Making a Major Move More Manageable

About 27 million people changed primary residences last year in the United States, according to Move.org, and one-fifth of those #moves were out-of-state. With the job market still competitive and real estate activity starting to slow, more people will likely be on the move this season.

A move is rarely easy, and supply chain dirsruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic made things more difficult. But you can make a major move more manageable if you make a timeline and spread the work out over a period of days, weeks or months.

If you hire a moving company to transport your #stuff (as 80% of people do) there’s a financial incentive to #packing as little as possible. That’s why the first step in any move is to #declutter and #organize your possessions. “If you don’t love it, need it, [or] use it regularly, or if it’s broken, get rid of it!” says Living Well Spending Less. “There’s nothing worse than unpacking boxes of stuff later on only to realize you don’t really need any of it.”

Edit your stuff well ahead of time to give yourself time to sell some of it, or #purge as you #pack. Either way, you’ll have less to transport and integrate into your new home when the move is complete. Assuming you find lightly used items things that you won’t need in the new home, contact ClothingDonations.org to schedule a free, contactless #donation #pickup — or schedule multiple #pickups during your pre-move #packing period and another in your new location.

Moving long-distance is particularly challenging. While couple of friends with a UHaul may be able to handle small moves, that may not be sufficient for families with houses full of stuff. Architectural Digest offers a guide to the moving companies adept at facilitating relocation across the country or another part of the world.

Near or far, a major move is a great opportunity to reinvent your lifestyle and revisit the things you truly value, use and need. It may not be easy, simple or cheap, but you can start fresh in a new place — without the #clutter that weighed you down in the last one. #MovingTips

Use Labor Day Weekend to Organize

Bittersweet as it may be, #summer is drawing to a close. While The Organizing Blog encourages you to do little that qualifies as “work” on Labor Day weekend, one thing that can enhance your overall mood and prepare you for #fall is #decluttering. Start #organizing and putting away those summer supplies, says Simplify Experts, tossing anything that’s too worn to justify keeping for another year. That includes grilling tools, camping supplies, pool toys, gardening equipment and even old bottles of sunblock. If there’s anything that you didn’t use but might still be of use to someone else, you can donate it to ClothingDonations.org. #LaborDay

Dedicate Labor Day to Relaxation

If you want to take it easy on Labor Day, don’t go out of your way to do anything even remotely related to work. Take a leisurely bike ride or go for a swim, do a little #thrift-store shopping, and stop by a local bar/grill or order in instead of cooking dinner, says Country Living. Read a book or watch a movie, meditate, let the kids play in the sprinkler or set up a lawn chair at the nearest parade, but don’t do any household #chores or hard labor unless that’s something you find relaxing. Whatever you choose, make sure that a day of rest is your primary goal; you’ve worked hard all year and you can afford to give yourself a break. #LaborDay

The Easiest Labor Day Cookout Ever

Whether you’re having a Labor Day cookout or just contributing a dish, what better way is there to observe the #holiday than by avoiding hard labor in the kitchen? Choose an easy, surefire recipe that people like, and your friends and family will wonder why they thought spending hours over a hot grill was a good idea. Taste of Home has collected 100 recipes that are perfect for a summer-ending party or picnic, promising that none will take more than 15 minutes’ prep time. Featuring everything from cucumber salad to bacon dip to grilled bananas, these recipes prove that the summertime living is easy. #LaborDay

Avoid Work to Celebrate Labor Day

Labor Day was created to celebrate the social and economic contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being. The unofficial end of #summer, Many Americans opt to celebrate Labor Day with parades, picnics and cookouts. But Love to Know suggests that you shouldn’t feel bad about celebrating Labor Day by doing no labor whatsoever. “The diligent American people of the past made Labor Day something to celebrate. Honor them by taking the day off from all back-breaking work. Do zero chores, order dinner in so no one has to cook or clean up, and feel free to lie around in your pajamas all day long.” #LaborDay