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Downsizing Dilemma? Steps to Stay on Track
Are you getting ready to downsize into a new home and feeling overwhelmed by the process? Moving can be a stressful time, and deciding where to begin can even be a daunting task. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the idea of downsizing and packing for a move, we’ve got some simple steps that will help you stay on track with the process. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at four steps you can take to make downsizing and moving into your new home a breeze.
Decide an ideal moving day
By deciding on an ideal moving day early in the downsizing process, you can create a clear timeline and stay organized. When choosing a moving day, it's crucial to stick to a timeframe that allows you to get ahead and stay on track. Consider factors such as work schedules, school, holidays, and any other commitments that may impact your availability. It's also essential to give yourself enough time to pack and prepare without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. This will allow you to focus on decluttering and preparing for your new home without unnecessary stress or last-minute rush. Remember, getting ahead and staying on track is key to a smooth and successful downsizing transition.
Go Through your current belongings
Before embarking on your downsizing journey, it's important to assess your belongings. Think of what you will have space for in your new home. Also, take the time to evaluate what you truly need and what you haven't used in months or even years. This step will help you declutter and get ahead in the process of your move. Consider donating items that no longer serve a purpose in your life and say goodbye to unnecessary clutter. You can use a labeling method to help with organizing what items are staying or going. By doing so, you'll not only simplify your move but also create a fresh start in your new, downsized home.
Declutter and sell/donate items
One of the most important steps in downsizing to a new home is decluttering and deciding what to do with the items you no longer need or have space for.
Start by looking at local donation places where you can donate gently used items. Many organizations are in need of donations, and this is a great way to give back to the community while also decluttering your space. Additionally, consider selling items that are in good condition and have value. You can list them online or even have a yard sale. Not only will this help you downsize, but it can also provide some extra cash to help with moving expenses.
Be mindful of what you bring with you and only take the things that will truly enhance your new living environment. By decluttering and donating or selling items, you can create a fresh start in your new home without the burden of excess stuff.
Strategize a Plan for Moving
Once you have successfully downsized your belongings and are coming closer to the move in date, it is time to decide a plan for moving day.
Firstly, you need to decide whether you will pack yourself or hire professional movers. If you have a tight budget and prefer a hands-on approach, packing yourself might be the best option. However, if you have valuable or fragile items, it might be worth investing in professional movers who have experience and expertise in handling delicate possessions. Next, consider whether you need to hire a moving company. If you have a lot of large furniture or heavy items, hiring movers can save you a great deal of time and physical strain. Additionally, ensure that you have all the necessary supplies for the move. This includes an ample supply of sturdy boxes in various sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, markers, and labels. It's also helpful to have a dolly and box truck to transport your belongings. Finally, if you have items that you don't immediately need but want to keep, strategize storage solutions. Look into renting a storage unit near your new home or explore options for attic, basement, or garage storage within your new space.
If you are interested in hiring professional help for your downsizing move, Marching Ant Moving is here to help. Check out our
Services Page
to learn more.
Airiel Jabiro • Jul 17, 2023
When you decide that booking movers are the best stress-free option, you will begin to research local moving companies. You are hiring people to help you with your move, but you are also trusting them with your belongings. It is important to be sure of what company you want to book with. Once you find that company, you may ask yourself when is the best time to call and schedule your move. This blog will give you a timeline for when you should be booking your move. When are you moving? Moving companies often have set schedules for when they book their jobs. These can vary with each moving company, but the standard is half-day moves and full-day moves. They also have a set amount of movers/drivers and box trucks. If you are moving during a busy season, this can affect what type of availability they have. Spring and summer time is the busiest season for most moving companies. This season can start in April and begin to slow down in October, so it is important to know when you are planning on moving. If you are moving in the spring/summer time, most moving companies book out 2-3 weeks in advance. Even for smaller half-day moves, it is oftentimes hard to fit into the company’s schedule on short notice during the busy season. In the fall and winter, the standard for scheduling your move is around 1-2 weeks in advance to ensure you get your desired day and time. How far are you moving? Long-distance moves can require more time and supplies. Depending on the size of your home and how many belongings you need moved, this can require multiple movers, trucks, or even days. Some moving companies are not permitted for long-distance moves, so calling or visiting moving companies beforehand is important. Long-distance moves generally require in-person estimates, to ensure they are giving you the most accurate estimated cost for the move and to see how many trucks and days they will need. How much will you need to move? Having a lot of belongings can result in needing multiple trucks, movers, and days. It is helpful to schedule an in-person estimate so the moving company can give you a proper quote. MAM recommends you call at least 2-3 weeks in advance so we can ensure that you are able to get on our schedule, especially during the busy season. It is important that you ask yourself these questions when planning your move. This ensures that you will get your desired time, date, and moving company. Remember that for most companies nothing is permanent, so if you book early, you can always reschedule with an appropriate notice. Check out our “Preparing for Moving Day” blog for more information and helpful tips on moving!
Spring is here! This blog will serve as a checklist for when you are ready to start your spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is helpful to ensure that your home is organ ized, decluttered and clean for the warmer weather. Getting rid of things can be difficult, sometimes it is hard to decide what is worth saving. In our Helping you Organizing your Home blog we go over a strategy to use when organizing and decluttering.
New year means new goals. Oftentimes, organization is at the top of everyone's list of goals for the new year. This blog will briefly detail tips on managing your belongings, decluttering and organizing. Declutter first, organize second To save time when organizing, decluttering is always the first step. This process is when you decide what items are still useful to you. Doing this first will save you time in the next step, organizing. How often do you use it? When was the last time I used this? Does this piece still function for its intended purpose? When was the last time I wore this? Does it still fit the way I like? Do I have any use for this in the foreseeable future? Ask yourself these questions when you are attempting to purge your belongings. Purging is not always an easy process. It can be hard to let go of items, but realizing its current use to you can help when deciding what to do with each piece. Decluttering will make finding the items you need that much easier. Donate Letting go of some items is difficult, but knowing the items will have a new use for someone else should make the process easier. Repurposing these items can help give you peace of mind. Below is a link to find your closest donation location: https://satruck.org/dropoff Label Storage Consolidating items into one general location will free up space in your home. Labeling the bins/boxes is key for being able to find items after organization. When doing this, it is important that you label each bin/box clearly (we suggest labeling on the sides, not the top, so you can identify which bin/box is which when they are stacked) so when you or someone else needs these items you know where to find them. Find a system that works for you Organizing can be intimidating, especially keeping up with your organization goals. When you find a system that works for you, it will allow you to stay on top of clutter. Whether you decide to declutter every month, every season, or every year, find the best option for you and your home. Create a cheat sheet for your system so when it’s time to go through this process again, it’s that much easier and manageable. Why does this matter? Being organized can make your daily life less stressful. This is especially true when it comes time for you to move. Whether you decide to move tomorrow or 10 years from now, you and your belongings will be prepared. Saving you time, money, and stress on moving day.
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