Moving to your newly owned place is really a great feeling but it also has the down side of it, the stress and hassles that goes with moving. It takes time and effort to move your entire life from one place to another so I gather some tips that I have learned from my personal experience and hopefully can make moving a bit easier and let you enjoy your first few days in your new home.
1. De-clutter –
Plan ahead, do an inventory of your things and segregate it to; Things to keep; Things to donate and Things to get rid of; this is the best opportunity to have fresh start in your new home by avoiding bringing junk and things that you no longer need. Stop being the pack rat that you are, just bring what you really need. Donating some pre-loved items would also be good for you or if you need extra money you can do a garage sale, this will help you get rid of them and get something out of it still.
2. Ask for help – are you going to hire movers, rent a truck or just ask help from relatives and friends. Things to consider: budget – do you have a budget to hire professional movers or you don’t; distance – how far is your new place from the old one, is it practical to just hire professionals or DIY; vehicle capacity – would a car do the moving, how many rounds will it take or just rent a truck so it will just one time big time; and capabilities- can you and your friends lift big furniture by yourselves or you need to get help from professionals
3. Boxes, Boxes, Boxes – everyone who is moving needs a lot of boxes, it is where you can put all stuff in and move them to your new place. Since you will need a lot of it, for you to be able to save some money, go to local grocery stores, liquor stores and ask for boxes. If you are so lucky you can even get them for free. Their trash can be great help for you! Packing tapes, markers, colorful post it stickers and a notebook for your main list.
4. Make a list – this is your master list, label each box on which room you need them to be on the new house, like – kitchen, master’s bedroom, bathroom, etc. Then before you place anything in the box, list it on your notebook so you would know which item is in which box. This will be very time saving during the unpacking stage.
5. Organize – do color coding on your boxes, put colored post it stickers and be specific on putting labels. Let’s say boxes with pink stickers are for mom and the ones with blue are dad’s stuff. Especially for the clothes, undergarments, beddings, curtains, etc.
6. Personal Boxes– make sure that everyone in the household has personal box where they need to put the things that will need urgently or the things they want “right away” once you move. Pair of clothes, phone chargers, towels, keys, etc. this way it will save you the hassle of digging in the boxes every time you need something during the first day.
7. Use your own luggage – you can put your clothes and other stuff in your luggage, it will have space and boxes.
8. Use your own linens/tablecloths/towels – if you don’t have bubble wraps your own linens/tablecloths, towels and napkins can be wrapped into your glassware before putting them in the boxes to avoid any of them to be broken during the transfer.
9. Zip-lock/tape the screws – get a zip lock and put the screws of the furniture or appliance, make sure you label them. Or you can just tape them on the specific item they’re supposed to be used like on picture frames, lampshades, etc.
10. Gather and keep the valuables with you – make sure you put all the 
important documents in one envelop/bag. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, titles, liens, contracts, etc. Also, jewelries or other valuable item. Since these are very important things you need to keep it near you and secure it first once you arrive in your new place. Put them in a vault of something.
Hope the list helps! Enjoy and Welcome to your new home!
A Slice of Heaven 