If you’re like me you’re the type of person who packs for the airport hours before your trip. However this method won’t work when moving a house, believe me I’ve tried! Not only will you be stressed out, you will be on edge trying to figure out if you forgot anything. For a move from Swansea, Wales to Folkestone, Kent you may also be worried about adjusting to a new environment and way of life. You start to wonder; will I like it there? Will my kids make friends? While these are normal concerns, you have to realize that there is always some feeling of being uncomfortable when you make a change in your life. Take a deep breath and take each piece bit by bit, there are a few tricks you can use to help make moving your home a piece of cake.
Start early– as I said before get a head start on the moving process by starting to pack early, getting started us sometimes half the work. Start by tackling one room at a time; get all the storage containers that you plan to use to store the items for your new home. Dedicate a set time or number of hours per week to work on packing up your things.Set timelines for when you want to have completed removing certain items. By doing a little bit each day its makes the process much more manageable and under control. Packing often takes longer that it seems, while on paper it may not seem like a lot when you actually get started you will start to wonder where the time went. When packing it is also important to be organized and have proper labels on containers, however if you start last minute you may find yourself just throwing things into boxes which can be a nightmare when unpacking.It can also help to mentally prepare you for the move so that on the day of the move does not seem so abrupt.
Declutter– moving homes is the best time to get rid of unnecessary clutter. If you haven’t used an item in your home in the past 2 years chances are you won’t ever use it. Getting rid of clutter can be a tough pill to swallow for most people as you have grown an emotional attachment to it, I understand that of course. However do you really need to hold on to that tablecloth that has been stored away in your closet and never opened? Having to pack and then unpack items you don’t use creates a lot of unnecessary work in addition to the burdens of moving. Furthermore, moving is a perfect opportunity to donate some of these items to charity. While it may be hard at first, be honest with yourself and be willing to let go of some of the items that no longer hold any value in your life.
Get the word out – hopefully at this point your kids know that you’re moving but what about utility companies and business contacts?What I find helpful is to create a checklist of all the loose ends I need to tie up before I step foot out the door. That means rerouting my mail (temporarily until you set up your mail in Kent), notifying my phone company as well as my electricity and water companies. The worse feeling in the world is to get a bill notice for a period that you were not present. Notifying your friends and family is also important to help them get used to idea that you won’t be close by in Wales anymore ;they will appreciate the gesture as they too have to adjust to your moving as well!
Manage your finances – I know you hear this all the time, but it is even more relevant when moving. With the cancelation fees, professional movers, cost of gas the moving expenses can quickly start to add up. Give yourself a little cushion in your budget for those unplanned expenses as well. For instance during your first week in your new home you may find yourself getting take–out more often than usual just until things have settled down. Sit down with your spouse and think through all the major expenses that you anticipate. Having this discussion can also help you identify possible costs that can be saved maybe by doing some of the moving yourself or getting family or friends to pitch in. Setting aside some money to handle those last-minute expenses will prevent you from running low on your savings.
Moving is an exciting time in your life, and by exciting I mean exhausting. It’s all fun and games until you have to actually have to move.Following these tips above will get you on track to transition seamlessly into your new home.Spending the time to properly prepare for your move can make the process bearable and help you get started in your new home on the right foot. Moving can be a stressful process because of the emotions that it brings up, staying organized in the midst of everything can help you maintain a calm peace of mind and help you to transition seamlessly into your next home.