Ok yall, I need help!!! I am moving out of the house I have lived in for 12 years, and I need advice!! How do you pack?? What do you pack first? I am so confused!!! Of course, this move was not my choice, but the banks, so I guess i 'm not really motivated!! Any advice would be appreciated!!!! Thanks yall!!!

__________________
*** Find A Need , Fill A Need ***

You start by NOT packing. You have a yardsale(s) to get rid of unwanted, unused items. This will generate a little cash to help with the move.

If you have friends you can count on, do it yourself, otherwise consider a moving company that will show. Yes, you will pay, however, they will show.

You cut down on pantry, paper good items and other purchases. You (if moving yourself) start to collect boxes from stores. The downside to free boxes is they will be of varying sizes and harder to maximize fit in the vehicle.

Box up rooms, don't go from room to room putting things in same box. Then when you unpack, you aren't again going from room to room. Use towels, sheets, comforters, etc to pad items. Mattresses should be vertical and can pad furniture. Heavier items in the front of the vehicle, but yet the rest of the load should be distributed evenly.

Have a black marker to number the boxes. Use a pad to keep track of the numbers and a brief inventory of what is inside to save you later going through every box looking for one thing. Also consider marking the room on the box so at the new place, the box goes right to that room without stopping to think, look, or figure it out.

I don't understand how the bank is making you move unless you rent and the landlord lost the house. If that's the case, consider buying it yourself and not only staying in your "home" but also being able to put your money in something you will own for the future.

dl

Start by boxing up what you don't need everyday. Eat up what is in your pantry. Make one box a priority box for things you need as soon as you get to your new place. Include towels, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towel, bandaids, paper plates, and shower stuff. Make sure to put your alarm clock in there also. Sell off whatever you don't need, if there is time.

__________________
I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

I agree with what everyone else said. When we moved the last time we invested in a bunch of blue plastic containers with lids so that we'd have boxes of the same size and of course they can be used over and over. I have also, for years, gotten boxes at WinCo which is a warehouse type store where they cut the front from the box and put it on the shelf. If you have a store like that you can go to the cereal aisle and stack the boxes of cereal neatly on the shelf and take the big empty boxes. Larger boxes for big light items like blankets or even big garbage bags for blankets and some clothes, pillows, etc.
Go through everything with an honest eye. If you have not used it in a year or longer get rid of it. If you are keeping old keepsakes that are not valuable consider taking pictures of them for your scrapbook and getting rid of the keepsake.
Clean everything as you pack it. Wash linens and clothes as you pack them. Write down things that you get of rid of that are broken so you know what you'll need to replace.
Rent a UHaul on the day you move and get the size you need to fit everything in. That way even if it takes hours to load and unload at least you only make one trip. Put the beds and some chairs in last so they will be the first things you unload.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

You can also find free moving boxes on freecycle and craigslist...

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

If possible try to get the new place a couple of days earlier if possible. You can then move stuff some that's not needed right away. You will be able to clean shelves. etc. before you move in. If you have extra plates, cups, silverware, cooking supplies bring them over early that way you can cook and eat right away so you don't have to buy take out.
Judy

A lot of good advice already given. This is a good time to get rid of lots of accumulated stuff that you probably won't ever miss. However long you think the moving process will take, you can just about double it most of the time.

Locate important papers, car title, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, etc. Anything you might need to get your hands on quickly for several weeks after the move. Put them in your purse or some other "safe" place where you can get to them easily. Medications also.

If you have valuable jewelry or coin collection that are easily made to disappear, keep those in a "safe" place as well. Guns fall into that category as well. Movers should not have access to those items, whether they are paid for movers or friends who come to help. One thing to do, if you don't have a safety deposit box is to tuck them in the far back of the trunk of your car the morning of the move and then lock your car. I would also suggest adding to the things in your car, a vacuum cleaner, mop, cleaning supplies, paper towels, rags and toilet paper. Add to that perhaps a small pack of light bulbs a pillow, blanket and some clean sheets and perhaps a couple of changes of clothes and personal needs like deodorant, bar soap, makeup, and hair dryer etc.

Planning ahead and organization are key.

Good advice given by everyone so far. We used to be military so we have moved alot! if you are moved across town it is much easier than moving across country, although no move is easy when moving yourself, it is hard work.

Whether we moved ourselves or had movers move us, we always packed one "special" box with stuff in we would need right away, a couple of towels, couple of pans, plates, few pieces of silverware, cups, dish towels, cooking utensils, shampoo, soap, all the things we would imdiately need getting to a new place in one box without having to dig through several other boxes to find stuff.

If you are just moving across town, you can get boxes from your local recycling center, Freecycle, grocery stores or regular stores. Unless you just have money to burn, don't plan on buying them at U-haul, they are expensive $3-4 a box when my DD checked a couple of years ago when she moved.

You can move lightweight things in trash bags things like decorative pillows, bed pillows, comforters, blankets, folded clothing, things that aren't that heavy, but would take up valuable box space if you don't have tons of boxes.

If you can move in stages, I have found this to be the easiest. If you can get the new place about a week ealier, then move whatever you can in the car/van/pickup during the week, putting it away as you go, then only the big bulky stuff would be left for last. Then you can reuse your boxes, as sometimes boxes are hard to find in certain areas.

Defiantely have a yard sale to get rid of stuff first, then donate. Don't haul a bunch of stuff you don't need to move, you will regret it.

__________________
visit my homepage http://penny.mycoupons.com/

Ballmom, I'm feeling for you! You didn't say much about your circumstances, but it sounds like a tough time.

Everyone gave wonderful advice! I can't say enough about how right they are about using up your pantry stuff. I would also add - finish up that freezer food - as much as you can. Moving stuff that you're worrying about (spoiling) is a stressor you don't need.

Also (and this I got from Flylady, I think) - make three categories for getting rid of stuff - Tag Sale, DOnate, Trash.

Have the tag sale before you donate.

Make a deal with yourself that everything that went out to the yard for your tag sale does NOT come with you. Donate everything that doesn't sell. Either put it to the curb with the "FREE" sign, or better yet - itemize everything that you want to donate, and bring it to the Goodwill or salvation army. When you donate the items, get a receipt. Save your itemized list for tax purposes. DH and I got $300 more in our tax return this year just because of our clothing donations. It is well worth it.

Good luck, Ballmom! I hope it goes as smoothly as possible. THink of it as a fresh start!!

__________________
"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

Pack suitcases as if you are going on a week or 2 trip w/the fam - then live outta those suitcases till everything is loaded on the truck - if you have a month till you move you'll be used to using what you have in the suitcases - practice now if you have several months to prepare - I've moved probably about 3 dozen times in the past 30 years, sometimes w/6 + kids - you find out very quickly what you absolutely need and can live w/out if you're living outta suitcases (I will never go anywhere w/out my fav cheese knife again, something goofy, but something I actually learned ;-)

Thanks for all the good advice!!! We are now in our new house, still alot of boxes to unpack but well on our way!! This house is half the size of the other one, and I thought I had gotten rid of alot of stuff, but I obviously need to get rid of more!! Amazing how much stuff you acquire over the years!!!

I think it will be fine, I'm doing alot of fixing up, but it will be nice in the end. I ended up not having to get a moving truck, and friends actually moved us!! God was really looking out for us, in so many ways.

Yall are an intelligent bunch to get advice from !! Thanks again!!!

Donna

__________________
*** Find A Need , Fill A Need ***

Ballmom first congrats on moving and I totally agree with all the wonderful advice you received here, to that I would offer you this to take it easy and not to get overwelmed because it can be extremely stressful it seems like there is so much to do and not enough time. In the end I wish you nothing but healthy and happy and peaceful wishes. Catherine

Cathy, you are so sweet !!! You and Deirdre!!! Thank God for such sweet friends!!!Love you all!!!

__________________
*** Find A Need , Fill A Need ***

Ballmom right back at ya hon , there are many wonderful caring friend here for sure. Peace. Catherine