If it seems like more people are stressed out than ever before, it’s not just you. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), inflation alone “is a source of stress for 83 percent of U.S. adults.” And with the way inflation has been rising the past couple of years, it’s easy to see why so many of us are at our wit’s end.
In light of this, it’s important to avoid stress and frustrations as much as possible—especially when it comes to moving and storage. To help you plan, here are some ways to avoid frustration during your next move.
Research Your New Location
The more you know about your new home, neighborhood and area of the country, the less uncertainty you and your family will face when moving there. Here are some of the most important areas to consider with your research:
- The schools your children will attend (if you have any)
- Commute times for your job
- Neighborhood features and resources
- Crime and theft statistics for your new city
- Cost of living differences compared to your old location
- Utility options and points of interest
- Weather changes and natural disaster response
Get everyone in your family involved in the research and it will not only be a potentially fun experience, but it will give you all more peace of mind as well.
Create a Moving Budget
It’s frustrating when there are expenses beyond your expectations—unless you have a proper budget, that is. Add up all of the expenses you think you will rack up, then add a 20 percent buffer on top of that for anything unexpected that pops up. Some examples of budgetary concerns you should consider:
- Fuel and mileage charges for personal vehicles
- Packing supplies (boxes, tape, etc.)
- Hotel or motel rental fees
- Meals and incidental trip charges
- Utility deposits, connection fees and initial expenses
- Furniture, appliances and other essentials
Downsize Before Your Move
The less you have to move, the further your budget can go. To minimize many of the frustrations of moving related to delays and costs, consider downsizing the number of belongings you’ll actually move. You can donate items and get a tax write-off, you can sell items and get a little extra cash and you can also just trash or give away items you don’t need.
Don’t Forget the Paperwork
From utilities and address changes to driver’s licenses and healthcare, there is a lot of paperwork to think about. Create a checklist ahead of time (when you’re in a more organized state of mind) and avoid last-minute scrambles to find paperwork at your new location. Organize important paperwork ahead of time and consider moving it separately from the rest of your stuff.
Consider Renting a Moving Container
A portable storage container can help reduce frustrations during your move as well. With a residential moving container, you can load and unload on your timeline and have it delivered to both your old and new locations. You don’t have to worry about movers, mileage and the stresses of driving your own moving truck—and you’ll enjoy a host of other benefits.
At SAM (Store & Move), we want to ensure our customers have seamless, stress-free moving experiences without any major frustrations. To talk with one of our reps and get a no-obligation quote, contact us today at 972-GET-A-SAM.