Getting Use Out of Your Old Boxes

Oftentimes I find myself wondering what to do with all my old cheap moving boxes that I had from moving into my new apartment about 10 months ago. Currently, they’re just sitting behind my couch or posted up along my staircase, and I can’t help but feel they’re creating needless clutter that gives off the impression that I’m too lazy to take care of the boxes.

While tossing them in the dumpster is probably the easiest and takes the least amount of work, I also realize that I’ve got a lot of stuff that could use some organizing, and decluttering my apartment was the goal to begin with these boxes, right?

Here are a few ideas I have that I’ll put to the test this weekend when I finally decide to tackle some of the mess of my apartment.

Putting away seasonal clothes.

There is such a thing as seasonal clothes, even for guys. While I hear about it so much from other girls, I definitely know that I’ve also got my warmer apparel that won’t see any use during the summer. And since the seasons are currently in transition right now, I may as well fold up some of my heavier sweaters and wool socks, pack them in some of the boxes, and put them in the basement for the duration of winter.

Storing unused or old books.

I always find it a shame to put books away in storage when I’d rather showcase them on a shelf, my home entertainment system, or in a dedicated bookcase. But sometimes, it’s best to put away what’s not in use and what isn’t as new or shiny as other books. Just make sure when you put them away that you pack them in boxes on their back ends or standing up and down. Packing books on their spines (or reverse) can wear down the spine a lot quicker than if you pack them laying on their backs. Your cheap moving boxes will definitely come in handy when you’re putting books away.

Old tech and video games.

Whether it’s controllers, the actual console, video game cartridges, or other computer or tech related stuff, you’ve likely got some drawer in your home entertainment system that’s full of things you’ll never use again because they’re outdated. If you have some sort of nostalgia for them or feel like you’ll never get money out of it and just want to hold onto them, you probably should find a place for them in storage.

Tips for Effective and Efficient Packing and Shipping

Proper way of shipping is what that matters whether you are shipping thousands of packages every month or just a few. It means that you need to make sure that you are not ending up getting losses while shipping your items. There are a few ways you can ensure it.

The size and weight of your packages should be appropriate

One of the most important things that you have to take into consideration is that you are picking boxes of right size in order to package your products. The items should be fitted in the boxes appropriately. If the boxes are large enough, you will have to insert a bulk of packaging supplies to ensure cushioning. This insertion and increase the size and weight of the package. That will be a waste of money and resources in the end.

System standardization

Make sure that your employees are not required to make decisions during packing process. You can introduce clear guidelines on what should be done at every step. The employees are going to recognize what they are required to do at any particular step.

Organizing the warehouse

You need to make sure you are able to handle the fulfillments. For this purpose, you will have to organize the warehouse in the best way you can. First, you will have to keep bestselling items in the easy access. You can also have them pre-packed if possible. Moreover, you will need to avoid keeping heavy items on the higher shelves because it can make their handling quite difficult. If you see the certain products are being sold together quite often, you can place them next to each other. The aisles and shelves should be labeled with bigger tags so that the workers won’t have to search for the specific products. Make sure that packing workers are equipped with everything they need to ensure better packing and packaging of the products.

Things to do ahead of busy sales periods

You may aware of the busier times, such as Christmas and Cyber Monday, when there is usually a surge of sales. These are the times for which the retailers wait the entire time because these periods can make them get handsome revenues. Here, you will have to make sure that you are ready to deal with the flow of orders that you receive during these times. While you have to start packing for the orders and pre-orders well ahead of time, you also need to have extra hands to help you during the process of packaging and packing. Consider hiring extra staff during these days.

Quality packaging supplies are cost effective

Now, you may wonder about what I just said. It’s right, it is a cost effective option to go for the high quality and, sometimes, a bit expensive packaging supplies. This is due to the fact that low quality packaging supplies can make the shipped items receive the damage. It can be quite bad for your reputation and sales.

Some Tips for Moving with Kids

Moving is a crazy time and we often forget to sit our kids down and really explain to them what is going to be happening.  As adults especially, we are used to the process of moving, and we understand that we are in control of it.  Kids, on the other hand, might be excited about a move but they also don’t know what to expect and when the ball gets rolling they can really start to feel overwhelmed.  

The last thing you want is to unload your last box in your amazing new home and hear the kids ask when you are going back home.  What?  We are home!  Here are a few simple tips for helping ease your kids into a move:

• Be aware of how you are reacting to the move.  If you are stressed and unhappy your kids are going to be feeling that on an accelerated level and they are going to associate moving with negative emotions. 
• Paint the move as an adventure, which can be scary and intimidating but is also very exciting.  Plan a fun activity for after the move to bring closure to the event.
• Make sure to talk about the move on a daily basis leading up to it.
• Involve the kids in helping you find as many cheap moving boxes as you can.  Take them into department stores with you when you ask, and drive with them behind businesses to see if any have been discarded. 
• Introduce the movers to your kids and pets.  Showing that your movers are real people can greatly assist in alleviating the anxiety of watching them cart all those hard-earned cheap moving boxes out of the old house.

• Some movers actually provide specialty boxes for children, that the children can label and draw on to help them feel included in the process.  You can also find a lot of material online that will help your children prepare for the move.
• Encourage your child to keep a journal of the process.  Sit down as a family often before the move, and even after the move.  Even if your child can’t write, they can still draw and talk about their feelings.  Keep those drawings and papers together so that you can go over them after you’ve moved in.  You might even want to hang onto them if you know you will be moving again in a few years to refer back to. 
• If you found enough cheap moving boxes and don’t want to try to resell them after the move, get your kids together in making an awesome fort out of all of the empty boxes.  They won’t say no to moving again if they know what kind of fun is in store at the end!