The Organized Move: Packing Made Simple

(This is the second in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move")

Does the thought of packing all your belongings make you want to run for the hills? Homeowners who are moving on their own (as opposed to a corporate relocation where an employer is paying all the bills) find themselves with the dilemma of whether to do the packing themselves or contract out this huge task.

A packing crew can be a good fit for an overscheduled family, a long-distance move where you may already be living in the destination city, or individuals with physical limitations. Summer time is peak season for the moving companies, so if you do decide to use a packing crew during these months be sure to reserve them early.

If you choose the less expensive route and pack up your possessions, follow this simple plan to make the packing task more manageable.

- If you haven't already done so, now is the time to take a tough look at your belongings and purge, purge, purge. Moving is expensive and you don't want to pay to move unnecessary items!

- Purchase the proper packing materials from a local do-it-yourself moving and storage company. Use only clean, unprinted paper for wrapping and padding items.

- Pack similar items together. Remember to number your boxes and keep a separate record of the box contents, i.e. box #2 ? crystal stemware. This serves as your master list and as an itemized list for insurance, if a claim has to be filed.

- Dispose of any hazardous materials, such as paint, cleaners, ammunition, and propane tanks. These items are not allowed on the trucks or in your regular trash. Contact your local waste company to determine how to appropriately dispose of these items.

- Start with the non-essential areas of your home. Items not part of your daily routine should be packed as early as possible.

- Set a goal; it can be daily or weekly and try to pack that number of boxes.

- Pack valuables that will remain with you such as jewelry, personal records, school information, medical records, financial records, and insurance information. Be sure these boxes are segregated from the others so that they don't inadvertently end up on the moving truck!

- If you are having professional movers for the large items, I suggest you have them pack any large heavy glass items, antiques, major appliances, computer equipment, and special collections. Remember that the movers only insure what they pack.

- Back up software and data files, and keep these backups with your valuables.

- Label and color code boxes by floor and clearly designate the "unpack me first" box.

Moving is definitely one of life's more stressful events, but the packing doesn't have to add to the burden. Using these strategies for organization and proper packing can minimize stress and allow you to focus your time and emotional energy on other aspects of your transition. Your possessions will arrive safe and secure and before you know it you will start to feel at home again!

©2004 Bridget Messino

About the author: Bridget Messino is a Professional Organizer, speaker and co-owner of Clutter Free Living, Inc. Her work frequently appears on many Internet sites, on her own organizing site Clutter Free Living (http://www.clutterfreeliving.com), as well as in her monthly Home Organizing Newsletter How to Be Clutter Free. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter by sending a blank e-mail to mailto:cflnews-subscribe@topica.email-publisher.com

---

Do You Have Scatter-Brain-Itis?

In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More

Organizing Your Day

One of the hardest things for most individuals working from... Read More

Get Organized - Stay Organized

My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More

Organized Living-Secrets About Your Lifes Hidden Power Revealed

An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More

10 Tips for a More Organized Morning

1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More

5 Tips to Banish Clutter From Your Life For Good

Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes... Read More

Finish in Style - Organizing Works!

One of my mother-in-law's many oft-quoted and wise declarations was... Read More

The Organized Move: Packing Made Simple

(This is the second in a series of three articles... Read More

Tossing and Turning

"The real question is, why do you want it? What... Read More

Memorabilia -- Use It or Lose It!

What do you do with those special items that have... Read More

How Clutter Affects Your Love Life

Clutter in any area of your home is a sign... Read More

Be More Productive at Work: Avoid These Eight Traps

Obviously, productivity involves producing. Producing widgets, events, reports, sales. The... Read More

The Five Ways To Ease The Process Of Eliminating Clutter

I recently had a conversation with a friend about clutter.... Read More

Saying Goodbye to Stacks of Paper and Distractions

A daily journal will save you time, reduce stress and... Read More

Change the Way You Think and Change Your Life

Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More

Files vs Piles

I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More

Ending The Morning Madness

Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For... Read More

Spring Cleaning: Mission Garage Organization

Spring is here and the garage door is open. This... Read More

Letting Go Of Your Excuses

At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More

Getting Organized - Getting Fit

In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World"... Read More

The Magnificent 7: Tips for Cleaning Up Clutter

Clutter is postponed decisions®. Here are some suggestions to simplify... Read More

What Clutter Clearing Can Do For You

You can get a pretty good idea of the benefits... Read More

How Clutter Chases Money Away

Have you ever heard that having a cluttered home can... Read More

50 Ideas to Organize Your Home

"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More

Without a Plan, You?re Doomed to Failure

"My job is an endless series of deadlines, I am... Read More

Calendars and Personality Type

I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Making Housework More Manageable

Sometimes the task of keeping a clean, tidy house just... Read More

5 Steps From Clutter To Control

Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are... Read More

Create A Working Mail Center

I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More

Cleaning Out Your Closet

Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More

Clutter is Postponed Decisions?

Do you ever sit down at your desk buried in... Read More

1-2-3 Sort

Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More

Common Clutter Culprits- How to Bust Through Clutter

Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More