Rent Moving Boxes

Not your first time at the rodeo? Then you know boxes, labels, and shipping tape can add up quickly.

In fact, buying enough packing supplies to move a one-bedroom apartment can cost more than $400. That’s a wad of cash for stuff that will wind up curbside. Sure, scoring free moving boxes is a real money saver, but it’s no easy feat for carless city dwellers.

Renting plastic moving boxes is a smart alternative.

Depending on where you live, rental bins can cost 50% less than buying cardboard boxes. Also, unlike the corrugated stuff, plastic ones are both crushproof and waterproof.

Companies like Gorilla Bins offer two-week rental packages based on home size. Packages typically include:

• Moving bins in both medium and large sizes
• Zip ties (so you don’t need packing tape)
• Peel and stick labels
• Free delivery and pick up

Places that rent plastic boxes usually wash them between rentals. If you’re a germaphobe, some companies like Bin It and A Smart Move, sanitize after cleaning.

To find where you can rent moving bins in your area, you can Google or search Yelp.

Hack a Vacuum Space Bag

Things like pillows, blankets, and your Triple F.A.T. Goose jacket take up lots of space when packing. If you compressed items like these, you’d be able to pack more lightweight stuff into fewer boxes. The problem is vacuum space bags are expensive. A set of three large bags costs around $20.

Smarter Ways to Organize Packed Boxes

Packing and labeling your stuff by room sounds like a smart plan. Until you find yourself needing a particular item, like a vegetable peeler that could be in any one of the 10 kitchen boxes you packed.

To avoid this problem you can create a detailed spreadsheet that lists each box’s contents. Yea, right, like who has the time?

An easier way to get things organized is to take a photo of the stuff that goes into a box before packing using your smartphone or tablet. To make this trick work you’ll need to give the photo and the box the same name for easy reference, for example, kitchen box #5.

You can also use an organizing app designed to make moving more orderly.

A personal favorite is Sortly. It enables users to create visual inventory lists for each box they pack using photos and printable QR code labels. When you scan the latter using your smartphone or tablet the app will share pictures of the box’s contents.

Make Peeling the Sticky End of Tape Easier

Locating the sticky end of a roll of shipping tape can be challenging. The struggle gets real and oh so annoying when the tape tears off into chunks or stringy shreds instead of neat and tidy pieces.

Using a toothpick to mark where to peel will make taping boxes less of a chore. To do this, place the toothpick horizontally on the tape’s sticky side. It should be about a half-inch from the end. Afterward, fold the end of the tape under so it covers the toothpick.

DIY Cheap Packing Material

Bubble wrap and packing peanuts aren’t cheap. Sure you can use stuff like towels, sheets, and clothing to protect your breakables. But unless the things you’re boxing are squeaky clean, you’re going to have a ton of laundry to do after you unpack.

What to do instead?

If you own a paper shredder, chances are you’ll be shredding a ton of paper clutter while you’re getting ready to move. Instead of dumping the shredded paper into the recycling bin, you can use it to cushion blows.

To avoid a big confetti-like mess, stuff the paper shreds into plastic grocery bags before using them to pad boxes and fragile items. Just remember to tie a knot at the top of each bag to prevent spilling.

Another good to know, clean plastic bottles in an assortment of sizes can be used to stop odd-shaped items from shifting around the confines of boxes.

How to Organize Small Stuff

Make your move transparent using Ziplock bags. Not only are they ideal for packing and protecting important papers, cards, furniture screws– you name it, but you can reuse them to organize small items after the move.

The trick to making this idea work is labeling. For example, you can label things like cords individually and then group them by gadget or device in labeled bags.

Problem Solving Kits

After you move, you’re going to need some stuff stat like soap and a clean towel for washing your hands. Creating a few problem-solving kits kept handy in transparent boxes or a large suitcase will keep the bare essentials at your fingertips until the dust settles. Here’s a list of suggestions:

• Weekend kit: Include all the stuff you would need if you left town for a few days including clothing, toiletries, and medications.
• Bed and bath kit: Think basics like toilet paper, towels, and sheets.
• First aid kit: When boo-boos happen a small stash of plastic bandages, antiseptic towelettes and absorbent compresses will come in handy.
• Toolkit: Pack what you’ll need to open boxes and assemble furniture like screwdrivers, pliers, hex keys and scissors.
• Munchie Kit: Pack snacks, bottled water, and a few pantry items for the next morning like coffee and your coffee machine.
• Cleaning kit: A few goods to have include garbage bags, paper towels, and multipurpose spray cleaner.

Prevent Packed Bottles from Leaking

A little bit of kitchen plastic wrap will stop liquid toiletries from leaking while in transit. To do this, take the cap off and place a small sheet of plastic wrap over the opening. Next, put the cap back on. FYI, this hack will also prevent packed stuff like your shampoo from leaking on airplanes.

Bag Your Wardrope

Sure, you can use white kitchen trash bags as garment bags during your move. But trust us, they will rip open before you get your clothing onto the truck. A better option is to use heavy-duty outdoor trash bags. They don’t tear open as easily so you can reuse them later for garbage.

Plan as Much as Possible

One of the best ways to ease the stress of moving is to plan as far ahead as possible. This will give you enough breathing room to organize things such as putting your current home on the market, getting rid of unwanted possessions, packing, finding a new home and hiring a mover.

Advanced planning can also give you and your children time to adjust to the idea of the upcoming transition. You will have the opportunity to talk to them and answer their questions. They can say goodbye to their friends and begin to get excited about their new home. You’ll lessen stress a great deal by allotting plenty of time for planning and adjustment.

Check Out Your New Neighborhood

If at all possible, it could be a good idea to involve your children in the search for a new home. This way, they can see the geographic area where you plan to move and start to acclimate themselves to unfamiliar surroundings. Once you decide on a place to live, take them to visit the new neighborhood. Show them nearby attractions, sites and venues. Being able to see things for themselves can lessen any anxiety.

If the move is too far to allow for an in-person visit, there’s always Google. Check out the street view. Map out interesting locations to visit. Then plan for a later visit in-person when you’re able. This can help to make the move seem exciting.

Keep Essential Items Handy

One way to make the move easier on your family is to pack important or special items separately and keep them close at hand. Things you use every day can be packed together in an easily-accessible way so that you can find them when you reach your destination. Special comfort items like a favorite toy, blanket or food should also be stowed separately. Having these essential items handy will add to familiarity to what could be a stressful situation.

Include Everyone

The children don’t have to be shielded from moving responsibilities. In fact, getting them involved and delegating some responsibilities to them can actually help them to feel more involved and in control. Give age-appropriate duties to each child to help them feel part of the big move ahead. Kids can help to pack. Older teens might be interested in helping to map out the travel route. Ask them where they’d like to stop to rest or to eat. Let them set up their favorite possessions in their new rooms upon arrival. Get creative. Involve your entire family in the planning and moving process. It can be fun, as well as promote bonding.

Discuss Feelings

Everyone is bound to have both positive and negative emotions surrounding the move. This process can be especially confusing for children. They probably didn’t choose to relocate and might not see much of a benefit for them in having to move. Talk to them often and encourage communication about their feelings. Share your own thoughts, fears and concerns. This will let them know it’s natural and acceptable to talk about such things. Such communication can be therapeutic and can lead to real problem solving.

Keep these tips in mind when making a move with your family. The process can be scary, but it doesn’t have to completely overwhelm you. Preparing ahead of time and keeping everyone involved will help to allay fears and give each member of the family a feeling of belonging. These steps will help to make the process much easier.

1. Sage protects against mosquitoes

This advice is absolutely perfect for those who enjoy hiking. All you need to do is throw bundled sage leaves into the fire, and the mosquitoes will forget about you for a long time.

2. A container for contact lenses to store cream

Even if you don’t wear contact lenses, you can buy a container in any pharmacy for a small price. It takes up very little space, but you’ll have enough cream for several days, and you won’t need to worry about it leaking. It’s also a good way to store toothpaste.

3. A bay leaf to avoid motion sickness

If you feel sick when you travel – no matter if it’s a plane, train, or car – a bay leaf is the perfect solution for your problem. All you need to do is put it under your tongue. Don’t worry about the taste: it’s actually pretty nice and will remind you of chewing gum.

4. A pillbox to store jewelry

A pillbox is the best container for jewelry. It occupies minimum space and gives maximum convenience: your necklaces, chains, and earrings will be neatly organized.

5. A Tic Tac box for bobby pins

Store bobby pins and hair clips in a convenient Tic Tac box while you’re traveling.

6. How to avoid clothes creasing in a suitcase

To prevent your clothes from becoming wrinkled in a suitcase, you should roll them instead of folding them. If you want to be sure that your clothing won’t unroll, you can secure each roll with a rubber band.

7. Hiding the extra key in a flowerbed

A foolproof way to hide the extra key from your house so that no one would find it: instead of putting it under the doormat or on the door head, place it in a pillbox and stick a stone to its lid. Then dig a small hole in a flowerbed or a plant pot near your house and put the pillbox inside. Now anyone who looks at it will only see a stone.

8. CB radio

If you travel mostly by car, you can buy a special radio to communicate with the truckers. You can be sure that they’ll help you in a difficult situation, and you’ll always know all the necessary information about traffic, potholes, and even food at the roadside motels.

9. A clean solution

Cover the kitchen utensils you cook on with foil: you’ll get meals without dirty dishes. The foil won’t make frying more difficult – on the contrary, it’ll help to distribute the heat properly.

10. Popcorn in a bag

Here is an extremely convenient and unusual method of cooking popcorn. Take a disposable foil pan, and mix together some vegetable oil and 1/4 cup of popcorn grains. Cover the container with foil so that it forms a dome. Fry over high heat for about 8 minutes, shaking until the corn grains cease to pop. Enjoy!

11. Keep your shoes clean

In order to save your shoes from sticky burrs and other stuff, wipe your shoes with paraffin wax before going into the woods.

12. Chips in a fire

Chips can become perfect kindling. Set them on fire, and put them between some branches.

13. Follow the trucks

When you decide to have a snack on the road, choose a place with a lot of trucks next to it. The truckers usually dine in one place they know, and you can trust their experience.

14. A selfie with a stranger

If you decide to hitchhike, always do your best to protect yourself. If you get into a stranger’s car, talk to him about his travels, hobbies, or something else. You should offer to take a photo together, and then post it on social networks.

15. OK Maps

OK Maps will save an image from Google Maps, and you’ll always have offline access to it. Just tap ‘OK Maps’ in the search bar, and Google will do the rest for you.

16. Pack a jacket in its hood

This is a really convenient way to carry your jacket. When rolled this way it takes up less space and can serve as a comfortable pillow. It’s better than puzzling over where to put it, right?

17. Deodorant to cure an itch

If you want mosquito bites to stop itching, take some deodorant and rub it over the bites.

18. Careful clothes storage

If you want your clothes to stay clean and not absorb smells from the suitcase, put antistatic wipes on the bottom and sides of the suitcase.

19. A different meal on a plane

Most airlines are ready to provide their passengers with a number of different foods. You can choose between a vegetarian, kosher, halal, Hindu, and Lenten meal. Why not try something new? As a rule, you don’t need to pay extra for it. The only thing is that you need to choose the type of meal at least 72 hours before the flight.

20. ‘Fragile’ stickers

The airport staff transports the luggage with these stickers really carefully, and, by the way, they also unload it first. You can ask for a sticker at the reception desk, and you won’t need to worry about the safety of your luggage.

1. DIY Box Handles

Make picking up and lifting heavy boxes a little easier by cutting handholds in two sides of the box with a utility knife! Leave the top flaps of your triangular cut-outs attached and simply fold them in. You should also reinforce your cut edges with a little packing tape so that they don’t rip (especially the top corners).

2. Padding & Space Fillers with Soft Items

Place stuffed animals, pillows, sheets, blankets, and other soft items in trash bags and use them as padding next to fragile items in the moving truck. It also helps fill up irregular empty space in the truck so your belongings won’t shift around during the move.

3. Defrost Your Refrigerator

Plan ahead! Don’t forget to defrost, towel dry, and clean your refrigerator 24-48 hours before moving day. This will help prevent a stinky, wet mess.

If your refrigerator will be sitting for a while, it’s important to clean it REALLY well. Otherwise, all of the little food particles that are left behind start to stink. It will be a nice surprise for you when you go to open it up at the new house.

Also, if you’re trying to save space for a long-distance move, consider utilizing the empty space in your fridge for lightweight items, and don’t forget to pad the handles and the face of the fridge really well because they dent very easily.

Don’t forget to defrost, towel dry, and clean your refrigerator 24-48 hours before moving day.

4. Masking Tape on Mirrors

Use masking tape to place a large X on your mirrors and glass frames. It won’t prevent it from breaking, but it will absorb shock and keep the glass in the frame in the case that it is dropped or shuffled in the moving truck.

5. Take a Photo of Your Cords

Trust me, this moving tip and trick will save you tons of time! Before you disconnect your computer cords to be boxed up, take a quick snapshot of the cords on the back of your television and other electronics so that you can remember where they all go!

6. Use Rolling Luggage For Heavy Items

If you’ve got them, use your rolling luggage bags for really heavy items like books. Now you can avoid the heavy lifting and simply roll the bags onto your moving truck.

7. Put Hanging Clothes in Garbage Bags

Keep your clothes on the hangers while still protected in garbage bags! This saves the hassle of taking them on and off of the hangers. It also keeps your clothes all together in the order you had them hung, less wrinkled, and ready to hang up when you get to your new home.

Just poke a hole for your hangers to fit through the bottom of the bag. You can’t fit as many clothes in this way, but they stay in better form, and you can tie the bottom off with the drawstring closure. Label each bag (mom’s side, dad’s side, etc.) and then you can hang them up where they belong before easily ripping the bag off.

8. Pack the First-night Box

Chances are, you’re not going to be able to unpack and organize your new home the day of the move. But, this quick-moving tip will save you searching for your contact solution, makeup remover and more! Pack a labeled box with all of your first-night essentials and load it last so it’s the first thing off the truck. Better yet; keep it in your personal vehicle.

You might want to include: toilet paper, toiletries, medications, snacks, basic cleaning supplies, coffee and a coffee maker, a first-aid kit, a utility knife, pet supplies, a night light for the kids, bedding, disposable plates, cups, and utensils.

It is also a good idea for each member of the family to pack a small bag that contains personal belongings that they might need for the first couple of days. Just pack as if you’re going on a short trip! This way everyone has a change of clothes and anything else they might need.

9. Safely Pack & Move Plates

Because foam plates are already in the shape of a plate, it makes perfect sense to use them to protect your delicate glass and ceramic plates. Place one in-between each plate to prevent them from chipping or breaking.

10. Plastic Wrap is Your Friend

Of all the moving tips and tricks I have for you, this is the best! Use plastic wrap to keep items in their place. No sense in emptying your drawers or silverware tray when you can use plastic wrap to keep drawers shut or smaller items in their intended container.

11. Paper Bags in Place of Newspaper

Paper bags are perfect for protecting glass cups and small bowls in the moving process. Double the bags for extra protection. Bonus: there’s no ink-bleed like you’d get from the newspaper.

12. Use Wine Cases for Your Glassware

Visit your local bar, restaurant, or winery, and you’re bound to come home with several empty wine box cases! The inserts in these boxes are perfect for protecting glass cups, wine glasses, and vases.

13. Make a Packing Supplies Basket

Put together all of the things you need for packing in a basket! This way you can carry it around with you and have everything at your fingertips. You might want to include: packaging tape, labels, scissors, Sharpies, a screwdriver, baggies, a utility knife, and a bottle of wine.

14. Double on Fitted Sheets

If you’re anything like me, you have a closet somewhere in your house with old sheets and blankets. Use those fitted sheets to protect your mattresses on moving days! Put one on just like normal, and then place another on the bottom for complete coverage. This will keep dirt and debris off of your mattresses in the moving process.

15. How to Pack Jewelry

When traveling or moving, jewelry has a tendency to get tangled, broken, or lost, but there are a few cheap and easy ways to prevent this from happening. Here’s an easy, organized moving trick!

Connect your necklaces through a toilet paper roll to prevent them from knotting. This is great for a short trip or packing up for a move.

Use egg cartons to store and protect small pieces of jewelry like earrings, rings, and bracelets.

16. Keep Screws & Bolts Organized

When packing and preparing for a move, that usually involves taking furniture apart, it’s really easy to lose those small screws, bolts, and nuts if you’re not careful. Simply use packaging tape to tape them to the underside of the furniture you’re disassembling. For larger parts or for several pieces, you can also place them in a Ziploc baggie before taping them to their corresponding piece of furniture. Now it will be a breeze to put them back together at the new home!

17. Storage Bins for Seasonal Items

If you don’t already have your seasonal items stored in plastic bins, invest in them now! Pack all of that stuff up that you only use once a year in bins, and you’ll be able to easily identify what needs to be stored in the attic or garage come moving day.

18. Invest in Convenient Boxes

Sure, it’s a good idea to start saving boxes months before the move, but it’s also an excellent idea to invest in boxes that are made for particular uses. Check out this wardrobe box! It might be a good idea for expensive suits and coats. There are also boxes made for framed artwork and mirrors, packing paper that won’t leave ink stains, and box cell inserts made for separating delicate items.

19. Drain Gas & Oil from Lawn Equipment

Gas and oil are considered hazardous and flammable. It’s probably not a good idea to pack a lawnmower or weed eater full of gas in with the rest of your stuff in the moving truck. Be sure to drain it out before loading it up. Your lawn mower needs a good tune-up every now and then anyway.

20. Utilize Everything!

Think outside of the box with this moving tip! Literally. Use your pot holders to safely hold knives, store socks inside of shoes and boots, use the inside of your washer and dryer for storing pillows and bedding — anything you can think of to fill up empty space! This will save much-needed room on the truck.

21. Print out Bright Colored Labels

Packing is a tedious job! Writing and labeling every box is something you will have to do over and over again. Plan ahead and print out brightly colored labels. Now you can just slap it on to identify each box. It will also be much easier to pinpoint a box — you can see it from across the room!

22. Use a Moving Key

Instead of labeling every box, use a moving key! This way you can just slap on a colored sticker or label without having to write on every box. Or, for instance, you can write the contents on each label, but easily be able to identify the room the box goes to by its color.

23. Use Towels to Protect Boxed Items

Wrap your delicate kitchen items in towels and hand towels for extra protection. You can also use them to fill up extra space in a box to prevent the items from shifting and potentially breaking.

24. Pack it Tight

Once you’ve got all of your household items on the truck, you’d think you were safe from breaking them from a drop, but all of those items are at risk of being shuffled around on the bumpy road — probably your best bet for damage. The tighter you pack, the better! Try to fill every nook and cranny, almost like a Tetris game. This way the items are less likely to shuffle.

25. Lay Everything out First

If you can, place everything outside on the lawn or driveway before loading up so that you have everything in your eye’s sight before determining your strategy.