If you’re thinking about changing residence, you’re in for a unique experience. Moving is one of the most exciting experiences you can have, particularly if you’ve been thinking about undergoing this change for a while now. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than relocating to the home of your dreams. If you’ve never been a homeowner before, this is your chance to create a space that is unquestionably yours. You can decorate however you want, change anything, and truly make the place yours.

Moving is also very time-consuming and can often come at relatively high costs. This is particularly the case if you’re moving far away from where you’re currently located, either to the other end of the country or perhaps to a different one altogether. Generally speaking, the bigger the change, the higher the discomfort. Or is it? You might well be tempted to categorically answer “Yes!”. After all, there’s no shortage of horror stories out there concerning moving and how exhausting it is. Indeed, in some cases, it seems like the overall experience is so painful that by the time you’ve settled into your new home, all your enthusiasm has already dimmed.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s definitely a way to move, even if you’re on a budget and don’t want to break the bank right before setting foot in your new household. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind to make this plan a reality.

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Consider the date 

When you’re moving, you need to get your plans in order beforehand. One of the most important aspects is choosing the date. You need to make sure you’re not moving at a time that would be inconvenient for you or your family, so don’t set the date close to significant life events. You don’t want anyone to be tired or have trouble concentrating, as this is a surefire way your plans can backfire, and you’ll have an unpleasant experience changing home.

An additional aspect to consider is avoiding peak moving season, if feasible. This means steering clear from any dates that don’t fall within the fall or winter seasons, weekdays, or the middle of the month. Moving companies are also likely to be more attentive to your items since they have a more relaxed schedule and don’t have to worry about making it on time through rush hour traffic.

Plan ahead

While it can feel liberating to just go with the flow in some situations, you have to plan ahead when it comes to big decisions. By doing this, you avoid stress and ensure that you’re not caught unprepared by unpredictable situations. When you’re proactive rather than reactive, it’s also easier to keep an eye on your budget and avoid extra spending.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is choosing the moving company you’re going to work with. When you select https://sirelo.com/, you can be sure that your moving experience is going to be pleasant. Aside from moving, they also provide a comprehensive checklist to help you jot down everything on your plan. The plan is split into different periods, namely at eight, six, four, two and one weeks before departure. There are also indications for the day you move and things to take into consideration after you’ve moved.

So, for instance, at eight weeks, you need to do your research about the area where you’re relocating and arrange for the school transcripts necessary to enroll your children, by weeks four and two, you should be focusing on decluttering and transferring your utilities, such as gas, water and electricity, to your new household. On the moving day, complete the last checkups, do the final walkthroughs and assess furniture. This way, you ensure that everything is in order and you haven’t omitted anything. Moreover, if your items arrive damaged, you’ll know for sure that it all happened en route. After you’ve settled into your new home, don’t forget to leave a review, it’ll help the moving company you hired provide even better services in the future.

Throw away some things

Most homes have a bit of a clutter problem. From stacks of magazines you haven’t leafed through in years to clothes and footwear you haven’t worn in ages (and may not even fit you properly anymore), there’s definitely a lot of stuff you’ve got hanging around pointlessly. If you never got around to getting rid of all the stuff, moving is the best opportunity to do it.

When you’re moving into a new space, it’s the best time to start over and let go of all the extraneous baggage. A large number of possessions you don’t use will also mean you have to pay more to move, which is counterproductive when you’re trying to stay on a budget. It also takes up space, so if you want to get some new things, you might find that you have nowhere to put them. You don’t have to go full-on minimalism and ditch many things, but don’t bring along items that you haven’t used in years or had completely forgotten about before bumping into them when arranging things to move.

Creative storage acquirement

You need a lot of boxes when you move. However, paying for all of them can quickly drive up costs. Luckily, there’s a cost-effective alternative. Since there are boxes everywhere, all you have to do is ask before taking them. Offices are a good example. Take it a step further by asking your colleagues to save a few boxes for you to get more of them.

Grocery stores and supermarkets are other terrific options, and they’ll usually have a significant number of cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes to have your pick and choose from. Most employees will likely be glad to be rid of them, and you’ll get boxes for free. Print shops, fast food restaurants and recycling centers also offer their fair share of boxes you can use. All you must do is make sure they’re clean and dry and that you dispose of them properly after you’re done.

Moving can feel like a handful, but with careful planning, the whole experience will go along much more smoothly.