Moving On Up!!

The end of the year is fast approaching and for many people, that can mean moving house. The secret to a successful move is simple: good organisation! Here's a few organising tips to help you with your next move.

Chuck
Don't spend double time and energy on unwanted items, by packing them then by unpacking at the new place. Schedule in time before your move to de-clutter each room of the house. Get rid of all unwanted items and start a fresh in your new place.

Check
Use checklists in the weeks leading up to the move. Take advantage of checklists from others eg Australia Post - or create your own from past experience. Either way, make sure there is a column for who is responsible for the task and the date it will be completed. Stagger the dates to avoid that last minute panic.

Attack
Tackle the most challenging part so your home first. That is the most cluttered, the areas that make you feel like running a mile. Give yourself plenty of time. Start early. Block out time in your diary months ahead of the move, to begin the de-clutter, and organise the pack.

Pack
Pack for unpacking. Pack like with like and limit each box to one room/area. Avoid filling a box with items from multiple rooms. Label all boxes by room and area eg: Lounge room - bookshelf. Kitchen - drawers.

Unpack
In the new place try to handle things once only. Unpack one box at a time. Deal with each item in that box one at a time. Find a home for each item before pulling everything else out of the box. One box, one item, one decision. It really is that simple!

Written by Roz Howland Published in HOME Magazine, Cairns Post 10 October, 2009