The Organized Move: Packing Made Simple

(This is the second in a series of three articles on "The Organized Move")

Does the thought of packing all your belongings make you want to run for the hills? Homeowners who are moving on their own (as opposed to a corporate relocation where an employer is paying all the bills) find themselves with the dilemma of whether to do the packing themselves or contract out this huge task.

A packing crew can be a good fit for an overscheduled family, a long-distance move where you may already be living in the destination city, or individuals with physical limitations. Summer time is peak season for the moving companies, so if you do decide to use a packing crew during these months be sure to reserve them early.

If you choose the less expensive route and pack up your possessions, follow this simple plan to make the packing task more manageable.

- If you haven't already done so, now is the time to take a tough look at your belongings and purge, purge, purge. Moving is expensive and you don't want to pay to move unnecessary items!

- Purchase the proper packing materials from a local do-it-yourself moving and storage company. Use only clean, unprinted paper for wrapping and padding items.

- Pack similar items together. Remember to number your boxes and keep a separate record of the box contents, i.e. box #2 ? crystal stemware. This serves as your master list and as an itemized list for insurance, if a claim has to be filed.

- Dispose of any hazardous materials, such as paint, cleaners, ammunition, and propane tanks. These items are not allowed on the trucks or in your regular trash. Contact your local waste company to determine how to appropriately dispose of these items.

- Start with the non-essential areas of your home. Items not part of your daily routine should be packed as early as possible.

- Set a goal; it can be daily or weekly and try to pack that number of boxes.

- Pack valuables that will remain with you such as jewelry, personal records, school information, medical records, financial records, and insurance information. Be sure these boxes are segregated from the others so that they don't inadvertently end up on the moving truck!

- If you are having professional movers for the large items, I suggest you have them pack any large heavy glass items, antiques, major appliances, computer equipment, and special collections. Remember that the movers only insure what they pack.

- Back up software and data files, and keep these backups with your valuables.

- Label and color code boxes by floor and clearly designate the "unpack me first" box.

Moving is definitely one of life's more stressful events, but the packing doesn't have to add to the burden. Using these strategies for organization and proper packing can minimize stress and allow you to focus your time and emotional energy on other aspects of your transition. Your possessions will arrive safe and secure and before you know it you will start to feel at home again!

©2004 Bridget Messino

About the author: Bridget Messino is a Professional Organizer, speaker and co-owner of Clutter Free Living, Inc. Her work frequently appears on many Internet sites, on her own organizing site Clutter Free Living (http://www.clutterfreeliving.com), as well as in her monthly Home Organizing Newsletter How to Be Clutter Free. Subscribe to the FREE monthly e-newsletter by sending a blank e-mail to mailto:cflnews-subscribe@topica.email-publisher.com

---

A Simple Effective Tool To Get And Stay Organized

Often we are in overwhelm because we are holding too many things in our brain. We are trying to make everything a priority and get it done... Read More

Letting Go of Clutter In Your Office

Some people would say I'm the last person in the world to be writing about clearing out clutter; I seem to accumulate so much of it. But... Read More

Four Tips For Clearing The Clutter

Spring?. Fresh breezes through open windows, sleeping trees come awake with bright new leaves, flowers begin to bloom and the grass becomes green once more.Now along with... Read More

Have an Ugly Day

"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain." --Mark TwainHave you... Read More

Getting Things Done: A Guide To Next-Action Lists

Getting Things Done (GTD), is a productivity methodology designed by David Allen. GTD increases your productivity by getting things out of your mind, and into a reliable... Read More

How to Prevent Piles of Paper!

If you have piles of paper all over your desk, you're going to love this article.The method is called FAT. I'm not sure who invented the acronym... Read More

8 Signs Your Home is Out of Control -- and What to Do About It

It happens without warning. One day you notice your home has turned into a collage of papers, junk, and stuff ? everywhere. You're not alone. Today more... Read More

Too Many Unfinished Projects? 7 Time Management Strategies to Move Stalled Projects to Finish Line

Q. I have several projects going at once -- but I never seem to finish them! I'm pulled in so many different directions -- and I end... Read More

Getting Organized for Achievement

Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals. A well organized person is more productive, has more free time, wastes less money, and experiences less... Read More

Organize Yourself Otherwise Your Work Could Kill You

We are in a society where people are applauded for starting work early and finishing late.It's about time employers recognised that their people have a life and... Read More

Get Organized - Stay Organized

My mother is one of the most productive people I know. She is 78 years old and still works full-time as the personal assistant to the CEO... Read More

Choose Spice Racks That Help You Organize Your Home

Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks as you do of the spices they contain. Spice racks are wonderful kitchen home organization gadgets. And... Read More

Organization Tips - How to Organise Your Computer Files

Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer, she always had great difficulty. And it was no wonder why. Every file had been saved under... Read More

Spring Cleaning: Mission Garage Organization

Spring is here and the garage door is open. This is a scary thought for Cindy. Her garage is so stuffed that she can't even park her... Read More

Are You A Collector?

Collections are the outward manifestation of a deeply-felt principle or emotion, and are quite different than ordinary garden-variety "clutter." One man has a love of photography and... Read More

Give Up Control to Get Control

For some reason, Americans think they have something to prove by doing it all themselves. People say to me all of the time, that someone else just... Read More

Files vs Piles

I recently read an article that had some interesting but not surprising statistics. Harte-Hanks published a survey in December, 2001 which reported that 96% of businesspeople interviewed... Read More

Creative Storage Solutions

When the things in your home start crowding in around you and you're short on cash, it's time to come up with some creative storage solutions. Don't... Read More

The Top 10 Habits of Organized People

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have "it all together ? all the time," while you struggle with deadlines, misplace items, and run late... Read More

5 Steps From Clutter To Control

Are you overwhelmed by clutter wherever you turn? Here are 5 practically painless steps to a clean slate.1. Begin by identifying the areas which are most impacting... Read More

7 Little Things That You Can Do to Organize the Kids Rooms

1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in their room to view things from a kid's level. Convenience is an important factor in getting anyone... Read More

Don?t Be A Clutter Victim

There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears); Outer (stuff and things) and Other (people.) The more stacks and piles of outer clutter we collect... Read More

Daily Systems Keep You Organized

Ever wonder how they do it? How a short-order cook prepares tasty meals in a hectic, rush-rush environment, and does it all with a smile? The answer... Read More

Escaping The Clutter Trap? - 5 Steps For Increasing Productivity And Decreasing Stress

? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the "stuff" in your life? Magazines and journals you've never finished reading, clothes you never wear, e-mail you haven't responded... Read More

Ending The Morning Madness

Back-to-school time ? what does that mean to you? For some people, it's shopping for school supplies, gearing up for PTA meetings, and artwork taped to the... Read More

5 Reasons to Organize Your Home Today

Home organization isn't just for neat-nicks or those drawn toward organized living. Even if you don't fall into those two stereotypes, you should consider learning and implementing... Read More