Moving Tip of the Day #3
Ok! so you've gotten rid of what you don't need, and you've made some great progress, but now it's time to start getting ready for the actual move.
The first step in this process is pretty much common sense : Get Organized!!
In doing some research for today's post I ran into a great website, Movers-edge.com, this site spoke to the sweet little OCD side of me! Below are their tips on how to get started in your moving process.
Start early - Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.
Room Lists - Start by forming two room lists, one for your current place and one for your future place. This will help you manage what has to go where.
Inventory - Go to each room and write down the types of things that need to be packed: furniture items, length of shelving, closets, etc.
Time Allotment - Make sure to leave enough time. The most common timeframe reported by people moving is that it takes a month to pack. One study reported that it takes 4-5 hours to pack an average dorm room, so that should give you an idea of what’s involved.
Calendar - Pull out a calendar and plan by day when each room will be completed.
Delegation - If you’re moving with family members, agree with them exactly while tasks they will be doing and the date they will be finished.
Track your progress - at least once per week track where you are against the date on the calendar. Revise your plan if you’re falling behind.
Lincoln Moving and Storage
Moving Tip of the Day #2
So you've started cleaning out, but something are just too good to just throw away! Well if you don't need something, but can't just throw it away then why not have a yard sale?
This is a great way not only to get rid of things and reduce the amount that you are having to move, but it can also help pay for the cost of your move. Moving will always cost you something, whether it's the cost of gas (which we all know is outrageous these days)or the cost of a professional mover, it's gonna take $$ to get it done!
Below is a great article, from AtlasVanLines.com, on how to have a successful moving sale! Hope it helps! Stay tuned for more! :)
Why Hold A Moving Sale?
You're about to relocate and along with that comes the task of moving all your goods. Now is a good time to decide what you will keep and what you wish to leave behind. A moving sale can reduce the weight of your shipment and the cost of your move. Also, of course, a moving sale can generate additional funds that may offset other expenses.
The key to a successful moving sale is determining what you no longer use, have outgrown or what you can easily replace at your new home. Remember, what may seem worthless to you is another person's treasure.
And who knows, if you haven't sold your home yet, a moving sale may even attract the right buyer!
How To Begin
Ask your family members about items they wish to sell, they may desire to sell more things than you imagined. Or, you might organize a "neighborhood" sale and pool the efforts of other famlies on your street.
When To Have Your Sale
Set a date and a time as soon as you can. Fridays and Saturdays are usually best; however, try to avoid holiday weekends. Establish a rain date if you think it may be necessary. Determine the hours, such as 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Many shoppers like to be first in line, so be prepared for early arrivals.
Where To Hold Your Sale
Check with local authorities about restrictions for sales in your area. Once you have a location, decide if the sale will be in the garage, yard or basement. Make sure there is ample parking and space for people to move about.
Publicize Your Sale
A good source of publicity is your local paper. Contact the Classified Advertising department to find out:
How they calculate costs — by column inches, number of lines or number of words?
What is the cost to run the ad Friday and Saturday vs Saturday only?
What is the additional cost for a bold headline?
What is the deadline for submitting an ad?
Mention the most popular items in your ad, such as furniture, appliances, tools, electronics, etc. Consider including your phone number so people can call for more information about sale items or for directions (this is especially useful if you live in an obsecure area).
Another publicity technique is to display flyers around the neighborhood. Note in large letters the type of sale, date, time and location. You may also place signs in high-traffic areas on the day of the sale with arrows and directions. (Please note that there may be restrictions on the posting of flyers and signs. Your local Chamber of Commerce can assist you should you have any questions.)
Ten Essential Preparations
Look at your list of items for sale. Visit secondhand shops, retail stores, etc. to determine prices for each.
Record the price on a tag or sticker and place on the item in an easy-to-see location. Use different colored stickers or an identification code on the tags if more than one family is involved in your sale.
Start saving shopping bags and cartons to make it more convenient for customers. Have tissue paper or newspaper on hand to wrap glass, knickknacks and other fragile purchases.
Bundle or package all sets, groups, or units together so customers know what they are getting. Put loose game pieces in a sealable bag and secure inside the box.
Set up the yard, garage or basement so that all "For Sale" items will be separated from items not for sale.
Display items in groups according to type, such as kitchen utensils, sporting goods, tools, etc. If possible, hang clothing on a clothesline or rack for easy viewing.
Set up a cashier's desk with a calculator, scissors, tape, string, markers, a cash box and plenty of change.
Be prepared for the weather to change at any time. Have several large sheets of plastic handy to quickly cover everything.
To keep the kids busy, buy a few varieties of soft drinks and bottled water. Ice them down in a cooler the night before. Tell the kids that the money they earn selling drinks is their reward for helping. On a hot summer day, a cold drink will be a welcome relief to shoppers.
Assign everyone a responsibility for the day, like cashier, clerk, organizer, etc.
Now You Are Ready For A Successful Moving Sale!
Lincoln Moving and Storage
Moving Tip of the Day
Moving can be a daunting task. Each day we hope to offer some advice to help take stress out of your move!
First things first!
Start. Cleaning. Out.
Why move what you don't use? Over time we all collect things that we might find useful at a later date. When getting ready for your move start going through your drawers, closets, under the bed.. wherever you may tuck those "maybe some day" items and start cleaning out. If you are anything like me this could be anything from old receipts to clothes and shoes.
My general rule of thumb is that if I haven't looked at, or much less used, something in the last 6 months, it's probably not worth keeping around. So get rid of it! This is going to do so much for you and your move.
First you're going to make life so much easier when you actually do start to pack. So often when we start packing, we do the cleaning out at the same time. This is actually going to add more stress to your life. You will get caught up in the "maybe's" again and feel conflicted on whether or not something is worth taking to your new location. If you've already sorted out the the good and the bad you know going into your move that half the battle is already done.
Secondly, if you are utilizing a moving company many times they will charge by weight. Therefore, if you're not taking things that you don't need, your move will actually cost you LESS! And in who doesn't like to save money?!?!
Finally, moving for many of us, feels like a fresh start. Why not start with the cleanest slate possible? By cleaning out you're not only saving money but you're going to be much more organized in your new home. Stay tuned for more! :)
Lincoln Moving and Storage
