Tips to Make Moving House Less Stressful

A strain on both your mind and your bank balance, moving house is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events we go through. It’s never likely to be outright enjoyable, but there are a few simple ways you can at least stop the stress overtaking the underlying happiness of what should be an exciting time.

• Start by having a thorough clear out before you pack. Why bother taking things with you that you no longer want or need? Plus, by selling unwanted clothes, DVDs, gadgets, etc. beforehand, you could drum up some extra cash to help fund the move whilst leaving yourself with less stuff to sort through once you arrive in your new home.
• Once the actual packing starts, list and label everything, and I mean everything! Checklists of what’s to be done will keep you one step ahead come moving day, and if boxes are all clearly labelled with what’s inside (clothes, books, kitchen utensils, etc.), half the fuss of getting them to the right room and unloading them in the new house is already taken care of.
• It’s always a good idea to pack immediate essentials together in as few boxes/suitcases as possible so that they can be taken to the house first. The last thing you want is to settle into your new home by spending hours hunting down phone chargers, toiletries, keys and other necessities. Along a similar vein, make sure utilities are sorted before you arrive so that water, electricity and heating are already up and running.
• Though hiring a professional removals company to assist with transport is a valid option, hiring a van and taking the DIY approach is also worth considering if you like to keep control. The latter method allows you to pack and travel at your own pace whilst avoiding the perils of lost/damaged goods and wrong delivery addresses that we’ve all heard about with regards to third parties. There are great options if you are looking for cheap van hire in Birmingham, with comparable companies likely available in your local area too.
• It’s important to always remain realistic with timing and goals. Packing, moving and unloading in a weekend is almost never going to happen, and whilst nobody wants to be living out of boxes for weeks, it’s always better to take your time and not burn out. If it’s an option, it may even be worth taking a few days off work so you can better pace yourself and allow for plenty of hard-earned breaks.
• Last but by no means least is to ask for help. A few extra pairs of hands courtesy of friends and family will go a surprisingly long way towards quite literally lightening the load. Besides, having them join you for the adventure might make it easier to have some fun along the way. After all, settling into your new place and making a house a home is something to be cherished.

from Finance Girl http://www.financegirl.co.uk/tips-to-make-moving-house-less-stressful/