Author Archives: greggstewart

Moving can be expensive, but with a little creativity, there are ways to make your move without breaking the bank. Read on for some ideas about how to keep your costs down.

1. Purge Before You Pack

Take the time to purge unnecessary or unwanted items from your home. Go from room to room and evaluate everything. Determine what’s useful and what you no longer need, use, or want anymore.

After paring down, you will have fewer boxes and bags to pack and less need to purchase more packing materials.

Also, consider purging large items as some of those can cost more money to move than to just purchase a new item when you are in your next home. For instance a weight set or unused electronics like old desktop computers.

2. Use Free Moving Boxes

Check grocery, liquor, and big box stores for used but sturdy boxes for your move. Check with neighbors to see if they have any after a recent move or if they are throwing away large boxes after a large purchase of a TV or other electronics.

Save boxes both big and small from purchases made online from sites like Amazon. Each one of these free boxes will save you some money.

3. Put All Containers to Use

All containers are usable when you are trying to pack up for a move. Fill your hampers, laundry baskets, and suitcases with as many items as you can. Also, use your reusable shopping bags for lighter things.

Doing this will help you save money on boxes and other packing materials. The more creative you can be using things around the house to pack, the less you’ll spend on boxes.

Just be mindful of the weight of each container. You don’t want to break a hamper or tear a bag during your move.

4. Use Shredded Paper as Packing Peanuts

As part of your purging process, take this opportunity to go through your old paper files and lighten your load. Shred unneeded documents then reuse them as box filler. It’s a great way to save a little on filler material.

5. Line Boxes With Egg Cartons

Egg cartons are strong, light packing materials that most people forget about and throw away.

Egg cartons can be used to line your boxes during a move. They supply your items with an extra layer of security.

6. Avoid Moving Season

The most popular time of year to move is May through September.

Avoiding moving season all together is a smart choice if you’re moving on a budget. You can save a great deal of money. Plus, if you’re renting, landlords are anxious to fill vacancies during the winter.

Moving on a Budget in the Future

Moving is never an easy process. However, these tips should help make the experience smoother and more cost-effective.

Are you or anyone you know in the Tampa area planning an upcoming move? If so, please contact us so we can help you through the move!

Moving is one of the most stressful things a human being can do. Honestly. It’s up there with divorce, death and losing your job.

While moving is indeed a pain to your body, brain, and lifestyle, it’s also necessary. So, since it’s a fact of life, why not have tools and resources to make it a little less stressful?

Things to do Before Moving Out?

Keep reading for a list of things to do before moving out, so you don’t entirely lose your mind. These are the minutiae that are often forgotten in the rush and stress of moving, but no worries! We have you covered.

And once you’ve arrived in your new home, here’s a list of things to do to help you stay stress-free on the other end of your journey!

Label your Boxes

Don’t underestimate the importance of clearly labeling your moving boxes. It will save you time and headaches when it is time to unpack.

Labeling your boxes helps inform your movers and helpers which boxes go to which rooms.

Make sure you have permanent markers and plenty of labels. Consider using a color coding system that designates a color for each room then use colored labels, colored markers, or colored taped to tag each box.

As soon as you have packed the box, label it immediately so that it will be ready to go.

Redirect your Mail

Use the online form to change your address with the  US postal service.

Register your change of address at least a week in advance of your moving day. Otherwise, your mail might be delivered after you’ve moved.

Keep a Box of Essentials Separate

As you pack your boxes, be sure to separate out any items you might need in the moving interim. If you put everything into the official moving boxes, you won’t have access to those necessary things.

Create a separate essentials box or two to keep with you during the move. Include things like toiletries, medicines, phone chargers, snacks, cleaning supplies, toolkit, and paper towels.

Have Pets? Get Them Checked

Make sure that your pets are up-to-date on their vaccines. If you are moving out of state, make sure you have the proper documentation from your veterinarian.

Keep in mind; your pets are going through stress, too. And their little bodies aren’t as well- equipped to manage it as their human counterparts are.

If they’re especially sensitive or delicate animals, they might need a calming supplement or prescription, to help them deal with the significant changes to their environments. Consult your veterinarian on this as well.

Remember to update their microchip information and ID tag.

Clean Up Once More

This is especially polite if you’re vacating an apartment. No new tenant wants to arrive at a messy home.

And if you’re vacating a house, this will help you to make sure you have packed every last item from your home. Also, it will help your new buyers, as well as any neighbors or family members who’ve agreed to collect mail or help out in any other way.

A Less Stressful Move is Possible

This quick guide of things to do before moving out can help your stress levels. It will be worth the extra effort to organize a bit more.

Need help with your move? Contact us today!