Packing Your Survival Bag for Moving
Moving requires time, patience, a strong back, and knowledge. A key to making your move as simple as possible is a survival bag. These bags contain items you need to get through a day or two in your new place. It eliminates the need to search through boxes just to find your toothbrush and other essentials.
Putting the bag together is easy. Here are some items you should have in your kit. Feel free to add to the list if you need anything special. However, the idea of the survival bag is to make it as light as possible since you are carrying it in your vehicle.
Toilet Paper and Toiletries
You should carry one or two rolls of toilet paper in your bag. You do not want to run to the store in the middle of the night because you forgot. You should have all of your other toiletries in the bag as well. These include toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, comb, shaving cream, and razor. Pack enough bath towels for everyone too.
If you do not have these items, it could take time to find a store that has them available, especially if it is late. In fact, finding any stores in an area you do not know well is difficult.
Alarm Clock
You need to be up bright and early the next day to start unpacking. Have an alarm clock to help you wake up. After a day of moving, you may be tired and sore. An alarm makes sure you do not sleep the day away.
Clothing
You need to have something clean to wear the next day. Pack a change of clothes as well as an extra pair of shoes. Your other shoes might be dirty after moving the day before.
MP3 Player, Small Radio, or Other Entertainment
You will have downtime on the first night after moving. Have some entertainment ready to go. Bring an iPod with some external speakers, or a tablet device so you can watch a movie or television show. Even a small radio will fill the silence. Some cards or even a board game might be fun for the family too.
Food and Snacks
Your fridge is empty and so is your belly. Have some snacks ready to go. Trail mix is good and travels well. Some chips, protein bars, and beef jerky are good to have too. In addition, make sure you have some type of dinner that night. It can be easy to work through the night without stopping to eat, but that’s not healthy. Step out to a casual restaurant if you can. As a last resort, grab some fast food.
Knife
Moving without a knife to open all of those boxes is impossible. Have a small pocketknife to slice through the tape. It can be a relatively cheap knife.
First Aid Kit
Have a small first aid kit on hand just in case. You or someone in the family may have some cuts and scrapes after spending the day moving.
