Moving Tip #1: Where to Find Boxes

Welcome to my little series on moving. As I mentioned before, I have done this quite a bit... like six times. Along the way I have learned a few tips that I hope can save you some time and money.

Moving Tip #1: Where to Find Boxes

If you are getting ready to move, you have probably seen on U-haul's website or at the hardware store, packs of boxes for purchase. That might be a decent idea if you are in a pinch and have a few last minute items that need thrown in a box right before you move and right after you ran out of all of the free ones. But let me help you avoid that at all costs...

The best blogs and household advice will tell you to go to the nearest grocery or liquor store and ask the management for boxes. That's solid advice. Except for one small thing... I don't frequent liquor stores. In fact I whole-heartedly disapprove of drinking in any form. The Bible is very specific about alcohol and drunkenness, so why would I go to a liquor store and ask them for the boxes? Exactly, I wouldn't. So I don't. That means I need to find another avenue to locate my boxes.

As far as grocery store boxes, I have had some difficulty getting them from my local grocery store. They are stingy. Like three boxes a week stingy. Then the boxes that they give me are flimsy and awkward. They were meant to ship fast, not necessarily well. I had to overly tape the bottom of the boxes to secure the contents and remove pieces because the boxes just didn't hold the contents right. Some people have a lot of success with grocery store boxes, but unless you are in a pinch and have time to drive to all of the nearby grocery stores I would skip it.

Instead, I prefer to get my boxes from local businesses, like my husband's office, my school, and my
dad's office. If needed I might ask some friends to help out as well at their places of work. It is all just going to the recycle bin anyway, so why not put them to use? Businesses receive regular shipments of office supplies, copy paper, gifts, t-shirts, large book shipments, and a handful of other items that come in nicely sized boxes. These boxes are designed to be secure and sturdy for shipment. They tend to be just right for packing.

As far as plastic bins, which are very easy to move, they have a few problems. Number one - they are pricey. You could be out a couple hundred bucks just buying bins. I suggest don't do it. Number two - even the smaller bins fill up quickly and often end up being too heavy or challenging to carry. Save the backs of all the people who help you move!

There is one exception to this plastic bin rule - any items that are going into storage, such as seasonal clothing or decor. I will be storing these things in my basement when not in use, and I don't want them to get damp or bug infested. The extra money is worth it to me on these occasions and only one of the four bins is ridiculously heavy. :)

How's that for Tip #1?

Stay tuned for Tip #2 coming soon!