How to pack alone and save money

Whether it's for a local, long distance, or an international move, packing can be complicated. To secure your belongings and prepare them for transportation, it's useful to learn how to pack efficiently and economically. When planning an international move, saving money and time while packing can be a big convenience and typically everyone's goal. If you decide to hire an international moving company for your move, take a look at our short packing guide. The following tips will help you organize your packing process and handle it like a pro.

Step 1 - MAKE A PACKING PLAN

The first step in every relocation is making a good plan. When it comes to packing, the rule is pretty much the same. Whether you decide to hire professional packers or not, the packing will be much simpler if you plan how to handle it. To pack economically, you will need to create a plan and get the right packing supplies. The best way to start is to assess your inventory and decide which items you want to move. This will help you get a better sense of what packing supplies you'll need, and how many. Furthermore, assessing your inventory will also help you set the moving budget. If you pack economically, you will save space in your moving boxes, and in-turn will save yourself money. The next step in your packing plan will be a timeline. Keep in mind that you may need to use some essential items until the last day, so make a list of items you should pack last. Before hiring movers, you should know how you plan to manage your packing process. When your movers arrive, you will avoid any delays if all your belongings are safely packed in advance.

Step 2 - DOWNSIZE

One of the easiest ways to pack economically is to only pack items you will use in your new home. For example, you should try to leave behind old pieces of furniture, clothes, or unnecessary paperwork. If you downsize your home, you will have an easier time planning your packing process. This will help you save money on packing supplies and pack in less time. Also, depending on your chosen method of shipping, the more you downsize, the cheaper your move will be. The process of downsizing can be time-consuming, but essentially - it's simple. All you need to do is to sort out your belongings into categories. The first category should be for packing, the second for giving away, and the third - for getting rid of. Downsizing will help you minimize unnecessary items in your new home, so you can unpack your boxes with ease.

Step 3 - PACK SIMILAR ITEMS TOGETHER

Once you begin packing, consider organizing your belongings into categories. For example, you can pack books with paperwork, or clothes with bed linen. Here are some examples of items you can pack economically:

• Books, documents, and paperwork
• Clothes, towels, and bedsheets
• Kitchen gadget and small electronics
• Cleaning products and cosmetics
• Toys, pillows, and blankets
• Memorabilia, decorations, and other non-sensitive items

If you want to save space inside your moving boxes, the best thing you could do is to downsize.

Step 4 - HAVE EXTRA SUPPLIES FOR FRAGILE ITEMS

Although some items can be packed together and help you pack economically, some fragile inventory will require different packing techniques and additional packing supplies. Any breakable and fragile items should be packed separately. Things made of fragile materials, like glass, marble, lamps, sharp and pointy items can be easily damaged during transportation. Therefore, you should pack them in original packaging, if possible. If you do not have the original packaging, you should get a box that fits the piece properly and add plenty of cushioning materials.

Step 5 - SAVE SPACE

When people say, 'pack economically', they usually refer to two things - Packing tightly and not overpacking. It's always good to save money while packing, while also saving space. And what better way to do that than to pack every moving box tightly? One of the best ways to do this is to pack smaller boxes or items inside bigger ones. Of course, this tip refers only to those items that are not easy to damage. Keep in mind that the tighter the packing, the less susceptible your boxes will be to collapse when stacked in the truck or container. Another thing you should avoid is overpacking. No matter how much you want to pack economically, you should never overcrowd the boxes. Cardboard boxes can't bear too much weight unless you want them to break or tear apart. Make sure to get enough moving boxes so you have plenty of space for packing your belongings.

Step 6 - CONSIDER HIRING PROFESSIONAL PACKERS

It's easy to talk about efficient packing, but in some cases, it is much easier said than done. For example, moving last minute can be complicated, which is why hiring professional packers might be the best solution. If you don't have time to plan and pack, you should look for a moving company that can do it all for you. Most reliable international movers offer affordable packing services that you should consider. No matter the size or distance of your move, professional packers will save you a lot of time and energy, for sure! Aside from that, international movers are the best people to pack for any international move as they know how to properly wrap and pack your items, making them less likely to get damaged during transportation.

Quick Packing Tips

• Roll your clothes
• Space bags are your best friend
• Use STRONG, DOUBLE-WALLED boxes!
• Make sure the bottom of the box has additional tape to prevent it from opening when lifted
• Spread the weight
• Place heavy items at the bottom of the box
• Do your research!
• Label your boxes!
• Pack your essentials last
• Know your destination country's regulations
• Separate any important documents or medications

In order to pack economically, all you need is some free time and a good plan. Packing for the move is not easy, but there is always a way to save money and pack your belongings efficiently. Whether you are moving your home or your business, make sure to start packing on time and decide which items to pack first. The better you plan this process, the easier it will be to secure your inventory and avoid any loss or damage to it. Good Luck!

See more additional packing and moving tips.