Month: October 2020

Moving expenses can really add up. Even though donating unwanted items can lighten your load to reduce costs, the essential supplies you need for a successful move, like boxes, can also add up.

One way to limit expenses is to supplement your box supply with more affordable or free boxes.

Are you wondering where to find affordable supplemental boxes for your move? Here are some suggestions of places to look.

Apps

Check out apps such as LetGo or OfferUP to see if people are giving away or selling boxes (possibly from their own recent moves).

In particular, the Nextdoor app is a good choice. It connects you with other users in your area or neighborhood. This means limited travel to get boxes, and it also gives you a place to hand them off when you arrive at your new home and complete your move.

Online Groups

Facebook and Reddit have numerous groups dedicated to trading and freecycling. Get involved with something like the Buy Nothing Project to learn how to use less and score some gently used boxes from others pursuing the same ideal.

Freecycle

Freecycle’s online forum is an excellent place to find used moving boxes from people who have recently moved.

Create a post and request ‘free moving boxes near me.’ Indicate how many you need. The Freecycle Community is committed to making use of other’s unwanted items. You’ll likely get responses from people anxious to pass their boxes onto you.

Local Stores

Local shops and grocery stores of different brandings all have boxes and shipments coming in daily. Check with a store manager; most of these places have a box toss time (10 pm or so). 

The discarded boxes tend to be first-come, first-serve, but some stores will also hold boxes for you. Supplies are limited, but if you hit them up for a few days in a row, you can probably gather a suitable free box collection for your move.

Your Mover

Check with your moving company. While they may not have free boxes, they might have affordable, gently used boxes ideal for your move. Similar sized boxes make transportation easier. Standard and similar sized boxes are easier to stack on a moving truck and in storage.

Are You Ready to Get Moving?

Keep yourself on the exciting leg of the moving experience with planning and resourcefulness. Looking for affordable moving boxes can help turn the packing experience into a treasure hunt, rather than a chore.

Then when your move is complete, pay it forward and offer your gently-used boxes up for the next family moving. However, if the boxes took a beating and are ready to be retired, contact your local recycling center instead of throwing them away. Inquire about how you can dispose of them in an eco-friendly way. 

Are you planning your move? We can offer suggestions about how to plan a successful relocation. Check out our blog. Then contact us for a free quote. 

 

What life event is most likely to cause stress? Is it a break-up, a divorce, or something else? According to researchers across multiple studies, moving takes the top spot.

Scientists say moving is so stressful because it includes hundreds of little stressors and changes at once. Everything – from the stress of adjusting to a new space to remembering where you put the forks – binds together and becomes overwhelming.

Avoid the stress of a move with the right preparation. Here are some tips to help make your move a calmer event.

Pre-Move Stress Relief

Some stressors will always be part of moving, like the unknowns of a new neighborhood or the feelings about leaving your current home.  However, you can prevent the unavoidable from becoming overwhelming by having a plan. Here are some things to consider when planning your move.

Budget

A residential move is complicated and can get expensive quickly without planning ahead. Be proactive and create a budget. Pay attention to the detail and stick to the budget. This will alleviate some of the stress that comes with moving.

Checklist

Create a checklist for your move. Include everything from transferring your utilities to ordering packing supplies and changing your address to purging things you no longer need. With a reference list, you know exactly what you need to do and when those tasks need to be completed.

Pro Movers

One way to help eliminate stress is to hire movers to complete the move for you and handle your packing as well. Full-service movers can pack, organize, and move everything to allow you to focus on the big picture, like helping your kids adjust.

Post Move Stress Relief

Get back on track and back in the swing of things after your move. It’s essential to get comfortable in your new space so that you can relax and enjoy your new home. Moving day is exhausting both physically and emotionally. Here are some suggestions for relieving stress post-move.

Prioritize

Once the boxes are in and you begin the unpacking process, avoid the clutter, and make a list of your priorities. Develop a plan of what’s most essential to unpack right away. You will want to focus on unpacking your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen supplies first. Then prioritize the other things on the list.

An unpacking list will help reduce the clutter that can cause stress. Since it might take days or weeks to get everything in the right place, this process will help.

Healthy Routine

Once you have settled in, get back on track by reincorporating regular exercise and healthy meals daily.

Walking is a fantastic exercise. Get out and walk the neighborhood. Acquaint yourself with your new community and new neighbors. Walking benefits both your body and mind. 

Treat Yourself

Reward yourself with something you enjoy doing. Find calm in an activity you like, such as a relaxing bath or spa treatment, a satisfying nap, a massage, or a walk through the woods. Find your personal way to unwind and rejuvenate.

Beat the Psychology of Moving with the Right Help

Moving is stressful, and if you aren’t careful, it can really take its toll on you. Have a plan to incorporate some of these suggestions, and it will make your entire move and transition much easier.

Get in touch for more great tips and a free quote.