| Moving can be both an adventure and a challenge, | | | | much more easily with the help of a metal dolly or |
| physically and emotionally. The entire process can be | | | | wheeled cart. Think back to physics class when you |
| accomplished successfully by a competent team of | | | | learned about levers. Increase the human ability to tote |
| do-it-yourselfers and some necessary supplies. Here's | | | | weight with these handy tools. |
| a list of tools and materials to help you and your | | | | - Truck: Rent a large enclosed truck or borrow a |
| belongings get to the next place: | | | | pickup from a friend. If you own a vehicle with a trailer |
| - Boxes: A supply of cardboard boxes and plastic | | | | hitch, an open or enclosed trailer can also do the trick. |
| crates will help move everything from Point A to Point | | | | Local moves can be accomplished with the smaller |
| B. These can be purchased at the local truck rental | | | | trucks or trailers, but long distance relocations will |
| location or picked up free from the corner grocery | | | | require a full sized moving truck in order to haul all |
| store. Most grocers recycle their boxes right away but | | | | belongings at once. |
| if you ask them to hold some for you, they are usually | | | | - Friends: More than one set of hands will be needed |
| happy to comply. If a household is being moved locally, | | | | to load the vehicle. While packing can be a solitary |
| open plastic crates may be used and reused | | | | endeavor, furniture and appliances will need at least |
| throughout the process. Pack, unload and repeat. A | | | | one other set of hands. |
| longer distance will mean that items must be enclosed | | | | - Babysitter: If you have children, this is the time to |
| in sealed boxes in order to protect the contents during | | | | farm them out. It will be hard to keep your eye on |
| the journey. | | | | junior during this process. Babies and children often |
| - Tape: In order to close each box, packing or | | | | become agitated and uncomfortable with this disruption |
| strapping tape must be utilized. Scotch or masking | | | | of their space and routine. Give them and the loading |
| tape isn't strong enough to keep the packages sealed | | | | crew a break by dropping them off at a babysitter's |
| up. An industrial strength tape will be your friend during | | | | place. Coloring and watching videos will be a lot more |
| the packing process. | | | | fun for them. |
| - Bubble wrap: Dishes and glassware need extreme | | | | - Pet sitter: Pets can become even more stressed |
| care. Don't just toss everything into a container and | | | | than humans when they see their home being packed |
| hope for the best. It may be time consuming to | | | | away. They may even hide or run away during the |
| individually wrap these fragile items, but when you | | | | frenzy. Take Fido and Fluffy to the pet sitter and help |
| reach your destination to find each vessel intact rather | | | | everyone stay safe and sane. |
| than in a pile of shards, you'll be glad you did. It's also | | | | - Food: An ice chest full of cold drinks and snacks will |
| time consuming and expensive to have to run to the | | | | fuel the crew. It also adds a celebratory element to an |
| store to buy replacements when you arrive at your | | | | event that is both an adventure and a chore. |
| new place. | | | | With the proper supplies, moving day can be a |
| - Dolly or wheeled cart: Heavy items can be moved | | | | memorable time for all. |