Want some hacks to make moving easier? There’s so much you can do without running from place to place. Here are our top quick tips…
If you’ve read our blog posts before, you’ll know Australis is full of practical advice about moving home. In this post, we talk about a few quirky online hacks that you may not have thought of. They’re quick, help take the stress out of moving, and some might even venture as far as to say they’re fun! No, that’s just us? That’s OK, we’re used to it cause moving is our thang and we’re always looking for ways to make it easier for you. Read on for our top online moving hacks…
Do it online
It just makes sense to save yourself the stress of running around by doing as much as you can online. Start by making a list of things you’ll need to do and people you’ll need to notify, then see how much you can achieve from the comfort of your couch. For a comprehensive list, see our articles on preparing for moving day. But for a quick rundown, consider the following:
Book your removalist or van
This should be the first thing you do once you know you’re moving. Whether you’re planning to engage a professional, or you’d prefer to hire a van and DIY, you can conduct all your preliminary research online. Request online quotes from at least three companies (either professional movers or those that hire out vans) so you know you’re getting the best deal. Once you’ve selected your service provider, you can follow-up with a phone call to ensure that company is the best choice for you. Australis loves chatting to customers, so please call us anytime!
Connecting your electricity and gas online
This is an easy one. You need to turn the power and gas off at the place you’re leaving and ensure it’s ready to go when you arrive at your new home. You can likely do all this online by finalising your accounts and redirecting your services to your new place from the date you want it to start. Some companies may still require a phone call, but most shouldn’t. Yay for the internet streamlining stuff!
Redirect your mail
Maybe you don’t receive much by way of snail mail these days, but you do get the most important notices this way. Log-on to the Australia Post website to quickly create an account to redirect your mail. That way, if you forget to tell anyone important that you’re moving (your bank, Medicare, great aunty Lou…) you’ll still get their mail.
Tell your service providers
Write out a list of service providers whom you use and can notify via the internet. That way when your license is due for renewal, your visa card has expired and your magazine subscription is sent out, they’ll all arrive at your new residence. Of course, if you forget, there’s the redirect back-up service, but best to tell as many as you can think of upfront.
Tell big brother
Don’t forget about the government. You can likely do most through the “MyGov” website if you have an account, but consider all the government services you use and rely on: ATO, WaterSA, Centrelink, Medicare, child support, registration and licenses…which do you transact with regularly? And make sure you check if the service is State or Commonwealth Government provided — one hand will not tell the other that you’re moving and need your address updated!
Update your online accounts
Related to, but not quite the same as “tell everyone”. If you regularly shop online, be sure to update your delivery address. You don’t want that ah-mazing eBay find going astray, do you? Update any money transfer services you use like PayPal and any regular shopping sites you hold accounts with, like Amazon, eBay, ASOS, or if you’re lucky enough, Net a Porter (we can dream!)
Make a social media announcement
Gone are the days of contacting all your friends and family members individually to tell them you’re moving. Now, you can let them all know at once on Facebook, or via whatever social media you use. Of course, be careful about publicly announcing your new address, but once people know you’re moving they can contact you for details.
Order a water reading
Not sure about you, but Australis doesn’t want to pay for other people’s long showers! Make sure you don’t cop the bill for those who move in after you’re gone by ordering a water reading for the day you move out.
Fill your virtual shopping trolley
Moving day is exhausting. The last thing you’ll want to do is haul yourself back out the next day to grocery shop. Likewise, you don’t want to lug a whole heap of food from one house to the next. Do the tech-savvy thing and order a delivery for the day of your arrival or the next day. Both Coles and Woolworths deliver, as do some independent grocery stores.
Check the weather
Dry conditions are best for moving day so your belongings don’t get soaked when they’re loaded in and out of the van. It can sometimes take longer than anticipated to get big, bulky items inside, which can lead to water and weather damage if they’re inadequately protected. If you’ve hired a professional removalist, you’ll be far better off as they work in all weather conditions and have the necessary equipment and tarps to keep your furniture dry. However, if you are attempting a DIY, check the weather and if predicted conditions are dismal, either ensure you’re prepared with tarps and lots of extra support or change your moving day to a sunnier weekend.
Schedule reminders into your electronic calendar
There’s lots to do when you’re moving and it can be overwhelming to remember all of it. At Australis, we’re all about organisation and making lists. See our detailed blog posts on preparing for moving day starting from several weeks out, right up to moving day. When you’re creating your ‘to do’ lists, why not call upon your phone or other digital device to remember stuff for you and send reminders about when things need to be done. That way, once they’re done you can delete and watch your list diminish. It’s a great feeling! Plus, if Siri tells you to do something, you’ll do it, right?
Get inspired
Finally, some play time. Take the opportunity to consider how you’d like your new home to look. Sites like Pinterest and Instagram provide great visual inspiration for setting up your new bedroom, organising your closet space, creating a bit of light and shade, anything home related really. Why not create a vision board on your digital device as you organise the more mundane stuff so you have a bright and cheery light at the end of that moving tunnel? Told you some of these hacks were fun!
After you’ve done as much as you can from the comfort of your living room, give Australis a call. We’ll tell you if you’ve forgotten anything and make sure you’re all set for moving day. And, if you’ve got any online hacks we’ve not thought of, we’d love to hear about them!
