Moving When You’re Working Overtime, Nights & Weekends

Moving is a lot of work. It takes time to sort, organize and pack everything you own – and if you’re also responsible for your kids’ stuff, or your parents or other loved ones live with you the job gets even bigger. Every household is different, but it is not unusual to hear about 2 adult, 2 kid families needing a month or longer to prepare for their move. When you’re working overtime, nights and weekends it’s hard to find the time to make it all happen. Here are six strategies you can use to slash your stress levels and streamline the moving process:

Ask For Help:

Turn to your family and friends to help make your move easier. Many people don’t mind helping but don’t have lots of free time. If you keep your requests specific and short – for example, “Can you come over Thursday night and help me pack my books?” it’s a lot easier for people to say yes to helping.

Sort As You Pack:

Streamline the moving process by reducing the number of items you need to pack. Set up a box for items to be sold or donated as well as one for items that need to be thrown away in the room you’re packing. Sort items as you pack: it’s a surprisingly efficient approach that can streamline the entire process.

Hire a Pro:

Full service moving companies will pack your possessions for you. Professional organizers are also often available to assist with a move, as are some general services or cleaning companies. Rates for these services vary: do your research and choose the option that works for your budget.

Put Your Phone To Work:

Take pictures of how your rooms look before you pack – odds are you’ll want to set up things in your new home in roughly the same way. These are valuable for unpacking purposes. You can also take pictures of what’s in each box as you pack it, tagged with the label number on the box. That way when you need to locate a specific item, you can search on your phone first and find it quickly.

Don’t Be Afraid to Pack at Odd Hours:

While you want to be respectful of your neighbors, don’t be afraid to pack during the odd times that are available to you. Clothing, electronics, and other household possessions can be boxed up without making a lot of noise.

Coordinate with Your Movers Early in the Process:

Moving companies, especially those that provide local moves in busy cities like New York, have to be logistical experts. Let them know early in the process what your schedule looks like and what your challenges are. They will work with you to find a solution!