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What’s UP people!
Apologies for the mini hiatus everyone, but The Frugal Samurai is back online FINALLY.
Did ya miss me?
To quote a scholar “I’ve never left you. Been a faithful blogreader this whole time. Staying true”.
That’s my number one fan this is Stan.
For the rest of you, I can explain…
Last week, we’ve had a crazy week or so.
Getting ready to move out of our old place into our new, on top of housesitting for my parents and babysitting their dog, whilst juggling full-time work, meant that we literally had zero time for anything.
Whoa! This must be what parenthood is like… (it sucks!)

Still, things have quietened down, we’ve finally escaped that crazy neighbour (read here), and also my parents are back.
I thought today we would revisit a popular post I wrote, coincidentally almost a year to the day (original here), on 4 lessons in moving places, which everyone can relate to, and mark myself on how I did this time…
Keep in mind it’s from a year ago! Hope you enjoy:
Take Inventory.
It wasn’t until we started packing that we realised exactly how much “stuff” we have. I mean do you need a dozen pairs of jeans? Most times you might only be wearing the same 2 or 3.
In fact we grossly underestimated how many boxes and packing containers were required to do the job.
You might not notice it day by day or week by week, but those little purchases do add up both in your bank balance and your wardrobe.
Moving out to a new place is a great opportunity to take inventory of what you currently own (and what to chuck out).
2018 Lesson: We’re trying to limit our spending on what we have now. By we I mean she…
2019 Revisited: I’m proud to report that we did alright in this department! Mainly because we used pretty much the same number of boxes and containers for this move that suggests not too much was added. Very glad to see that the spending plateaued since last time!

Pack Early.
So obvious but so true, unfortunately MrsFrugalSamurai-to-be and I aren’t the most proactive of individuals when it comes to packing boxes.
We both had a very busy work schedule during the week, which explains why we were up at 3 am on Saturday morning still trying to dismantle the bed. Like a kick in the face when you’re down.
Looking back, I wonder how much simpler it would have been if we had both been motivated enough to pack a couple of items here and there throughout the week – instead of one last all-nighter binge reminiscent of cramming for end of year final exams.
2018 Lesson: Pack the non-essentials away early guys, will save a lot of headache and heartache.
2019 Revisited: Think that kick in the face was really painful because we definitely learnt our lesson this time round! Also the fact we foresaw the housesitting would take out a lot of free time, meant we started much earlier this – a full week before. Doing a hour here and an hour there REALLY helped.
“A” class Removalists.
We thought that we would save time by hiring professional removalists who are yknow… professionals.
Unfortunately we were caught out by not researching online properly. The removal company who had 4+ stars in reviews, was good value and were quick to reply with our emails, well on the day they didn’t… show… up.
You see, at the beginning we thought that it was a standard delay – we waited, then waited, then waited some more – all the while speaking with the company who assured us that the removal team were on their way.
We canned them in the end – long story short, a phone call was made, voices were raised and words were said.
Luckily, I happen to get a kick out of making formal complaints against businesses to relevant government departments – I’m so glad they gave me an excuse to go through the process again.
Thank goodness we live in the age of disruptors for we managed to hire a 2nd removalist firm via Airtasker pronto.
2018 Lesson: Always double or triple confirm whether online reviews are valid and credible. There’s also great disruptor websites these days like Airtasker, Fiverr and Freelancer.com which you can use if you’re going to be hiring people to get the job done.
2019 Revisited: Definitely learnt our lesson here. I asked around nice and early for recommendations on removalists and glad that I did. Wasn’t gonna go through the BS of last time that’s for sure. Same goes with the professional cleaner which we hired.

Ask for help.
Seriously, I still don’t know why we didn’t just ask for our friends and family to help us move. It would have been a much more enjoyable experience (quicker too) in hindsight.
At the time, I spose we thought hiring professionals would be much easier.
Honestly though – hire a truck, grab a bunch of mates over, pay them in beer and away you go.
2018 Lesson: Not even a lesson, just common sense TheFrugalSamurai – let’s never go through this experience again.
2019 Revisited: Was considering doing this until we saw the weather forecast… was gonna be 40+ Celsius (104F). I… I’m not that cruel.
~~~
Whew, glad it’s all over now! And good to see that we’ve heeded our own words since before “shudders” to implement some much needed changes.
Overall the move and clean out went pretty well.
MrsFrugalSamurai is much happier this time round and that’s good enough for me.
So thanks for sticking with us guys!
Make sure you come back next time, as during this break I really took the time to think about how to make this blog even better – going to try out a whole bunch of new things in the future, should be fun!
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38 Comments
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Brilliant advice – honestly, moving is so stressful isn’t it!? So we need to be as organised as possible, and I agree – quality removalists is imperative!
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for saying so! It’s REALLY stressful, can’t imagine doing the move with kids! Oh boy…
Amber
Yup, so true. My husband is in the military so we move every couple of years. It can be tricky, but we have learned to ask for help.
The Frugal Samurai
Ouch! Every 2 years! That’s full on, really feel for ya – I’m sure we’d be able to learn a thing or two from you guys!
Cristina Pop
Moving can be difficult. You do have some great tips!
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for saying so, tell me about it!
Jess
I love that you came back and gave us an update on what worked for you recently and what didnt. Personalized post like these always grab my attention
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you for saying so! Yeah, try to keep it as personal and transparent here at TheFrugalSamurai haha 🙂 Thanks for reading.
Shalzzz
Those are some amazing tips! As someone who moves houses every two years (thanks to soldier husband’s deployment), I agree to all the points mentioned here.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh you too! A couple of the other reader’s have to move every couple of years thanks to their husbands also! Damn, feel sorry for you guys! Thanks for reading 🙂
Joan
We also moved last year so I feel you, the packing was the worst because some were done last minute which is a no no. You are right pack early.
The Frugal Samurai
Wow, that woulda sucked big time! Glad you guys got through it, we were like that last time – lots of tears and loud voices haha… oh dear!
Tara Pittman (@momknowsbest15)
Moving is a hard job to do. I hate all the packing and unpacking that one has to do.
The Frugal Samurai
Tell me about it! Sucks big time!
Passion Piece
I’m still waiting for the day of my moving out. However, these are some great points to consider before starting anything. I’ll keep them in mind for future! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
The Frugal Samurai
No problem! Glad you enjoyed it, haha trust me – it ain’t something to eagerly look forward to, such a hassle! Thanks for reading 🙂
Sarah Bailey
These are some great hints and tips to help people when moving! Making a plan and trying to stick to it is a must.
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks for saying so! I totally agree with you. If only to avoid the heartache!
TheSuperMomLife
We moved just a couple of months ago. It was exhausting and I don’t want to do it again for a long time.
The Frugal Samurai
Ouchies, sounds painful! Especially with the kids it must have been one helluva ride! Feel for you…
Hugzy
I was gonna shed a tear and blow the bugle (The Last Post) as i thought my favourite blogger has fallen
But now i dont need to blow the bugle anymore… just shed a tear
The Frugal Samurai
“Looks back in my saddle as I bid another weary traveller goodbye…and turn my head to the setting sun”
bmcharnley
These are some great lessons to remember. I wish we had a house!!!
The Frugal Samurai
You’re welcome! Haha, I wish we had a house as well… only living from apartment to apartment these days!
The Travelling Mermaid
Moving houses takes a lot of effort and time! Thanks for the tips.
The Frugal Samurai
No problem, thanks for reading 🙂
Lyosha Varezhkina
Pack ahead it my ultimate issue. I always tend to slack it off as much as I can and delay delay delay. I just hope next time I move I will learn this lesson. finally.
The Frugal Samurai
I’m hopeful you will as well! Not so easy I know, but man saves a lot of headache (and heartache) later on!
Aishwarya Shenolikar
Starting earlier than early is just so necessary. You never know how the days pass! Great tips here.
The Frugal Samurai
I know right, that is probably the most important piece of advice! Thanks for reading 🙂
niquesbeauty
I haven’t move I lived at the same places for 19 years my bf moved 1 year ago it was stressful for him cuz I Cudnt go over d place was a mess everything was just driving him crazy lol so his mom stepped in n took care of it because she know wat needed to be done properly
The Frugal Samurai
Good for him that he had parental help! Such a stressful time right! All good, glad everything worked out for him… and lucky you for being at the same place for so long!
One Creative Mommy
That’s terrible that your movers didn’t show up while still promising to come. That must have been so frustrating. Glad you were able to find another (reliable) company quickly. Thank goodness for the internet.
The Frugal Samurai
I reckon! Put them straight onto the relevant government body to deal with… but small compense when you’re waiting 6 hours for someone who claims they are “around the corner”… yep, thank goodness for the internet indeed!
Gladys Nava
Oh! I love the ideas you share with us! It really helps other, and I will surely keep this in my mind. Thanka for sharing!
The Frugal Samurai
That’s the goal right! Sharing is caring as they say, thanks for reading!
Shweta koul
Yes moving out to different place is really a tough and hectic job, specially with kids. We have recently moved out to our own house and I know how much tiring the whole process was.
The Frugal Samurai
Oh wow, with kids aye! Man that musta been really tough… feel for you! Thanks for reading, let’s hope either of us don’t have to do this for a long long time!