Most of us have moved or will move at one point in our lives, and most of know how hectic and time consuming it can be. There are Boxes and bubble wrap everywhere, sharpies that get lost, tape guns run out, and lastly, you can never know what's fragile and what's not. What's more annoying than having to find that sharpie and spend 5 minutes per box scrawling in giant letters "Fragile!" or "Handle with Care!".
Here are a few tips to help make packing your house or apartment go smoothly: Start packing a month or two before your move out date if you can. Catagorize your home into sections: books, tools, pictures, decor, bathroom essentials, clothing etc. Plan on a catagory a day (or a week) up until move out date.
Next get supplied. Go to your local grocery or hardware store and inquire about boxes. Most of the time they will be happy to give them to you for free, if they have them. It's best to catch them in the morning or evening after shipments have been processed. Buy a tape gun and a pack of packing tape (trust me on this one, stopping to rip duck tape with your teeth or scissors is not efficient). Lastly you're going to need packing labels.
These are probably the second most important tools when moving because they create a strong message that ultimately protects your personal items. The Handle with Care labels are bright in color and easily readable. Bonus feature for this particular label is the "THIS SIDE UP" indicator, So all you have to do is slap one on the side of each box that carries your valuables and other loosely packed items, tape it up and go.
Remember to lift with your legs, not with your back. Be sure to move boxes in loads according to rooms, with the heaviest, biggest boxes going in last (for stacking purposes in the new home).
Best of luck, and congratulations on moving into your new place!
