Moving this summer? Here are 8 tips to make things easier

School is out, and the weather is nice. What better time to pack up and head out to a new home? According to Moving Labor, “On average more than 40 million people move each year in the United States. It is estimated that 80% of those moves occur between April and September, this is referred to as peak season.” About 80% of those moves happen during these times so if you’re planning to make the jump this Summer, here are 8 tips to help you survive the madness of moving.

Ready, set, pack!

If you have a set move-in date, great! If not, this is the first step to cut down on house-hopping insanity. Put together a list of tasks that need to get done beforehand as soon as possible – and yes, this includes a packing list of what’s staying and what’s going. Ask your friends and neighbors, co-workers and their network if they have any boxes they’re not using to help get a head start on managing the secure passage of all of your belongings.

We like to move it, move it

 It never hurts to get started on your packing early. Start with things that you won’t need for the next few weeks to a month. Make sure to leave out any important documents or paperwork that may be needed in the middle of the transition. If you plan to use a moving company, start calling ahead and getting quotes while also ensuring that the company is insured. The best deal may not always be with top name companies, so don’t be afraid to search locally. Here is a list of the top 10 moving companies given by consumeradvice.com to help get you started.

Transfer utilities

Make a list of all utilities that will need to be transferred over to your new home, including your internet and TV services. Make appointments, if necessary, for those companies to come out for installations as well. Along with transferring your utilities, you can also start the process of forwarding your mail to your new address. USPS.com makes it very easy to forward your mail to your new address for up to a year with the option of extending every six months. This service only costs $1 and will save a ton of hassle down the line.

Keep it clean

Schedule a cleaning service to help take care of some of the moving mayhem. In the midst of a move, cleaning will probably be the last thing on your mind. Let a professional take care of the dirty work for you and focus on the big stuff. Plus, the people that move into your previous home will be thankful they were welcomed with a clean and tidy home.

Keep things accessible

 As you get closer to the move in date, make sure you have all of your necessities easily accessible including toiletries, trash bags, cooking supplies, and bedding. Typically, the first rooms to attack in the first days are the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. And although we’re sure you’re eager to get settled, don’t worry about unpacking everything in one day. Take it room by room and you will get there.

 Be prepared for warm weather

Have bottles of water handy during the move. As summer temperatures rise, dehydration is a serious risk. Even if you have a company doing most of the heavy lifting for you, being exposed to the sun and working in the heat can call for extra water and shade breaks.

 Dress comfortably

 It’s your moving day, not a formal dinner. Be comfortable and wear light clothing along with plenty of sunscreen to keep your skin protected. The lighter the clothing, the better chances of staying cool on those hot and humid Summer days.

 Bonus Tips

1. Turn on your air conditioning in the new place as early as possible. After a long move, there’s nothing more comforting than the cold blast of air every time you step foot inside.
2. Try to get the heavy stuff out of the way as early as possible in the morning. This will help you beat the heat and keep your energy throughout the day.
3. Move whatever food or perishable items right away. Instead of leaving them in the hot moving truck, pack them in your car and put them directly in the fridge if need be.
4. The key to all of this is to be prepared. Starting early can save you a headache in the long run. Take pictures of every room so you can either remember where things go or show the movers how furniture is to be assembled. Summer moving can be tough but given the proper steps, you can make it easy.

Ready for the big day? Moving can be costly especially when unexpected expenses arise. If you don’t want to touch your emergency cash, a LendingPoint loan may be a great option.

Even if your credit score is lower than you would like it to be, you do have personal loan options. A personal loan can even help improve your credit score. By taking out one of our personal loans. you can make affordable monthly payments and build your credit story by making on-time payments each month. As you continue to make your payments on time, you build your credibility and your credit history. Apply today!