I like the way you move: How to make relocation easier (or at least prettier and more fun)

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  Posted by Jasmine Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:40am PDT

  Very Cool Stuff! If your a super organized person with a lot of stuff to move than these tips are perfect . . . I'm definantly gonna check out apartment therapy. There were a lot of great links on the site.

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  Posted by jaelin Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:22pm PDT

  lm orher a pack of pins

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  Posted by fools_and_sages Wed Aug 20, 2008 5:43pm PDT

  Only the luckiest people get to hire a moving company for a relocation. Not all employers pay for that. I just did a relocation and moved 1000 miles from where I used to live. I drove my own moving van, and packed up all my own stuff and I don't even have a spouse to help me out. I recruited friends to load on one end and new colleagues to unload on the other. I was working three jobs while planning the move and packing as well. And I managed without a planner.

  You don't need a $25 planner to plan a move. If you have a bad memory, all you need to do is make a check list on a piece of paper and tack it to the wall. And, honestly, if you need a $25 planner to make sure you pack, schedule the movers, and notify people that you moved, you must have early on-set Alzheimer's becasue THAT'S WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU MOVE! If oyu don't that, then you might not be moving. DUH!

  Buying a $25 planner also suggests you have a ridiculous amount of money to spend on "fashion" moving supplies. You honestly don't need plaid tape or colored markers or expensive furniture pads. You can use brown or clear tape that is half the price, black sharpies that can be bought in bulk, and pad your furniture with blankets.

  I hate yuppie excess. And I am a young urban professional.

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  Posted by opiniononly Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:59am PDT

  I've moved 26 times, only three times with the benefit of a professional moving company. I pack a "first box" which goes in my car and is filled with stuff that I will want to immediate access the first night..a set of sheets, tp, paperplates and real silverware (including a cutting knife), a can opener, set of towels, soap, shower curtain, alarm clock, ext. cord, cordless screwdriver...the essentials that allow me to survive until I can unpack. A blanket and pillow are always included in the car. I pack logically...work clothes packed as full outfits, so I don't have to hunt through separate boxes to find a blouse to go with the pants to go with the shoes. Too many "open me first" stickers are confusing. I've used different colored electrical tape on boxes to identify each room (yellow = kitchen, red = bedroom)...cheap and durable and also inventory contents on the sides of each box. I can tell at a glance where a box belongs and know what is inside. The extra effort pays off.

  Invest in bubble wrap and moving wrapping paper...it is more durable than newpaper and doesn't leave ink residue that requires you wash something before you put it away and keeps those items that remain packed for a while (or are seasonal) in good shape. Ask your housekeeping/maintenance folks at work if you can have the bags of shredded paper they throw out. Use it to pack into the crevices and air pockets of boxes.

  Forget liquor and grocery store boxes; they can bring bugs into the house. Use boxes from book stores...the boxes are heavily reinforced and uniform in size (so much easier to stack). Find out when they receive shipments and ask the manager to save them. I've found most are more than willing to save them. Just make sure to pick the boxes up and let them know when you no longer need their kind assistance.

  I agree with most of fools and sages' post...this is a ridiculous waste of money on fashion moving supplies. Use a notebook from the dollar store, (You may not need a planner, but you do need to plan. IF you don't know what to do, surf the web. There are thousands of moving hits available for free), use your own blankets, sheets and towels to protect furniture (or buy a few from a resale store for a few bucks, wash them and donate them back when you are settled.) RENT furniture pads if you have fragile items (I have a heirloom rocker that everyone knows is the most important item being moved). I use Rubbermaid storage tubs and store the bubble wrap and wrapping paper in one for future use. I also fill one with ice and beverages for the load up and load off for my helpers.

  Moving doesn't have to be 'fraught' with anything. If you consider it as an adventure of the next phase of your life, enforce the 'six month rule" (if you haven't worn it, used it or touched it within the last six months - get rid of it) and maintain a sense of perspective, moving can be relatively hassle free.

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  Posted by Wagg.it Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:20am PDT

  I've been working in moving industry for a while and though it's quite profitable business, this job is not fun and adventure at all::)). I have wrote a hub about moving blankets, maybe it help someone to save some $$ on moving supplies http://hubpages.com/hub/Moving-blankets-furniture-moving-blankets

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