Over 40 million Americans move each year. That is twice the number of people that live in Florida.
If you're about to be one of these 40 million Americans, you want to make sure that you are fully prepared since it can be an overwhelming process to pick up all of your belongings and move to a new place.
There is a lot that goes into the moving process, and many people forget to do a lot of these moving things when the time comes.
So many people forget all of the moving things they need to remember. So this doesn't happen to you, we've compiled tips for moving out so that you don't have to worry about forgetting anything!
Pack an Essentials Box to Keep With You
You've done it. We've done it. We're all guilty.
We tend to throw things in a box in the order that we go through the home. For instance, the kitchen supplies go in the kitchen boxes and the bathroom things go in the bathroom boxes.
But what we don't think about at the moment is everything we will need to get to first.
One of the most important things to consider when moving is what you will need the day you arrive. You should go through this moving out checklist to get the essentials:
- Toiletries and medications
- A speaker to use when you unpack
- Chargers for your phone and computer
- Snacks for the move and the first day/night
- Cleaning supplies to clean the new home
- Bedding for the night
By packing this "essentials" box, you won't be opening every single box to find the phone charger you accidentally threw into the bathroom box. You'll also be able to get started with what you want as soon as you get to the new home instead of spending time searching through boxes.
Submit a Change of Address
Something that you may forget to do when you are moving out is changing your address. You should do this before you move to make sure that there is enough time for the address change to take effect.
The United States Postal Office will forward your mail for six months to a new address, so you can use that as a buffer while you remember every platform you need to change your address on.
Keep Track of Your Appointments
Before you move, you will need to keep track of everything that is happening with this home and the one you are moving into while also packing to move. One of the things to consider when moving is what you need to do in regards to inspections with your new and old home.
You should have a written list or a list online of each appointment, when it is, and if you still have to schedule it. This will keep you on track with the legal side of moving things.
Grab Your Outdoor Decor and Plants
It's pretty easy when moving out to forget about checking for greenery or other decorations outside. You probably remember to grab the big furniture but may forget a few extension cords that have been out there for years. These are things often forgotten when packing.
Your favorite plant that you named Fern may also be left behind because she blended right in with the landscaping. That would be a real bummer! You would also then have to purchase more plants and outdoor decor when you get to your new home.
To avoid this, you should have a checklist of all outdoor items that you need to grab. As you pack, be sure to check each item off.
Label Your Boxes
One of our biggest tips for moving out is to label your boxes.
You could end up with hundreds of boxes. Imagine if none of the boxes had labels and you needed to find the measuring cup to make your dinner that night. It would be near impossible, and if you made it possible, it would take you hours.
If you hire movers when moving to another state, you'll also want to make sure you label any boxes that have fragile stuff inside so they don't handle them carelessly.
Look Everywhere For Your Valuables
So many people lose their most valuable possessions when they move because these are things often forgotten when packing. They may be scattered around the home in hidden places where you don't think of looking because they aren't in plain sight.
Since this is the case, you should create a moving to another state checklist to be sure you get everything that is hidden around the house.
Another great way to go through that moving out checklist is to pack up your valuables as you think about them. If you ever have a thought of "oh, I don't want to forget the wad of cash under the floorboards," just go get it at that moment!
Purchase Quality Packing Materials
When it comes to packing everything to stay safe and make it through the move, you need to go out and buy some materials. A few things you forget to buy when moving typically include:
- Extra brown paper to stuff into boxes
- Different sized boxes
- Bubble wrap for fragile items
You can order most of these online or can get them at a local office supply shop!
Transfer Your Utilities
One of the things often forgotten when packing is switching over your utilities from your old place to your soon-to-be new home.
If you forget to do this, not only will you be out of luck when you get to your new place and there is no power, but you are also overpaying for utilities at your old home.
To transfer your utilities, you can easily call your providers to do so! Most also have online options to transfer as well.
Declutter Before Packing
Before you start going through your moving out checklist, you should start to get rid of things that you no longer need or want. Start with your closet. Get rid of all of the clothes and shoes you don't see yourself wearing any time soon.
Move to the kitchen and bathroom. Are there any really old shampoo bottles that are empty below the sink? Are there old sponges below the kitchen sink?
Throw them out or recycle things that can be recycled!
By decluttering before packing, you are saving yourself time when you get to your new home. Instead of going through things and thinking about how you wasted space packing and now have to get rid of the items, just do it before.
You can also start this process months before your move to help relieve any stress.
Obtain School and Medical Records
There is nothing worse than moving to a new place and having to start over with the medical record process. If you have all of your appointments in your old town, make sure to get the records before moving.
This way you will be able to show your records to a new doctor without having the headache of needing to fax them or forward them from your old doctor.
The same goes for your children's school records. To enroll your kids at a new school, they will ask for all of these documents. Your life will be much easier if you already have them ready to hand over before the move!
Clear Out Your Storage
When you are thinking about moving and packing up, your mind will probably be stuck on what you have to pack and move out of your home. But what about your storage unit or places that you have other belongings at? You don't want to forget any valuable items or prized possessions that you have in here!
Your storage items are one of the most common things forgotten when packing. You will need to cancel your storage unit subscription and pack up all of your belongings inside before moving.
Do Not Forget These When Moving Things
Since moving is so stressful and time-consuming, there are a lot of commonly forgotten items when moving.
Our hope is that by providing this list of things to bring with you when moving out that you will move without forgetting anything at your old home! And don't forget to make that checklist as well to check it all off as you go.
And when you're finally ready to pack up and hit the road, we want to help! Call us to help you transport every single car you own!
