Packing advice welcome!

[Marnie]

Well my fellow forum friends, my husband and I are moving. As most of you likely know, it's a very exciting time, but filled with so much work! I have been starting to pack boxes here and there, but am getting to that "overwhelmed" point.

Any packing advice or tidbits would be very appreciated! DE-mystify this process for me, will someone please? I may be feeling pretty good about my DSB skills, but I am nowhere near "moving-house savvy"!!

For example, is it best to keep breakables in small boxes? Are the wardrobe boxes the way to go (although awkward when doing a lot of the moving yourself). Are certain boxes better than others? I've heard some say that boxes with lids are ideal.... are they really? And where would you find those? Is paper towel adequate to wrap around breakables? If not, what is the most inexpensive wrapping material?

As you see, I have a load of questions. Please help!! Thanks so much!

[srussell]

Local or cross-country move?

[Granny]

Put every thing in the middle of the patio and set fire to it! That's what I do....

Oh, ok, you're one of those....

A have moved many, many times, and here is my 25 cents worth (inflation, you know)...

Pack in small boxes. It won't kill your back, it will allow more people to be able to help you, it will be easier to handle and less likely to fall off your hands and brake. Newpapers from all our neighbors are free and make great packing material. You should wash every thing anyway before you put them in your new place, so who cares if the newspapers leave prints. Besides, it will give you a reading brake and you can even do the crossword puzzles.

Don't put all your breakables together. That way, if one box falls, you won't loose all your priceless treasures at once. Wrap them in towels, sheets, etc, and put them in the middle of the other stuff in the box, so that they cushion it.

Wardrobe boxes are cool, but will get heavy, so my suggestion is, put it in the truck or van, then filled them up, and reverse the order when you get to your new place. If you hurt your back, it's all over. Also, look in the net for places that sell used boxes. You can get all you need at once, save gas money from driving all over creation looking, and they have every conceivable size you will need.

And most important of all.... Get your computer set up the first thing, so you can resume your scrapping affair with all of us. We will not forgive you if we loose contact with you.

Have fun, take it easy, and may every thing go smoothly for you. Hope you enjoy your new place.

Granny

[Brett]

I have moved several times in the past 10 years. If you are hiring a moving company, then they will often supply you with boxes. Here are a few tips:

- Pack in smaller, manageable boxes. They are easier to carry and organize.
- I find that for many items wine and liquor boxes are a great size. Check with your local wine and liquor store as they often keep the boxes around and are often happy to have you take them away. Wine boxes with the dividers in them are great for packing glasses because each glass can have it own compartment.
- Get boxes with fold-down lids. Use packing tape to seal them. Then tape a label on them right away so you khow what was in there.
- Put a "room code" on each box: L = Living room, K = Kitchen, G = Garage, MB = Master Bedroom, etc. Use a big marker to mark each box on the top and sides with the code. That way when you move in it is quick to sort the boxes into the proper room.
- Use the moving opportunity to give away, sell and throw out as much as possible. It is good for the soul to do a possessions cleanse.
- Let professional movers move your valuable and big-ticket items. They are insured so if your TV gets dropped, their insurance will cover it. Move all of your unbreakable and small items yourself.

[Adam]

no no no you guys are all wrong with your "boxes" and "labels". Here's what you do:

Get a friend with a half ton truck. Throw everything that can fit in the back. Then repeat until finished. I moved from my parents to my place in 3 trips with a half ton and a Grand Prix.

Very messy, very unorganized, very fast!

Adam Kapilik

[Granny]

Ah, Adam.... A boy after my own heart!!!!

<whisper> Is is the name Adam that causes it? Every one with that name is a trouble maker. In the beggining..... <whisper>

Granny

[Marion]

I am with Adam on this one. Quick and easy! That is my motto for most everything I do!

Marion

[Karin]

Hi Marnie!

Ditto the small boxes, and checking for liquor store freebies (on BOXES, that is ). And if you have lots of books, I learned very quickly that books are HEAVY. So don't load a huge box full of books. You won't be able to lift it safely.

Happy moving!

Karin

P.S. Nice new avatar!

[OnieRN]

Great Advice

I have moved across country 6 times in 7 yrs. I am a pro but I hate the thought of moving!!!! This is what I learned!
-Use small boxes.
-UHaul has great labels for identifing rooms that are color coded. Just put a couple pieces on different sides of the boxes.
-old newspaper to pack with! And wrap like crazy.
-Use towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
- books are very heavy, use small boxes!

Get rid of anything you don't need in the next year!. Many of us are pack rats! No need to keep that stuff if you don't need them soon.

Happy Packing.
nie

[Squeak]

I number all my boxes and then write a little note about what is in each box. Computer ALWAYS goes last and gets set up first! If you use you puter to make you list, you can use the 'find' feature to find certain things you are looking for quickly. Print out your list before you go. That way you can direct people if necessary, box #6 in the kitchen.

I hate to move, done it more times than I remember .. (there is a whole decade out there someplace I can't seem to recall)

Most of the times what happens is that I don't feel like unpacking. This way with the boxes numbered, I can unpack all the important stuff first. Where's my printer?

[OnieRN]

Great Idea Squeak

Numbering boxes and putting info on the computer is great but I never had that much time or energy to be that organized. I did make notes on the box of things in the box.

nie

[Squeak]

I used to do that too, but then when all the boxes were stacked up, and not all turned the correct way ... you loose your list. I number each side, so no matter which way it is facing, I can see the box number.

[Marnie]

Wow!

Wow, thanks so much everyone! There is so much great advice here. And Steve, this is a "move to a different city within the same province" move. You're all right about the small boxes, although some of my first ones are pretty big. But I have lots and lots of books, so will keep that small. I like the idea of making a list (although don't know if I'll get quite that organized!!)

Again, thanks so much for your help! If anything else comes to mind, please keep the advice coming!

[MaggieMae]

When you get there!

Hi Marnie,

We've moved so many times I can't count them. I thought I'd add something about when you get to your new place. You will be overwhelmed with boxes and furniture, etc.

The best things to do are:

1. Set up the bed(s) and hopefully find sheets and pillows
2. Unpack bathroom stuff
3. Unpack kitchen stuff

These are the things you need to survive! The rest will get sorted out!

P.S. Take your most valuable things (computer included!) in your car!

Good luck!

[OnieRN]

Another thought!

I found it easier to not bring boxes in the house until I got the furniture in place. I put my boxes in a garage then separated the boxes in the garage by the room labels. If you do not have a garage, then maybe on a patio or back yard etc. My last move, I had no garage so I had to put stuff on the patio.


I totally agree, you will be overwhelmed!!!!

nie