The Move

Moving to another town can be a very traumatic experience for everyone. A parent has to start a new job, a child has to start a new school, and a teenager has to find new friends. A new church, doctors, and a veterinarian all have to be found. Here are a few tips for a family moving themselves to a new area that will help it be a little less stressful for everyone when looking for a self storage unit.

Two months ahead of time is when the move should really begin. Someone needs to reserve a rental truck, and infrequently used items need to be boxed up. Going to a nearby facility to get a self storage unit is a great place to start. The truck can be rented, moving supplies can be purchased, and a self storage unit can be secured. All with just one stop a self storage unit can be had!

Next, the family should begin boxing up items that are infrequently used. Things in the attic, the garage, and the basement all have to be sorted. As do all seasonal items that are not currently being used. These things should be donated, thrown away, or boxed up and stowed away. The family needs to remember to make an inventory of all of the items and where they are now located. By the end of the move it will be impossible to remember what is at Grandmas, what was relocated to the new house, and what is in the self storage unit?

The family also wants to remember to start a file or some type of system to collect all of the receipts, estimates, and other paperwork involved. A move can be tax deductible for a family that itemizes, but the paperwork must be in order.

One month before the move date the family should start cleaning out closets, dresser drawers, and other little cubbyholes. They need to be using up or giving away any cleaners that have been opened. They also need to start eating the foods from the freezer and other perishables. Cleaners and foods cannot be put into a self storage unit, and will cause nothing but problems if moved to the new home.

At the one month mark all utilities, newspapers, and post offices should be contacted, about both the move and the arrival. Have everything turned off the day after the move, and everything turned on at the new home a day before arrival. This can help with many unforeseen problems. 

Other people to contact about four weeks before the move will include friends and family members that will be assisting on the big day. Contact any doctors and pharmacists that a trusted health care professional recommends, as well as administrators and teachers at the new schools. Also send out New Address notices to credit card companies, friends and family members. Let them know your new address so you can stay in touch.

Collect all of the important family papers and put them in one area. A safe deposit box can be temporarily rented at a local bank. Birth certificates, medical records, and financial documents can all easily get misplaced causing a lot of unnecessary worry and grief.

On the day before Move Day pack things that will be needed in the car. Snacks, DVDs, and games for the kids can make life easier for everyone. Also pack a box of things that will need to be immediately opened at the new house, clearly marking this box PACK LAST. And the day before the big move, call all of your helpers and remind them of how you helped them move that king sized bed up three flights of stairs. A little guilt can go a long way!

On the day of the move just take a deep breath and agree to roll with the punches. Whatever could be done is done, and there is no use worrying about it now. And yes, something is going to go wrong.

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Disclamer: This entry is intended to promote our partner StorageMart and some or all participants received compensation.

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