What Should Go in Every Moving Binder

Let’s face it – relocating is difficult. It requires a lot of time and energy, and just when you think you have handled everything, a new problem pops up. That’s why you need a moving binder to stay on top of everything. Think of it as an answer to any possible question you could have about the move, all wrapped up in one convenient place.

Cross-country moving can be overwhelming, whether you’re doing it for the first time or the hundredth time. And even though long-distance moving services do most of the heavy lifting, there is so much stuff to do you don’t even know where to start. In those cases, getting organized is key. So if you want to keep your affairs in order, get yourself a moving binder organizer. It will make your life easier and your move efficient.

How to Make a Moving Binder – Where Can I Find a Printable?

There are a number of ways you can go about doing this, but the main question is – DIY or buy? Make it yourself if you’re feeling a bit creative and want to give the organizer your personal touch. On the other hand, if you’re not exactly into arts and crafts, you can always order one online and have it ready to go hassle-free.

Making it on your own doesn’t take much time and effort. All you need is a bit of patience, a printable of your choice, and some supplies. You’ll be needing:

• A sturdy 3-inch binder – you could do 2 inches if you wanted to, but we prefer it this way
• Use cute covers – jazz it up however you’d like
• Page protectors – not a necessity, but they will come in handy
• Dividers – get them colored so you can color-code everything.

Once you’ve acquired all the supplies, you can find moving organization binder printables online for free. There are a million options you can choose from. Find the printable you like the most and prepare for a move in style. If you want some help with decorating, you could use this video for inspiration.

Figure Out How You Want to Section Your Moving Planner

There are many ways you can section it. You could only have to-do lists, or you could have it be all about the packing. You could even have several binders, all with different purposes. We recommend the following system: old home – new home. Divide it in half. It might seem strange that you’ll have a whole separate section intended for projects that take place when the move is over but trust us on this one. But before we get into that, let’s check out all the mandatory steps your binder should cover before the move.

Do Your Home Inventory – Create a Checklist 

Doing your home inventory before relocating is a must. Estimating the value of household goods is important for so many reasons. It will be needed later on for the long-distance moving company. Also, it will come in handy when selling the house. Create a list of everything you own. Figure out what you intend to take with you to the new place and what you want to keep.

You could do it in columns. Column A is for keeping, B for throwing out, C for selling, and D for donating. You could have a room-by-room checklist if it’s easier that way for you. Also, keep in mind that there are certain items movers won’t move. Having a list of items you want to keep is the easiest way to pack. Use it, and you won’t have things you’ve forgotten to pack later on.

Make Packing Easier by Decluttering

Even if you’re hiring packing services, you still have a lot on your plate – you have to declutter. If you’ve already moved so many times you’ve stopped counting, you’ve got this down to a science. If you’re a newbie, this may be difficult for you. A simple rule to follow is: if you haven’t used it in the last year – you don’t really use it or need it.

Getting rid of unnecessary stuff and figuring out what not to pack is tiring but extremely important. Organizing a garage sale is an excellent way to declutter. You could also donate unwanted items instead of tossing them away or sell stuff online. Just get rid of as many items as possible.

Do Research in Order to Find the Right Relocation Company

Once you know your inventory and what you’re dealing with, you can choose a relocation company. Don’t hire the first long-distance movers you stumble upon. Check out a couple of companies, at least three. It’s a good thing your binder has a spot specifically dedicated to this, isn’t it? Write everything down, compare them and choose the best one for you based on whether you’re relocating with pets or kids, if you want an auto transport company, and so on. Doing thorough research will help you avoid relocating scams.

Keep Track of Your Moving Budget

A binder is an excellent place to keep track of your moving budget and stay on top of your expenses. Having all your financial information laid out in one place makes it easier to follow your budget and save on relocation costs. Not only is your folder great for making sure you don’t lose any receipts, but you can also organize important documents and contacts easily by keeping them all in one place. You won’t have to turn your house upside down and mess everything up to find a permit, insurance papers, or mortgage documents from ages ago.

Start the Countdown Until the Move

After your old home has been sold, you can take a little breather, especially if you sold the house without an agent. The countdown until moving day can officially start, but there are still important errands you should take care of. If you want to keep your move stress free, leave some room in your binder to organize all the tasks and appointments you have left.

Moving Day Should Also Have Its Section

Moving day can be frantic. You are under a lot of stress which is perfectly normal. The only problem is people tend to forget a lot when they are stressed, and in a hurry, so the best idea is to prepare in advance and have a checklist for the big day. You don’t want to arrive at the airport and realize you left your passports in a box already in the hands of cross-country movers.

The checklist should include plane tickets, passports, and anything you might need, including food and drinks. It’s a great reminder to have everything ready to go in one place. Think long and hard about any additional items – diapers if you’re relocating with kids, dog food, and a water bowl if you’re relocating with a dog. Another point you should have on the list is to call and check if everything is on track with the car shipping company.

The Real Work Starts After The Move

If you think you are done with all the heavy lifting simply because you’ve arrived at the other home, think again. There are so many things left to do after relocating. Luckily, you have it all organized in your handy moving binder in the “new home” section. Here’s what that section should contain:

Close Your Binder and Enjoy Your New Home

Relocating shouldn’t be a spontaneous process. It needs to be strictly organized so that nothing gets overlooked and forgotten. Having a moving binder is necessary if you want your move to run like a well-oiled machine and be successful. Another plus is that you only have to make it once, and once you’re done with it – store it safely in a box so you can have it ready for any future moves.