Judith Sutton ABR CRS IDS PMN ASP IAHSP SRES GREEN
Judy@JudithSutton.com 908 803-0472
EXPECT MORE
MOVING? HOW TO PACK YOUR BEAUTIFUL BOOKS!
How to Pack Your Books for Moving: Your Treasures!
. 
Anyone who has a love for books feels they are real treasures! It is those very books that our parents used to read to us that we most care about, as well as all of those “cocktail table collectibles” that remind us of people, places, and things (mine would be flowers!) we love most.
And if you happen to have a sizeable book collection, then a house move can quickly turn things upside down for you. You would love to take all your books with you, of course, but books are heavy so you may be forced to part with some of your beloved copies. Also, you would hate to see any books damaged in the moving process so you’ll have to know the best way to pack books for moving.
Here is how to pack books for moving:
OPTIMIZE your book collection: 6 steps
If you are moving a long distance, then your interstate movers are going to charge you not only for the move distance but for the total weight of your items too.
Books can be very heavy when packed together. Even smaller paperback books and slim magazines add up quickly to the overall weight of the entire shipment. And that basically means that every extra book you choose to move with you will cost you extra money out of your own pocket.
So, what to do before packing books for moving?
First things first – your initial task is to optimize your book collection by sorting out and grouping your copies. And no, you’re not going to like it. I promise.
Books are supposed to take us on amazing journeys and thrilling adventures, not drive us out of our own homes.
GO through all the books you own in order to determine if you really want to pay money in order to keep them. Maybe it will make more sense to find another owner for some of them – another book lover who will continue to take good care of them and who might enjoy reading them as much as you did.
SORT OUT all your books into two separate groups: TO TAKE and NOT TO TAKE. That should be your question. Be mentally ready to make some tough decisions during the book optimization process. Apart from the clear winners (the books you won’t part with no matter what) and the clear losers (the books that are certainly not worth the moving expenses), many books can leave you frustratingly uncertain about what to do with them.
MAKE it easier on yourself and take only your favorite books or the ones that are memorable gifts from special persons – that is, the copies that do mean something to you in some way.
LEAVE behind any books you are not 100% want to take with you. This way, you will not only save money, but you’ll also save yourself the trouble of having to find enough space to store all the books you’re moving with you – something that can be a big problem when you’re downsizing (or simply embracing the minimalist vibe). Remember all those great spaces you saw on OPEN HOUSE NYC?
DONATE to charity all the books that are in good condition but you have decided to leave behind for some reason or another. Where to donate used books? Check with local libraries, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, daycare centers, and kindergartens (children’s books) whether they will be willing to accept your unwanted books.
Note: Every year Association of Women's Universities has a book sale in Bernardsville at the Middle School. Call me for details!
THROW AWAY for recycling any books that are too damaged to serve anybody any good. Get in touch with your local recycling center to arrange to drop them off.
You will love yourself later for all your decisions. (Even if your children think you should be their keeper forever!)
Need some more suggestions? Call me. As a member of the Bernardsville Public Library Foundation Board, I can help.
Adding value for my clients and loving where we live!
COLDWELL BANKER...GUIDING PEOPLE HOME SINCE 1906
908 803-0472
"...the right relationship means everything..."
SERVING THE SOMERSET HILLS AREA ONE CLIENT AT A TIME
Service & Experience
since 1983