When moving, the first piece of furniture you want to move into your new house are the beds. Place them in the designated bedrooms, put them together, and make them up. At the end of the day, all you want to think about is a shower, food, and a good night's rest. Other things can wait until the next day. This way you will not have to sleep on the floor or groan about having to make beds when you are so tired. This is very important if you are moving and have children.
By Linda S. from Arlington, TX
I am helping a friend move. She went out and bought moving boxes, bubble wrap and tissue paper (which adds up money quite quickly!)
When I was getting ready to move, I did not want to get rid of all the food in my cabinets. But food items can be heavy and breakable. So I needed to come up with an idea that would keep my things together and to also contain anything that might break.
I recently had 15 days to move from Sutherlin, OR to Stayton, OR. Trust me, it was not enough time. Being 62 and having no help, it was a comedy of errors to be sure.
When I move, I buy two large trash cans with wheels. I store all my food stuff in the new trash cans. The trash cans hold a great deal of weight and are easy to move with the wheels. If anything breaks, the cans are water proof.
I was not happy to find upon agreeing to help a friend move that not only would I be helping to move but to pack the stuff. She had no boxes and she is totally unorganized. I was not happy. I guess I should have guessed that this would happen again since the last time I helped her I put in 25 hours of packing.
By Lena
This sounds to me like a case of live and learn. You state that you got into a similar situation with this friend once before. Next time, get more specific information before agreeing to help with a big task. Ask for details such as "Do you want help with the packing or just with the moving?" While I wouldn't expect people who helping me move to also help with the packing, this is obviously not the case with your friend.
I am about to move to a new house about 200 miles away. Besides the normal amount of household furniture, etc. I have five cats. I am virtually doing this alone (except for a furniture removalist). So I need to clean up the house, pack the cats, and get to the new home before the removalists to let them in. Whew! Anyone have ideas about the logistics of the whole enterprise (and no there is no one to help and I can't afford a cleaner).
By sharstri
I recently moved 300 plus miles to a different city. I started packing, cleaning and freecycling stuff several weeks before the move. I packed most of the dishes and things I wanted to move. I ate out of paper plates and even cardboard I'd accumulated.
I am moving to another state in the summer. How can I safely transport my plants?
By Joanne
I had a wonderful idea that might help you all when you have to move from down a flight of stairs. I made a ramp out of two 2X6's and slid the boxes down the steps!
When traveling or hauling things that tend to slip around, wrap them in a rubberized shelf liner. I have home jewelry parties and lay my pieces on cut pieces that just fit a plastic tub, lay another layer on until I fill the tub.
We are in the process of moving and I came up with this nifty idea. I put a strip of masking tape across each cabinet door and drawer in the kitchen (and bathrooms) as I empty and clean it to save time later.
Cheapest way to ship items when moving?
By Beck from Seattle
I am making a permanent move to San Diego this August. I'm saving my pennies so that I have enough for the move and at least 3 months living expenses. I'm a single woman in my 50's so I'll be making the trip alone by car with my Golden Retriever.
I will be selling/getting rid of almost everything except the few items I can't part with. I plan on driving my Honda with a small sport trailer so I'll just have the space in my trunk and the small trailer. The dog will need the entire back seat (she needs to be able to walk from window to window, depending on the view).
I'm a little overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do right now. I've started to go through some of my things thinking I would declutter. However, I don't want to Freecycle, give away, or trash something I can get even a quarter for (it will all add up). So I need some suggestions about how to organize this stuff without just putting it right back where I got it from.
I could also use some help with thrifty travel ideas. Since it will be August, I don't want to stop at restaurants to eat, because I won't be able to leave the dog in the car. My thought is that I should take my small cooler and pack it with hard boiled eggs, cheese, fruit, and power bars. Then I can stop at parks, picnic grounds, or rest areas where the dog and I can both get out, stretch and I can eat a bite. Then I was thinking I would stop at Denny's or Bob Evans and have breakfast for dinner since those meals are usually cheaper.
I plan on staying in Motel 6 all along the route. I'll plan the route and make the reservations ahead of time. I made notes of other suggestions having to do with what to have in the car (water, oil, WW fluid, Fix-A-Flat, Tylenol, etc.). I will have my cell phone and have a charger for the car.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Anything to make the move as stress free and thrifty as possible.
By LoriB from DC
Wow, what an adventure you have before you; thank goodness you'll have your darling dog as a traveling companion! I'm with you about trying to sell as much as possible before your move; you'll need as much $ as you can get. Try selling things individually on Craig's list, or put similar things together and sell as a group (kitchen utensils, pots and pans, craft magazines, etc.). It sounds as if you've planned ahead really well. Don't forget to have AAA or some other emergency car number in case you run into trouble on the road.
Try to stop at motels/hotels that serve Continental breakfasts; they usually have fruit, so you can take a small plate and put it in your cooler. If you dog eats canned food, don't forget to pack a can opener; otherwise, dry food can be transported pretty easily. Make sure you take water in a gallon jug and then a bowl you can pour it in for him. Lastly, take a book of encouraging messages to read at night. You have a big challenge ahead of you, but it's very do-able, and you sound very capable and motivated! Good luck!
I'd suggest a huge moving sale and have 25 cent, 50 cent, $1 tables etc. to make it easy on yourself. Have plastic shopping bags available to use for each shopper for each table. You will blow out your extra stuff plus make money. Have a few friends lined up to help. You may even have more than one sale as people love these sales! Good luck!
