The Cost of Clutter

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How Does Clutter Affect You? What Level of Clutter is Realistic?

Clutter: most of us have a little of it here or there. In fact, many of us have more than just a little: According to a poll conducted online, over a third of readers avoid going home because of the overwhelming mess and don’t know where to begin cleaning. (In contrast, less than 10 percent say their homes are clutter-free.) How is all this mess affecting us?

Time: People often think of clutter as an energy drain, but it also drains us of our time. How? People in cluttered homes spend extra time virtually every day looking for lost items such as keys, money, shoes, tools, etc. Even when we’re looking right at the lost item, it becomes difficult to see it when surrounded by clutter–and the extra time it takes to search through the mess adds up quickly.

Money: When we don’t have bills and financial papers organized, bills can get lost, causing us to accrue late fees. Replacing lots items, and buying duplicates of those we didn’t realize we already had, can also carry a cost that adds up quickly.

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Box Wooksheet

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Moving Truck Packing Tips

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How to Pack and Load Your Moving Truck

• Start packing well ahead of your move so you can pack a couple of cartons a day.
• Pack one room at a time. Label each carton with its destination (bedroom, garage, storage, etc.) before you seal it.
• Be sure that the bottoms of all your cartons are secured and will hold the weight of the contents. Packing Tape or gummed tape holds more securely than does masking tape. Pack heavier items towards the bottom of the box and lighter items toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight limit of 50lbs or less; it makes moving a lot easier.
• Make sure you have enough Wardrobe Boxes; you really don’t want to fold all of your hanger clothes. If the boxes still have some space, consider filling them with lightweight items like shoes, pillows and bedding items.
• Pack some clothes from bureaus in boxes or suitcases so the bureaus won’t be to heavy to move. Consider using clothes as packing material in between breakable items or to fill spaces in other boxes.

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Packing Tips

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Here are some helpful suggestions to keep your valuables and keepsakes stored safely. For more suggestions and storage supplies, please stop by our office.

• Plan your storage space. Place those items that you need to get to often in the front. Allow for walkways.
•  Completely fill each box with your heaviest items on the bottom and lighter items on the top.
• Try to keep your boxes in uniform sizes. They are much easier to stack that way.
• Drain all gas and oil from engines in lawnmowers, tillers, power tools, boats, snow mobiles, etc.
• Label ALL boxes for easy identification.
• Leave a small space between the wall and your storage items to allow for ventilation.
• Pack your boxes and other items as close together as possible to avoid moisture accumulating between them.

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Storage Size Help

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Storage Unit Sizes

• 5×5 – Small Coat Closet: 20-30 Medium Size Boxes — Clothes, personal or seasonal items, tools, lawn equipment, bikes, skies, etc.
• 5×10 – Bathroom or Walk-In Closet: 1-2 Rooms of Furniture — Small appliances, sofa, bed, boxes, or motorcycles.
• 10×10 – Small Bedroom or Small Uhaul: 1-2 Bedroom Apartment — Sofa, beds, dressers, table and chairs, TV boxes, small appliances.
• 10×15 – Master Bedroom or Medium haul: 2-3 Bedroom Apartment or Home — Safe, beds, entertainment center, table and chairs, bedroom sets, appliances, boxes.
• 10×20 -Single Car Garage or Large Uhaul: 3-4 Bedroom Home — Furniture, boxes, appliances, garage.
• 10×30 – Large Moving Van or Semi Truck: 5-8 Bedroom Home — All contents plus garage and yard maintenance items, or a mid size auto.

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