Being organized can alleviate some of the anguish and stress associated with moving. Here are some helpful organizing hints to use while getting ready for ‘Moving Day.’

Create a home for your paperwork

A binder with pocket dividers will work well for the storage and
retrieval of all your move-related papers such as contracts, driving directions to new home, and packing lists. Use the pockets for holding wallpaper samples, new address labels, information on your new neighborhood, and any other papers pertinent to your move.

Being Able to Find Important Papers Will Save You Time

Purge before you move

Moving is a great opportunity to see what you own, determine what you would like to take with you and figure out what you can leave behind. Many movers charge by the box. You don’t want to have to pay movers to transport boxes of stuff you never use and don’t need anymore.

Purging Before Moving Will Save You Money and SPACE

Budget your packing time

How long will it take for you to pack up your entire apartment or house? On average, it takes approximately 2-3 months to carefully pack the contents of a home. Start by packing things you don’t use very often or that are decorative such as knick-knacks or holiday dishes. Set a goal to pack 5-10 boxes a week. This will give you the time to pack leisurely as opposed to feverishly…

Setting Packing Goals Will Save You Time

Pack by room

Would it be easy to find your stuff if you randomly threw it into boxes? I don’t think so, either…Developing a packing system is the key to quickly locating and placing your belongings in their new home.

Create a floor plan of your new home as a reference for unloading and unpacking (this can be kept in your binder). Mark each room on the plan with a specific letter or number. You will then write the corresponding letter/number on the boxes that go into that particular room. It is recommended to jot down the general contents of the box as well. This will make it easy for the movers to put your boxes where they belong and for you to find exactly what you need.

For example,

Room A=Kitchen

If room A is the kitchen, the boxes would be labeled:

A-Spices

A-Silverware

A-Baking Utensils

Room B=Master Bathroom

Boxes for the master bathroom would be labeled:

B-Shower Curtain & Hooks

B-Light Bulbs & New Fixture

Create a box labeled: ‘We’re Here!’ This is a box of items that you will need as soon as you get to your new home. Figure out what you and your family will require on that first day or two in your new home such as: kids favorite toys, paper plates for take-out food, doggie snacks, etc. and pack those things in this box.

Packing by Room Will Save You Time and Lessen Stress

Make it visible

Mark boxes on all sides in a thick black marker (get yourself a few of them—they may dry out after much usage.) Yes, this is a pain, but when your boxes are stacked high and wide, it will make the process of finding what you need much easier. Spending a few minutes labeling the boxes before you move will save you hours of time once you arrive at your new home.

Coding Boxes Will Save You Time and Alleviate Stress

Bonus Packing Tips:

1. Pack heavy items (such as books) in small boxes and light items (such as your Pez collection) in big boxes.

2. Take advantage of FREE packing materials such as…

- Supermarket flyers and glossy inserts that come with the Sunday paper for stuffing boxes

- Boxes from a liquor store (Boxes from the supermarket are not recommended because they could have food products in them.)

- Suitcases can be filled with clothes or other items for the move.

- Your sheets, blankets and towels can be used to wrap your breakables.

Article by Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC. Visit http://www.organizedartistry.com for your FREE e-list of ‘Top Ten Tips for Organized Living.’

Why keep clothes in your closet that take up valuable space that could be used for other items.

Here’s a trick that will help you.  Turn all your hangers backwards on the rack.  As you wear an item of clothing hang it back up the right way.  When the year is over, take a look at your wardrobe.  Any backward hangers?  Everything that is still hanging backwards has not been worn in a year. Go through those backward hanging items and decide what you want to DONATE, SELL or GIVE AWAY.

Be honest… are you really going to wear that mini skirt or those parachute pants again?

This is the one question I get asked all the time. How do you decide what to keep and what to give away? Some things have sentimental value and personal meaning attached to them. Perhaps it belonged to a relative, it might be dress you spent so much money on and if you lost 15 lbs could wear it again, or that electronic gadget you just have to have and lined up all night to be one of the first to own.

That’s were Montreal Errand Runners come in. We come in and help you sort and help you make those tough decisions. We can do it because we don’t have an attachment to these items. We consider the space you have and what will fit into that space.

Here is a list that was compiled by the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) Chat Group.

General

• Was it a purchase mistake? (if so, it does not make it better to keep it)
• Does it take more time and effort to manage than it is worth?
• Does it make others unhappy to see it? Am I putting things before people and relationships?
• Do you need it? Is it redundant (i.e., do I really need 3 measuring spoon sets)?
• Do I love it? Does it make me happy or unhappy to see it?
• If you were moving, would you pay to have it packed and moved?
• Would you buy it again? *Is it broken, and if so, are you ever going to fix it?
• Are you ever really going to finish this project (book, quilt, etc.)?
• Can you borrow or purchase another one, if needed, without spending a fortune or having trouble finding it?
• When’s the last time you used it (assuming you knew it was there)?
• If you knew that someone else would really benefit from having this (i.e. if you found a great place to donate it), would that make it easier for you to let it go?
• Is this adding value to your home or business?
• Is this item getting in the way of your ability to find what you need, when you need it?
• Will this help me make or save money?
• How much space does it require (the more it takes, the more critical you should be in your decision to keep it)
• If you keep it, will you remember you have it? If you remember you have it, will you be able to find it?
• Convince yourself that you need to keep it.

Paper

• Am I legally required to keep it (i.e. vital & tax records), and if so, for how long? (a topic for another whole newsletter)
• Will I actually use it/refer to it/need it?
• Is the information still current?
• Can it easily be duplicated or created if needed again (i.e. found on the web)?
• What’s the worst that can happen if you toss it?
• Is it a duplicate?

Clothes

• Is the item in good condition?…does it have stains or tears or is it too worn)?
• Is the item still in style (And no…..1980′s shoulder pads are not going to come back into style in the same exact way)?
• Do you love the item, or even like it? Does it make you feel great to wear it?
• When was the last time I used this item….Would I use it again now that I remember that I have it?
• How many do I currently own of this type of item (maybe 20 pairs of black pants are too many)?
• Does it fit? If not, is it within a reasonable number of size ranges of my current size range to keep it?

Memorabilia

• Do you have anything else that reminds you of this (event, person, time)?
• If we took a picture of it, would that make it easier for you to let it go?
• Am I keeping it because someone gave it to me and I’ll feel guilty if I get rid of it?
• Does the sentimental value exceed the practical value (if so, by all means, keep it!)

These guidelines will help you decide what to keep and what to toss. If you still feel that you need someone there to support and help you give us a call today.