With your moving day looming large, here are nine professional tips and tricks for turning any
whirlwind transition into a calm, fall breeze.
1. Use It, Don’t Move It
Take stock of canned goods, frozen foods, paper products, and other consumables. Use as
many of these products as you can before moving. And, if you have an overabundance of dry
goods, consider passing them on to a local food pantry.
2. Toxin Tips
Those hazardous materials in your basement, attic, or garage storage need to be safely
disposed of before you move. They include outdated household cleaners, yard and automotive
products, as well as paints and other home repair liquids. Visit Earth911 for information on
handling hazardous materials, and collection sites in your area. Philadelphia residents can participate in hazardous waste drop-off events at regional convenience centers. More information HERE.
3. Reach Out and Touch Everyone
Create a list of people, places, services and utilities that need to be notified of when and where
you’re moving. That includes the post office, drivers license, voters registration, and
subscriptions
4. Share the Wealth
Give away things that are still usable but not particularly valuable. Curb alerts and porch pick-ups work well if you prefer to have neighbors pick things up on their own schedule. Listing your items is easy, on these sites: Freecycle, Buy Nothing, CraigsList, Facebook Marketplace and
Nextdoor. And, don’t forget to recycle your gently used moving boxes and materials by listing them on these sites after you’ve completed your move.
5. Label It!
If your packing boxes yourself or hiring a professional, make sure to label them with pre-printed
colored stickers or paper labels indicating what room they are going to. Number each box and
create a rough list of what’s inside so that you know everything arrives safely at your
destination. Create a few essentials boxes with things such as paper plates, cups, toilet paper;
critical kitchen utensils and cleaning supplies; basic tools like a hammer, screwdriver, flashlight;
whatever you want to unpack first. Make sure to give them a special symbol for easy
identification.
6. Pack an Overnight Bag
Think of this move as an overnight adventure. Put together a survival bag that includes
personal items you want to have handy like medications, eyeglasses, toiletries, change of
clothes, important papers, and valuables.
7. Directions Please
Designate a point person (you?!) to work with the movers. Welcome them when they arrive.
Give them an overview of what they are moving, including what’s fragile and what requires
special handling. As they load up, be available to answer questions, and supply cold drinks.
You want to make sure they treat your belongings as lovingly as you do.
8. Final Sweep
Once everything is loaded onto the moving truck, walk through your home one last time. Open
every closet and every drawer. Take out any remaining garbage. Consider hiring a cleaning
company so that your last home looks as move-in ready as your new home is.
9. The Hand-Off
Before you lock up and leave, make sure to write a note for the new residents with your forwarding address and telephone number. You might include a welcoming gift - some flowers, a sweet treat, or a bottle of something - as an incentive to forward any mail or packages that land at your old address.
For more tips, tricks or transition assistance
give us a shout at Department of Better, or (215)-266-8409
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