4 Simple Household Moving Tips

Moving can be a very exciting event if you are prepared, but also a very stressful one if things don't go as planned. Knowing a few simple tricks before you even start packing your belongings can help your entire move go much smoother. Here are four moving tips that every homeowner should use to make moving easier.

Color Code Your Boxes

If you are looking for ways to speed up your move, a color-code system could be a good option. You will most likely want to pack items from the same room in the same boxes so you can stay organized when unloading them in your new home. However, the process of labeling every box can be very time consuming if you live in a large home and have a lot of boxes to keep organized.

If you use a color-code system, you can quickly put a colored dot sticker on each box before you pack it to the moving truck. Taking boxes to the right rooms when you arrive at your destination will also be easier, as you can simply glance at the colored sticker instead of stopping to read the label on each box. To use this system, you will need to create a legend by writing down the name of each room in your new home and assigning each room a color.

Photograph Your Shelves Before Packing

If you are like many homeowners, you may have shelves of books, dishware, or other knick-knacks that you would like to keep in their current arrangement after you move. Alternatively, you may have a child that feels this way about his or her shelves of toys. You may be surprised to find that you can't remember exactly where each item was after you move, even if they have been in the same places for years.

The best way to preserve the layout of your shelves is to take pictures of them before you pack any of your shelved items. As an added benefit, you can use these pictures for proof of insurance purposes if you need to file a claim for items that are broken in transit.

Choose Moving Clothes Carefully

Moving furniture and other large household items is a very physically demanding task. Wearing the wrong clothes could easily lead to a trip and fall while you are focused on carrying your belongings, so it is important to plan your outfit carefully on moving day. The first question you should ask is if you are wearing shoes that are safe for moving. Thick, slip-resistant treads are a must, and steel-toed boots are an excellent option for protecting your toes from dropped items.

Loose clothes like blouses and oversized shirts should be avoided so that you do not get caught on doorknobs and other obstacles while carrying heavy items. Gloves are also helpful for giving you a better grip on anything you're carrying, and they will also protect your hands from being pinched if you need to squeeze through a tight doorway.

Find Tax Deductions for a Work-Related Move

If you are moving because you are starting work in a new location, your moving expenses may be tax-deductible. According to IRS Publication 521, work-related moves are deductible if they pass a distance test and a time test. Your new workplace must be at least 50 miles further away from your new home than your previous job was from your previous home, and you must work full time for at least 39 weeks in the first 12 months after you move.

Knowing a few simple tricks can make the difference between an easy move and a moving nightmare. Keep these tips in mind so your next move will be safer and more organized. For more information and advice, contact a household moving company like Wheaton World Wide Moving.

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