Moving out for the first time can be stressful, especially if you are preparing to move out of your parent’s house to live alone in your first apartment.
If someone is there to help you and give you valuable advice, their guidance will make things go more smoothly. But if you have to figure it all out on your own, these tips on preparing for moving out for the first time should help you keep your peace of mind.
1. Learn how to do some basic tasks before you move out
If you are about to leave your parents’ house, learn to do some basic tasks before considering packing your belongings. Moving out for the first time and settling into your new home will be more challenging if you don’t know how to cook or do laundry.
Learning to cook your favourite meals, do laundry, keep your home clean, and shop for groceries while respecting a budget.
2. Set up a realistic budget
Moving is expensive. And once you have moved, you need to pay your rent and utilities each month and keep your fridge stocked, among other things.
To avoid overspending on your move, set up a realistic budget. Look at how much money you have saved for moving out and how much you expect to earn each month.
Then, determine how much moving and living in your new home will cost monthly.
Your income needs to be higher than your expenses if you want this to work out.
3. Create your moving-out checklist
Now that you know you have enough money to move out, take a moment to create your moving-out checklist. Write down everything you need to do before moving day. You can find moving checklist templates online and customize one.
You should also create a timeline to make it easier to finish everything on time. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to start packing!
4. Decide how you want to move
When it comes to how you will move, you have different options. You can hire movers to care for your move and perhaps even pack your belongings.
You can also simply rent a moving truck or a storage container and ask your friends and family to help you fill it with your boxes.
Storage containers can be more convenient than moving trucks since you don’t need to drive the truck yourself. The company will deliver the container to your home, you will fill it up, and they will move it for you when you’re ready.
5. Make an inventory of your belongings
Moving out for the first time gives you a good occasion to go through your belongings to decide what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of. Depending on the size of your future home, you might want to focus on bringing only the essentials.
So make an inventory of your stuff, and sell or donate whatever you don’t need or don’t plan to be used shortly. Your move will be easier if you don’t pack boxes full of things you have no use for.
6. Look for free cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes don’t have to be expensive. You might even be able to get all the boxes you need for free!
Ask if you know anyone who has kept cardboard boxes they don’t need anymore. Your local grocery store might also be able to give you some empty boxes.
You will also need to gather some packing supplies, such as packing paper, bubble wrap, packing tape, old blankets for furniture, labels, and markers.
7. Start packing your belongings early
It’s best to start packing early so you don’t have to do it in a rush. Start by packing things you don’t need to use every single day, such as seasonal clothes. As moving day approaches, start packing things you use more often and finish with the essentials.
Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect fragile items, and don’t forget to label your boxes so you can know exactly what’s inside each of them without having to open them.
8. Change your postal address
Finally, don’t forget to change your address with your financial institution, doctor, and any other organization or company that might need to reach you. And of course, let your friends and family know where you will move!
While you can take care of your address change after your move, getting started in advance is a good idea.
