Pack a "First Day Box" before you move
So what is the first day box? A first day box is everything you’d need to be able to live without your things for a day, week, or month. When an individual moves, there is inevitably a time lapse between packing up your things, moving to your new location, then unpacking your things. The first day box should include everything you’ll need until your things arrive, and should go with you when you initially move to your new place. The first day box will be a great asset to you and will take away just a little stress to the “moving equation.”
Many ask how big a first day box should be. Well, the answer to this question is what will you need? Some will say just a box is needed, while others will say they’ll need enough stuff to fill their car. You need to take into account what you’ll need and how long you’ll need it for. Also remember, that you don’t want to have too large of a first day box either, so you’ll need to be very decisive about the items you’ll need just to get you through a day, week or month.
You should think carefully about what to put in a first day box. A cooking pot, with a couple of plates, cooking and eating utensils are standard items to add. After all, you’ll need this immediately when you arrive. You’ll also want something to sleep on – perhaps an air mattress – but be sure to bring sheets and a blanket so you’ll be able to sleep comfortably. A change of clothes is always in order, and diapers and other child essentials should also be taken account for. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that you bring cleaning products, and your personal identification items (passports, bankbooks, etc), so you know where these items are. Also, bring a phone that can plug into a phone outlet so you can be sure you’ll have a hard line when you get to your new place. While these are just ideas, be sure to inventory things you use on a daily basis so you can make sure you add them to your first day box.
First day boxes make moving vastly easier. They help individuals organize their things into categories of things they’ll immediately need, and things they won’t. When you’re planning your next move, consider putting together a first day box. It will help keep you organized in the midst of moving chaos!