The time has come for moving out of your parents’ house (again), do yourself and your parents a wonderful favor…
… use this guide to prepare for a successful move and well organized moving day way in advance!
Plan for Moving Day
Follow these 15 steps to make sure that come moving day, everything goes smoothly.
Step 1: Communicate With Your Parents
Maybe your parents will be glad to see you go (no offense). It’s also possible they’ll be begging you to stay. Either way, out of respect for your relationships, communicate clearly about any and all moving plans.
Step 2: Make a Moving To-Do List
This list should have two parts.
Part 1… anything you need to do before moving day.
Part 2… anything you need to do come moving day.
Hint, hint. This article can easily be converted into part 1 of your to-do list, while part 2 of this series (coming March 24) can be referenced to create part 1 of your to-do list. Be aware that every move is different, so you will surely have to customize it to meet your unique needs!
And…
Since your parents are the ones who’ll have to live with whatever is left behind, consider running your to-do list by them, too! They may have special requests that would not otherwise occur to you.
Step 3: Establish Good Credit
Landlords will often do a credit check when considering new tenant applications. If you haven’t done so already, take steps to establish good credit. Or repair bad credit. Here are some great resources:
Step 4: Determine Your Budget
Time to talk numbers!
If you’re looking to rent, you’ll need to know your current monthly income.
You’ll also need to know the average rental rates in your area. For example, how much is a studio apartment vs a one or two bedroom? Also, consider…
How much do these rent rates vary by location?
Are utilities included?
If you have a pet, is there a pet fee?
What about renters insurance?
All of these important variables will help you determine if you need to find a roommate or can afford to live alone!
If you’re planning to buy a home, then you’ll need to chat with a mortgage broker. They can tell you exactly how much house you can afford to buy.
Renters and first time home buyers should also consider:
- Cost of your daily commute
- Cost to furnish
- Cost to maintain
Step 5: Start Saving Money
Now that you know what you can afford month after month, you’ll need to start saving.
Renters will most likely need first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and security deposit. If you have a treasured pet, you will also need to account for possible pet fees.
First time home buyers will need a down payment.
Since you are moving out of your parents’ house, it is also safe to assume that you don’t have an existing relationship with utility companies.
This means you will likely be subject to activation fees or possible deposits. For example, some electric companies will require a deposit of $500 before they start service on new accounts. These deposits are usually returned within a certain amount of time, if on-time monthly payments have been made regularly.
Step 6: Sell Items What You Can, Donate the Rest
It’s always a good idea to purge before you pack. Purging is also a great way to boost your savings plan!
Go through all your stuff and determine what you no longer need.
Sell what you can, either online, at a consignment shop, or using a traditional yard sale.
When all else fails, donate, donate, donate.
Step 7: Find a Place to Live
Now it’s time to start hunting for that perfect place.
If you are gonna need roommates, it’s great to include them in the search. Why not pull together your resources from day one! Especially as a renter, having your roommates secured is huge. It will make the rental application process easier.
You can always go the traditional route and use a realtor, but also consider:
Also consider posting in community forums on facebook and checking out local bulletin boards for flyers.
Step 8: Set Up Utilities and Cable
Once you have a place to call home, you’ll need utilities.
For example:
- electricity,
- running water,
- trash pick up,
- sewage service,
- wifi,
- cable,
- natural gas
Of course, if you found a rental with utilities included, you can skip this step. However, it’s still a good idea to know who your utility providers will be!
While most towns have one provider per utility, this isn’t always the case. Do your research to ensure you get the best price!
Step 9: Change Your Address
Don’t wait until moving day to change your address! Go to USPS.com, select your moving date, and confirm your mail forward service.
You’ll also want to call your bank (any other important service/subscription providers) and change your billing address.
Pro Tip: Keep in mind that mail forwarding only lasts for so long. As your mail arrives at your new home, call the sender and update your address.
Step 10: Schedule the Movers (Bribe Friends)
When it comes to moving, you’ll want all the help you can get. Sure, the idea of hiring professional movers is super appealing.
And… if you are moving out of your parents’ house, this isn’t always a budget-friendly option. A better way might be recruiting some friends, perhaps bribing them with a free meal.
Step 11: Arrange for Pet Care
Animal lovers lucky enough to be taking the “family” dog with them, will want to arrange for pet care on moving day.
It’s usually best if this care occurs off-site.
Animals can find moving rather stressful. Plus, you don’t want the furry family members escaping or getting trampled.
Step 12: Find Packing Supplies
Boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, oh my!
For a successful move, you’ll need the right supplies. You can buy packing supplies online. It’s also possible to source free supplies (specifically newspapers for padding and boxes) from nearby libraries, large retailers, etc. Not sure how many boxes you’ll need? Use this Packing Calculator.
Step 13: Have a Moving Essentials Bag
What is a moving essentials bag? Great question. This must-have bag is where you’ll keep anything you will need on moving day and for a day or two after. For example:
- wallet
- phone charger
- medications
- toiletries
- clean clothes
Essentially, this is going to include anything you would usually pack for a weekend away.
Step 14: Pack
Last but certainly not least, to ensure a successful move, you have to pack!
Start with the least essential items first…
- seasonal clothing
- knick-knacks
- photos
- books
To ensure a well-organized move-in experience, pack like items with like items. For example, bathroom stuff, books, bedroom, kitchen, etc. This way as your moving team unloads the truck they’ll know where to put things. Why move boxes more than absolutely necessary!
Mark each box’s top and bottom using arrows and words, “This side up!”
And of course, boxes that contain fragile items should be marked “FRAGILE”.
Step 15: Read Part 2 of This Series!
Now that you are up to speed on all the actions you need to take to plan for moving day, it’s time to start thinking about tackling moving day itself. Lucky you, everything you need to know will be included in Part 2 of the series (coming March 24), “Moving Out of Your Parents’ House (Again) Part 2: Tackling Moving Day”.
