7 moving hacks every grad should know
Whether you’re ditching your dorm or escaping lockdown with your parents, moving to your own place is no small feat. Here are 7 tips to make your next move simpler, cheaper and better for the planet.
1. Pare down
Lighten the load by packing just what you need (or love). Invite an impartial friend to help you sort through your stuff and make the hard decisions, like whether to say goodbye to that one pair of leggings. Let’s be honest, they had a good run. Remember to set aside a few t-shirts you never wear — they’ll come in handy later.
2. Don’t be a landfill-er
Before you throw away furniture or clothes, see if you can give it a second life. If you’re on NextDoor or a member of your local Buy Nothing group, it’s easy to find a new home for pre-loved furniture or other household items. You can also find a local charity that does pick-ups. Some of them will even do it for free. Try Salvation Army or Goodwill.
3. Think outside the (cardboard) box
Get creative with storage and use what you have before buying boxes. Suitcases, shoe boxes and empty pots are fair game. Pro-tip: oven mitts make great homes for kitchen knives. When you do need boxes, call your local grocery and liquor stores first and see if you can pick some up. Wine boxes are handy for protecting heavy, fragile items. And you’ll look fancy.
4. Cancel bubble wrap
Save money and ditch single-use plastics (and styrofoam peanuts) by putting those unloved t-shirts to use. Tees, towels and used newspapers are ideal alternatives to bubble wrap, and keep breakables safe and secure.
5. Fuel for the move
As you get closer to moving day, takeout and food delivery will become more and more tantalizing. But before you tap that app, take a minute to excavate the frozen meals hiding in your freezer. What can you make out of what you have? And how good will it taste? Only one way to find out…
6. Take care of your accounts
Moving is a great time to look at how you’re spending and see where you can cut back. Spend a few minutes reviewing any subscriptions or services you have, and canceling whatever you’re not using. While you’re sorting through usernames and passwords, take a moment to update your billing address on credit card accounts, and forward your mail with the USPS. Don’t forget to set up utilities at your new place so the lights and A/C work on moving day.
7. Get your power from 100% renewable energy
If you live in a deregulated part of Texas, you can choose to get your power from a renewable energy provider like Bulb. We provide 100% affordable renewable electricity from 100% Texas wind and solar. Check out our Google reviews — we’re currently the best-rated electricity company in Texas. And you can get a quote in just 2 minutes.
