What are the Top moving and packing tips for first time mover?

there’s no one-size-fits-all guide with moving tips for every single scenario that could come up during the moving process

Start NOW with clearing out the stuff you DO NOT want to move.

Sell give away to friend donate to charity or trash it.Get the surplus stuff out of the way.

Start packing now the stuff not needed. Seasonal clothing for example. Extra linens extra dishes cutlery and so on.

You are using a few items. You do not need the entire cabinet worth of stuff for the next few weeks PACK IT UP

Label your boxes with labels YOU understand.If possible things like carpets can be rolled up days ahead of moving day. Things can be dismantled like a bed frame furniture legs and do not need to wait until moving day.

Get some help if possible. Load heavy stuff first while you still have some energy. Save the light stuff to go on top at the end.

Do you have unpacking/unloading help?

DO NOT be in rush to unpack EVERYTHING. You unpack as you need the items and put them away in their new place. A few

months later stuff still in boxes maybe is not really needed and should be seriously screened and dealt with

You can use your clothes to wrap fragile items. A glass goes into a sock. Your sweater wraps a vase.

Avoid very heavy or very light boxes. NO NEED to fill a box with just heavy stuff. Keep your moving helpers well fed and watered.

Shall we all guess if you are moving across the street, to the next town or a thousand miles away?

Does the new place have restricted hours you can unload/ use an elevator or whatever.

Do you need to negotiate a narrow door or stairwell?

Expect things to break get marked up during the move. DEAL WITH IT after you unpack.

If out of state lots to do like getting new ID and Utility accounts set up. You can start the process BEFORE move out day.

Shall we all guess if you are moving a few carloads of stuff or a moving van worth from a multi room house?

Large bulky items are usually not worth the cost to move. You can purchase replacement items at destination.

That special item might just not fit in the new place.Replacement item does not have to be brand new.

Second hand/thrift shops have many used good quality items that will serve the purpose for a while until you are back on your feet.

Take with you (your car, your flight) just a suitcase or two of stuff for your immediate first few days needs. The other stuff can be unpacked tomorrow. or next week.

Are you renting a truck?? Do you have a driver? A plan to return the rental? Hint how do you get back to new home?

Hiring movers and you take your own car or fly to next place?

GOOD LUCK Crap happens to every well made plan. Build in some flexibility.and deal with the hiccups as they happen.

Buy a LOT of cardboard boxes of two sizes. Better to have boxes over than be short of boxes. Uniform box sizes make for easier loading and stacking. Heavy things into the smaller boxes. Once a box is full stop trying to squeeze things into it.

Pack as much as you can well in advance.

label your boxes. Don't let the movers do it. Moving across country with 3 small children...every box..I mean EVERY box was marked "Misc."

If it's not a family heirloom and you forgot you had it or haven't used it for a year or more, sell it or toss it, but don't move it. Perfect time to clean house.

Clearly label what is in each box so you don’t have to open them all to find what you are looking for. Keep a box of daily essentials like tp, paper towels, enough dinner ware for each person to have a set, bed linens, and anything you will want available first thing in the morning and keep it readily available. Use your other towels, linens, even clothes to wrap fragile stuff. Only use large boxes for lightweight bulky stuff. It is easier to manage medium boxes that are identical size than a random assortment of free boxes, if you can afford them.

Books are very heavy pack them in small boxes , and have eveything packed before your mate with the ute and trailer turns up