How to Move Without Misplacing Your Stuff

Move Without Misplacing Your Stuff

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Moving your family to a new community and a new home is an exciting transition, but the frustrations of staying structured during the process can be unbearable. And when you start unpacking, you don't want to start wondering where everything went. Get your family organized for a successful move with the following helpful hints.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

A notepad
A moving truck
An envelope
A friend who loves your pets (or a good vet)

How to Move Without Misplacing Your Stuff

Step1

Write everything down. Before you pack your first box, get a notepad and create a simple system for keeping track of which items are in which box. Be specific--instead of writing “kitchen supplies,” write “blender and coffee pot.” Number every box 1/50, 2/50, etc. so if a box comes up missing you will know exactly which one and what was in it.

Step2

Rent a moving truck. Don’t assume you can do all your in-town moving by driving a pickup truck back and forth across town. Instead, save time and move all your large pieces of furniture at once by renting a truck. Compared to the laborious hours you would spend without one, the price is quite reasonable.

Step3

Keep track of important papers. To prevent loss of essential documents during the hectic moving day, keep them in an envelope and with you at all times. This includes birth certificates, mover estimates, job contacts, bank records, bills, closing papers and realtor information.

Step4

Put up your pets. Have your pets stay with a friend on the day of the move so they do not get in the way or become overly anxious or frightened by all the activity.

Tips & Warnings

Use a moving company that charges based on the weight of the truck (after it's loaded) and the number of miles between the two homes. Movers who work for these companies are often fast, because they are not billing you per hour.
Don't wait until the last minute to start collecting supplies and packing boxes. Depending on the size of your current home, the process can take weeks.