Tips on How to Pack Like a Pro with Jonas Bordo (Part 2)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - You’ve decided to save your money, forgo a moving company, and handle your own relocation. We chat with Jonas Bordo, CEO and co-founder of Dwellsy for some packing best practices that will help you protect your sanity and your stuff come moving day.

Consider leaving clothing in drawers and on hangers. If your dresser drawers are full of non-breakable clothing, why not leave these items where they are? Secure the drawers in place with tape or straps so that they don’t slide open or fall out in transit. You can also leave clothing on hangers. Simply lay these items in a box or to minimize wrinkles, purchase a special “wardrobe box” that includes a hanger bar.

Label everything. Playing the “what’s in which box” game is not how you want to spend your first few days in your new home. Label each box in detail as you pack it. For example, don’t just write “Kitchen.” Write “Kitchen: toaster, tea kettle, spatulas, immersion blender, and oven mitts.”

Save the essentials until last. Especially if there will be a few days or weeks between packing your things up and unpacking them in your new home, you’ll want to set some items aside to be packed last. These are items you’ll want to use while moving out and moving in, as well as belongings you don’t want to take any chances with. A sample list includes:

Make sure to rent the right size truck… It’s very easy to underestimate how much space your belongings will take up, so if you’re renting a truck or trailer, err on the side of “too big.” This is especially important if you’re moving a longer distance and multiple trips won’t be feasible.

…And don’t forget to include appropriate equipment. Simply stacking your boxes and furniture inside a truck can be a recipe for disaster. Plan to use moving blankets or furniture pads to protect non-boxed items and straps to secure large items so they won’t shift in transit. Don’t forget items like hand trucks, dollies, and ramps—they can be a lifesaver when it comes to getting your stuff out of your house and into the truck (and vice versa). If you don’t want to purchase these things yourself, you can rent them at many home improvement stores and truck rental companies.

Line up some help for the heavy lifting. …And do so well in advance. You don’t want to realize the day before your move that you might need a little help, after all. No matter how strong you are, you’re going to have trouble manoeuvring your couch though a small doorway—and even one more person means half the trips you’ll have to make in and out with boxes. If you can’t convince any friends, family members, or coworkers to step in, some moving companies allow you to hire workers for loading and unloading only.

Map your moving-day route. Has your vehicle or phone’s GPS ever sent you on an odyssey of side streets and back roads in an attempt to shorten your trip or avoid traffic? That may not be a big deal on a normal day, but on moving day (especially if you’re driving a moving truck!), you’ll want to stick to major roads and minimize detours as much as possible. Save yourself some stress and take a look at the map before hopping in the driver’s seat.

About the Book:

Everything You Need to Know About Renting But Didn’t Know to Ask: All the Insider Dirt to Help You Get the Best Deal and Avoid Disaster (Matt Holt, August 2023, ISBN: 978-1-6377439-2-8, $21.95) is available for pre-order from major online booksellers.

Find the other tips on Part 1 of Tips on How to Pack Like a Pro!

Copyright 2023 WPTA. All rights reserved.