Things Not to Do When Moving:

Everyone is quick to tell you what you should do when moving, but it is rare to find helpful advice that tells you what not to do. There is a lot to take care of, so you can expect to feel a little overwhelmed, but if you can avoid some of the bigger mistakes you could save yourself from having a bit of a breakdown.
“Wing It”
If you are someone who likes to be spontaneous, and just take care of responsibilities as they come up you may think you can apply this laid back attitude to your move. Unfortunately, you will likely be kicking yourself later. There are too many details that go into a successful move. You need to have some sort of plan. Even if you have never created a list for anything in your life, this is the time to start.
Unplug the Fridge Moving Day
No one has probably mentioned that you need to unplug the fridge a day prior to give it time to defrost. This means you will need to get a cooler and ice, if you have food you plan on transporting to the new place.
Wait Until the Last Minute
If your buddies are trying to convince you to blow off packing again to go out by promising they’ll be able to help you get everything done in one day, you will likely find yourself alone the day before the move in a panic. Do not wait until the last minute, no matter how many people say they will help. “Things” tend to come up when the grunt work actually needs to get done.
Hiring Movers Based on an Estimate
You open the phonebook, call for an estimate, and feel like you hit the jackpot with the great price. Now your hard work is done, right? Wrong! An estimate is just that! It is typically a number to lure you in, and then it grows at an alarming rate with a ton of hidden costs. You need a moving quote, not an estimate, and it is a good idea to get more than one.
Telling Kids at the Last Minute
Can you imagine how you would have felt, if your parents told you that you were moving at the last minute? It is just not fair. Give kids time to be upset, and respect them enough to listen to how they are feeling. Make a list of everything they have to look forward to at the new place. If you have younger children you may even want to make it an adventure by creating a scrapbook.
Moving Everything
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when moving is to simply pack everything you have for the new place. There is little chance that you need everything you have. Now is the time to downsize even if you are moving into a bigger place. Before you just put everything in the trash though, you should consider donating anything that is in good and working condition. Many charitable organizations will pick your donations up.
Not Packing an Essentials Box
If you are scratching your head, and trying to figure out what an essentials box, you should be a little irritated with family and friends for not filling you in on this helpful tip. This box will have everything you absolutely need to get through the first 24 hours. This could include everything from toiletries to clothes for work the next day to dog food and treats. This way, you are not forced to go on a scavenger hunt through boxes to find everything you need.

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