Moving house should be an exciting time, but it’s also one of the most stressful things we can do. Moving can be chaotic but with some smart tips, you can take some of the irritation out of moving house and make moving day easier on you and the family. ​

Ten Ways To Make Moving House Less Stressful

​1.  Meal plan.  Meal plan for the weeks before the move. If you’re trying to empty the freezer before you move, you could easily end up eating some odd combinations for meals. To avoid eating a dinner full of ancient fish fingers and mystery meat, take some time to go through the freezer and see what meals you can make to empty the freezer in a tasty way. 

2.  Meal prep.  After the move, load the freezer with ready prepped, easy to cook meals. You can even use a meal service like Freshly, which provides ready made meals delivered directly to you.  Whatever you decide, you’ll be grateful to have something quick and delicious to eat while unpacking a sea of moving boxes. 
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3.  Declutter.  While you’re packing, declutter at the same time. We can accumulate a surprising amount of junk, and a good clear out can be refreshing. As you pack, clear out things you no longer want or need. Bonus is, you’ll have less to pack and move and if you can sell some of it prior to your move, you may even offset some of the costs of moving! 

4.  Photograph your electronics.  Snap a few pics of your electronics before you disconnect cables and wires (think tvs, computers, modems, etc.).  Having a snapshot of what goes where will help you to easily reconnect them at your new place.

5.  Purchase moving necessities in advance. You can easily get moving boxes and newspaper for free by perusing Craigslist or your local marketplace on Facebook.  Purchase a tape gun, permanent markers, box cutters and proper packing material as well:  bubble wrap and biodegradable packing peanuts are a must for packing breakable items.
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U-Haul Apartment Moving Kit, amazon.com (click to shop)

2 x 3 Home Moving Labels, amazon.com (click to shop)

6.  Label boxes properly.  On the exterior of each box, label the contents clearly and write for which room it's intended. It's easier for the moving company to deliver the right box to the right room, and you can find what you want quickly and easily as you unpack.   Speaking of labeling, if you're dismantling any furniture put their nuts, bolts and screws into small plastic bags clearly labeled and tape securely to the underside of the furniture piece. 

7.  Pack the essentials.  Think about what you’ll need right away in the new house. This could include things like phone chargers, a box cutter to get into other boxes, toilet paper, essential medications and cold drinks. Pack these items into a box or duffel bag that you keep with you instead of in the moving van so you have them on hand.

8.  Likewise, pack essentials for kids.  Packing a similar box of essentials for children is a great idea. Any comforting, familiar items like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal will help your little one to  stay calm during the move, and toys and snacks are sure to keep them occupied. 

9.  Plan for your pets.  Make sure you’ve got quick access to their food, water bowls and a bed in your new home. If you're moving locally, consider boarding them with a trusted pet sitter or kennel during travel, to minimize their stress. 

10.  Unpack in a sensible order. What do you think you’ll want first? For me, it'd be my bed along with fresh linens and clean pajamas.  And if you're also like me and can’t get through the day without coffee, get the coffee maker set up STAT so you can power through the rest of your day.
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We hope you found these nine tips to make your move a little less stressful beneficial.  For even more great tips, check out this infographic from Visually.  Photographing your cords and wires is a great idea!

​Have any more you think we should add?  Let us know in the comments below.​

From Visually.

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