Moving System: Easy as A, B, C, and D

Of all the painful transitions in life, a major household move is one of the hardest to endure. Not many people enjoy the process and why would you? Items get lost, cherished possessions can be broken and it takes time to get unpacked and settled in the new home. This system will help alleviate much of that discomfort and help you adjust faster and enjoy your new home sooner.

The A-B-C and D moving system is very easy to master. For every box you pack, you’ll write two things on the box: the name of the room where it is to be placed, and a letter, either A, B or C. As you are packing a room, you’ll generally have four boxes available, one for each letter. Here are the packing criteria for each letter.

A

The items you pack in any A box are the items that MUST be unpacked your first day/night in the new home. For instance, in the kitchen, A items will include your everyday dishes, glasses and silverware; basic pots and pans; pantry items; refrigerated items. For the bedroom, it will be clothes for the first few days, items you enjoy having on your nightstand such as alarm clock and books; and shoes. In the bathroom, towels, medicine cabinet, and toiletries will go in these boxes.

B

These items are the things you’ll need to use during your first week in the new place. You won’t be unpacking them until after all the A boxes are unpacked and put away, so keep this in mind. Generally, there will be more clothing and shoes, personal but not urgently needed items, and maybe books needed for school or work.

C

These boxes will contain everything else you’ll be moving. Knick knacks and miscellaneous decorations, any collections like books and CDs or DVDs. Electronics that were not needed the first day or week will be here also.

D

While packing, you’ll have a box labeled D among your other boxes. Anything you put in a D box is something you no longer use, want or need. Why move it? Pack it in a D box and arrange to have a local thrift store or mission pick up the items. If you have lots of time to pack, you can probably drop off these D boxes to local drop off points as you fill them. When you move, it’s a great time to declutter your life and get rid of excess stuff. Take advantage of the opportunity and fill up those D boxes. Your local charities will thank you.

That is all there is to it. This is a really easy system once you get the idea and put it into use. It will make your next move easier than you can imagine because you’ll know what needs to be unpacked and what can wait a few days or, in the case of the C boxes, even a few months.