So how do you actually donate?

The Goodwill and Salvation Army are always good places to go with your donations. Depending on your state, there are a multitude of options. See this article for your state.

Don’t have time to drop it off?

That’s okay! You can have Big Brothers Big Sisters come pick it up or have a TaskRabbit do it for you. It’s easy to donate.

How do I deduct charitable donations?

The IRS has eight tips for deducting charitable contributions that you should look at before donating. In order to properly make the deduction you will have to value your goods. Check out Goodwill’s Valuation Guide for a rough estimate of what your donations are worth.

That’s it! You’re able to get rid of some stuff, pay less in taxes, and help other people in need. And moving is a perfect time to do it.

Have stuff you need to sell or throw away? Check out these two articles (selling & disposing) about how to do those. Good luck!

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How To Sell Things When You Move

Moving is a perfect time to get rid of things. As you pack, you’ll notice items that you simply don’t use anymore. Many of these things are still in good condition and useable by someone else. Selling them is a great opportunity to get rid of stuff you don’t need while banking some cash in the process.

So how do you do it? There are several places where you can sell your stuff…

eBay

This is the obvious one. eBay has been the go-to marketplace for two decades for people looking to buy and sell. You’ll have to take a little time listing and shipping, but they’ve made it pretty easy at this point. Notably, their integration with Shyp makes it super easy to send items to buyers after they are sold.

Craigslist

Another obvious option. If you trust the people on the other end, this is a great place to sell things quickly. There is more risk to getting it done here because, unlike eBay, there isn’t transparency regarding the buyer and their history and the platform doesn’t actually facilitate the transaction. Everything is up to you. But nonetheless, it’s another high-traffic site where you can offload your goods.

Your Network

This is probably the first place you should go. Reach out to your family, friends, co-workers, and any organizations you belong to. You can send a good old-fashioned email or post in places like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to let your network know.

LetGo

LetGo is an interesting app that lets you buy and sell goods to people in your area. This is a good option if you’re looking to offload something quickly and don’t a lot about how much you get for it. Post it on there for a cheap price and have someone come by to pick it up.

Amazon

Amazon is the e-commerce destination for pretty much everyone. They have a seller program which allows you to sell your used goods along side all of their other products. You pay a small fee to do so, but will have a lot of traffic coming to your page.

Bonanza

This is another e-commerce site that enables you to act as a small business selling your goods on their platform. They specialize in unique goods and have an audience looking for these niche items. It’s a good place to offload anything that wouldn’t fit on the above sites.

Garage Sale

This will take some time to set up and market, but it’s a good way to get rid of things if you have a free day. You won’t get as much traffic as an online marketplace but the transactions will be quick and painless.

eBay Valet

Don’t have the time for any of the above? Give it to eBay and let them sell it for you. They, of course, will keep a percentage of the sale but it’s the price you pay for the service.

There are also countless niche communities where you can sell and trade specific products. Search Google and see what’s out there. If you take good pictures and market the goods well, you can quickly get rid of your junk and make money on it. And for anything you aren’t able to sell, you can donate it to people who need it.

Happy Selling! 😉

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How To Throw Things Away When You Move

When you move, it’s a great time to get rid of things you no longer need. There are three ways to get rid of these things. Throwing things away is often the simplest or easiest option. It’s the go-to route for low value items that cannot be sold or donated.

But throwing things out can be harder than you think. Here’s a breakdown of how to treat certain items…

Small Items

Disposing of small knick-knacks is pretty simple. Grab a garbage bag, fill it up, and take it outside. If you’re getting rid of paper, make sure they don’t contain sensitive material. If they do, you’ll need to shred them. You can get this done at a UPS or Staples, if you don’t own a shredder. Or — if you need to shred in bulk, there are third-party services who will come to your home, to shred and dispose of everything for you.

Large Items

For larger items, like furniture, you can’t just toss them in the regular garbage. First you should consider selling it (see here), but if it’s broken, tarnished, or simply unsellable — you’ll need to dispose of it.

Be careful about how and where you dispose of these large items. Each state has their own rules and regulations around how to do this, so refer to your state’s website on how to proceed.

Hazardous Waste

This includes anything like automotive products, paint, batteries, electronics, flourescent lightbulbs, certain household cleaners, garden and pool chemicals, and many others. For these you can have someone like Waste Management (or any other removal service) come pick it up and handle the disposal for you.

Extra Food

When it comes to the kitchen, you’ll likely have some extra food to throw away. But wait! There’s a solution here. The great people at Move For Hunger are doing some incredible work to bring this potentially wasted food to familes in need. This will happen automatically with your Moved concierge and any of their moving company partners.

Before throwing something out, always ask yourself if it can be donated!

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How To Get Rid Of Stuff When You Move

Moving is the perfect opportunity to purge and get rid of things that you don’t need. Once you identify the excess stuff that you have, there are three ways to get rid of it.

1) Disposal.

This is the default behavior when getting rid of stuff. It can be surprisingly more difficult than you would imagine, depending on what you need to get rid of. For smaller items, it’s relatively straightforward. Larger items require more consideration and planning

There also may be state and federal regulations to consider when disposing of certain materials. Don’t make assumptions and make sure you do your research before disposing of anything potentially hazardous.

For more details about disposing of items, see “How To Throw Things Away When You Move”.

2) Selling.

Have stuff you don’t need but is still valuable? Sell it! Odds are that someone out there is looking for what you have and will pay you for it. It feels great to recoup money for something you don’t need or are no longer using. Who doesn’t want some extra cash?

There are plenty of sites where you can sell your stuff. The only drawback to doing this is the time investment. Unless you’re a pro, you’ll have to spend a chunk of time and energy to list, sell, and deliver your items.

Read “How To Sell Things When You Move” for the best places to sell your extra stuff.

3) Donations.

If you have things that are valuable but you don’t want to sell, you should seriously consider donating them. It’s a great thing to do, you get a nice tax deduction, and (most importantly) you’ll help someone and earn some karma points in the process.

Unfortunately this isn’t the easiest or most accessible thing to do. You need to understand what is right to donate, where and who to donate it to, and then physically get it there.

To better understand how to donate, check out “The Proper Way To Donate Stuff You Don’t Need”.

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Should You Pay Movers Per Hour or Get A Flat Rate?

So you need to hire a mover and it’s time to get quotes.

Some are given as hourly rates with a price estimate, while others provide a guaranteed flat rate.

Which should you choose? Which structure is better?

THE FLAT RATE!

The reason lies within the motivations set up by each situation. Now, this doesn’t mean movers are bad people, but the incentives certainly influence the way business is done.

Let’s look at the hourly rate scenario…

The Economics.

There’s no incentive for the movers to finish quickly or efficiently. It doesn’t matter if they have one job or two jobs in a day, they get paid the same. In fact, they get paid more for doing one job because there isn’t a gap in time where they are traveling to the next job (and actually losing money on the gas and labor hours required).

The Labor.

Building off the point above, the company is incentivized to provide a smaller crew to the job. Rather than bringing an extra person or two to your move, they are better off sending those people to work on another job.

This isn’t malicious — it’s just smart business. That way they are able to book double the revenue in the same amount of time. Time is their friend.

A flat-rate is better for both parties, for the following reasons…

The Customer.

One of the biggest benefits of the flat rate for customers is the assurance that you aren’t being scammed (see above). It’s comforting to know exactly what you’ll pay for the service. You also want to have your movers hustling and working hard to get your move done (so they can get to another job). Nobody wants their move to last all day. So incentivize it not to.

Don’t worry about them rushing with your stuff and breaking something. They are legally obligated to provide coverage for your cargo. You can also purchase additional insurance for your move.

The Moving Company.

A flat rate provides a better customer experience. Customers understand what they’re paying and aren’t shocked by a big number at the end of the move. As a mover, you can provide legitimate economic reasons to have your crew hustle and get a job done. If you get it done efficiently and do a great job, you can easily ask the customer for referrals — one of the best sources for new jobs.

In Closing: This doesn’t mean that hourly rate moves are going to be horrible, but if you can pick — go with the flat rate. For these reasons, our Moved concierges provide our customers exclusively with flat rate quotes.

Recommended Reading:How To Pick The Right Moving Company

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How To Pick The Right Moving Company

Keep Your Stuff In Good Hands

Finding a good company for your move isn’t easy. It’s a process that can take up a lot of time and energy.

First, the Google search. Scrolling through list upon list of moving companies all with different ratings.

“Google says they’re a 6/10 but Yelp says they’re a 4.5/5. Wait — this moving platform has only negative reviews. But my friend said they were pretty good and cheap.” -You

Sound familiar? Sure it does.

And this is just the process before you call them for a quote. Phone call after phone call. Reciting over and over when you plan to move, where you’re moving to, and how much stuff you have. You spend hours online and on the phone just to understand the options that are actually available to you.

It sucks.

But here’s a cheat sheet. A few tips on finding the right moving company for you…

1) Understand Your Move.

Before you start looking around, make sure you know what you’re looking for. What type of mover do you need? What can you afford? This will help guide the entire process.

2) Credibility First, Price Second.

It’s tempting to just go for the cheapest offer you can find. But price should be the second filter through which you look. You’re hiring someone to literally pack up your life and transport it to a new location.

You need to have a reputable company with a history of doing good work handing your stuff. This is an important (and expensive) time in your life. The extra $50 is worth it to get a licensed, verified moving crew rather than two guys with a van.

3) Search Online, Book Offline.

There are many good platforms available to get quotes and book your move. Use this as a starting point rather than an ending one. Many moving companies will bake in a premium on these platforms because they have to pay to be there and they have less control over getting the move’s details.

Once you find a company you like and got a quick online quote, give them a call. Tell them the quote you got and that you’d like to book directly through them. They’ll give you a discount on price for doing so.

4) Get Moved.

Use a personalized Moved Concierge to get all of this done simply and easily. Moving isn’t something you do frequently, so have an expert help you and get things done while you’re going about your life. Your Concierge knows the best moving companies for your type of move and can get you the best quote without you lifting a finger.

Moving is a process that uproots your life and takes up a lot of time. But it doesn’t have to. Do your homework and get help from the experts. You (and your stuff!) will be happy you did.

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How To Know What Type of Mover You Need

All moves are not made equal.

Your move is unique. Figuring out the best way to move isn’t simple. The first question to answer is if you need to hire a moving company or not.

If you decide to hire one, the next step in the process is understanding the type of moving company you’ll need to book.

Here is a breakdown of the types of moving companies there are, and how to know which one is right for you.

1) Self-Service.

This isn’t a full “do-it-youself” move, but it’s close. The Self-Service move is where you pack everything yourself and then hire a moving company to pick it up, load the truck, and unload it all at your new place.

Pros: Lower cost for movers. More control over your stuff. No heavy lifting.

Cons: Time spent packing, organizing, and unpacking. Money spent on packing supplies. Some movers may not accept liability for boxes they did not pack (make sure you ask!).

2) Full-Service.

Sit back, relax, and watch your move happen. The Full-Service move is where a company you hire literally does it all. They pack, load, transport, unload, and unpack everything for you.

Pros: Time saved by having someone else do everything. No heavy lifting. Full coverage for the items being moved (double check with your mover).

Cons: Higher total cost for your move. Lack of control over handling of items. Having to coordinate where should be unpacked and placed.

3) Specialized Movers.

Whether you are doing the entire move yourself or hiring a full-service team, you may still need specialized movers. This is for unique, special items that need to be handled differently than the rest of your haul.

Some movers won’t even take these items, while in other cases you may just prefer to have this sort of expertise. You would use a specialized mover if you’re shipping a car, a pet, fragile antiques, artwork, or really any item that requires special care.

Pros: Individual expertise transporting the item. Special care and coverage for the item(s). Peace of mind that it’s handled correctly.

Cons: Extra cost to the overall move. Coordinating with another company and another timeline.


Handle with care.

Handle with care.

After you decide which type of mover you need, the next step is to actually find and pick a company to use.

Whatever your move calls for, make sure you find a reputable company with a good quote. A Moved Concierge will figure all of this out for you and has the experience and expertise to ensure you get the best possible company for your move.

Happy Moving! 😊

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Do You Really Need A Moving Company? The Answer.

DIY vs Hiring A Mover

Moving is an exciting time in your life. It can also be extremely hectic.

The first question you need to answer is how you will move your stuff from point A to point B. “Should I hire a moving company? Should I do it myself?”

Fear not.

The best way to answer this question is to calculate how much your move would cost to do on your own vs with a company.

The “do on your own” calculation must also include the time you will personally have to put in to coordinate everything and make it happen.

Time = Money!

The more complex your move is, the more valuable a moving company will be to you. So here’s how you gauge the complexity and cost to figure out if you need one…

1) The Distance.

The move’s price increases with distance. There is the obvious cost associated with gas and tolls, but also consider that the moving company takes on more risk with every extra mile. The further they need to transport cargo, the riskier it is. Additionally, if you are paying by the hour, this travel time will increase your final cost.

Whether you do it yourself or hire a company, the shorter the move, the easier and less expensive it is. This won’t give you the answer but it’s the first input into your cost equation.

2) The Volume.

How much stuff do you have? If you’re packing up a 3 or 4-bedroom place, it’s going to get crazy and you’re going to spend a lot of time packing, organizing, loading, unloading, and unpacking.

With that sort of size, a moving company is the better call. It’s more efficient, cost-effective, and will save you a lot of time. For a studio or 1-bedroom, you likely can do it yourself but that also depends on…

3) The Large and Fragile.

If you have stuff that is large and/or fragile, it will likely require special tools, multiple people, or experience with such moves to do it successfully. This is where a moving company excels.

This doesn’t mean you can’t do the move yourself, but it’s a factor to consider. Some people will do everything themselves but hire movers specifically for the large and fragile stuff. This approach can help drive overall cost down while making sure these items are properly handled.

4) The Extras.

Many moving companies offer things like packing, storage, installation and assembly & disassembly of furniture. These obviously cost more money but the convenience is worth it for many people.


Avoid this fate — let your movers handle assembly

Avoid this fate — let your movers handle assembly

Again — the more complex (determined by the above) your move is, the more value you will get out of hiring a moving company.

Get a few quotes from reputable moving companies (or have a Moved Concierge do it for you!) and compare those to what it would cost for you to do it by yourself. For that calculation make sure you account for the time it will take you, the coordination headaches you’ll endure, and consider if you have the supplies and friends to help you get it done or if you’ll have to pay for those things anyway.

Should you decide to hire a moving company, the next thing to figure out is what type of mover you need.

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