Did you know that 14% of Americans move somewhere new each year?

Although your destination may be exciting, the process of getting there can be a real hassle. The key to making your move less stressful is to stay organized.

Want to learn how to pack like an expert? Keep reading for five organization tips for your move.

1. Reduce Clutter

One of the best home organization tips is to minimize your clutter. Not only will this make packing easier, but it’ll prevent your new home from feeling claustrophobic. 

As you go through your belongings, you can make a pile for things you’ll keep, things you’ll discard, and things you’ll donate. If you’re having a hard time deciding, you can make a fourth pile for items you like but don’t use often. If you don’t use them before it’s time to pack, then you can feel better about getting rid of them.

2. Create a Realistic Packing Schedule

The earlier you start packing, the more time you have to plan a strategy and relax. If you rush the process, you’ll end up with boxes filled with random items. Investing the time to pack will save you much more time in the future once it’s time to unpack and decorate your new home.

While it’s great to be ambitious, a person can only do so much in a day. Remember to be kind to yourself by not overdoing things. With a clear schedule, you’ll feel less overwhelmed since each day has manageable tasks.

3. Make Specific Box Labels

Creating labels for all of your boxes is one of the most basic room organization tips for your household move. Although this is a great start, chances are you have many boxes for each room.

To elevate your packing game, make your labels more specific. Instead of labeling all of your boxes “bedroom,” try adding more information like “bedroom 1 – dresser,” “master bedroom – desk,” and “guest room -closet.” You can even color coordinate each box to make unloading simpler.

4. Load Your Truck Room by Room

Loading and unloading boxes is hard work. To minimize the heavy lifting, try to load your moving truck room by room, so there’s no confusion. Once you arrive at your new home, you’ll know exactly where everything needs to go.

Better yet, why not let professionals handle the transportation? Since they’re moving experts, they have strategies to make your move as efficient and stress-free as possible. While they unload, you can get ready to unpack.

5. Pack Essentials in a Special Box

Unpacking and organizing your belongings is just one of the many chores people have to do to make their new homes livable. Since there’s so much to do, you may end up taking weeks to get your house in order.

To save yourself from digging through a bunch of boxes, set aside your essentials for easy access. These items could include toiletries, a few different outfits, vitamins or medication, and anything else you use every day.

Ready to Put These Organization Tips to Use?

With these five organization tips, moving will be much less stressful. The more you plan, the easier it’ll be to stay in control each step of the way.

The most useful tip to simplify your move is to hire professional movers. Get a free quote from our staff today.

Just under 15% of the population makes a household move each year in the United States. It may seem like a small percentage, but that’s still a lot of people and belongings getting from one place to another. 

Families with young children are the most likely to make a long-distance move. Who better to use a moving app to make things a little easier? 

Being organized will go a long way when the movers show up on moving day.

There are several mobile moving apps out there to organize this major event in your life. These five apps for moving will help you stay on track and keep your move in order. 

5 Apps for Moving You’ll Want to Consider Using 

Keep your move from getting chaotic with these apps to help you move. Use a combination of moving apps to streamline your moving process and help you get settled. 

1. MyMovingList

Check out this helpful app to schedule and manage the intricacies of your move. MyMovingList lets you create a timeline of up to 8 weeks before your moving day, which means you won’t be leaving things to the last minute. 

The MyMovingList app provides detailed, all-purpose moving tasks that you can personalize for your own moving needs. With this household moving checklist, you can send self-notification reminders, email yourself a list, print labels for your boxes, as well as sync with your other smart devices.

2. OfferUp

A key to moving is downsizing before the big day. It provides you with the chance to get rid of items you no longer want or have use for anymore.

Use the OfferUp app and make a little money as you reduce your household inventory. OfferUp is a large mobile marketplace for local sellers and buyers to quickly and effectively sell and recycle their unneeded items.

Take pictures of the items you want to sell, set your prices, and list them on the app.

It’s an excellent way to downsize and earn a little extra cash along the way!

3. Nextdoor

This app will help you ease into your new neighborhood.

Moving to a new neighborhood is a challenge. Nextdoor is like a private social network to help you to connect with your neighbors. This app keeps everyone up to date with what’s happening in their community and allows users to share local news and information. Neighbors use this app to help each other with things like planning a neighborhood block party to finding a lost dog.

Nextdoor is also an excellent place to offer your moving boxes when you have completed your move.

4. Sortly 

Does your move involve using temporary storage or getting items from somewhere else besides your home? This app will uniquely keep track of your possessions.

Add pictures of your belongings, any pertinent information, and notes. It will remember where everything is, whether it’s in storage, in the home, or at your mom’s house. 

5. MagicPlan 

Before you get to your new place, this app will allow you to arrange your furniture and create the best possible floor plan without breaking your back. 

Take pictures of your new home and use the 3D floor plan to decide where to put your belongings. Move things around in the app until you like what you see.

You’ll have a visual plan before you even get there. 

Move Smarter

Now that you know some of these helpful apps for moving, your move will go more smoothly.

Do you know who else can help you with your next move? We at Browning Moving & Storage will take care of you from beginning to end. Check out our reviews and see why we’re the right choice for all of your moving needs. 

Each year, about 40 million people move to a new house or apartment. If you’re one of those people, then you may be looking for ways to move on a budget. 

Moving doesn’t have to empty your pockets. There are many ways to avoid spending a lot of money when moving. 

Keep reading for our five tips on how to move on a budget. 

Make a Plan

If you’re looking to move on a tight budget, then your number one priority should be to make a plan before you start moving. 

Create a personalized to-do list and a budget – then do your best to follow them.

Start your budgeting process by submitting an online request for a professional moving quote. Get an estimate for services that are specific for your move.

Take Only What You Need

An essential step when moving on a budget is to declutter. Sometimes we tend to hang on to things we no longer use, like, or need.

Reviewing your belongings before a move helps for many reasons. It helps emphasize what you have. Many times we pack things away then forget about them.

It’s also an excellent chance to organize your things so you can find them easily when you’re unpacking in your new home. 

Finally, but most importantly, there’s no sense spending money to move things you don’t want or won’t use in the future.

Save on Boxes and Packing Materials

Packing materials add up quickly. Look for opportunities to get gently-used boxes and household materials, if possible.

Find places to get free, gently-used boxes. Check with your moving company as well as online websites like NextDoor. Often, people who have recently moved are looking to recycle and pass on their gently-used boxes.

Check with local grocery and retail stores about their discarded boxes. Inquire with the store manager to see if they have any available and if you can have some.

Also, use what you have on hand and are taking with you anyway. Use baskets, hampers, and bins to pack your things to save on boxes.

Instead of relying only on bubble wrap and other expensive material to safely pack your things use old newspapers, towels, and blankets to wrap up stuff.

Evaluate Your Timing

When possible, arrange your move for off-peak times. Fall and winter months are slower, with fewer families moving during that time. Consequently, moving services are less in demand, and prices might be more budget-friendly.

Aim for a mid-week and mid-month relocation as these tend to be less busy and, therefore, less expensive times as well.

Do the Packing Yourself

Save money on the move by packing and unpacking your household yourself. Start the packing at least six weeks before your move date to allow enough time to pack right.

How to Move on a Budget

When it comes to figuring out how to move on a budget, there are many things you can do. Make sure to have a plan, so you know exactly how much you will be spending. If you’re looking for help with your big move, then make sure to get a free estimate from us. 

The prospect of moving to a new home is exciting, but the challenge is packing it all up and hauling everything. Most of it is simple and easy enough, but when it comes to big items, breakables, and expensive possessions such as TVs, things can get complicated.

When it comes to packing a TV, for example, you need to take extra care.

Here are some tips for preparing your television for a move.

 Prep Your TV for the Move

The first step when moving is prepping all your possessions, and that includes your television.

First, unplug the TV and any associated electronics such as a cable box, DVR, or Roku box. Then use a microfiber cloth to dust off your TV and accompanying devices thoroughly.

Gather the cables, remotes, and other associated small pieces and place them in a plastic baggie. Mark the baggie with a Sharpie for easy identification later.

Bonus tip: Before you unplug and disassemble your electronics, take photos of how the cables are plugged in so that when you get to your new home, reassembly will be a snap.

Packing Your TV

The ideal way to pack your TV is in its original box with the original Styrofoam and packing material. If you have saved that box and have it available, use those materials for the safest transport.

If you don’t have the original packing material that came with the TV, check with your moving company for a special TV carton kit. Your moving company should have the appropriate size for your flat-screen TV as well as the corresponding foam and cushioning material.

Follow the exact instructions that come with the TV carton kit for the best results. Two people should work together to pack the TV. Start by using the foam or bubble wrap that came with the TV to wrap the entire TV. Secure the cushioning material with tape. Make sure to never place tape directly on the TV itself.

Place the protective corner foam inserts from the original packaging or those that came with the carton into the bottom of the box. Place the TV into the special cardboard carton then place the top Styrofoam corner pieces onto the TV.

Put the top on the box, and tape it shut securely. Wrap tape vertically and horizontally to make sure the pieces are all held into place.

Keep the TV in its box upright. Do not lay it on its side. Label the carton “Fragile” and “This End Up” on all sides.

If you have an extremely large TV, movers recommend that you have it professionally crated for extra protection.

Need Help Moving?

Even if you know how to pack a TV and all your other possessions like a pro, you probably need help moving them. Don’t risk damaging your valuable property with a DIY move. Contact us today to learn how we can help with all your moving and storage needs, including getting your TV safely to your new home!

Are you in need of a reliable mover for your upcoming move?

Many people aren’t sure how to choose a moving company because there are so many out there. 

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re hiring a quality mover. You’ll save yourself time and money, and you can guarantee that your belongings are moved quickly and efficiently.

Read on to learn more about how to hire a moving company.

Research Various Movers 

Ask family and friends if they’ve used a moving company in the past and which ones they recommend. 

Log on to the Better Business Bureau listings to check out the moving company before hiring. Look for movers that are in good standing, accredited, and have few complaints. 

Call references to see what they have to say about their experience with the company. Then check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association to make sure the business’ USDOT number comes up with the correct information and that they are licensed and insured. 

Look at Reviews

One of the best things you can do when looking for a reliable mover is to check reviews. Reviews will give you an indicator of how well a service is because they come directly from other customers.

If you’re searching for a company on Google, you’ll be able to see reviews next to each company’s information. You can also check reviews on Yelp, a website dedicated to helping consumers find reliable services. 

Schedule In-Home Consultations

Scheduling initial in-home consultations with each of the prospective companies you are considering working with. This way, the moving company can check out your space, inventory your goods, and provide you with a detailed, accurate plan and estimate for your move. Then use these quotes for comparisons.

Your in-home consultation will allow you to review how you want your belongings handled, packed, and moved so that the movers can determine if they can meet your specific needs and preferences throughout the move. It will also provide you with the chance to get to know the moving company and their work styles before deciding to use their services.

Seek a National Moving Agent

Good movers need the appropriate equipment and resources to complete a job successfully. When a moving company is part of a bigger, national franchise or moving network, there is an excellent chance they will have the right equipment for your move. If your move is local, this might matter less since the movers should have the tools they need at their local base.

If your move is a long-distance or specialty move, hiring a national moving agent can facilitate the process. Access to additional trucks, work power, and specialty equipment when the company is far away can be vital in keeping your move on schedule.

Hire a Quality Mover Today

If you’re moving into a new home, hiring a quality mover will ensure that your belongings get transported quickly and safely. While moving services are convenient, it’s difficult for many people to know how to find one.

If you live in or near the areas surrounding Tallahassee and Lakeland, Florida, feel free to contact us about our moving services.