I’m moving tomorrow. Yes again. But this move is welcome for three reasons:

#1) This move cuts my cost of living down by 26% (as part of my 30 Before 30 list I wanted to hit 25%. Needless to say I succeeded.)

So yay for more money to put towards student loan debt and investing. (Two more items on my list.)

#2) I hired movers. There used to be some meme on MySpace of FacePlace or the like that said “After 30 you hire movers and don’t ask your friends to help you move.” I support this for a few reasons: one it’s annoying. No one likes to move. It sucks. My friends and I have a deal: I don’t ask you to help me move, you don’t ask me. We are grown ass adults. We can pay for this service. Even more than the general annoyingness of moving, one of the most important reasons to me for hiring someone to move me is that movers are efficient. They are there to grab your stuff, pack it in a truck and get it to your new home. There is no dilly dallying. I don’t have time to do this myself, or waste time going through my stuff as I move it. I’m only taking a half a day off to assist the movers with this and then I’m going into work after. Efficiency – I love it.

#3) I’m only bringing what I need. In preparing for my move I got rid of more than half of what I own. I went through my clothes and sold anything that doesn’t fit and is brand new or only worn once. I gave some really nice pieces of clothing away to friends and coworkers. I donated the rest to charity. I sorted through books and donated ones that are useful that I don’t need anymore. I finally threw out bags (and bags and bags and bags) of stuff that was in storage … because I thought someday I’d use it? Guess what? It’s been in storage for two years and I haven’t used it. GONE.

The rule: if I haven’t worn it, used it, needed it in the past year – there is nothing to consider, it’s garbage. And I actually went a step further and trimmed down the stuff I have used, but don’t NEED. I don’t want stuff just to have it. I want stuff that I use or wear or need.

I packed my entire life into 10 boxes (3 large, 5 medium, 2 small). These boxes contain clothes (1 box), shoes (1 box), art supplies (2 boxes), pieces of art (1 box), health & beauty products (1 box), books & DVDs (1 box), cookware (1 box), and glassware (2 boxes). I disassembled my bed. I arranged my bookshelf and dresser. All of my wordly possessions fit into a square in the middle of my living room waiting for pick up. All of it is colored coded and labeled by room and contents. (NERD!)

As for long term living solution, I know signing a lease for one year isn’t a long-term solution. But this place is very affordable, it’s big enough and it’s in the right location for me. So I am comfortable saying that for the rest of the time I rent as single gal in the city, it will be in this apartment.

I’m two months into my 30 Before 30 list, and I have to say, I’m pretty proud of the number of things I’ve crossed off already. I’ve got almost 4 months left to tackle the rest. Here’s to not resting until it’s done!

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In June, I made a list of 30 Things I Want to Do Before I Turn 30. I gave myself 6 months to complete it. Feel free to keep up with my progress (as I check things off my list): here.