Countdown to Europe and moving — Four months to go

The end of the holiday season was particularly bittersweet for me. We’re moving and taking a trans-Atlantic vacation in 120 days, and it’s finally time for me to start doing all the things I’ve been putting off until “after the holidays.” It’s so exciting, but overwhelming, too.

I’ve been breaking everything down month-by-month to make sure I get it all done. Here’s what’s on my plate for January.

Moving

Last month I set a date for our move and booked the movers and the truck. We’re renting a U-Haul and hiring a moving company to load up the truck. I don’t know if I’ve written about this before, but honestly, even though loading the truck ourselves would be more frugal, hiring people to do it is the best $150 I will ever spend. We’re on the third floor, and it’s just us. Knowing that two professionals will be here to lug our heavy possessions down three flights of wind-y stairs takes a huge load off my mind.

Just before the holidays I also informed my boss and co-workers that I’ll be leaving in May. My plan was to make an announcement in March, but the other employee in my department is pregnant and due in June. I felt like it was only fair to let everyone know well in advance so they could plan for both of us to leave around the same time.

We’re also continuing to declutter, but that’s not going as well as I’d hoped. :( I’m hoping the New Year will motivate me to really start getting rid of stuff so we can lighten our load.

Europe

For Christmas, Tony’s parents got me a couple of frugal vacation planning books for Paris and London. This month I plan to read through them and make a to-do list based on the tips I find valuable.

Since our flight and hotels are already booked, there isn’t much left to do beyond deciding what to see in the cities and getting our passports. This month we’ll be taking care of the passports to make sure we have plenty of time.

Everything is coming together nicely. Here’s hoping it’s smooth sailing from here to May.

Photo by tahir

5 thoughts on “Countdown to Europe and moving — Four months to go

  1. This Thrifted Life

    It’s very fun to watch your countdown to such an exciting vacation and move.

    Are you guys planning on using any “budget” tips on your vacation? Or are you just going with the flow and making sure you stay under your budget overall?
    .-= This Thrifted Life´s last blog ..Streamlined =-.

  2. Megan

    We used professional movers (TROSA) last month for the first time when we moved from one Durham location to another. We hired them to move all the big furniture and moved the boxes and smaller stuff ourselves. It was worth Every Single Penny! They were so efficient and friendly, and I didn’t have to worry about my piano squishing any of our friends. Good luck as you declutter and start to pull together all the details!!
    .-= Megan´s last blog ..WIP Wednesday – Madeline Blocks =-.

  3. jonathanwthomas

    Good move hiring movers. We’ve moved around about 4 times since we’ve been together and we’ve done it ourselves every time because we just couldn’t afford to hire anybody. After the last time we vowed, never again.

    I’m very excited for you guys and love reading about your life changes you have ahead. It’s nice to read about other young responsible married couples achieving success. Not a lot of people are age are doing what we’re doing.
    .-= jonathanwthomas´s last blog ..Anglophile Celebrity News Roundup: Pixie Geldof, Robert Pattinson, Boy George =-.

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