Moving Tip: Packing the Kitchen Part 3

Okay, your kitchen is packed, minus essentials, and your new kitchen is ready. Now what do you do with the food?

• Scale down your grocery shopping. If you usually stockpile groceries, stop. Save your grocery money until after you move and enjoy having less groceries to move and unpack!
• Use up perishables. Cook your frozen meals, eat your leftovers, and only buy enough fresh food to last until you move. Even if you're moving locally it can be a pain to transport refrigerated and frozen foods.
• Keep coolers ready. You'll most likely have some perishables to move so make sure you keep your coolers at you current house until you move the groceries.
• Turn on your new fridge. If possible, turn your new fridge on before you actually move. This way your perishables can go directly from coolers to fridge without changing temperature too much.
• Pack nonperishables in boxes. If your extra cereals, baking products, etc aren't essential to meals during moving week pack them up in boxes and move them with your furniture. This is particularly helpful if you've hired movers.
• Find a local food pantry. There are tons of organizations that can use nonperishables. If you're cleaning out your pantry, or moving long-distance, consider donating unopened containers. No need to waste the food!
• If you are unable to move your perishable food and have decent fresh food left, check with your friends and neighbors. Most likely someone will be happy to finish up your milk or head of lettuce. Save them some money and the food won't be wasted.

An added tip is to plan meals involving all nonperishables for a day or two before moving. This will give you a chance to unplug and defrost your old fridge and clean it out.

Stay tuned for Part 4!