By: IMP Member Meg Willett
Have you been watching the show “Tidying Up” on Netflix with Marie Kondo (or read the book)? Like most of America, it has made me want to get rid of lots of our stuff. It also reminded me that I’d asked a few former IMP members for their best moving advice right after their departure from Iowa City. So whether you are moving this summer (!) or in the next few years, this advice is for you!
Purge / Organize
All agreed that you should get rid of as much stuff as possible! One member said she pocked about $350 from selling at Stuff, Etc. but would have made even more money if she had started earlier. Other people prefer to sell to IMP members or on Facebook.
Amid your purging, make sure you keep important papers (birth certificates, car titles, etc) in a place that you can easily find.
Moving Costs
If you are moving for a job, negotiate for higher moving costs. It is ALWAYS more than you think. Inquire if hotels, gas, food and all those other expenses are included.
Look on Craigslist for free/cheap boxes and moving supplies. You can save a TON by picking up boxes this way. Maybe start looking a month or so out.
Plan Ahead
Make an appt at the DMV in new city. Once former member Kristen moved, she discovered there was a waiting period of months and she would have benefited from advanced scheduling.
If you have kids: Pack as much as you can while your kids are in school or occupied in some consistent kind of care (camp etc). It is much easier to pack up a box, seal and label it when you didn't have toddler hands trying to "help." Maybe even trade off babysitting with another IMP member who is moving!
If you are selling your house and using a realtor (like our sponsor Tundi Brady!), reach out early—like now --to stay on schedule for a listing around Match Day.
Movers
Double check that movers cover all your furniture with furniture pads. One member warned her fast and efficient movers came at a price—almost every piece of furniture was dinged. She wishes she would have watched more closely as they loaded the truck.
Consider paying to have movers come out a few days before loading the truck to organize the boxes and furniture. It made things run more smoothly on moving day for a member.
Check out Penske: the prices are a little lower than Uhaul and they have discounts (AAA etc). An auto repair person also said that they have the best coverage in case things go wrong.
I would also add from our moves in the past: READ the contract you sign. We went with a huge moving company about seven years ago, and they took close to two weeks to move our items (a 16 hour drive)! But, we referred back to the contract, and they only had to pay us a minimal amount for taking over a certain amount of time. I wish we would have clarified. They also forgot to load packed items in a front closet. We shouldn't have trusted them as much to be thorough.
We have always been running around at the last minute leaving town. I wish we would have planned to spend the night with a local friend to tie up loose ends rather than hitting the road stressed. We did fork over money to hire cleaners so we could leave as soon as moving truck did.
What else do you recommend?
Have you been watching the show “Tidying Up” on Netflix with Marie Kondo (or read the book)? Like most of America, it has made me want to get rid of lots of our stuff. It also reminded me that I’d asked a few former IMP members for their best moving advice right after their departure from Iowa City. So whether you are moving this summer (!) or in the next few years, this advice is for you!
Purge / Organize
All agreed that you should get rid of as much stuff as possible! One member said she pocked about $350 from selling at Stuff, Etc. but would have made even more money if she had started earlier. Other people prefer to sell to IMP members or on Facebook.
Amid your purging, make sure you keep important papers (birth certificates, car titles, etc) in a place that you can easily find.
Moving Costs
If you are moving for a job, negotiate for higher moving costs. It is ALWAYS more than you think. Inquire if hotels, gas, food and all those other expenses are included.
Look on Craigslist for free/cheap boxes and moving supplies. You can save a TON by picking up boxes this way. Maybe start looking a month or so out.
Plan Ahead
Make an appt at the DMV in new city. Once former member Kristen moved, she discovered there was a waiting period of months and she would have benefited from advanced scheduling.
If you have kids: Pack as much as you can while your kids are in school or occupied in some consistent kind of care (camp etc). It is much easier to pack up a box, seal and label it when you didn't have toddler hands trying to "help." Maybe even trade off babysitting with another IMP member who is moving!
If you are selling your house and using a realtor (like our sponsor Tundi Brady!), reach out early—like now --to stay on schedule for a listing around Match Day.
Movers
Double check that movers cover all your furniture with furniture pads. One member warned her fast and efficient movers came at a price—almost every piece of furniture was dinged. She wishes she would have watched more closely as they loaded the truck.
Consider paying to have movers come out a few days before loading the truck to organize the boxes and furniture. It made things run more smoothly on moving day for a member.
Check out Penske: the prices are a little lower than Uhaul and they have discounts (AAA etc). An auto repair person also said that they have the best coverage in case things go wrong.
I would also add from our moves in the past: READ the contract you sign. We went with a huge moving company about seven years ago, and they took close to two weeks to move our items (a 16 hour drive)! But, we referred back to the contract, and they only had to pay us a minimal amount for taking over a certain amount of time. I wish we would have clarified. They also forgot to load packed items in a front closet. We shouldn't have trusted them as much to be thorough.
We have always been running around at the last minute leaving town. I wish we would have planned to spend the night with a local friend to tie up loose ends rather than hitting the road stressed. We did fork over money to hire cleaners so we could leave as soon as moving truck did.
What else do you recommend?
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