First Time Moving? Don't Sweat It With These 3 Tips!
Most people move for the first time when they head off to college to leave their parent's house to start their independent lives. While this might technically qualify as moving, it usually involves a few hastily packed boxes and plenty of stuff that gets left behind to pick up at a later date. This process can certainly be stressful for many reasons, but it's not quite in the same league as a typical house-to-house move.
Of course, most people discover this after living on their own for a while and finally move into a new place. Even a few years of independent life can leave you with plenty of stuff to haul, and this time you don't have the option of leaving it behind to rot in your parents' attic. Luckily, your first actual move doesn't have to be frightening, and these three tips will help take the stress out of your moving day.
1. Do the Math
You've probably heard that moving is all about planning, and that includes spending a little time handling the math. When moving locally, transportation costs tend to be substantially less than long cross-country moves. In these cases, transporting even a large amount of heavy furniture or packages is typically more cost-effective than selling what you have and buying new stuff.
However, this balance can sometimes shift in the other direction. If you have some old furniture or items that aren't worth much, the added cost of having movers haul them to your new place might not make much sense. Spend some time figuring out what might be worthwhile to replace so you can save the cash bringing these old items to your new home.
2. Make Yourself Flexible
Ask anyone who's moved multiple times and they'll usually tell you that things rarely go according to plan. If you build your schedule without any flexibility, you're likely to find yourself increasingly stressed as moving day approaches. Plans that don't account for delays or problems that will inevitably break down.
The best way to build this flexibility into your moving plan is to do everything as early as you can. Schedule your movers as early in the process as possible, start transferring your utilities as soon as you can, and make sure you buy more supplies than you think you'll need. Taking these steps ensures you'll have some breathing room if you fall a little behind schedule.
3. Don't Go It Alone
Even a small, one-bedroom apartment can accumulate a surprisingly large amount of stuff. Unless you have considerable time to plan your move, don't try to do it alone. Enlist friends or family to help you pack, and rely on professional movers to get your stuff safely across town. Spending a little extra money for some expert help will ensure your first move will be one you look back on fondly.
Contact a local moving company to learn more.