If moving is already a handful, having to move unexpectedly or in a very short period of time (anything less than 3 weeks) is quite a lot to deal with. We’ve shared a lot of tips so far on the blog (The Best Moving Checklist; 29 Tips For an Easy Move; Moving with Kids; Moving with Pets; Tips for Moving on a Tight Budget; etc), but here are some ideas to help in case you’re on a very tight deadline: 1. Buy more tape and boxes than you first planned. Typically more is needed than originally expected, and with a short timeline, you don’t need to waste a second driving to and from places, looking for boxes. When purchasing, you can ask about the store’s return policy, this way if you have any boxes left over, you can simply return them. 2. First pack your books, knickknacks, decorative items and other items you don’t use very often. 3. Then create “Open First” Boxes for each room in the house. In those boxes, you’ll pack everything you’ll need within the first couple of days in your new home. Things like soaps and shampoos, towels, etc. For a full list of items, click here. You’ll close these boxes last. 4. Pack suitcases with clothes you’ll need for the next 2 weeks. Things like socks, undergarments, jeans, t-shirts, etc – and like the “Open First” boxes, close these suitcases last. 5. Commit to packing two or three boxes each day. Don’t try doing too much at once, or you’ll quickly get overwhelmed. Every time you reach a goal, reward yourself. It will give you good energy and motivate to keep going. 6. Computers and electronics should always be among the last items to pack. If you don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy, snap a picture of the back of your electronics as they are plugged in, so you have a road-map in the new place, and reassemble them correctly the first time. 7. If clutter gives you anxiety, designate a moving area, where you can stack boxes out of the way. 8. Label all 4 sides of the boxes so that even when they're stacked or turned around, you can still easily identify their contents. Make sure to write the room they will go in at the new home. 9. Instead of gathering more food, start eating what you have in your fridge, freezer and pantry. 10. Save packing the necessities for last. This way when you need something, you won’t have to drive yourself nuts looking for it. 11. Call in some help. So many of us take too much time thinking about sorting each item before packing it. And even though it’s good to sort the new from the old, the items to keep from the ones to give away or toss, when you’re running against time, that’s not a good idea. A friend or family member will just put items in boxes, without spending too much time in one place – which means making the best use of time. 12. Take one afternoon to make all the arrangements you need to make. Transferring the utilities, school records, reserving the moving truck, etc. Use the list we linked above for reference so you don’t forget anything. For more tips, ideas and inspiration, please join our Facebook community. Yours in moving, US Storage Centers
