7 big no-­no’s when moving

There will come a time when your family gets big enough that you need new space and are naturally inclined to move. Other times it may be your child leaving the nest and you want to see them well upon their way. What I’m saying is that eventually you’re going to make the move.

It can be a nightmare if you’re not prepared (or if you haven’t done it enough). Shifting all of your belongings from one place to another is a challenge and doubly so when it’s not just a town over.

I’ve done my fair share of moving over the last decade (about five or six times to be exact) so I wanted to put together a piece to point you away from some of the mistakes you (or your children) might make when moving.

These are the “no-no’s” that you should definitely avoid:

Packing the Wrong Stuff – Items like gasoline, motor oil, and other hazardous materials shouldn’t be transported because they are often dangerous (and sometimes illegal to transport). You are better off contacting your local recycling (or waste) facility to see what you can do about these items.

“Soft” Furniture – A tip I picked up recently (wish I knew this earlier) is that it’s best to just ditch the “soft” furniture when moving (such as a couch) because these items end up costing a ton of money to move if you’re going a long distance. It’s often easier just to sell the item and use those funds to buy new pieces in your new location.

Failure to Plan – Planning is an essential step to making a move go right. You should take enough time to make an inventory, to-do, and budget list to make sure that everything is going according to planelse you’ll be rushing at the last minute (and certainly paying for it).

Going at It Alone – I can bet that your friend with the truck will ditch at the last minute. Also, have you ever driven a big vehicle like a moving truck before? It’s difficult if you’re used to driving cars. Not only is the act of moving is rough on your mind but it’ll do a number on your spine. The United Mayflower site offers advice and information to help you understand the dangers of moving heavy furniture, how to avoid damaging your goods, and best practices when lifting so you don’t hurt your back. Overall, moving is easy when you make the investment in helpers so you’re not stuck with sore back.

Being Willy-Nilly with Expensive Items – For the expensive items (like electronics) you should remember that they are far more fragile than you think. You have to be careful with packing them (not too tight but not too loose), otherwise you’ll get to your destination and be disappointed.

Neglecting the Pets – If you have pets then you know they have needs too so don’t forget this when you’re traveling long distances. Your pets can’t ask you to stop to have a bathroom break so try to swing into a rest stop every once in a while to make sure they are good to go.

Trying to “Rough It” – Going long distances can tire you out and if you’re the stubborn type you’re actually putting yourself (and others) in danger. When you’re feeling tired and sleepy, make the decision to book a motel/hotel because driving when severely tired & sleepy can cause accidents. You may think you can “rough it” but don’t take the risk.

Believe me, I’ve done my share of moving over the last few years and I’ve certainly made some mistakes (often multiple times). Next time you (or your child) moves keep these items in mind else it’s going to be one rough trip.