Crack the champagne. It’s time to celebrate your new home. Now, if only you could figure out how and where to begin sorting and packing for the big move. Luckily, we’ve put together this great list to give you some of the top hacks to make your next move a lot simpler and faster.

1. Say goodbye to unnecessary clutter

We’re often amazed at how much clutter and personal hoarding goes on over the years behind the scenes of our lives. For this reason alone, it’s always a good idea to start any new move off with a little decluttering of unnecessary things you don’t need to tag along with you to your new home. 

Professional organizer Ellen Delap suggests starting the great purge the moment you decide to move. Nothing like a little tough love to catapult yourself into clearing away your collection of coats, shoes, bags, and appliances that either no longer work, have outgrown their purposes, or that no longer match your lifestyle or size. This is your moment to be ruthless with your stuff. Call in a few pals for reinforcements because chances are this won’t be an easy process for everyone. 

1. Research reputable companies

Researching moving services in Greeley is never fun. If you’ve ever tried looking for reputable movers in Greeley through Yelp or Google, then you know first-hand the overwhelming volume of options available. Finding the right moving company in Greeley can make or break your entire move experience. Putting in the effort and time to find the right company with excellent customer service ahead of time will leave you with less stress on the day you move. Unpakt is a handy site that allows you to find a trustworthy moving company in Greeley, compare their prices and book your move online within minutes. 

1. Sort things by category

While the most common option is for people to organize their belongings according to room, try taking a cue from superstar organizing consultant Marie Kondo, and organize your things according to categories. For example, instead of spending days sorting and packing one room, take a couple of hours and sort through all your books. For some, this may be a great way to cut down on a lot of anxiety that comes with the packing process. This method can be used for any item in your home, from dishes to clothes, to essential papers or files. 

1. Pick the right day

Consider hiring movers in Greeley at least a month before you decide to move. That way, if your schedule is more flexible, you can play around with your dates based on whether and when the price is lower to move. In most cases, you’ll want to avoid weekends as these tend to be the busiest times for most moving services in Greeley. 

1. Create a master to-do list

Anytime you move homes, there always seems to be an endless list of things to do that continues to grow as time counts down to the move. The thought of all those tasks alone is enough to make your mind spin. Don’t let yourself lose track of important things by creating a master to-do list of EVERYTHING you’ll need to pack and plan for. Regardless of how obvious something might seem, the last thing you want to do is let something important slip your mind. From finding a bookstore to donate all those books you decluttered, or when your cable box should be returned to avoid additional charges, nothing should be considered insignificant. 

1. Get boxes from a local grocery or liquor store

You’d be surprised at the number of free boxes you can score from your local grocery or liquor stores. In most locations, the owners or staff will allow you to grab a handful of boxes for your move. If you can hit up a couple of different places, you can save a pretty penny by not spending money on boxes.  Make sure to inspect the boxes for stability and wear and tear. You wouldn’t want to be caught the day of your move with a bunch of packed boxes that can’t be lifted, or your things will fall out.

1. Stock up on packing supplies

We can all benefit from the extra “just in case” packing supplies. Make a run to the hardware store and double up on packing tape, light bulbs, extension cords, and power strips. Whether it’s for the initial move or the unpacking stage, these items always find a way to come in handy. 

1. Pack early

We’ve all been there, underestimating the amount of time needed to pack up your life for a move. In most cases, procrastination gets the best of us. Next thing you know, it’s a week before your move, and nothing is done. Do yourself a favor, and avoid the impending meltdown that typically follows a last-minute packing job. For some people, this could mean starting your packing process up to two months before the big day. The earlier you begin chipping away at packing, the less stress you will put yourself through. This can be anything from off-season clothes to pictures, keepsakes, and books you aren’t currently using. 

1.  Change your address before you move

Probably one of the most forgotten things when it comes to a move is changing your address. Most of us have probably experienced this first-hand or have moved into a new place and continue to get mail from the previous owners for weeks, months, even years after they’ve moved out. Don’t fall victim to missed mail, and change your address at least a month before you move, which will allow your bills, packages, and credit card companies to update their files ahead of your move. This way, by the time you’ve settled into the new place, your mail will continue arriving without complications in delivery. 

Moving hacks are all about making your life a little easier.  We hope this list helps you breathe a little easier, knowing that by applying a couple of these tips to the next move, it won’t be as bad as you thought. Who knows, you might even have a lot of fun.