Mormonchic's Ultimate
Guide to Moving

It has been estimated that one in five American families move each year and the average American will move 11 times during his life.

Anyone who has moved knows how difficult it can be – the packing, the forgetting and the organizing can be stressful to even the most seasoned mover. However, there are ways to pull off an easier move. The Internet is full of resources and tips on moving, getting the best deals on movers or how to do it yourself.

By Tawnya Gibson, copy editor/staff writer & Joan O'Neil, staff writer

Customize a Checklist
Using Mormonchic’s Moving Checklist, create a personalized to-do list. Usually it’s best to start planning your move as far ahead of time as you can, but generally two months is a good starting point. (Note, the time it takes to move varies on many factors including the following: size of house, number of belongings, size of workforce and quickly they work, etc.)

Using the checklist, write in any additional tasks to accomplish before your move. These could include: organizing rooms and throwing away unnecessary items, painting, cleaning, locating boxes and supplies, packing, loading, etc.

Create a Moving Planner
Moving is full of details. Collect all of them in one central, portable moving planner. You can use a three-ring notebook or day planner that has pockets, or you can simply put them all in a clipboard. Make sure to add plenty of scrap paper to jot down notes, names and numbers. Some things to collect in your moving planner include:

- Mormonchic's Moving Checklist
- phone numbers
- maps
- carpet, tile, wood samples
- contractors’ names and quotes
- real estate ads and notes on homes
- contact people – both where you are currently living and the new location (along with phone numbers and addresses)
- supplies needed
- room inventory lists

Your moving planer will be indispensable – it will the “brains” for your move. Just be sure to keep tabs on it at all times, so you don't lose it.

Do a Room Inventory
Go through your house, room-by-room, and make a list of all of your valued belongings. Note which ones will require special packing, boxes or dollies. Put an "x" beside any items that must be packed at the last minute such as a computer or microwave.

Acquire Supplies

Boxes
Boxes and cartons of good construction are a necessity. Placing your belongings in a broken, dirty, flimsy and poorly constructed box is inviting disaster. There are several ways to acquire good boxes:

Local Merchants
Getting free boxes from local merchants can be as easy as asking for them, Call ahead of time and ask them to save them for you, and find out what they're schedule is for disposing them. Since cardboard is an expendable commodity to them– they need to get rid of it -- they will gladly give them to you for free.

Look for These Boxes at These Types of Merchants

Grocery Stores/Discount Department Stores - medium and large size boxes. (Note, be careful to choose boxes where no food particles remain) These boxes are good for medium to light weight items such as blankets, pillows, toys, etc.

Convenience or Liquor Stores - small, well-constructed boxes. These boxes are ideal for books, CDs, DVDs, files, heavy food storage items (like cans), etc. (Note, you should always place heavy objects in smaller boxes so they aren't too heavy to pick up.

Pharmacies - small, well-constructed boxes that are sometimes pop up into shape without tape. These boxes are always good for books and other heavy objects.

Schools/Offices - small, medium and large size boxes, some with lids. Schools and offices go through reams and reams of paper -- in printers, copiers and fax machines. That means they have tons of paper boxes left over. Many of these small to medium boxes are made from heavy cardboard and come with their own lids. Schools and offices also use many computers. Most computer boxes are large and heavily padded. These are great for packing dishes and china.

Ward/Stake Members, Family & Friends
In your quest for boxes, don’t forget to check with members of your ward/stake, family or friends who may have moved recently. Network your needs. Some people save boxes from their moves and will loan them to friends. People who have been professionally moved would benefit from saving these high-quality and need-specific boxes.

Do-it-yourself Moving Retailers
Many of the local storage centers and do-it-yourself moving businesses sell boxes. These are usually made of new cardboard and can be quite pricey. They are great for the mover who doesn’t have time or the desire to accumulate free boxes from other sources. The benefit from buying boxes from one of these companies is that they make different boxes for specific purposes such as book boxes, television boxes, dish packs, mirror boxes, etc. Even if you are plan on being frugal, it might be a good idea to invest in a few boxes for breakables such as dish packs, mirror boxes or mattress boxes. The dish packs are extra firm and padded for shipping china and glassware and offer added security, especially when china is well padded with paper. Mirror boxes are usually double sided and also offer added security to mirrors or large picture frames.
> Learn how to pack dishes & mirrors

Manufacturer's Boxes
One community of people who are constantly on the move is the military. Most move a dozen+ times during their service. One thing many military families do is save the manufacturers boxes when they purchase big-ticket or fragile items. Boxes to save could include: computers, electronics, small appliances, fragile items, lamps, stemware, etc.

Plain Newsprint, Tissue Paper, Shredded Paper & Peanuts
There are several ways to pack your valuables and fill boxes.

Newsprint
The most popular padding and filler is plain newsprint. You can acquire this from a moving retailer or from a local newspaper. It can be used for wrapping glassware, china and other dishes. It is also used as a filler to prevent items from shifting and breaking. To conserve money, save old newspaper. Enlist your friends in your paper drive, and you might not have to purchase any paper. (Note, being frugal by using wrapping sparingly may lead to broken glass. Lori Kasallis (Joshua Ward, Fort Worth Texas Stake, USA) occasionally works with her husband as a packer in his moving business.

“Using a lot of paper to wrap and pad your china and glassware treasures will prevent breakage…and even a broken heart, when the item broken, cannot be replaced,” Lori said. “It is best to over-wrap your breakables – pad the inside of bowls, glasses, and so forth to prevent crushing.”

> Learn how to pack dishes

Tissue Paper
Very delicate items, such as stemware, can be lightly stuffed and wrapped with tissue paper prior to wrapping with newsprint.

Shredded Paper
Many of us use paper shredders to shred important and sensitive documents. Use the shreds to fill in boxes. Don't have a paper shredder? Ask a friend, school or office if they will let you have theirs.

Styrofoam Peanuts
For high-value or heirloom items and other extremely fragile items, use Styrofoam peanuts in addition to tissue paper and newsprint.

Blankets, Cloth Napkins, Placements, Table Cloths, etc.
You can also use household items like blankets and table cloths to wrap your belongings or fill in half-empty boxes. These are a frugal addition or alternative, but make sure you do not ruin your cloth products in the progress.

Tape
Use a good quality, strong packing tape to close your packages. A box is only as strong and good as the tape that binds it. You can find it at most discount department stores. (Note, it's a good idea to over buy when it comes to tape. You can always return unopened packages. No one likes to have to stop packing and go pick up more tape, especially at two in the morning.) Some people swear by tape dispensers and guns. These can be tricky to operate, however. You might want to forgo the dispenser and use a semi-sharp object like a writing pen, nail, or dull blade to cut the tape.

> Learn to tape like a pro

Packing Tips

Packing Order
Begin packing your boxes as soon as possible, by packing knick knacks and other nonessential or decorative items. These could include vases, dolls, framed pictures, etc. Save items that are used on a daily-basis or essential for cleanup for last --computers, iron, microwave, silverware, mop, broom, cleaners.

Packing a Box
- Pack heavy items on the bottom of the box and lighter ones towards the top.
- Always fill boxes completely. If they are not full they can be easily crushed in the move. If items do not fill your box, use fillers to pack it tight.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger ones.
- Organize items into similar groups and pack together
- When packing electronics, always write down make, model serial numbers down and put them in your moving planner. This way, if electronics are lost or stolen, you will have all the necessary information for the insurance company.

Labeling Boxes
There are different ways to label boxes. Some of these include:

- Write with a Permanent, waterproof marker, labeling the room and the contents of the box. (You can use different colored markers to present different rooms)

- Use colored dot stickers found at an office-supply store to indicate which room it goes in. ie: yellow for kitchen, red for dinning room, blue for formal living room, etc.

-Instead of writing contents on the outside of each box, simply number the box and have a master list of boxes and items.

Moving Vans & Trucks
If you can't borrow trucks from friends, family or ward/stake members, or you're moving far away, you'll want to rent a moving van, truck or trailer. Ask family or friends for recommendations, check yellow pages for “moving equipment, rental;" “moving supplies;” or “u-storage supplies” for hand trucks, ramps, furniture pads and dollies. (Note: you can use old, torn quilts and blankets, other linens for padding) Ryder, U-Haul and Penske are firms who specialize in national one-way truck rental. They generally have a complete package available including late-model trucks with lift gates (a real plus).

To help you select the proper truck for your move, many truck rental companies have resources on their websites to help assess your moving needs. This computer service aids you to calculate room by room, the truck size, packing equipment and moving accessories needed to move your household.

We talked with the folks at Penske Truck Rental, who gave us these tips from their "Moving Guide" to make your move stress-free:

• Be sure the truck rental company you choose has 24-hour emergency road service along your route.

• Take precautions as you transport your property – ask if moving insurance is available. If not, check with your homeowners policy to see if you are covered. Consider getting an insurance to cover your possessions en route.

• Remember to plan your route for your safety and security, so that your family and your possessions will be worry-free. When parking at night (at motel or food establishment), be sure your vehicle is in a lighted area, if possible, and, lock it with a heavy-duty padlock. If you haven't left your house yet, back the truck into your driveway, if possible, to prevent theft.

• Before moving day, familiarize yourself with the handling and the operation of the vehicle (truck or trailer). Remember, this is a larger vehicle than the family car. You will require more turning and stopping time and distance!

A day or two before your move, double-check your to-do list and all of your notes in your moving planner. Make sure you’ve previously canceled utilities and changed your address on all subscriptions. Give away any perishable food you won’t eat and start cleaning your old home.

Finally, on moving day, make sure you have your essentials box, your purse or backpack with personal items and/or diaper bag. Double-check all closets and drawers, the attic and basement for things left behind. Give any instructions to the movers or to whomever you have helping you move. Make sure all boxes are clearly labeled and ready to go. Most important, realize that once the day is over you will be moved and ready to tackle life in your new home.