Preparing to move

Tink_04

Yey!

We are finally moving house! The stuff isn't the problem it's more the food and sorting out running everything down? We have 2 children and a nice stock of things to keep us going, I know we have a lot and we need to run it down but I'm not sure how - I'm not throwing perfectly good food or toiletries away, but I'm unsure how to reverse prep for a move? It can't all come with us and we have until January before we go but no idea where to start!

Help

GreyQueen

Congratulations on your move-to-come, and how wise you are to make preparations ahead of time.

Not sure why food and toiletries can't go with you? Are you moving internationally or into someone else's home where there will be no need for your own supplies?

Otherwise, I'd look at eating down freezers, refridgerated foods and opened packets and jars and just not re-buy any more cans or dried goods than you can eat this side of the move.

Ditto toiletries; use up already opened bottles and just box and transport the rest.

Tink_04

Thanks we are just moving to another house but as ours was not selling and I thought we will not get a buyer this late in the year, I've been stocking for winter and have loads of stuff! Plus Christmas presents stashed around the house and Xmas food to buy still!

I know I just need to eat through what we have but it's A LOT and have 2 freezers full too - thnk I'm just a bit over whelmed as have been her 10 years and accumulated 2 children in that time and all there stuff too - think if it was just me and DH I'd just eat a tin of stuff a night but doubt the kids would like it!

greenbee

Freezers can actually be moved full... but as GQ suggests I'd just focus on running down stocks as much as you can and avoiding buying anything new. Maybe have a bit of a general clearout to make sure you're not taking anything with you that hasn't been touched in the 10 years you have been in the house, clothes/toys etc past their best. And pack up all the summer stuff and things you know you're not going to use. Just make sure you box up the Christmas presents and put them somewhere safe!

Christmas is actually a good time to run down stocks (have lots of friends over ) and to rationalise your current belongings.

If you have toiletries you want to get rid of consider donating to your local homeless charity/night shelter.

GreyQueen

The Xmas-new year period can be pretty good for getting rid of stuff as most people have some time off work to get things done.

You probably have some kid stuff (equipment as well as toys etc) which is no longer age-appropriate or just too tired or out of favour. A lot of this stuff is bulky, so it would be good to have a clear out.

You've time to work through quite a lot of grub if you shop from your freezers. Will there be room for both of them at your new home, or will you have to think about going down to a single freezer? Ditto anything else, from bed linens to cans of baked beans.

A good tip for forcing yourself to use up already-opened toiletries is to only have one bottle of any category out, and keep the others well hidden until that one is finished.

Anything you don't have to pack up and take with you is a blessing which you and your helpers will thank yourself for on removal day.

Good luck!

Tink_04

Thanks I thInk I'm going to make a list of meals so I can use up what I have out of the freezers and maybe use up some stuff to batch cook some ready meals for closer to the move so we can still have some home cooked stuff.

My 2nd freezer is going to a friend as we won't have the room for it.

The tins and stuff could come with us but do really need to be thinned down back to basics.

Toys and clothes have been de cluttered but every time I'm getting a charity bag through the door I'm filling it so there is always more!

Just really panicked as I've been stocking everything up since my daughter was born in 2009 and we had an awful winter so we always have loads!

Thanks for all your advice - we have never moved before!

GreyQueen

I've moved lots and quite enjoy it. I get called upon to help others move (because I quite enjoy it and have experience with big vehicles).

Just think of everything you own having to be containerised in some way for the move. Some movers can take loaded chests-of-drawers, but most furniture will have to be emptied and the contents packed.

You will need more boxes and bags than you ever imagined, not to mention packaging materials. Start collecting them now, is my best advice.

On moving, assume that Sod's Law applies; if it can tip over, leak, spill or whatever, it bliddy well will. Try to put anything in paper or cardboard packaging into rigid sided packaging containers, put any liquid or semi liquid things into plastic crates (so spills will be contained) and try hard to declutter before your move rather than after.

The latter is the norm, but it's much the harder way, and the more expensive.

greenbee

I suggest you retain GQ as your declutter-and-move expert. She'll probably be able to sort you out in a couple of days!

rosie383

I agree. GQ was an absolute legend for me when I moved a year ago. So much advice out there, but hers was by far the most down to earth, practical and funny and I loved it!
Keep up the good work GQ!!!
And Tink, listen to her! She knows what she is talking about! As for buying more food for Christmas, apart from sprouts and maybe a turkey, why don't you explore ways of making festive grub from what you have in already. Don't buy canapes, make some teeny pancakes and whiz up smoked salmon with cream cheese and black pepper. That kind of thing. Look on here for inventive ways to make different dinners. And don't worry about using up tins and sealed packets. Believe me, they will be one of the easiest things to take. As the great GQ says, use up opened, half empty stuff, and hide the unopened ones.

Slowly57

Tink_04 wrote: »

Yey!

We are finally moving house! The stuff isn't the problem it's more the food and sorting out running everything down? We have 2 children and a nice stock of things to keep us going, I know we have a lot and we need to run it down but I'm not sure how - I'm not throwing perfectly good food or toiletries away, but I'm unsure how to reverse prep for a move? It can't all come with us and we have until January before we go but no idea where to start!

Help

If it's just a case of getting shot of stuff - food can go to food banks, as can toiletries. Toiletries and kids stuff are always welcome at refuges/shelters too. Furniture can be Freecycled etc.

Lynplatinum

Hiya Tink_04

I moved in July of this year. I spent a year planning it and prepping for it and it still wasn't enough so dont stress if you dont get it all done! (I had lived in the same house for 23 years!)

Firstly - aim to go through one room each weekend (give two weekends to the kitchen) and dont forget the shed!!

Secondly - ask yourself, as you go through each cupboard - will I use it? Do I really like it? Does it have genuine sentimental value? Will the person who gave it to me ever come visiting?? If the answer to this is no on any level then see below:

Thirdly - have 3 boxes in your hall/ front room. Box 1 Charity shop/food bank/food rescue place (look up Real Junk Food Project - there maybe one near you) Box 2 For Sale: E-bay/Facebook; small ads (devote one evening per week to doing this!) Box 3 Tip!! (as in municipal dump!)

The 3 box set up allows you drop stuff in there as you come across it! :j You will e amazed what you have squirreled away and will never use again!

Consider saving up for professional packers and a firm of professional cleaners. I have arthritis and, although expensive, they were worth every penny - saved me so much stress!!

Always, always, always label boxes as to contents once you pack!! And keep a list!!:rotfl:

Finally - good luck and well done on getting the place you were after - it will be worth it in the end!! take care and hope this helps