How to Take the Stress Out of Moving

It is many peoples least favorite thing to do, but moving is inevitable for most.  From uprooting the kids, turning off utilities, packing moving boxes, and hiring a mover, moving is more than simply stressful it is borderline traumatic.  It is a challenging and difficult experience for a family, especially for children.

The key to moving is trying to do it as efficiently as possible.  Of course, moving day is not packing day.  Start packing and labeling boxes as soon as possible.  Also, pack valuables such as jewelry, coin collections, and stock certificates separately and keep them with you.  

You certainly don’t want to pay to move items you no longer need.  If you are interested in making a few extra dollars before you move, you could have a yard sale.

Here are a few helpful storage tips:

1. Books, magazines and other paper files can get very heavy. They are easy to pack, but do not overload them. It will be near to impossible to pick them up.
2. Wrap all paper objects such as books and magazines in plastic bags or plastic coverings before placing them in the box. This will prevent them either from accumulating moisture or from getting wet in case it rains.
3. For delicate items, use extra paper. Wrap paper around each item several times. Note that this wrapping will ensure that your chinaware or crystal glasses remain intact.
4. On all sides of each storage item, write down what it contains and to what kind of room it belongs. Do not write just on one side. Sometimes, and to your bad luck, that side will be on top and thus if you wish to remove just one item, you will have a problem.
5. Place some moth balls inside the boxes where you store your clothes.
6. Don't place compact discs in plastic wrap because if the storage facility heats up, these might destroy the disc.
7. Boxes that are tightly sealed with packing tape will prevent dust from entering.
8. Make sure fragile boxes are placed on top of heavier, less delicate boxes. Be sure not to over pack boxes as they can get heavy and dangerous.
9. Do not load too much weight into one box. If you feel it has become heavy, divide the contents into two boxes. Remember that though they might seem sturdy, the taping on a box cannot withstand a lot of weight.
10. Store all you electronic equipment in their original boxes. You can try and pass by electronic stores and look for similar size boxes if you do not have yours. Otherwise, wrap them as if you were wrapping glass or crystal.
11. Wrap your mattresses in the special bags available at any hardware store. This will prevent them from absorbing moisture and from losing shape.
12. Before placing any kind of wooden furniture into self storage, wax them well with wood varnish. This prevents moisture from affecting the wood.
13. If your furniture can be dismantled easily, do so. It will prolong the life of that piece.
14. If you dismantle furniture, collect the nuts and bolts of each item into a plastic bag and tape it firmly to the dismantled set. In addition, place thick cloth such as old carpets between wooden pieces to prevent one scratching the other.
15. Cupboards are generally bulky and take up a lot of room. Organize it so that you can place linen and other clothes in them for storage.
16. Don't forget to use valuable space inside drawers and larger appliances, such as stoves and refrigerators, to store small items: towels, linens, toys, etc.
17. Wrap furniture legs with protective bubble wrap, furniture covers or pads to prevent scratching
18. Place frequently accessed items towards the front of your unit. Less frequently needed items should be placed toward the rear of your unit.
19. Use furniture covers or moving pads to keep items off the floor of the unit.
20. When storing business files, leave a walkway down the center of your unit to make accessing items easier.
21. Avoid storing anything flammable (such as paint and chemicals) or perishable. Drain any fluids prior to storing snow blowers, lawnmowers, and other equipment; avoid storing hazardous or combustible materials.
22. Take into consideration that the stuff you place in self storage might freeze. If you think this will cause some of your items to break, arrange for a air-conditioned storage where the temperature is controlled.
23. If you are storing food, place them in jars or other plastic containers. Do not keep them only in a plastic paper. Rodents will get to them.
24. Do you have any object made of metal or a similar alloy? Apply a thin coating of oil before you wrap them. You can use the cheapest oil available.