Category Archives: Unpacking and New Home Set Up

Envision Your Next Home

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Many years ago, when I began my career as a Professional Organizer and Move Manager, one of the most powerful tools in my “toolkit” was to help my clients envision how they wanted to live in their space, rather than focusing only on their belongings. Whether they were moving soon, or not at all, this was an extremely effective way to identify what was most important to them, which in turn, helped them to make decisions about what to keep.

Below are some tips to help you envision how you want to live in your next (or current) home. Remember to focus on the space, NOT on your belongings!.. Read the rest

5 Helpful Tips for Getting Settled into a New Home

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First things First

When we help our clients with settling in, we focus first on comfort and safety. To us, this means beds made, first day toiletries and medications unpacked, necessary lamps and clocks set up, pathways cleared and the coffee pot plugged in. Moving is exhausting work and it is important to be ready for that first night in your new home.

Get Connected

If you are unpacking yourselves, we recommend getting technology, entertainment and communication systems functioning next. Listening to music, watching a show, and having access to a connected computer and printer all reduce stress and make the rest of the unpacking process more enjoyable... Read the rest

Why You Should Sort Before You Pack

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You’ve found the house you love, and best of all, sold the one you’re in.  Now the real work begins – getting ready to move. Your first instinct may be to start packing up everything and organize it later. What you may not realize in your hurry to get the task accomplished is the longer-term negative effects of that decision, like the costliness of time, money and stress.

Here are four points to consider before you decide to pack up for moving day.

Saving Money:  Moving is costly, and whether you’re moving locally (where movers charge an hourly rate, or out of state, where the move cost is based on weight and distance), you should ask yourself if the investment in money up front and the time spent later, is going to be worth it to you... Read the rest

Do This, Not That When Preparing for A Move

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Moving is one of life’s occurrences that can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful.  But there are few practices to consider that can ease the pain of moving as well as the expense.  Here is a look at things NOT to do, and things to DO instead:

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DON’T wait until the last minute to get ready to move.  The longer you wait, the more stumbling blocks you may encounter, like running out of time, not enough boxes, no place to dispose of your items, and moving companies that are too busy to help you.

DO make a plan before you move.  Planning out an overall timeline to prepare all of the components of moving (including sorting, organizing, packing, and arranging for help), goes a long way in making move day go more smoothly.

.. Read the rest

The Gift of Preparing for The Future

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Whether you’re 45 or 85, planning for the future can be the biggest gift you give to your family members, even while you’re still here to enjoy the present.  According to a study by Caring.com, 40% of people surveyed did not have any estate planning in place because they “just haven’t gotten around to it.” 

Beyond the obvious financial aspect of planning, one often overlooked piece of business is just what to do with your belongings once you have decided to transition to a smaller home, or are no longer here to enjoy them. 

If you are considering downsizing, here are a few ideas that can be practiced now, as a “gift” to your family members and yourself, by lifting the burden from them – and you – down the road... Read the rest

Preparing Your Pet for a Move

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If you’ve ever moved a household, you know how stressful a move can be for you, but often it can be even more stressful for your pet, whose whole world is your home.  Here are some simple steps to consider to help settle in your furry friends more comfortably.

  1.  A visit to the vet:  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, take your pet to the veterinarian for a complete check up and to update any shots before a move. If you’re moving out of state or are traveling on a plane to your new destination, updated documents are required by airlines and some states.
.. Read the rest

Organizing 101: Inside Tips from the Move Makers Crew

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Our crew at The Move Makers have managed hundreds of moves for our clients, and we’ve learned quite a few things along the way. One important thing we’ve learned is never to make any assumptions about the ease or difficulty of a project beforehand, because there are always surprises. Another thing we’ve learned is that when an unexpected situation arises, we can rely on the experience and training of our staff, and the expertise of our trusted partners, to overcome any obstacle.

With that in mind, we’d like to bring you a just a few of our well-seasoned tips from our team, many of whom are Professional Organizers, so that your own home project can get off to a great start, and hopefully a successful finish!.. Read the rest

The Hidden Cost of Moving – Part 2

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This is part 2 of our article about the hidden cost of moving.  This month, we discuss costs that may creep up in the latter part of your move. Check out last month’s post for more information on moving costs you may not have considered here (link to Part 1).

  1. Too much weight on long distance moves – according to the American Moving and Storage Association, the cost of long-distance and intrastate (over 50 miles) moves are calculated based on weight and distance.  Boxes of books are some of the heaviest non-furniture items that are moved from a house. Consider paring down your collection and other heavy items if you want to save money on your long distance move.
.. Read the rest

The Hidden Costs of Moving – Part 1

Dispersal Supervision Downsizing and Organizing How to Organize Move Planning and Management Packing and Move Preparation Unpacking and New Home Set Up No Comments

This month is part 1 of our 2-part article on the less obvious costs of moving:

You’ve sold your home and you’ve found the perfect place to relocate.  All that’s left to do is pack up your belongings, arrange for some movers, and be on your way.  But don’t be in a hurry to pack your calculator, because moving households can add up in ways you may have not expected.  

  1. Storage – you’re all ready to move to the next location.  But is your new place ready? If not, be prepared to either rent back your own home from the folks you just sold to, or place your goods in storage. 
.. Read the rest