This is a story of how to move in less than $10 and two days.

Can’t be done, you say? Well, I put it to the ultimate test recently.

This being my eighth move in seven years, I am now a pro! So, what’s the secret? Banana boxes, newspaper end rolls, and good friends.

First, the banana boxes. Contrary to popular belief, I do not have an exclusive “in” with a private distributor. Believe it or not, we the people eat a lot of bananas, which means anyone selling bananas will have, you guessed it, banana boxes.

The trick is to call ahead to the produce department of your favorite grocery store and ask them to save some for you. You can start weeks ahead of time collecting (and packing) them. An average three-bedroom, two-bath house should fit into about 50.

Why banana boxes? They are strong and uniform in size, which means they stack very neatly. They have handles on the sides for easy transportation. They also transform into a great pirate ship for the kids when it comes time to pack and unpack them. (Helpful hint: Pack clothes, linens and other soft materials in garbage bags.)

Next, the newspaper end rolls. Forgive me, Meridian Star, if you do not want this secret out, but $2 per roll is a steal! It takes me about two rolls.

After the third or fourth move, I also learned a new trick to “tearing” the paper. Run a sharp pocket knife down the center of the roll and you get perfectly shaped and sized pieces for almost any dish or knickknack. The Meridian Star is the ticket to packing materials!

The leftover end rolls also make great banner paper and can keep the kids entertained after the thrill of the pirate adventure is over. My kids love to unroll the paper, lay down on it and have their bodies traced. It’s like a giant paper doll.

Of course, any move is not complete without good friends to help. Anyone with a trailer and a truck on moving day is now your best friend. Friends and acquaintances of movers, beware! If you are feeling generous and want to go over your budget, pizza and a cold beverage is a nice incentive.

With a little preplanning and prepacking, everything can be moved in a day, or two. I like to move a room at a time. This keeps everything organized so as you are living out of the boxes for the next month, at least you know what room to find it in.



Janie Brown of Meridian is campaign director for the United Way of East Mississippi and West Alabama.