Tips for when your planning a big move
My life has been so fast paced the past couple of years. When I decided to start traveling with my boyfriend I knew that I would have to move more often than ever before. That idea was very daunting at first but also incredibly exciting. We moved from West Virginia to South Carolina to Tacoma, Washington then to Redding, California. All in less than two years! Just last week we moved AGAIN, but hopefully for the last time for a few years. We made the four day drive across the entire country (during an international pandemic) from California all the way to New York. We stayed in New York with my boyfriend’s family for three weeks to quarantine, and then made our final journey to Richmond, Virginia.
Now that it’s all said and done I have no regrets moving around and making memories all over the country, but there are some things that I wish I knew about moving beforehand. So here are some of my tips if you are thinking about moving or planning a big move!
1. Save Money
This is a give-in, but moving is expensive. From obtaining a place to live to setting up utilities and buying moving supplies, money can quickly add up. Also, if you are moving to another state or far away from your current home, you have to factor in all of the costs associated with travel including hotels, gas, car maintenance, rentals, and more.
Set a monetary goal for moving expenses and put money away as needed to reach that goal. Knowing that you have money set aside will help you feel less stressed and allows you to focus on other aspects of your move.
2. Make a Plan
Having a plan is important. Do research ahead of time and make sure you have all of your ducks in a row.
3. Get Rid of Stuff
Less is definitely more when you move or are traveling. Get rid of things that are weighing you down. When I decided to move I cut 2/3rds of my wardrobe, sold my 60” TV, and consigned a ton of books, DVDS, and movies. I don’t miss any of these things. I let go of stuff that I didn’t need to make sure I had enough room for the things that mattered.
4. Organize your life/documents
I learned early on that keeping all of your important and personal documents organized is a must. I keep my birth certificate, sscard, medical documents, glasses prescription, school records, account information all stored neatly in an organized folder. It’s particularly important to keep these things together and available if you need them when you move every couple of years, or live far away from your hometown.
Here are a couple that I like:
5. Start packing early
Start gathering what you plan to take with you a month in advance. Start packing things away at least two weeks before you go. Waiting until the last minute will only create unnecessary stress that you do not need.
6. Get help if you need it
If you feel like it best for you to hire a moving company or get professional help with your move DO IT! Moving is a stressful time and if having help makes it less stressful and more enjoyable and exciting then it’s okay to let go of some of the control (spend the money) and delegate some duties.
I hope you enjoy these tips! If you have any of your own that you’d like to share, send them to me at patriceofmind@gmail.com