Chris and I have moved a few times in our lives.  As a preacher’s kid I knew the drill.  Pack up.  Say goodbyes. Move on.  Make new friends.  It has not been unusual for me and I tend to roll with the punches or with the moving trucks as it were.

I have learned a few things over the years.  Being a corporate wife (or transfer wife as Jeni of Jeni Eats likes to call it) it was just part of the life that I married into.  I did not resent it.  I actually embraced it.  It was always another place to discover.  More friends to make.  New adventures to have.

As I am preparing for another move I thought it was time to do a Moving 101 post with a few tips and hints to those of you who might also be facing a move.  Even if you aren’t you might find some of these tips interesting.  I am sure I will be adding to this over the next few weeks but let’s just get started with these top tips.

1. Make a Moving Notebook.  This has helped me every single move.  You can record phone numbers, make lists, keep items that are move related and have a place to jot down questions and other things.  Having one place where all of this can be found is invaluable through out the whole process.  It does not have to be fancy but it does have to be functional.  
2. We always treat our packers and movers with respect and consideration.  Learn their names.  They are important as they will be handling your possessions and transporting them.  It is hard work.  We make sure that the fridge or cooler are stocked with drinks for them and also make sure that we have food for them to eat.  It does not have to be fancy—any take out will do but it is a nice gesture.  We generally give them a tip on both ends of the trip to show our appreciation as well.
3. Empty all your trash cans, dishwasher, washer and dryer.  It seems to be common sense but they will pack trash if you don’t take care of it. If there are clothes in the appliances those will be transported as well if you are moving them.  You don’t want to lose that favorite mug by leaving it in the dishwasher.
4. Pack bedding for your bed in your new place in a specific box and LABEL it clearly.  If you are moving and packing yourself that is easy to do. If you have someone else doing the job for you just ask them for a box to put that stuff in and mark it yourself so that you know what it is when it comes off the truck.  I always feel better when I have my bed put together in the new house.
5. Know what your company will and will not move.  Most have similar guidelines and they make sense.  No flammable items or oils.  No hazardous materials.  Ask questions ahead of time so there are no surprises.  I just cleaned out a kitchen drawer and know I have to find a home for these guys.
   

   I may or may not have had all of these in one drawer in the kitchen.

6. Pack all of your remotes and cables to televisions, computers and electronics in one box CLEARLY labeled. We often just take this box with us. With multiple tv’s we also label them so that there is no mix up on the other end. It saves a lot of time and headaches. Trust me on that one.
7. Donate as much as you can prior to your move.  Less items = less weight = less cost.  It also is very therapeutic to clean out unnecessary items. This move I am definitely downsizing and offering a lot of stuff to my friends here locally.  It feels good to get rid of things and it feels even better to know that someone else that I care about is going to be able to make use of something I no longer need.  Donate pantry items that you don’t want to move to your local food pantry.  If you are like me you kind of want to start fresh on the other end.
8. If you have pets it is much easier to not have them with you when you are packing up and on moving day.  It is not always an option to relocate them but if possible find someplace less stressful for them to be.
9. Make a box for the new owners of your house and put appliance manuals, garage door remotes, business cards of companies you use locally and anything else that might make their transition to their new home a bit easier.  I also plan to stick in a couple of rolls of toilet paper because more times than not the cleaners don’t leave that in the house if you hire cleaning done when you vacate.  If you are feeling really gracious include a gift card to a local restaurant so their first meal after the move is taken care of.
10. But most importantly–-don’t stress out about unnecessary things.  There is only so much you can do in a limited period of time.  Get done what you can and don’t worry about the list of things that are impossible to accomplish.  It will all work out. Trust me.  I know.