Everyday Surrender: Moving Tip #7: Finishing Touches

So most of the boxes are packed, the moving truck is booked, you have a few days or weeks to complete the finishing touches before you actually load the moving truck. What do you do? The finishing touches of course. This is Moving Tip #7, the last in the series.

Moving Tip #7: Finishing Touches

Each family member gets a suitcase. In that suitcase, they should place their own set of sheets & towels, two or three days worth of clothing (depending on the distance of your move and your schedule), toiletries, power cords, favorite toys, and any personal items that they want to keep handy. This way your family members aren't digging through every imaginable box looking for their possessions and wreaking havoc. They are responsible for their suitcase and getting it to their own room. It will make your life easier. My husband had to go to work the day after we moved and I was coming home to a new place after a teacher's conference. There was no way we were going to be able to find all of the items we needed unless they had been safely stowed in a suitcase.

All items must be secured in a box or bag. It might be tempting to carry all of those awkward items into the moving truck then house individually, but I promise that it is much easier to move them if they are stowed in a container. If you don't have the right size box, consider those handy reusable grocery bags. You can carry several bags at a time but you can only carry one random item at a time. Boxes can be stacked, but that large vase cannot. Plus remember, you probably have friends helping you out, and they don't want to make seven trips to carry those items you didn't pack well.

Pack an "Open First" Box. You got to the new place and found that the bathroom is a little dirty, or your movers have to use the bathroom, or your starving but have no way to wash your hands. Its really helpful to have a box of essentials nearby for the minute you move in. Stash this box in the front seat of the moving truck or your car.

I would suggest packing at least the following items:

Toilet paper
Trash bags
Grocery bags
Paper towels
Windex or household cleaner
Hand soap
Paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, spoons, knives, and cups
Box cutter
Phone charger
Any other items that are really important to you that you need to have on hand in the 1st 6 hours in your new home

Be considerate of the movers. I am in ministry. I will never be able to hirer professional movers, but I have a great group of friends, who are always willing to lend a hand in moving. I certainly don't want to make them suffer while they help me move, so I am careful to always provide a case of water. Depending on the time, you might want to provide pizza or hoagies or at least snacks. Remember they are going out of their way to help you. Do what you can to help them.

I guess that's it. Thanks so much for following along. Hope these tips were helpful and that you enjoyed the series. Now you can be a professional mover as well. :)

Just joining us? Catch up on all of the Tips you have missed here:

Moving Tip: Intro

http://everdaysurrender.blogspot.com/2015/09/moving-tip-intro.html

Moving Tip #1: Where to Find Boxes

http://everdaysurrender.blogspot.com/2015/09/moving-tip-1-where-to-find-boxes.html

Moving Tip #2: Be Ruthless

http://everdaysurrender.blogspot.com/2015/10/moving-tip-2-be-ruthless.html

Moving Tip #3: Strategize

http://everdaysurrender.blogspot.com/2015/10/moving-tip-3-strategize.html

Moving Tip #4: Start Big

http://everdaysurrender.blogspot.com/2015/10/moving-tip-4-start-big.html

Moving Tip #5: Packing Supplies