12 Tips For Dealing With Unwanted Christmas Presents

Get some helpful tips to help you deal with unwanted Christmas presents that you don’t want to just waste.

Sell a House without Stepping Inside
As thoughtful as it is to receive a gift, the gift is never guaranteed to be wanted unless it was asked for. Every year most people will have a selection of unwanted Christmas gifts that they know they won’t use, but they also don’t know what to do with. These gifts can end up gathering dust over time, sometimes not even leaving the gift bag, simply cluttering up the home or local self storage unit and never being of any use to anyone.

The good news is, there are things you can do with unwanted Christmas presents. The key is to take action quickly so that you don’t end up with a local self storage unit or home full of clutter. Instead, try the following to give your unwanted Christmas presents a good home:

1. Donate To A Charity Shop

Christmas presents are the perfect gift for donating to a charity shop because they are in perfect condition and are items people would like to buy. Do be careful if there are any clearly defined aspects of the gifts and you know your loved one frequents the local charity shops – it won’t go down well if they see their gift to you in the charity shop straight after Christmas.

2. Give Them Away Online

There are sites now which you can use to list any item for free and other people can message you and ask to collect the item. It works more efficiently than some of the marketplaces because it is specifically designed for people to offer and collect free items.

3. Regift

Regifting items is really helpful as it saves you some money, and the person who sent you the item doesn’t know anything about it so they are still happy that they gave you a great gift. The only thing you must do if you choose to regift, is label the gifts with the person who gave the item to you. This will make sure that you don’t accidentally give the gift back to them, or back to someone who knows them. Seeing their gift regifted could well hurt their feelings so is best avoided.

4. Give Them To Neighbours

Some gifts are perfect to gift to neighbours who may well appreciate the item. It’s nice to be nice to your neighbours, and if you get a bottle of wine you don’t drink, or a box of dairy chocolates and you’re vegan, take them next door and cheer your neighbour up.

5. Do A Gift Swap

In a circle of friends or family that is not where the gift came from, you could do an unwanted gift swap. It’s a handy way to move on unwanted gifts to someone who actually wants them, and to gain something free that you want in return.

6. Return It

If you get a gift receipt you can return the item for something that you want. Often, people give gift receipts with a present so that you can do that and get something you really want. Do check the amount of time that you have to return the item, though, as there is usually a date you have to return before otherwise the gift receipt is void.

7. Sell Them Online

You can sell anything online, and if the item is valuable to some degree you can get a handy bit of cash in return for selling it on. Do be careful where you sell the item just in case the person who gave it to you sees the listing. Perhaps sell it from an anonymous account, or have no features in the background that show it is your home. It helps avoid any hurt and awkwardness if the person who gave the gift sees the listing.

8. Do A Car Boot

Why not do a good clearout of your house and local or London self storage unit so you can do a car boot. Car boots are great after Christmas as everyone is doing the same thing and selling off their unwanted Christmas gifts and other clutter. You could make a few quid and grab yourself a bargain at the same time!

9. Donate It As A Raffle Item

Lots of charities need items for raffle items so they can make money for their cause. If you have good quality items like unopened boxes of chocolates, wine, soft toys or art, a local charity could use it to raise money with a raffle. You could even add your unwanted presents with donated items and organise your own raffle for your favourite charity – what better way to start the year than with the gift of giving?

10. Repurpose

You can repurpose almost any gift if you want to. Wines, chocolates and other food items could be added to a hamper that you regift on at a later date. You could make art out of certain items, use methods like tie dye to change fabric, use fabric to upholster something like a stool – the opportunities are endless. If you can’t repurpose certain items yourself, you could even donate them to a local makers shop or scheme that can do it for you, or use it to then reutilise as part of their campaign.

11. Give To A Specific Cause

Toiletries like makeup, skin care, creams and sanitary items are really important donation items for charities like those helping women experiencing domestic violence. Furniture and bedding can help schemes that help people get their life back together after being homeless or going through something traumatic. Coats and thick clothing is perfect for a homeless charity donation. Why not donate to a cause where you know your items are of a specific need to people going through something terrible – it might be your unwanted gift but they definitely do want those items.

12. Give It Back

This is not always appropriate and should not be done when the gift is given. However, there can be some scenarios where a quiet word in private is useful. For example; you have been given wine and you no longer drink. You could gently say thank you so much for the wine, but I don’t drink and I don’t want this to go to waste. The same goes for being given a non-vegan gift when you’re vegan. Gently say thank you so much for this gift, but we don’t eat X and I don’t want it to go to waste. This is important because it ensures they give you a gift you can use in future. It is a little bit risky, but when done the right way can be done so that nobody feels hurt and the gift doesn’t end up wasted.

With the tips above you can ensure no gift gets wasted, for a clutter-free New Year. Need some space to store unwanted gifts whilst you figure out what to do with them? Utilise local self storage which can be as small as a gym locker and as big as a football field. It’s also handy for seasonal items that take up precious space at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

working from home

7 Reasons Working From Home Isn’t Working For You

Working from home is a great way to have more freedom over your work/ life balance, but it can cause some real challenges for some people. The important thing to know, before you hot foot it back to a working office, is that there are ways to work around common WFH problems. Read on to find out about 7 of the most common reasons WFH causes challenges for home workers, and how to improve those situations:

1.   You Don’t Have An Office

So many of us get stuck working on the sofa, or in bed, thinking we are living the life of luxury. In fact, we’re just heading straight for bad posture, lower productivity and issues separating work and personal life at home. Try clearing out the spare room and popping the contents into an affordable storage unit, giving yourself a good base setup (chair, desk, laptop). You can then build on this with a colour scheme, plants, better lighting etc. It’s a place that will help you to get your work done, and help you to leave work behind at the end of the day, too.

2.   You’re Not Creating Boundaries

Boundaries are so important as a home worker and if you don’t have them, you will find that everything becomes one giant smush of work and home life. That includes kids running into your home office, you taking work calls during dinner with your family and perhaps sleeping in, or working late without any structure. Create boundaries that support your work and home life. Get up on time everyday, leave work in the office, turn off email notifications and clearly ask family not to come into your home office when you’re working. Clear out a box room or the attic and put those posessions in some London self storage. These boundaries are as important for them as they are for you, and your work/life balance.

3.   Nothing Ever Works

One of the hardest parts of being part of the working from home movement is when things you need don’t work. The internet goes down, your laptop breaks, the heating is broken – these are all very difficult things to deal with when you’re depending on them to do your work. What you can do to counteract this is to have backup plans like a cheap backup laptop (or an older one you have kept), a dongle or similar internet device, a portable camping cooker to make hot drinks, blankets – anything that helps with things going wrong.

 

It is also handy to be able to get to other places like a coffee shop, small business hub, or even a friends house if you have an important work call and you know you can’t afford for things to go wrong. It may sound over the top but it does provide peace of mind knowing that when things go wrong, mostly, you can work around those hurdles and continue to get your work done.

4.   You’re Perpetually Distracted

If you are perpetually distracted by pretty much everything at home, you need to think about what ‘gets you in the zone’. Many people like to use noise cancelling headphones, or the Pomodoro technique to help structure their work. You’ll also need to be strong and avoid social media or putting the TV on as not to make the situation worse. It can be hard to tackle this problem but there is always a solution, you just have to try things out to find it.

5.   You’re Lonely

It is so common for people who work from home to feel lonely, but it can be remedied. One thing you can do is join accountability video calls where several people link up on a video conference and ‘work together’ to hold each other accountable (and to socialise). You can work in shared working spaces with others who are freelance/ remote workers. You can also work in a coffee shop one day a week (also great for saving money on energy bills), and perhaps bump up those social meetings with friends and family so you’re getting more time with people you love when you’re not working.

6.   You’re Not Seeing The Benefits

The novelty of working in pajamas and having lunch at home soon wears off, and suddenly you’re just, working from home *shrug*. If this is why you feel working from home is not working for you, the chances are you are not reaping the rewards. Why not start to schedule things into your lunch breaks, or move your schedule around to make better use of your time? Could you work late tomorrow because a friend is free for coffee in the morning? Could you have an extended lunch break to go for a long walk whilst the weather is nice? When you work from home and especially when you freelance, you can cultivate your own perfect life around your job, but you have to build that perfect life, it won’t just happen for you.

7.   You’re In The Wrong Job

Often, having to get to the office to ‘clock in’ and then leave work behind is what keeps people in jobs they hate – because it’s easy and there’s no real need to push to get it done. When you work from home you are in charge of getting up and getting the work done, and so if you hate the job it suddenly becomes obvious, because you have to make the effort to do it at home – without the distraction of colleagues, office environment, group morale etc.

If this is you, you can still enjoy your WFH life, you just need to do another job so you can enjoy your career and the freedom doing it from home provides. In this instance it isn’t the working from home, it’s the work itself.

Working From Home Can Work For You

 

With the tips above you can enjoy a better working from home life, it just takes a little time to find which adjustments need to be made to enable you to make the most of it. Hopefully, soon enough, you’ll enjoy exceptional work/ life balance and the very best rewards that working from home has to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

small living space in tiny apartment

1 in 8 British Households Have No Garden

Statistics tell us that 1 in 8 British households have no garden, which rises to 1 in 5 if you live in London. This can be highly challenging when it comes to storage space, and having the freedom to get some vital time in nature.

 

Luckily, there are ways to get around this challenge and still have a fantastic life at home without things feeling super chaotic.

First Things First, Which Kinds Of Properties Don’t Have Gardens?

 

Any kind of property can have no garden space. Of course, there are apartments and flats which commonly come without a garden, but any other type of home can be garden-free. For example: protected buildings on sacred ground may be placed within a graveyard, but you have no access to use those grounds as your own. Full sized houses may have also extended out into the garden to utilise space in the home, sacrificing outdoor space. This commonly happens in places like London where any square footage for extending is like gold dust and where extra storage may be required.

Key Challenges With Homes Without Gardens

 

The lack of access to nature can be a real challenge for people who live in homes without gardens. The great news is that there is a lot of free outdoor space in the UK to utilise, and indoor plants are very popular right now, enabling you to create your own natural haven indoors.

 

Additionally, usable self storage is very limited in a home without a garden. This is because we can often use sheds, garages and outdoor storage and when those things aren’t available, the house can feel a little tight for space.

Creating Storage In A Home With No Garden

 

What you can do when you have a home with no garden is utilise the storage you do have, and create additional storage to help avoid clutter and using up previous space in your home.

 

To utilise the storage that you do have, make sure that you:

 

  • Have the best possible storage solutions that provide maximum storage opportunities for the space the occupy
  • Declutter regularly so that you’re never filling your storage with unnecessary items
  • Beware of larger items of furniture that use up space for no practical reason
  • Always consider moving things around in case layout can provide better opportunity for functionality and storage

 

To create more storage you could also consider getting some affordable self storage. Affordable self storage is secure, dry and comes in all different shapes and sizes, which is really handy when you don’t have a garden. You can use it to store almost anything (give or take a small list of banned items) for an affordable rate that usually comes with a highly flexible contract. Local self storage is useful for items like camping gear, large hobby items, seasonal clothing and any sentimental items you know you want to keep, but you don’t have room for at home.

A Garden Doesn’t Make A Home

Even if you don’t have a garden at the moment, you can still create a beautiful, functional, spacious home with savvy storage and good clutter management. In the end, your home is what you make of it, and the memories you make in it, garden or no garden.

working from home

How to Start a Home-Based Business While Relocating

Starting a business is a challenge. Moving while starting a business makes it doubly challenging. However, with the right attitude and some planning, it can be done. You’ll need to decide what kind of business you’ll run and where you’ll have your headquarters. If it’s a home-based business, assess if you have the space you need or if you need some extra storage. If your current location doesn’t work, you need to buy and move into a new home. Here are some tips from Moving House to help make your move a success.

Make a Plan and Get Started

A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step, and a successful business starts with a primary business plan. You’ll want to write a plan and make sure it covers some important details, including:

  • Type of business. Are you selling products or services?
  • The offering. What are you selling, and how does it set you apart from the competition?
  • Customers. Where will you get paying customers or clients?
  • Funding. Financing can come from loans from banks, savings, friends, and family.
  • Supplies. Where will you get materials and inventory?
  • Legalities. Consider the structure of your organisation, such as sole proprietorship or limited company, and licenc

If you have a product or service in mind, you can research how you’re going to get started in between house shopping.

Find and Purchase a Home in the Perfect Location

To start a home-based business, you’ll need to find a house that can be suitable as your dream home and in a good location for your business. That could mean a home with a larger home office, more storage, and a proper setting for meeting clients if necessary.

An estate agent can help you to find the right property. Once you find that perfect place, an agent can work with you to find a mortgage and compare different lenders and lending options.

A conventional mortgage may be the best option because:

  • It’s low cost. There may be fewer fees and smaller down payments compared to other loans.
  • It has multiple options for down payments. In some cases, houses can be purchased with a small down payment.
  • Rates can be adjustable or fixed. Options include fixed rate or variable rate, such as an ARM. Research what is the current interest rate of available mortgages to find a loan that works for you.
  • Mortgage insurance can be avoided. If you put down 20%, you won’t have to pay mortgage insurance.

Make an effort to set aside time every day for business, then work with your estate agent to finalise the home purchase.

Keeping track of the various documents for one’s business in addition to the paperwork for a move can be challenging. Fortunately, keeping digital records has never been easier—just follow these 4 steps to convert multiple pages into a single PDF. This means you can create PDFs that contain all relevant documents in a single file. Having a single reference point can be quite helpful when tracking various documents.

Set Up Your New Home Office

Once you’ve made the move, you’ll need a place to get work done. For that you’ll need:

As soon as you unpack your computer, you can get to work even if you’re not fully unpacked.

Finish the Move and Get Down to Business

As far as handling the logistics of the relocation itself, you’ll want to minimise the stress and hassle as much as you can, so you can concentrate on the important things, such as managing and growing your new business. For more information and resources to help you have a smooth and successful move, visit Moving House today!

 

 

seniors covering furniture for house move

Senior Homeowners Will Want to Downsize After Reading These Benefits

Downsizing is a major decision and one that is often met with many questions. Senior homeowners may be concerned about covering the cost of a move, being able to fit all their belongings into a townhome, or finding a buyer for their current place, and while those are all valid concerns, the benefits tend to outweigh any potential cons. Not only does downsizing give you the opportunity to save money, but it can also help reduce the amount of housework and upkeep you have in your current home, leaving you more time to do the things you enjoy.

 

Here are some tips from House Removal to help you sell your home at a nice profit and find the perfect place for the next chapter in your life.

 

Fund your move, and then some

 

Selling your home is a big step, especially if you’ve lived there for a number of years, but if it’s in good shape you’ll be looking at a nice sale price that will allow you to fund your move with some left over. It’s a good idea to do any small upgrades you can to your old house before you sell. Some fresh paint and window repairs can add good value. Just be sure to save receipts and records.

 

Because there are always a few fees associated with selling, you’ll want to make sure you know exactly how much you can expect to take home when it’s all said and done, so get your finances in order and look for a handy home sale proceeds calculator that will tell you its value while subtracting taxes, fees, and commissions. Once you’re armed with a solid number, you’ll be able to plan more efficiently for the move.

 

Many seniors who downsize also make extra cash by selling items they won’t need in the new house. Try having a garage sale or posting on a resale app so you’ll have more space after the move.

 

Get ready to save

 

Not only does selling your home bring in some extra cash, but you’ll also be able to save each month with lower mortgage payments, smaller utility bills, and fewer maintenance costs. For many homeowners who choose to downsize and move into a townhome, this is the main attraction because it allows them to save for things like family vacations, retirement, or college funds for the kids. Once you have a new home in mind, add up what your monthly costs will be and compare it to what you spend now. You may be surprised at the difference. There are a number of ways seniors can save, including taking advantage of senior discounts or joining a discount club.

 

Relax

 

Saving money is a major perk of downsizing, but it’s not the only one. Once you have a smaller place to take care of, you’ll have fewer chores and maintenance—like yard work—to worry about, which means you can spend more time doing the things you love and focusing on your health or your family.

 

The process of moving will allow you to declutter, which Psychology Today notes can lower your stress levels and boost mental health in general. Reducing stress will have an effect on many parts of your lifestyle, from the way you sleep to your ability to handle responsibilities at work. You might even have more time to spend on a hobby that can be turned into a side-gig or create a home-based business!

 

Getting rid of a lot of stuff before a move can help you save money during it. One major savings is that you won’t require a large team to get your things moved effectively. You’ll likely be able to accomplish it with a man-and-a-van service. If you are attached to your posessions then consider putting them in storage.

 

Consider it an adventure

 

Whether you want to start a new career or prepare for retirement, downsizing will give you the opportunity to do so in a new town if you wish, which could turn out to be a major positive. When it’s time to search for a townhome, don’t be afraid to branch out in other cities or states. Do some research on the area to find out more about the local culture, school ratings, crime rate, and interesting landmarks and attractions, all of which will affect your lifestyle or job choice. If you’ve been thinking about making a fresh start, now is the perfect time.

 

Downsizing definitely comes with a lot to think about, but with so many benefits it would be a shame not to at least consider it. Do some research to find out how much you can expect to get for your home and how much you’ll save in the first year, which might convince you to take the plunge.

Reasons to avoid a DIY move

How to set up utilities when renting

Utilities

Whether it’s your first rental property or your third, setting up gas and electricity should be one of your priorities. This is because you need your utilities to be turned on for a decent standard of living, such as being able to cook and access clean water. If you’re wondering how to set up your utilities while renting, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s a standard step-by-step process to get you going. Before you begin, it’s recommended that you find out which utilities you’re responsible for as a tenant, as this varies depending on the rental. Generally, you’ll be expected to pay for your own gas and electricity but this isn’t always the case.

1. Gather the relevant information

Before you begin it’s useful to gather all of the information you need for setting up utilities for your rental. Again this varies depending on the provider you choose but a general rule of thumb is that you’ll need:

    • A recent meter reading
    • Your new address in full
    • Preferred start date

If you’re unsure, the preferred start date is usually the day that you intend to move in.

2. Research various utility providers

There are many different providers of gas and electricity in the UK. Some tenants like to shop around separately for their gas and electricity, but it’s often cheaper and more convenient to get a package deal if possible. If you want minimum hassle, you can simply stay with the providers set up by the previous tenant. However, check that their tariff rates are suitable for your budget before you do this.

While you’re researching gas and electricity providers, you may also want to consider other utilities such as water, as well as other essentials like broadband. Consider making notes on your research, including possible providers for each type of utility and what the average costs for those utilities are shaping up to be.

3. Get in touch for a quote and switch-on date

Once you’ve started to research providers and have made a shortlist of preferred companies, start getting in touch for personalised quotes, if you haven’t done so already. These quotes inform you how much you can expect to pay per month for utilities. There are many different packages available so take your time to research thoroughly.

Getting utilities set up is easier than before as many providers now have online portals that you can log in to. These portals allow you to sign up for a utility plan and arrange a start date – all without speaking to a single member of staff.

If everything goes accordingly, your rented property should have access to all of the necessary utilities on the agreed start date. Make sure your provider has agreed to this date or acknowledged it in some form, however.

green energy supplier

Who Is The Cheapest Energy Supplier In The UK?

Worried about energy prices going up? This article has some handy information to help you find out which suppliers can offer you the best rates.

 

You would have to have been living under a rock over the last few months to have avoided the constant scary headlines about the ‘energy crisis’. 28 energy companies have gone bust and all kinds of other repercussions have been made.

 

Why?

 

It’s complicated, but what it means for consumers is that the Ofgem energy price cap has now been increased to £1,277 a year, it’s highest ever amount, and it could go up by another 50% in April. This means that the average energy bill could reach £2,000 a year, which is quite frankly, terrifying for many people.

 

The good news is that there are many actions that you can take to try and protect yourself from being heavily impacted by these changes.

 

One way is to save energy as much as you can, which you can find out more about here.

 

Another way is to avoid sitting tight with your current provider and instead aim to go with the cheapest energy supplier available to you at this time. You can compare energy prices on lots of different websites, but as a great starting point we have a list of the cheapest tariffs available for you to consider below.

 

Please be aware that the figures are relevant at the time of this article being written, but this is a constantly changing situation and your personal circumstances, location and needs also influence which tariffs and providers are suitable for you.

 

Let’s take a look at the current four cheapest electricity suppliers in the UK offering variable tariffs:

 

Supplier  Tariff  Annual Cost*
     
Bulb Energy  Simple Energy  £692.626
     
Orbit Energy  5% OFF 4 LIFE  £645.532
     
Outfox The Market  One Green Flex  £640.21
     
Together Energy  Green Together Smart Sun ExcVar  £548.30

 

*(Annual cost is based on an average of 2,900 kWh of electricity being used per year.)

 

 

Let’s take a look at the current four cheapest gas suppliers in the UK offering variable tariffs:

 

Supplier  Tariff  Annual Cost*
     
Bulb Energy  Simple Energy  £581.974
     
Together Energy  Green Together Smart Sun ExcVar  £502.91
     
Orbit Energy  5% OFF 4 LIFE  £485.984
     
Outfox The Market  One Green Flex  £456.97

 

*(Annual cost is based on an average of 12,000 kWh of gas usage per year.)

 

If you are looking for fixed rate tariffs which lock the cost of energy over a fixed period of time, these are the 3 cheapest energy rates currently available in the UK for a fixed contract at the time of writing:

 

Electricity:

 

Supplier  Tariff  Annual Cost
     
So Energy  So Cherry  £992.95
     
E.ON Next  Next Online  £633.727
     
EDF Energy  Easy Online  £607.917

 

 

Gas:

 

Supplier  Tariff  Annual Cost
     
So Energy  So Cherry  £1,204.17
     
E.ON Next  Next Online  £493.150
     
EDF Energy  Easy Online  £443.496

 

As with variable rates, these fixed rates are based on an assumption of an average gas and electricity amount and are dependent on your location, needs and circumstances as to what is available to you.

 

It is also important to consider the general cheapest energy suppliers across the UK, and those in your general area. It’s a lot to consider but the great thing is that you have so much choice and there is probably at least one better option for you, than the energy supply and tariff you have set up already.

 

The next step is to discover your energy plan and supplier and then find out your average usage which is usually on your bills, or you can compare your metre readings. You can then compare the cheapest energy suppliers and shop around for the best rates. By being savvy with usage and energy providers, you can get through this energy price hike with minimal impact.

Move a Home Office

How to Pack and Move a Home Office

It’s not uncommon for people to leave the home office as one of the final places to pack. This chamber is feared by some even more than the garage. However, it isn’t all that tough. The trick is to get started early and fill a box here and there so that it does not feel like a massive undertaking, as it will if you get pressed for time. So, let’s get on with how to pack and move a home office!

Check and sort everything

When’s the last time you looked through the stack of papers on your desk? Depending on how much you use your office and the number of people who live in your house, this space may become a dumpsite for everything that doesn’t belong anywhere else. There may be anything stored there, from the kids’ lovingly created artwork to coupon boxes and gathered recipes. You’ll probably discover that a lot of the items in this area need to be discarded. Yes, you will have to deal with stress here, but it will help you out in the long term!

Sort important documents

All of your critical documents should be packed in your “carry-on” luggage so that they stay with you. Birth certificates, passports, automobile titles, financial paperwork, insurance information, and school, medical, and vet records are all examples of essential documents. Not that you want to anticipate your moving truck getting involved in an accident, but these are items you would be lost without if something were to happen to them. To keep them all together, put them in a large manila envelope or folder.

Packing tips

Everything that has a proper place outside of the office should go back to its location. It should make things a bit easier to manage. For example, a collection of hidden toys can go anywhere the rest of this pile is, and that unexpected jar of acrylic paint can go among the arts and crafts materials. But, if this stresses you out or you don’t want to do it, you can hire professional packers!

When packing books, stay away from big boxes that might become excessively heavy. Plastic milk containers, copy paper, and liquor boxes are all excellent options. They’re sturdy and the perfect size. Place a trash bag inside the box and place the goods inside the bag if you have objects that even a tiny amount of water might harm. Nothing inside will suffer any damage if this is the one odd package accidentally dumped in a puddle during that brief heavy downpour. Also, remember that moving trucks may get extremely hot in the summer and excessively cold in the winter, so it would be best to transport old pictures, CDs, and other delicate objects in your vehicle.

Get the right packing supplies

Due to all of the critical and expensive things found in a home office, it may not be easy to pack this room. You’ll need to prepare the proper packing materials well in advance to ensure the required protection for your sensitive papers, office equipment, and office furniture.

Sort your electronics

When you want to pack and move a home office, good organization is critical. Grab a pack of colorful stickers before you start disconnecting wires and taking out cables. Use equivalent stickers to label the port and cord, so you know how to reconnect everything. You can apply this technique to your entire entertainment center. Also, make sure you remove your printer and copier’s ink cartridges.

Then, cushion the bottom of the box with a soft sweatshirt or sweater. Place your computer, printer, and other electronics inside, along with the necessary connections and wires, in a Ziploc bag or tied together with twist ties. To protect the contents from moving about, stuff the box with shirts, socks, towels, or similar objects. Finally, write “fragile” on the exterior but never say what is really within the box.

Furniture

Before you hurry to pack your office furniture for a relocation, consider whether it is necessary for your particular situation. Most furniture items are pretty heavy, and transporting them to a new home may be quite costly. That is especially true if the new property is far away from your current residence. It’s sometimes more cost-effective to leave the old furniture behind (or sell it) and buy new furniture when you finish your move. Do you truly adore your office furniture to the point where you’d pay top dollar to relocate it across the country? Unless you have personal value in your items or an expensive antique piece made of solid wood, most furniture, particularly IKEA furniture, is not worth transporting. The workload of moving it is vast, and you should probably avoid the DIY move.

Books

There’s a high possibility your home office has many books that you’d like to relocate to your new home office. Before moving them, you need to make sure you have correctly packed them for the journey ahead. Examine your book collection to determine if there are any titles that you don’t need to pack and relocate. Some books become obsolete over time. It’s always a good idea to look through your collection and get rid of those you won’t use again.

Do this with all of your books, not just the ones at your home office. Be reasonable; you don’t want to waste money transporting goods you no longer desire.

Back up your data

Anything can happen during a move. That’s why you have to make sure to back up all of your critical electronic work data if your computer is damaged during transit. Back up all necessary computer files to a portable flash drive or an external hard drive for peace of mind. Consider utilizing an online backup service to copy your most important electronic data to make things extra secure.

Hiring movers

Your best friend will be your moving company when you want to pack and move a home office. That’s why it’s crucial to find a reputable moving company. They will help you avoid all the potential moving disasters and make sure that you have a smooth relocation. If you don’t have enough time to pack, movers usually provide that service. That way, you won’t need to do last-minute packing and get stressed for no reason.

Before hiring anyone, make sure to do proper research on your movers. That way, you will reduce the chances of being scammed and have more peace of mind! Read the reviews and compare the prices of multiple options to make sure you get the best deal.

This concludes our rather comprehensive list of tips on how to pack and move a home office. Daunting as it may seem, you will get to it quickly and effortlessly if you follow our advice. Happy moving!