First Day Of Spring

Happy First Day of Spring!! I know Georgia has been waiting for our weather to get back to normal!!


















There is no better time to move than the Spring! The weather makes moving smoother! If you or anyone you know is currently looking to buy a home or sell their house in the Dunwoody area, have them give MJ Thomas a call! MJ is one of Atlanta's top real estate agents and is an expert in the Dunwoody and North Metro Atlanta area. 404-512-2400.

Moving to Georgia With Kids and Pets

Moving out of state can be a very stressful and exhausting undertaking, and attempting to do so with children of any age may seem impossible and downright frightening; however, if a bit of extra thought is put into the planning for the move before you rent a pickup truckand some effort is made to keep the kids involved and in mind along the way, the entire moving experience can be a positive experience for both the children and the adults.

Tips for moving with children

Even with the amount of stress and work that moving entails, it is still possible to make it an enjoyable and even fun experience for everyone.

No matter how old the children are, moving can be scary and disorienting.  Leaving behind a familiar home and room, as well as school and friends, can be very traumatic.  It is vital to begin talking about the move freely with the children long before the move takes place; talk about how moving feels for everyone, letting them know that what they are feeling about the move, whether positive and negative, is important. Answer any questions they may have honestly and completely.

Involving the kids in the moving process can go a long way toward helping them to cope with the move and to adjust to their new surroundings.  Assign tasks such as packing the items in their own rooms and putting together a box or bag of things to bring on the trip.  Preparing their own things for the journey will give them the confidence and assurance that their treasured possessions are safely packed and ready to go.  Packing a bag to take along not only gives them things to play with, read and do while taking the trip to the new home but also it gives them several cherished pieces to put into their new room straight away, making it their own from the minute they arrive.

The new rooms can be another way to reassure kids and get them excited about the new home and the entire settling in process.  Encourage them to get excited about their new bedrooms and play areas, choose colors, themes and accessories for the spaces, and allow them to help with the actual process of painting, papering and decorating their rooms.

Don’t forget the pets

Dogs and cats grow comfortable in their home environment, seeing it as their personal territory, and traveling to new surroundings can be terrifying and frustrating for them.  Family pets are frequently the closest friends of the children, so helping them to adjust smoothly will also benefit the kids.  Planning ahead is important; ensure that the family pets are all healthy and vaccinated, and that any regulations in the new area have been followed.  It is best to keep the pets contained to the house for a while as they adjust to the new home; they could attempt to travel to the old home if they are let loose.

Maintain old routines and patterns for both the pets and the children.  These daily schedules will help them to grow accustomed to the new surroundings and give a connection to the old and familiar to those who are having problems adjusting.

Interested in moving to the Dunwoody area to be closer to all the events our city has to offer? Contact MJ Thomas, with Keller Williams Realty, and she will help you find your perfect Dunwoody home, 404-333-8611. With over 15 years of real estate experience in the north Atlanta area, MJ Thomas can help you discover exactly what you are wanting in a home. MovingwithMJ.com

Planning an Out-Of-State Move

How to Move Out of State – Prepare, Panning & Relocation Steps

Written by: MJ Thomas on Moving Guides

Moving out of state could be stressful because it involves great organization and planning. Moreover, it costs more than moving locally. There are many things you should think about when planning a cross-country move. We will go over a few basic steps you need to follow in order to have a smooth move and make sure you hire a quality out of state moving companies. We also recommend that you track your progress with a moving checklist to make sure you are on track by following the steps and prevent missing something.

Steps to Move Out of State

Most moving companies offer out of state relocation services along with local and commercial moves. You may find a few that specialize in that type only, but most of them are full-service moving companies. Thus, first you need to find a reputable out of state moving company that has been in the business for at least a few years. I don’t want to leave you with the wrong impression – moving is hard. Not being prepared could cost you tremendous amount of money as well as inconvenience. No matter if you are planning a small move or a large relocation job, finding the right company to handle the job is a must.

Find Out of State Moving Companies

When you are moving outside your current state, it is a good idea to check out moving companies from your origin state. Generally, it is getting harder to find good movers just because there are so many out there claiming their professionalism and care. Because of the abundance, it is often better to go with a local to you moving company that you will be able to check easily. You can go and visit their truck fleet and storage facility or warehouse and meet the team. That’s a convenient way to verify their professionalism and their attitude. There is a no easy answer to the question: How to move cheap? – the only way is to contact multiple companies.

Get Out Of State Moving Quotes

Call few local moving companies that offer interstate moving services and check their rates. Collect several out of state moving quotes, compare the cost, and service each mover offers. Don’t forget that this is an estimate and it will be comparable to your final bill only if you stick to your initial inventory list. Therefore, make sure you tell the movers all inventory intended for your moving out of state. See if the companies are willing to come to your home to evaluate the weight of the load and to perform an on-site visual estimate. Getting an in-home estimate will guarantee you that your final price will not change a lot. You can easily select the cheapest provider.

Verify The Movers

Research the long distance movers you have contacted. Ask them for their DOT and license number and verify them with the US Department of Transportation. If your moving company is listed with My Moving Reviews, you will be able to check their local license information directly from here. Furthermore, get references and call or email them to see what they will say about their moving experience. You should also explore your out of state move insurance options by going to the FMSCA website and the protect your move site.

Packing most of the small items by yourself will reduce your final out of state moving bill.

Read Reviews of Movers

Another easy way to check the out of state moving companies’ reputation is by reading out of state moving reviews. Online reviews can tell you a lot about the moving company. Still you should not always rely on that because those third entities that offer the moving reviews never consider the claims to move ratio of a moving company.

Look and Request Company Trucks

Reputable moving companies usually operate with their own fleet of trucks. All professional moving companies, no matter how big or small they might be, should have their own trucks with the moving company logo printed. To avoid moving scams, make sure the movers arrive with a branded trick on the moving day and not with a rental. Talk about that with the moving agent and make sure you will get a company truck as it should be.

Organize Your Out Of State Move and Save Money

Saving money and staying organized during your move go hand in hand. Plan your relocation carefully and use all tools available to you to do that. In order to stay organized and save on out of state moving cost you need to know what you can take care of and what will the movers do. Relocation state to state can be quite costly, so keep in mind that you can save money by packing things yourself and leaving only the big furniture to the movers. Get some packing tips to ensure the safety of your belongings. Then, you will need an extensive interstate moving checklist that will guide you every step of the process. Writing down what you need to do is vital to help you plan a big out of state move. Another great tool is the My Move iPhone App that can provide you with an interactive moving checklist and hundreds of out of state moving tips right at your fingertips.

Get ready for the big move by following these basic steps. Find and reliable long distance movers and organize the relocation by utilizing all those free tools available today. If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to ask them in the comments below. Good luck, stay organized and safe!

Interested in moving to the Dunwoody area to be closer to all the events our city has to offer? Contact MJ Thomas, with Keller Williams Realty, and she will help you find your perfect Dunwoody home, 404-333-8611. With over 15 years of real estate experience in the north Atlanta area, MJ Thomas can help you discover exactly what you are wanting in a home.

Read more: www.movingwithMJ.com

Cheap Ways To Move Out Of State

These are tough times we live in.  Many times one has to move out of state in pursuit of a job opportunity, a better life or that hard to find stability factor. There’s a catch though – there are many ways to do this, but some are cheaper than others. Sometimes you have to respect a tight budget.
This is just what we will approach in this article: cheap ways to move out of state. Without further ado, let’s get to the tips.

Take Only What You Need

Well, as you know or will find out, cargo  space means money. You should really be picky and take only what you need so you’ll save on transport and storage costs. You’ll pay for everything you take, and don’t just think about the fees but of the money spent on gas too, so you’ll have to manage your stock. The best way to do this is to plan earlier and make little action plans on a piece of paper that you will try to apply when the time comes.
Make an inventory of everything you need, making sure you keep the items you need and discard the items you don’t – having a written list will also help you to avoid forgetting about stuff.
For more about downsizing for a move, read this article:  Decide What Items You Absolutely Have To Move

Get Free Out Of State Moving Quotes

Don’t just look at the fees and prices a certain company presents you, you should always describe your case and ask for a quote.  Sometimes you will get some pleasant surprises – and you are always best off knowing beforehand what you will need to pay in order to successfully move out of state.  Making moving companies compete for your business is the best way to get the cheapest deal.  Our short form takes 20 seconds to fill out, and you can have custom prices from 6 out of state moving companies within an hour…for FREE.
Click Here To Get 6 Free Out Of State Moving Quotes Now!
Don’t be afraid to bother and talk to people, get your hands dirty and plan everything with enough time to think things over.  Make sure to do your research on each company you receive a quote from to help you decide.  The best place to check a movers reputation and reviews online is at the BBB.

Don’t Waste Money On Moving Supplies You Can Get For Free

Instead of throwing away unnecessary money on overpriced moving boxes and packing supplies, get everything you need for free.  If you plan far enough ahead for your out of state move, then you can easily gather all of the moving boxes, packing paper, and padding materials you will need to pack up your stuff free of cost.

• Get Free Cardboard Boxes For Your Move
• Use Newspaper & Junk Mail For Packing Fragile Items

Decide On Your Means Of Transport

What’s the best way to move out of state?
Well the answer to that question all depends on perspective.  Every method of out of state transport has its pros and cons.  It really all depends on your personal budget and how much furniture and possessions you plan on moving.  Let’s break down your out of state moving options:

Rental Truck or Trailer – This is the usually the cheapest method of moving with furniture, however it is also the most exhausting and accident-prone way of moving out of state.  If you have a lot of furniture and belongings to move and you don’t have the money to hire state to state movers, then this is probably going to be your cheapest option.

• U-haul
• Penske
• Budget

Shipping Your Stuff - Shipping your stuff is an affordable option if you are traveling light.  I don’t know specifics on pricing for these services, so you will need to check with each company to see how much its going to cost.  If you are planning on moving heavy furniture and a lot of other stuff, then this will be more expensive and more of a headache than hiring movers.

• Fedex
• UPS
• DHL

Train or Bus - If you don’t have any furniture or large electronics to transport out of state, then this is the cheapest option.  If you can manage to stay under 150lbs total then this is hands-down the cheapest way to move out of state.  Make sure that this option is available wherever you are planning to go.

• Amtrak
• Greyhound

Air Transport – Several airlines offer cargo shipping services. In addition, courier companies offer flight cargo service with DHL, Emery and UPS being the most popular. To determine the total cost and shipping options, visit each company’s website for online quotes, rules and regulations. Make sure you have calculated the dimensions of furniture and possessions as well as the total weight.

• Delta Cargo
• United Cargo
• American Airlines Cargo

Cheap Out Of State Moving Companies

As far as smooth out of state moving experiences go, this one takes the cake.  If you have furniture and a lot of belongings to move out of state and don’t want to deal with the hassle of moving yourself, this is your best option.
I recommend using the free moving quotes request form here, to compare prices side-by-side from up to 6 leading moving companies.  Our database and network finds the top 6 movers that are qualified to handle your move.  You will receive a free custom price quote from each company based on the information you provide about your move such as your origin and destination, and the estimated size of your move.  It is 100% free and you can see exactly what it will cost to hire movers to take care of everything for you!

Cashing In A Favor VS. Hiring A Moving Company?

We all know the drill, there’s a friend of ours that has that big truck and that can help you move, so you cash in a favor and / or just ask for help. Well, it turns out that sometimes it’s cheaper to hire a company and just lay back as they do all the hard work for us. In fact, some studies say that people who hire professionals to move out of state end up saving more money than people asking for favors or doing things their own way. Gas money, storage, motel rooms to sleep in between the trips and other expenses might be the justification, but either way this just makes you notice just how important it is to get quotes so you can think your decisions over. Of course if you have friends and family available to help you move, that’s always a big help!

Look For Moving Deals & Specials

You should definitely look out for quotes, but one thing you have to keep in mind is that companies do “specials” frequently. This comes in many ways, from simple discounts to added benefits.  They often come when the company is in its low season, which is late fall to late spring.  The summer months are the busiest months and “peak” times for moving companies.   If you can, avoid moving during the summer months if you want the cheapest moving rates possible.  This is one of the most important points on the list because special promotions have the ability to change the game altogether.

Make Interstate Movers Compete For Your Business

Another thing you should have in mind about company’s prices is the “make them fight” factor – this is simply the competition effect. Contact company A and say something along the lines “I’ve worked with your company before and I like your service, however company B offered me this price, can you provide me with your best quote please?”.  This is a powerful argument and company A will surely think about it.
For more information about why making movers compete for your business is important, read this article:  Get Free Quotes From Multiple Moving Companies

A Place To “Crash”

The place to “crash” while moving is very important, since you will spend money on this one too.  Unless you know someone with a place you could use along your way or you plan on traveling to your new home in one day/night, then you will most likely be needing a place to sleep.  Plan your trip ahead of time and find the motels or hotels you want to stay at before you leave.  As a general rule of thumb, motels are cheaper in medium sized towns.  Try to find deals ahead of time online to make your stays even cheaper and book your rooms in advance.  Read reviews online to find out about the room quality and conditions so you don’t arrive to an unwanted surprise.  If you are really on a tight budget and want to keep it as cheap as possible, look for couch surfing buddies online to crash with along the way.

The Rule of Thumb – Plan For Your Move Out Of State

The best piece of advice I can give you when it comes to moving out of state cheaply is to have everything planned way before you actually make the trip. This will save you a lot of money, believe me, and it will save you from being all stressed out when moving time comes.  Thoroughly and properly planning for an out of state move will undoubtedly save you a lot of money on your move, no matter which method of transportation you end up choosing.
Plan how your stuff will be moved or transported, get the quotes, check for specials, make companies fight, get a place to crash from your friends or rent from a trusted source, get a storage unit along the way if you think you need it and have everything planned out.

Make lists!  Make lots of lists, keep an inventory of everything you are taking, make an inventory of everything you aren’t taking, check the paths you will use via Google Maps / Streetview and… Well, you get the idea – organization is really the key here, and you should be disciplined and organized to make sure you save all that you can.

Moving Out Of State With A Child / Children

If you are moving out of state with children, then this post is a must-read for every parent.  It covers how to break the news of an out of state move to your kids and ways to keep them entertained and excited throughout the moving process.  Surely these tips will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel and save you a few grey hairs…if not a hefty wad of cash too on your move!
That’s About  It…
I hope that this article has helped you are able to use some of this advice to your advantage. Moving out of state isn’t that hard, but it’s far from a cakewalk.   If you take the proper time to plan and prepare for your out of state move, then you should be able to make it to your new destination safe and sound within your means.  Though it may be stressful at times the stress can be minimized if you follow these guidelines.
Best of luck to you and to your moving efforts and have a nice future.

 

Get a Quality Realtor that knows the area

A good realtor can save you time and money. MJ Thomas is Georgia's leading out-of-state moving expert and has an excellent Rolodex of realtors across the nation that specialize in out-of-state moves as well. MJ Thomas specializes in matching out of state homeowners to Atlanta neighborhoods and communities that match the perspective homeowner's needs. If you need more information, please feel free to contact MJ at 404-512-2400, or visit her website at movingwithmj.com.

 

 

Cheers!

Moving Out of State in Georgia

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Page Overview

• Refunds
• Surrendering Your License Plates?
• Things to do When You Move to a New State

Refunds

Georgia DOES NOT offer vehicle registration refunds when you move out of state.

Surrendering Your License Plates?

You are not required to return your Georgia license plates after relocating to a new state.

Things to do When You Move to a New State

• Apply for a new driver's license. After establishing residency most states require that this be done within a set amount of time, usually ranging between 30 and 60 days.
• Apply for a new registration. This too must be completed within a set amount of days after establishing residency.
• Apply for new license plates. This generally coincides with the registration process.
• Apply for a new vehicle title. Unlike the aforementioned, applying for a new title generally is not mandatory. If you plan on selling your vehicle, only then will you need an updated title to correspond with your new state.
• If you're a prospective new driver you will need to check if your permit is honored in your new state.
• If you completed a driver education course in your old state you will also need to investigate whether your new state will honor the completion certificate.

Providence Canyon: Hiking Colorful Canyons in southwest Georgia

Hike between the steep canyon walls of colorful sculpted sandstone at Georgia’s Providence Canyon State Park.

View trail map & driving directions

Reminiscent of a southwestern US landscape, Providence Canyon’s colorful, sculpted canyon walls carve deep through this landscape near the Alabama border. The hiking trails at this Georgia State Park wind and weave through vibrantly-colored, carved canyons, exploring an ever-evolving landscape of sandstone and trickling water.
The park’s unusually sculpted, serpentine canyon walls have dubbed its nickname as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” – and though these canyons are far smaller scale than the Arizona giant, this hike is a unique adventure unlike any other in Georgia.

The Providence Canyon Recreation Area offers 3 miles of blazed hiking trails – including a white-blazed trail that treks the canyon’s rim and floor and a red-blazed backcountry trail. The rim and canyon trails offer outstanding views of the sculpted sandstone canyon walls from above and within the depths of the canyon. The orange, white, pink and deep purple canyon walls tower up to 150 feet above the wet, sandy canyon floor below.

The canyon floor trail descends the Providence Canyon visitor center trailhead, switching back as it descends to the canyon floor. The trail levels at the canyon floor, joining a sandy riverbed, turning left here to hike the nine numbered canyons accessible on the trail.

The hike follows stream beds on the canyon floor, the flowing water carrying sand from the canyon walls. Grain by grain, sand has flowed away from Providence’s walls, creating the spectacular rock formations that tower nearly vertically over the trail. (The trail surface is often water-saturated – wear a lightweight hiking boot to grab traction on the canyon’s wet, sandy trails.)


Unlike the canyon’s exceptionally larger cousin in Arizona, Providence Canyon’s walls are formed of fragile, crumbling sandstone. To preserve the fragile geology (and for safety), hikers should stay on blazed trails and off the canyon walls.

Georgia is full of incredible outdoor experiences, if your family is looking to relocate to Georgia, call MJ Thomas of Keller Williams Realty. She is a Georgia Relocation expert and can help you find the perfect place to call home. www.movingwithmj.com.

GPS Coordinates

32.068647, -84.914480 (N32 04.119 W84 54.869)

Moving Cross Country On a Budget

Moving Cross Country On a Budget

Saying goodbye to your house, community, family and friends is a tough thing to do.  Besides the emotional strain that relocating exacts, moving can also put a strain on your wallet – especially if you are trekking across the country.

The logistics of getting all of your belongings safely from point A to point B is daunting, and the price tag can be startling.  There are ways to move everything from your old home to your new home without moving all of your money out of your bank account.  Consider the tips below to ensure that you will have some money available to you when you arrive in your new home.

DIY or Moving Company?

Hiring a moving company is the most convenient way to relocate.  You won’t have to get behind the wheel of a big rig, or haul an unwieldy trailer to your new town.  You won’t slip a disk or strain a muscle trying to get your piano into the truck.  When you get to your location, you can watch the crew unload all of your belongings.

Moving companies will give you a good idea of exactly the size of truck that you will need and how much it will cost.  The cost though, might have you second guessing the convenience of getting a moving company.

If you want to save a nice chunk of change, rent your own moving truck or trailer.  U-Haul and Penske have a wide selection of affordable options.  You will be charged mileage and a base fee, but the overall cost will be quite low in comparison to the moving companies.

Where you will pay is in your strained muscles, stress level, traffic jams, and logistics.  In the grand scheme of things, sore muscles and traffic frustration may be worth the huge savings.  Just remember to stay safe.  Adding a doctor’s visit to your moving budget is just going to make things worse!

If you do rent a truck, give the truck a thorough examination with a company representative before driving it home.  Carefully note any damages that were on the truck.  If you do scrape or dent the truck while trying to back into a tight spot, consider fixing it instead of returning it with a dent.  You will be charged an exorbitant fee for any repair that has to be made.

What to Pack

Be ruthless when it is time to pack.  Not everything needs to come with to your new home.  Pack your essentials and say adios to the garish set of vases your great-Aunt Agatha gave you for your wedding.

Once you have separated the no-goes from the packed up items, consider having a garage sale or posting some of the items online to make a little extra cash.  This will defray your moving expenses.  Donate what you can’t sell.  Give any extra items to family members, charities, or thrift stores that need these items.  You can even get a donation receipt for some of the items.

The less you have, the cheaper it is to move.  You will be able to get a smaller truck or trailer, and your mileage will be better if you are not loaded down.  You will also save yourself a lot of time when it comes to packing and unpacking.

Plan Your Route

Before you pull out of the driveway, plan a route that you are going to take to your new home.  Find restaurants and hotels that are economical on the way.  Pack a cooler of snacks and sandwiches for the drive so that you avoid convenient stores or extra restaurants.

If you have some friends along your route, consider asking if you can stop over and bunk in with them for a night.  A nice visit with friends may ease the stress levels from your move.

Give yourself plenty of time.  You will be very tired from the move.  Trying to drive long distances across the country is not a safe thing to do if you are exhausted.  Plan to stop and rest.  Don’t risk your life and all of your belongings just because you have to get the truck back by a certain time.

Make a Budget

Price it all out and compare.  It might be good to set up a budget for you move as well.  Moving costs will quickly add up if you are not careful.  Stress from spending is not something that you need to add to the stress level of moving.  Shop around for the best prices.  Talk to other people who have moved across the country and ask them for any tips or advice.  They may have even more money-saving suggestions for you.

Good Luck with your Big Adventure!

Guest author MJ Thomas specializes in home owners relocating to Georgia from other states.  

33 Moving Tips That Will Make Your Life So Much Easier

1. Pack an overnight bag containing all the essentials.

clutchbags.com

Chances are, you’ll be too tired to unpack your things. You’ll want your essentials within easy access, including a change of clothes if you’re going back to work the next day as well as all your toiletries. It’s also a great way to transport a laptop, which could run the risk of getting stolen during a move.

2. Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear plastic bin.

theloudandclear.com

This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc. The clear bin allows you to see inside; it also separates itself from the myriad of cardboard boxes.

3. Wrap your breakables (dishes, glasses, etc.) in clothing to save on bubble wrap.

blog.makezine.com

Two birds, one stone: you’re packing your clothes and kitchenware at the same time.

4. For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks.

crescentviewysa.blogspot.com / Via reddit.com

5. In addition to labeling what’s in your boxes, add what room they’ll be going into, as well.

marthastewart.com

When you arrive at your new home, unpack BY ROOM. The unpacking process will feel more manageable.

And remember to label the SIDES of the boxes, not the tops. This way, you’ll be able to identify them even if they’re stacked.

6. If you can, show up to your new home before the move and pre-clean the bathroom and kitchen.

ohhappyday.com

Put up a new shower curtain liner and stock some new bath towels and toilet paper, as well. You’ll want to take a hot shower after a long day of moving.

7. Place an extra cotton pad or ball into your powder cosmetics to keep them from breaking.

missnattysbeautydiary.com

This is a great tip for traveling in general.

8. Cover the openings of your toiletries with saran wrap, then put the tops back on.

realsimple.com

This will keep your toiletries from breaking and leaking all over your stuff during the move.

9. Pack plates vertically, like records. They’ll be less likely to break.

apartmenttherapy.com

10. Keep drawers intact by covering them with Press’n Seal.

Dresser drawers are like their own moving boxes — this will keep you from having to unpack and re-fold their contents.

It’ll also make moving the actual dresser much more manageable.

11. Press’n Seal is also great for keeping jewelry displays intact.

orgjunkie.com

12. Buy a roll of stretch wrap.

google.com

It works like Press’n Seal but on a bigger scale. You can group items together, and it’ll protect your furniture from getting scuffed and scratched.

13. Keep sandwich bags handy for holding any small parts of things you have to take apart, like curtain rods or mounted flat-screen TVs.

realsimple.com

Tape the sandwich bags to the back of the item they correspond to.

ALSO: use this method with the cords for your electronics.

14. Beer boxes are the best for books because they have handles on the sides.

instructables.com

So be sure to hit up your local liquor store.

15. Take a photo of how your electronics are connected so you can remember how and where all the wires go.

popularmechanics.com / Via reddit.com

16. Cut down on boxes by making all of your baskets, laundry bins, hampers, and suitcases work for you.

thewickerhouse.blogspot.com

Pack them with stuff! Use the wheeled suitcases for heavy things like books.

17. The fastest way to pack a closet:

thewickerhouse.blogspot.com

This also keeps your clothes on their hangers, for much faster unpacking.

18. Vacuum seal your out-of-season clothing.

cardboardboxes.ie

Not only will they take up less space and be a breeze to pack, but they can go directly into storage in the new home.

19. Along with food and alcohol, give your friends who help you move first dibs on anything you originally planned to sell or donate.

blog.themansionsatdelmar.lincolnapts.com

It’s just an extra perk, since you won’t be paying them.

20. Make sure everything is completely packed before your friends show up to help you move.

cheapmovers-bocaraton.info

Don’t be that horrible person who makes everyone wait around/help you pack.

Another note: if you have enough friends, split them up into shifts — one set to help you move in the morning, and another to help you move when you get to your new home.

21. Enlist the color-coding system.

neighborhood.vivint.com

Pick a color code for each room and label that room’s boxes accordingly. Label the door of each room with the corresponding sticker/tape so that movers know where to place the boxes.

22. It doesn’t hurt to number your boxes.

jenthousandwords.com

Make a detailed corresponding list of what’s in each box by number. This makes it easier to make sure you didn’t forget any boxes, or god forbid, someone stole one. AND, if there’s anything valuable in there, you won’t be broadcasting it to the world by writing it down right there on the box.

23. If you have a lot of fragile valuables, hiring movers as opposed to asking friends can end up paying for itself.

google.com

Many movers come with insurance, which means if something breaks, they have to compensate you. You might want to weigh the pros and cons though — they won’t want to be responsible for a television that isn’t properly packed in its original box and could end up charging you upwards of $150 to pack it as they see fit.

Also remember to book them weeks in advance — you’re not the only person trying to get out of your space on the last day of the month.

24. If you do hire movers, be sure to read the fine print and find out if they have any weird rules.

angieslist.com

For instance, some movers will only move things in boxes, not garbage bags. Which means you’ll be paying them extra for unnecessary boxes at a marked-up price.

25. If you’re renting, take photos of your cleaned-out old home and your new home before moving in.

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This is essential if you ever hope to get your deposit back. It will save you major headaches with difficult landlords who charge you cleaning and repair fees unnecessarily when moving out.

26. Fill the nail holes in your previous home with a bar of soap.

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27. If you’re doing a cross-country move and you don’t need your stuff immediately, consider shipping via Greyhound.

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It’s an inexpensive shipping option for large items. Just remember to pack your stuff really well — your boxes WILL get a little beat up along the way.

28. Change your address at least two weeks prior to moving.

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This might seem like a no-brainer for important things like utilities and cable but don’t sweat the small stuff. You’ve also got Amazon, PayPal, credit cards, your bank, magazine subscriptions, and your mail to worry about.

29. If you own items that you want to get rid of but are too valuable to just give away, start selling on eBay, Etsy, or Craigslist at least 6 weeks before moving.

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It’s an easy way to make you feel like you aren’t procrastinating, and you might be able to make enough money back to pay for the entire move itself.

But it takes time for things to sell on Etsy and eBay so you’ll want to plan accordingly.

30. Arrange for a charity organization to come pick up the items you don’t want at least a week or two before moving.

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It’ll save you the trouble of having to take it there yourself.

31. Make your last grocery trip two weeks prior to moving.

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The more food you end up using before moving, the less you’ll have to throw out.

32. For same-city moves, hire a sitter for the children and pets.

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The last thing you need is to be worrying about losing track of your kids or pets on this stressful day.

33. Remember to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before moving and wipe up any liquid.

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Else you’re going to have stinky wet mess when you get to your new home.