We left off on part I, something about sweatpants, headbands and water bottles…What…?  Okay, moving on.

Keep on Truckin’ – Depending on how much stuff you’re moving to your storage unit will partially determine what size moving truck you’ll need.  As a guideline, every five feet of a moving truck generally equates to about one room. For example, a 10’ moving truck will easily accommodate a studio or one bedroom. If you live in close proximity of the self storage facility, consider renting a smaller moving truck and making more than one trip.  Note that some moving companies charge for mileage, so be sure to ask upfront and consider additional fees in your decision making.

Brawn – In addition to Uncle Tony and your BFFs, remember to also rent or borrow moving equipment such as a hand-truck, tie down straps and moving blankets. Always remember safety first and don’t attempt to move heavy items by yourself, that’s what your buddies are for.  All seriousness, for extra heavy items such as couches and other large furniture, use multiple people to safely move these things. 

Now on to the Specifics

• Heave-Hooooo – First, load the heaviest stuff.  This includes larger furniture, larger appliances like the fridge and washer/dryer.  To reduce the chance of shifting during transport, load the heaviest items closest to the cab of the moving truck.  Loading these early is important too since you may not have the same amount of energy later in the day which could result in injury. Don’t forget to use tie down straps if needed.
• Got Stuff?  Next, we move on to items like mattresses, headboards, vanities, armoires, sofas, etc.  Furniture that can be taken apart, for instance removing the legs from the dining room table and the hutch from the China cabinet is a good idea.  For one, it will be easier to move and will be less likely to shift and cause damage during transport. Place along the side walls of the truck, balancing the load equally.
• Got More Stuff? Using the hand truck, place heavy boxes first on the floor of the moving truck. Stack them, heaviest on bottom and lightest on top.  Place last minute items between the gaps and make sure boxes are snug so that shifting during transport is minimized. 
• Call Me – Assuming you’ve already rented your self storage space, you may want to call ahead to let the manager know you are moving your stuff in today.  This helps them know who is coming and going and it may be convenient for you to know when the office is open incase you have a question upon arrival.
• Hungry Man – Finally…the truck is ready to roll.  But first, it’s time to grab a quick healthy bite to eat, hydrate and tell your buddies (and Uncle Tony, of course) how much you appreciate them.  Now, get back to work!

Perhaps you’re moving or just need to clear out some space in your home. Either way, you’re in the market to rent a self storage unit. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate the joy of packing and moving at about a minus 2. However, here are some easy to follow tips that I think you’ll find practical and helpful!

Liberate & Donate – Every time I’ve moved in my life, I’ve made it a point to reflect on the previous move and decide what “worked” well and what didn’t. I think the most valuable bit of information I could share is use moving as an opportunity to purge. Yes, liberate yourself by purging! If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it (donate to a local charity, of course)! Storing an old TV in your garage? Get rid of it (again, donate even if it’s broken)! What? You own 3 sets of dishes? Get rid of at least 1 set by donating it to a family in need. Minimizing the stuff around your home not only feels good, it actually helps to alleviate stress. And by donating, you’re actually recycling and helping others in need. What’s the saying? “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I agree!

Procrastination…Don’t do it! – Since I touched on what worked well, I’ll briefly go over what doesn’t. Unequivocally, top o’ the list is PROCRASTINATION! With our busy schedules and lifestyles, we often put things off that need to be done that aren’t as enjoyable. Okay, at least that’s the case for me. But, there’s nothing worse than the actual moving day and you’re not ready. Uncle Tony as well as a handful of your closest buddies shows up and you’re still packing. Save yourself (and them) the headache and be ready!

With a little forethought, packing and moving isn’t all that bad. Create a groovy new playlist on your iPOD, put on your most comfy sweats and elastic headband, and fill up your water bottle…

Check back soon for part II!