Regardless of whether you will be doing your own packing or if you will pay your long distance movers to do it for you, there are some things you should think about before getting started, and definitely before you buy any materials to pack with.



Give Yourself Some Time

A great thing you can do for yourself before you move long distance is to give yourself plenty of time to pack. Giving yourself this time will help you in many ways. The main thing this will do is to relieve some of that last minute tension that can set in if you are still packing on the day of your move.

Allowing enough time can also benefit you if you want your long distance move to be more on the green side. You should start at least two months before moving long distance. This will allow time to organize and sort your possessions. It should also allow enough time to find new homes for the belongings you no longer want and prevent them from going to the landfill. The sorting process is the time to figure out what you will pack and send with your long distance moving company, and what you would like to get rid of. You may also consider creating a pile of items that you can’t decide what to do with.

During the two month sorting process you should try to use up all of your food and perishables in the fridge and pantry before your long distance move. Your moving company will not allow you to move perishables and it is more economical to avoid shipping canned goods as well.

After sorting all of your personal belongings and food items, you will be ready to get rid of the items you no longer want. For some great tips on how to get rid of those items, read the second section of this article.