Removals Hacks For Savvy Families
Let’s be real, moving house is a bit of a nightmare, right? But with the right game plan, it can actually turn into a bit of an adventure. Here are some top tips to help you tackle the chaos, save your sanity, and make the whole process a bit less painful.
Before You Move…
Garage Sale – Time to Clear Out!
First off, do yourself a favour and declutter. Seriously, don’t try and move everything. If you haven’t used it in ages, it’s time to say goodbye. You’ll feel like a legend when you realise how much easier everything is without all that junk. Sell what you can, give the rest away, and you’ll thank yourself later.
Packing Tips
Wrap Your Breakables with Old Clothes
Don’t waste money on fancy packing materials. Use old clothes or towels to wrap up your fragile stuff. Odd as it sounds, chucking your wine glasses in old socks works a treat.
Food for the Move
If you can’t bear the thought of going without your favourite meal, pack it in a container for later. It’ll be your best takeaway when you’re halfway through the move and starving.
Jewellery Hack
Hate the thought of tangled necklaces and bracelets? Thread them through straws or toilet paper rolls. It keeps them neat, safe, and saves you time when you’re unpacking.
Keep Valuables Safe
Let’s face it, some dodgy bloke might fancy a few of your valuables. To avoid that, stash your important stuff in boxes with misleading labels or just chuck them in nondescript boxes. Sneaky, but effective.
Seal Sensitive Liquids with a Corn Cob
Got stuff like turpentine or other weird liquids in the garage? Use a corn cob (yes, really) or the bottom of an old rubber sole to seal the lids. It works like a charm and stops any spills!
Keep Track of Small Stuff
Earrings and small jewellery are easy to lose, so reuse an old egg carton to store them. Trust me, it works and keeps them all in one place!
Extra Tips for Smooth Sailing
Make a Video Inventory
Before you start packing, grab your phone and take a video of everything. It’ll help you keep track of your stuff and give you something to laugh at later (trust us, you’ll need it!).
Email Yourself Details
Send yourself an email with a list of your most important items. That way, if anything goes missing or gets misplaced, you’ve got a record of what you had.
Get a Moving App
There’s no shortage of moving apps out there to help you stay organised, keep track of your inventory, and even stick to a budget. Download one and save yourself the headache.
Preparing Your New Home
Get Rid of Fire Hazards
Do yourself a favour and make sure your new place is safe. Wet any matches before you toss them out and check for any fire hazards that could pop up while you’re moving. Trust me, you don’t want to be dealing with that!
Clear the Access Path
If your driveway or access road is blocked by fallen branches or any other random stuff, it’s time to clear a path. You want the moving truck to get in, not stuck outside for hours while you play ‘bush ranger’.
On Moving Day
Stay Off Social Media
This is important – don’t post about your move on social media. Not everyone needs to know when and where you’re moving. It can be a security risk, so best to keep that info private.
Pack Snacks
Moving can be exhausting, so make sure you’ve got enough food for both you and the movers. No one wants to stop halfway for a snack run – be a good host and feed your crew.
Jewellery Tip
You don’t want to lose your precious jewellery, so wear it, or give it to someone in the family to look after. You might as well look like a boss while you’re at it.
Kids and Pets – Keep Them Safe
Moving day is chaos, so it’s best to leave pets and kids with someone else until you’ve got the place sorted. Once you’ve got everything in order, go grab them and show them the new digs.
Stock Up on Toilet Paper
This one’s a no-brainer. Moving day can get messy, so make sure you’ve got enough toilet paper. It’s always better to have too much than too little.
Settling In
TV Last
When you finally collapse on the couch after a long day of moving, resist the urge to unpack the TV first. Focus on getting your place organised. The TV can wait – you’ll be able to kick back and relax once everything else is sorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Packing doesn’t have to be a nightmare if you take it one step at a time. Start early, and get rid of stuff you don’t need (decluttering is key!). Use old clothes and towels to wrap fragile items, and be creative with how you pack smaller stuff like jewellery (e.g. using straws or egg cartons). Also, make sure you have a solid inventory – taking a video and emailing yourself the details will keep you organised and stress-free.
Raid that fridge and eat whatever’s about to expire! Anything you can’t eat, give away or toss. The goal is to avoid packing food or moving perishables – it’s just one less thing to worry about. Plus, you don’t want your fridge smelling like last week’s leftovers in your new place.
To keep your valuables safe, pack them in boxes with misleading labels so no one’s tempted to snatch them. For extra protection, stash jewellery and small items in nondescript boxes or even inside larger items like blankets or towels. If you’re really worried about theft, consider taking the most important things with you rather than putting them on the moving truck.
