Lighten Your Load - Tips for a Simpler Move

Lighten Your Load - Tips for a Simpler
Move
By Adam Dachis
Abstract
Without a doubt, you’ve often heard that proper organisation is the key to success. This is
especially true when moving house – there are so many important things to take care of
and arduous tasks to complete before moving day that without good organisation you’ll be
completely at a loss as to what to do. However well-organised your move may be, though, it
won’t be enough to ensure a smooth and trouble-free relocation unless you find a way to
stay organised throughout the entire process.
1.0 Introduction
The very act of moving requires that you take an inventory of all of your belongings,
handling each item for at least as long as it takes to pack it in a box. So why not take this
time to edit down what you own and get rid of the things that no longer serve a purpose for
you? Here’s how to embrace the minimalist move and make your entire moving process
easier.
2.0 Organise Your Move and Don't Go Crazy in the Process
There are lots of ways to help make your household move easier and smoother. Read here
for help to get your life and your possessions, organised for a peaceful and exciting move.
‣ Make a List
Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a
simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to
write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. You'll place a number on
EVERY box you pack and list the contents on your list. Don't put the list down unless it's in
a place you'll call packing central. This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box
tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific—"A-D files" is
better than "files" and "Tulip dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen."
‣ Have Plenty of Supplies

Don't make us say this twice—you'll need lots of boxes—probably more boxes than you
think, and having enough boxes will make your life easier. (If you buy your boxes from a
moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund. If you got them free
from the grocery, just toss any leftovers.) Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last
minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll need
strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint
(newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion
household good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get extra so the
packing can go smoothly. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed.
‣ Utilise Wardrobe Boxes
These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and
blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Call your mover to ask the width
of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Then measure the clothes in your closets
(including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you'll need. You can also use
them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large
baskets, or gift wrap tubes.
‣ Keep Things Together
Insist on keeping things together when you or the movers are packing boxes. Keep
bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. Small,
loose parts can be attached to the item they belong to with tape or placed in small
envelopes to keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with a bookcase, a special
wrench and bolts with the wall unit. Keep larger corresponding items (such as a cable TV
cord) in resealable bags, and tape these to the underside or back of the item. As a backup,
have a "Parts Box" open on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords, parts, pieces,
brackets, or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. Keep this box with you, or
mark it well with a rainbow of colored stickers so it can be easily located on move-in day.
‣ Pack Ahead
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. If it's summer, get your
winter clothes out of the way. You don't really need 5 radios or TVs around your house for
the last few days there. Box up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and live out of a travel
cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare down cooking utensils and food supplies to
bare essentials. Wastebaskets can also be packed (put things in them) while you switch to
using plastic grocery bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door handle to collect trash).
‣ Consolidate Cleaning Supplies

If you must clean your old place after moving out, put together a kit of basic cleaning
supplies and rags. Clean anything possible ahead of time (the inside of kitchen cupboards,
the oven, windows, etc.), and if possible, vacuum each room as movers empty it.
‣ Use Your Luggage
Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods. Even for local
moves, you'll be able to quickly spot your navy suitcase holding your favorite sweaters,
whereas "Box #189" might remain elusive for days.
‣ Safeguard Valued Items
It's a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as silverware, collections, or antiques,
with you. If you have a long move and no room in your car, bury the items in a box titled
"Misc. from kitchen pantry". Either way, check your homeowner's insurance to see how you
are covered during the move, and if you need additional insurance from the mover. Also,
find out what paperwork (receipts, appraisals, and photos) you might need to file a claim in
case of loss.
‣ Keep Important Papers With You
Your list of "important" papers might include birth certificates, school records, mover
estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills,
phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. Don't leave these with the mover.
Keep them with you.
‣ Personal Boxes
Use brightly colored storage tote boxes, one for each person. Let each family member fill
theirs with items they'll want 'right away' in the new home -- a set of sheets, a towel, a
couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address book, pens and paper, keys,
kleenex, and travel cosmetic case, and so on.
Moving may not be the most fun you've ever had, but planning ahead will go a long way
toward making the process bearable.
2.1 How to Get Organised to Lighten Your Load
We've created these guides to help you get ready to move and to keep your move on track
and on schedule.
Steps to Lighten Up Before You Move
‣ Come up with a plan of attack

The minimalist move is all about decluttering, which, if you’ve done it before, you already
know can be a pretty time-intensive endeavor. You’ll want to get the ball rolling prior to
when you start packing so you can focus on the task, though chances are you’ll find
additional items to get rid of while you’re loading up boxes.
Your decluttering plan should incorporate a couple of things: one, what types of things
you’re going to be getting rid of, and two, what you’re going to do with them. Some items—
for instance, furniture—require a bit more planning if you intend to donate them, so you’ll
want to wrap your head around what sorts of items you’ll be disposing of and start looking
into your options for how to do so. Categories of stuff you’ll want to consider paring down
include:
Furniture
Clothing
Papers
Books
Toys
Kitchen items
Décor
Holiday decorations
Outdoor gear
Gadgets
The amount of time this initial decluttering process will take depends on the size of your
home, how much stuff you own, and how long it’s been since you’ve sorted through all of
these things. Planning ahead will help you wrap your head around what needs to be done
and tackle your minimalist move in the most efficient way possible.
‣ Start sorting
It doesn’t matter where you start—pick a room, a drawer, or a category of items and get to
work. For each item that you decide not to keep, you’ll want to sort it into one of three
piles:
Donation pile.
Recycle pile.
Trash pile.
‣ Follow the general rules of decluttering
One of the most difficult parts of a minimalist move (and minimalism in general) is saying
goodbye to things that you’ve carried with you for a long time. But just because something

has been in your possession for years doesn’t mean it has value. The following guidelines
will help you speed up the decluttering process and figure out what really matters to you.
Don’t keep an item just because you think you should.
Don’t keep an item that causes you misery.
Don’t keep an item you haven’t used in a year and don’t plan to use in a year.
Don’t keep an item you wouldn’t buy again.
‣ Consider temporary storage
It’s inevitable that you’re going to come across items that you know you don’t need but you
still can’t quite bring yourself to get rid of. For those sorts of things it’s helpful to get rid of
them temporarily and see how things go while knowing you have the option to get them
back. Most of the time, you’ll realize pretty quickly that you don’t actually miss them all that
much. This is particularly useful for sentimental items like childhood stuffed animals and
books, or gifts from other people.
‣ Set goals
You can probably find a way to justify keeping just about anything if you really set your
mind to it. To keep yourself accountable, set some concrete goals for how much you want
to get rid of and then stick to them. You can set goals by item—say, getting rid of a third of
your clothes—or by amount—for instance filling up one extra-large box with donations.
Setting goals helps turn minimalism into less of a chore and more of a game, with the
reward for achieving your objective that you have fewer things to carry around with you.
3.0 How to Be Ready For Moving Day?
The preparation for moving day is notorious for its palpable stress, hectic activities and
somewhat characteristic moving day mistakes. Ideally, the relocation preparation should
start the moment the residential move is confirmed and, under ideal conditions, it should
end just before moving day itself knocks on your door.
To help you prepare for moving day in the best possible way, here are the 8 most important
jobs you are strongly recommended to complete in order to have the perfect move you
want.
#1: Decision time: professional movers or DIY?
The preparation for moving day checklist starts with arguably the most important decision
you need to make in the very beginning: should you hire the professional services of a top
rated moving company or should you try to move on your own? You should know that this
essential decision of yours will ultimately determine how the entire residential move will

play out. Therefore, you must know how to recognize the specific indicators that will give
you a hint which way is best for you in terms of money, time, safety, and peace of mind.
#2: Set your own moving calendar
While getting ready for moving day, it’s important to follow a good schedule where the
tasks you are expected to do are presented in a logical and sensible manner. With the help
of your personal moving calendar, you will be able to organize your pre-move time in a way
so that you don’t waste a single day. Now that you know whether you will move by yourself
or use an experienced moving company, you are ready to start filling up your calendar with
1) personalized and 2) prioritized move related jobs that make perfect sense for you and
you alone.
#3: Inventory your entire home
To best prepare for moving out, one of the first tasks in your moving checklist should be to
inventory your house or apartment. Now, before you ask why you should even consider
doing that potentially time-consuming task, let’s quickly point out its benefits for you. A
detailed inventory list will help you 1) sort out your possessions before the packing
marathon starts, 2) create a packing list to know what each moving box contains, 3) keep
constant track of your belongings throughout the move, 4) have your moving costs
estimated by sending the ready inventory over to a cross country moving company.
#4: Get rid of unwanted stuff
While preparing for moving day, one thing should be perfectly clear to you – the weight of
the overall shipment will have a great impact on the final relocation bill. In other words, the
fewer items you decide to move to your new residence, the less money you will have to pay
in the end. Which is not a bad thing, is it? Mark down in your inventory sheet all the
household items that are not worth moving for one reason or another, and then just get rid
of them. You have good options here – sell some of them online or at a pre-move sale, gift
them to friends or family, donate them to charity, or simply throw them for recycling.
#5: Initiate the packing process
Here comes the most important pre-move task ahead of you – packing up your home for a
move. If you don’t realize its tremendous important for the success of your own move, you
will soon do so. The three most essential things to remember before you roll up your
sleeves are 1) start thinking about packing as early in your preparation for moving day as
possible, 2) the rooms you take care of first should be the hardest ones to pack, and 3)
packing an entire household is not a job for a single person, so get help at all costs – from
your good friends or from professional packers.

#6: Take care of your kids and pets
If you’re moving house with a child (baby, toddler, school-aged child, or teenager), things
can suddenly get more complicated than you need them to be. In addition to worrying
about their safety, you want to make sure than they are your allies and will cooperate with
the tough preparation for moving day. And although there are many things to keep in mind
when moving with children, their safety and well-being remains your number one priority.
And of course, the same goes for any pets you might own – dogs, cats, birds, fish, rabbits,
etc. After all, they are part of your family as well. The number one safety rule on Moving
day is to keep both small kids and pets away from the relocation action.
#7: Get the friendly help you need
If you have reached the conclusion that the best course of action for you will be to organize
and execute a self-move, then you’re going to need some assistance from your good pals –
moving assistance either during the packing marathon, or on moving day itself, or even on
both occasions. You might forget the most fundamental principle when asking friends to
help you move in your attempt to prepare for moving day on time. And that principle states
that your buddies are probably juggling busy schedules themselves, so 1) you need to reach
out to them early enough, and 2) they are under no obligation to give you a hand, so treat
the whole matter as delicately as you can.
#8: Prepare for moving day itself
Still not sure how to prepare for moving day? There are so many things to do on moving
day that you will probably soon find yourself overwhelmed and partly confused. Make sure
you familiarize yourself with this detailed moving day checklist to help you organize your
time and guide your actions during the Big day. Also, you are strongly recommend to take a
look at our extensive list of things you will need on moving day so that everything goes
smoothly from start to finish.
4.0 Moving timeline: Interactive week by week moving checklist
So, if you’re about to embark on a tough and overwhelming endeavor, such as a residential
move, you need to make a good plan and break your final goal into achievable mini-goals
you’ll be able to accomplish in a timely and organized manner. In the event of moving
house, your best bet is a detailed moving timeline – a week-by-week moving checklist that
will not only include all the tasks you need to take care of before moving day, but will also
set a specific timeframe for their completion.
You won’t overlook anything important or forget to do a moving chore because all
the relocation tasks (big and small alike) will be clearly stated in your
comprehensive moving house checklist;

You’ll be able to organize your time in the best possible way, as your moving
packing checklist will let you know exactly what needs to be done every single
month, week, and day before moving day, so that you can get everything ready in
time;
You’ll be able to keep track of your progress as every completed task will be crossed
out in your moving checklist and you’ll know how much you have left to do.
Make sure you take advantage of our free printable moving checklist when getting ready
for your relocation adventure!
Moving checklist – Two months before Moving day
Ideally, your moving preparations should start about two months prior to the Big day. This
way, you’ll have the time to complete every single task in the long list of things to do when
moving.
Weeks 7 & 8 before the move
• Get to know your new area (if you’re moving to a new city). Gather as much
information as possible about the economic situation, cost of living, climate, housing
options, crime rate, educational opportunities, cultural practices and other specifics
of your future area;

• Start searching for an appropriate new home for you and your family. If possible,
visit your new area to choose your new property in person;
• Start organizing your belongings and decluttering your home for moving. Sort your
items in four categories – things to bring along, things to donate, things to sell, and
things to throw away. Make a moving inventory of the items you’re going to take to
your new home;
• Research your moving options and decide if you’re going to move by yourself or hire
professional movers to help you relocate. Make sure you fill out a moving quote to
see what different moving companies have to offer, so that you can make an
informed decision about your move;
• If you’re going to use professional moving services, start looking for affordable and
trustworthy moving professionals – ask for recommendations, read moving reviews,
visit moving companies’ websites, etc.;
• Get estimates – narrow down your choice to three or four moving companies that
seem to best suit your needs and requirements and ask them for in-house estimates
of the moving costs;
• Choose the best movers for you. Provide the moving company representatives with
all the relevant information (show them everything you want to relocate, discuss
possible obstacles, special requirements, delivery windows, etc.) in order to get
accurate moving cost estimates, compare the offers (prices, services, and
conditions), and be careful to avoid moving scams when choosing your moving
partners.
Weeks 6 & 5 before the move
• Book your move and confirm all the details (pick-up and delivery times, payment
method, insurance, etc.) with your chosen movers;
• Make a moving binder and keep all moving-related documents in it. It may be a good
idea to put all your documents in the same binder (in separate sleeves or pockets)
as well;
• Set up a moving budget to organize your finances and keep better track of your
expenses;
• Inform your current employer of your move and arrange your first day of work at
your new company in your new area (or start looking for a new job);
• If you’re moving out of a rented property, notify your landlord of your upcoming
move and negotiate a move-out agreement;
• Collect yours and your family’s medical records and your children’s school records.
Start looking for a new family physician and a new school for your kids (if relevant);
• Organize a garage sale or post online those of your unwanted items that you’d like
to sell;

• Request a list of the non-allowable items your movers won’t load on the moving
truck because of their hazardous or perilous nature and decide what to do with
them (discard them, give them away, relocate them yourself, or use them up before
the move);
• Get packing supplies. See if you can get any moving boxes and other packing
materials for free and buy whatever else you need. Make sure you have high quality
packing supplies for your more delicate and more valuable possessions.
Moving checklist – One month before Moving day
It’s time to set your moving preparations at full speed (just remember to frequently consult
your checklist for moving into a new house to make sure you don’t miss a moving task).
Weeks 4 & 3 before the move
• Donate your unwanted items that are still in good condition (things you don’t want
to sell or couldn’t sell) to local charities. Don’t forget to get receipts showing the
items’ approximate value for possible tax deductions;
• Change your address with the USPS and inform your bank, insurance providers,
lawyers, and other important people and institutions of your new address;
• Transfer utilities (arrange to have electricity, gas and water running in your new
home on move-in day) and cancel memberships and subscriptions;
• Take your pets to the vet for a complete check-up and collect their immunization
records and health certificates. Make travel arrangements for your animal friends;
• Plan your trip to your new home. If you’re driving to your final destination, get your
car serviced and plan for meals and lodgings on the way (if needed). If you’re flying
to your new city, book your flight and find a trustworthy auto transport company to
ship your vehicle;
• Start packing. Pre-pack rarely used items, specialized equipment, out-of-season
clothing and decorations, and everything else you’re not going to need before
moving day;
• Set aside the items that will be packed in your essentials box and the valuables
you’re not going to entrust to the movers.
Two weeks before Moving day
• Contact your moving company to make sure everything is going according to plan
and discuss any last-minute details;
• Pay up any bills or debts you may have. Return library books and anything you have
borrowed from friends or neighbors. Collect any items you have left for cleaning or
repair;

• Say your goodbyes. Visit all your favorite places in town and organize a farewell
party to get all your friends together one last time;
• Pack the storage areas in your home, as well as most of your artwork, decorations,
books, office supplies, and hobby materials;
• Reserve a parking place for the moving truck close to the entrance of your home, as
well as an elevator (if you live in an apartment building) for the time of your move;
• Start using up your food supplies and get rid of any remaining items that are not
going to your new home.
One week before Moving day
• Get on with packing. Pack most of your clothes and shoes, kitchen items, jewelry,
kid’s games and toys, and other bric-a-brac;
• Make sure you have all the necessary documents and get a lockbox to keep them
safe during the trip to your new home.
Two days before Moving day
• Finish packing. Pack any remaining miscellaneous items and double-check your
home to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything;
• Pack your first-night box and all the items that are going to travel with you. Keep
them separately from your other belongings to make sure they won’t be accidentally
loaded on the moving truck;
• Pack your electronics and prepare the furniture and appliances you’re going to take
to your new place for moving.
Moving checklist – Moving day
You will need your focus more than ever when the Big day knocks on your door. Keep your
moving checklist at hand to keep a cool head during this culmination period of your
relocation adventure.
• Get ready for the big day. Have a good night’s rest and get up early in the morning to
have enough time for last-minute tasks;
• Ensure moving day safety. Take measures to protect your old home from damage
and to prevent accidents and injuries while your items are being taken out of the
property and loaded on the moving truck. Keep kids and pets away from the moving
chaos;
• Meet the movers and give them all the necessary information, so that they can
perform your move in a safe and efficient manner. Provide some snacks and drinks

if it will take them more than 3-4 hours to finish the job. Do not forget to tip them if
you’re happy with their services;
• Give the truck driver the accurate destination address and your phone number, so
that they can reach you if necessary;
• Give your old house or apartment a final cleaning, take a last look around, lock the
door, and start on your journey to your new home.
5.0 Common Moving Day Mistakes to Avoid?
Are you shifting to a bigger and better house? Have you ever prepared your moving process
for your long distance move? Interstate move, such as Sydney to Gold Coast is one of those
chores that need time, money and professional assistance. From the planning phase to the
packing process, loading belongings onto the truck to the safe removal, everything requires
great expertise.
Let’s have a look at the most common blunders that could ruin your entire interstate move.
1. Not Planning in Advance
Unplanned moves always create chaos. When you move your belongings without proper
planning, you could end up your relocation process with a mess. This could happen because
of the delays and unexpected situations such as bad weather, traffic, injury or illness. These
scenarios can affect your move and make it difficult to achieve the desired results on time.
Tip: It is good to create a backup plan if you are relocating to the new city or state. This
could save you if something goes wrong with your move.
2. Overlooking Pre-packing Process
People who pack their belongings on a moving day are the real culprit for unsuccessful
relocation. In case, your moving truck is arriving tomorrow; you have to make sure that
everything is packed correctly. If you skip the packing process, you could lose your
precious possessions due to the lack of quality packing.
Tip: Hire the best Removal Company on the Gold Coast that can offer your top-quality
packing materials such as packing paper, tape, bubble wraps, mattress and furniture
protector, etc. at the most reasonable price.
3. Not Cleaning the Property
If you are moving out from your leased property, then you can’t skip the professional end of
lease cleaning process. In order to secure your bond amount, you have to get your rental
property cleaned by hiring experienced end of lease cleaning company in Gold Coast. Being
a tenant, it is your responsibility to return the leased property in the same condition as you

found it. This means thorough cleaning such as dusting, scrubbing, vacuuming, wiping, etc
is imperative once you have loaded everything on the moving truck.
4. Not Estimating Moving Budget
Moving is life’s one of the biggest decisions and heading towards it without figuring out
your estimated budget could leave you nowhere. If you want to experience hassle-free
move, make sure you calculate your expenses including the gas, truck, new security
deposits, packing materials, etc. to know your financial potential while shifting from one
location to another.
Since you are relocating from Sydney to Gold Coast, make sure you create a rough moving
budget and estimate your financial reach to ensure best possible results.
5. Shifting Without Taking Measurements
Those who are moving for the first time forget about creating a floor plan for their new
house in Gold Coast. People usually overlook taking measurements of their furniture and
then find difficulties when setting up their new residence.
Well, you can avoid this scenario by visiting your new apartment with a measuring tape in
hand a week prior to your moving day. Ask your friends to assist you in this task and make
your entire relocation process a smooth and efficient one.
6. Forget to Inform About Utility Companies
This is one of the most common blunders people make while moving their house from one
city to another. Make sure you inform your utility companies and turn off your electricity,
cable, Internet and gas service before your final moving day.
7. Not Packing Essentials
It is recommended to pack your first aid box, food items, water bottle, soap paper and
toiletries in a separate and handy bag, especially if you are relocating from Sydney to Gold
Coast or any other interstate move.
6.0 Moving Tips to Lighten the Load
If you are not sure on how to minimise the load of your household stuff, then these seven
important techniques/tips will help you pack efficiently for your next relocation. Have a
look at these tricks and save yourself from paying a hefty sum for your extra moving boxes.
Get involved in a decluttering plan
Sort out all the items
Donate the Items

Trash Household Junk
Recycle Items
Clean up your wardrobe
Organise a garage sale
7.0 Conclusion
A minimalist move doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If it’s too overwhelming to think about
completely decluttering your life before a move (or if you just don’t have time to go through
your items so extensively), you can do just a little bit and still make a difference. There are
so many benefits to simply having less stuff, and easier, less stressful moves are a big one.
So get on board the minimalist move trend and find out just how much you can gain when
you lose your stuff.
References
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