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<p style="text-align: justify;">In honor of National Move month, we are going to take a trip back in time to March/April of 2013.  This is when my husband and I were anticipating the arrival of our daughter.  it was also the time when I decided it was time to move into a stand alone home.  My goal when I began the process of planning our move, was that I wanted to make sure that my husband and family would know where I wanted things to go and what was in which box in case I was not able to be there. I knew that I wouldn't be able to move around as quickly as I wanted carrying this extra load (my daughter) and I also couldn't be at the condo, new house and storage shelter all at the same time. So knowing the goal I set out to find a way to organize the move so anyone could jump in and help.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class=" wp-image-636 alignleft" src="https://thehappinessbucket.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/20120305-192257.jpg" alt="20120305-192257.jpg" width="138" height="138" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I want to share with you some of the following key tips on how to plan a move, and don't worry...being pregnant isn't a prerequisite:</p>

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<h6>Create a move binder</h6>
This is your master binder that will help keep you sane.  You will have one place to reference everything related to your move.  We will have a future blog post to cover what should go in your binder.</li>
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<h6>Establish Responsibilities</h6>
If you and your spouse/helper are available on move day, delegate move day responsibilities. In our scenario, my hubby was responsible for getting the truck loaded/moving the heavy stuff and I was responsible for the little things, last minute packing and new space coordination.  This helped eliminate the need for everyone to contact me for every decision. If delegation isn't possible, you definitely want #3, #4 and #5.</li>
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<h6>Create a floor plan map</h6>
This is invaluable in helping to plan out where everything needs to go in your new space.  I learned this trick from our many many office moves at the law firm.  It was standard practice that you would draw out how you want your office set up with your desk, filing cabinets, computer, etc.  That way the people moving you would know where to place your items and wouldn't need you there to show them.  You tape the floor plan on the wall outside the space and/or place it in the space so they can see where to place your large items.</li>
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<h6>Create a kitchen map</h6>
This is also an invaluable tool if you are able to create one.  I will have a future blog post detailing the specifics of how you create one coming soon.  The kitchen is usually the first one you organize and the one that you can easily delegate to someone else to arrange, if you have a map.</li>
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<h6>Have a move meeting</h6>
Yes, a meeting...one with everyone involved in the move.  When you have four or five people involved moving and packing items it can get chaotic really quickly.  It is helpful to have everyone in one space so you can ensure they are all on the same page.  Use this time to explain the space colors, floor plan maps, responsibility delegation, timing, and any other instructions that are needed.</li>
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<h6>Declutter</h6>
Now you knew this one was going to be on here!  Just think about it, moving is costly so why would you want to waste time and money moving items you don't need or want?  For those with short notice it may be more difficult, but you can still do it.  If you pick up an item to pack, you should think to yourself - what is this or why do I still have this?  Then don't pack it, put it in a predetermined give away/throw away box or bag.</li>
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<h6>Pack based on your new space</h6>
I think this is one of the most important tips (other than #6) that I can give you.  Think about your new space and how it will be arranged.  Pack your boxes based on the new space not the old.  This will definitely come in handy if you are used to keeping non-room related items in a space just because you didn't have room for it anywhere else.  For us, we were moving from a 1355 sq ft home to a 3000 sq ft home.  My guestroom, Guest bathroom, overflow closet, baby room and office didn't have to share space any longer.  If I had packed all the items together as they were in the old space, I would have had to travel up and down the stairs just to put items away.</li>
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<h6>Color code your rooms</h6>
This will be helpful for you and for your movers.  We will get more into this in a future post, but you want to assign a dot color to each room.  We got our dots at an office supply store, but most big box stores have them in the office supply section.  We used one package that had all the primary colors and one that had pastel colors.</li>
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<h6>create a box inventory</h6>
For those going on long moves across country this can be extremely important to prove you had an item in case of loss or damage.  This is also helpful when you are trying to find something, in your new space, before you get completely unpacked.</li>
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<h6>Pack a bag...or Two</h6>
Really, each person in your home should probably pack as though they were going on a week  or weekend long trip.  You are going to be exhausted when you finish moving everything and all you will want to see is your bed and MAYBE a shower before you go to sleep.  So when you wake, you will need to be able to locate your toiletries and a change of clothes.  Now, devils advocate, what are you going to spend the day doing on day two?  Are you going to unpack everything?  Well, okay in my case, yes...but it was very helpful to not HAVE to do this.  Make sure to put your valuables in this bag as well or include it with #11.</li>
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<h6>Pack a Box...OR Two</h6>
Using the same premise above,  you need to be able to quickly find your sheets, coffee, snacks, hand-towel/towels, etc.  Yes, some of this you could pack in your suitcases, but I would suggest you have a separate box for the more bulkier items and that you carry them in your vehicle to ensure it arrives safely and you know where it is.  The thought is to pack items in this box that you will need right away...again think a week long trip where you have to bring everything, what would you need?</li>
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<h6>Cleaning Supplies</h6>
This is another set of items you want to have set aside for easy access.  You will need to clean your old space once everything is out and clean your new space before you put everything in.  If nothing else make sure these items are the last thing loaded on your moving truck, unless you are moving cross country then you may consider putting them in your vehicle as you may arrive before your stuff.</li>
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<h6>Schedule your utilities start and end times</h6>
You need to ensure  you have your utilities (water, electric and gas) turned on at your new location as well as shut off at the old space.  It will be hard to clean your new home if you don't have water or electricity.  You also want to verify how they will calculate your new and old bill, so you don't get overcharged.</li>
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<h6>Eat a healthy breakfast</h6>
This seems so simple, but so many people forget about this step.  You will be really active on move day and you don't want to run out of energy or worse have a medical issue due to your blood sugar dropping.  Eat something substantial, but leave cracker barrel for another day.  You don't want to be too satisfied that you are sluggish most of the day.</li>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Join us next week when we go into some of this in more detail.  Happy Moving!!!</p>
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