Moving out for first time in Sept, how can we prepare?

[SkylinesTurnstiles]

Just hoping for some advice really.
DH and I are moving into our first (rented) house in September hopefully. We have been very fortunate that for the last 7ish years we have lived with my parents in a small annexe. We pay rent which includes everything, food also.
We are expecting DC1 in January and realistically we cannot stay in the annexe as it’s tiny, hence why we are moving out and renting.
Anyone have any suggestions what I can do to get more organised to prepare for the move?
We do not have a date as we are waiting for the landlord to be able to move back to their country of residence- we are just getting 2 weeks notice. So cannot organise any moving vans.
So far I have budgeted in extreme detail, looked into internet/electric/water providers and know what band of council tax we will be in. Have also done a ‘dummy’ shop to see how much our food shop will approx be.
Would it be worth starting to stock up on cleaning products/toiletries/imperishable food whilst we have more disposable income? Or does this sound like a terrible idea?
Sorry if this all sounds silly but at the age of 27, we have never moved out before so it’s all very new!
Any advise much appreciated :)

Have you been eating with your parents ? (as you say it includes food)

In which case you need to think about kitchen implements, pans, crockery, glasses etc etc

What about towel, bed linen, tea towels and so forth - do you have all your own of that kind of thing ?

No, it's not silly to stock up on things now. When I moved int my first flat, I had to do without lots of things, as couldn't afford to buy them all at once. So, in your normal weekly shop you would buy things that your eat up each week (bread, milk, veg, meat, eggs etc) and all the things that last a lot longer than a week normally get staggered over different shops, but for your first shop, you need to get all of them - coffee,tea,sugar, pasta, tins of store cupboard things like tomatoes, and all the things you have 'a bit of' here and there - salt, ketchup, herbs, spices, vinegar, etc as well as your washing up liquids, toilet paper etc etc etc. Makes a LOT of sense to start stocking up on things.

I would definitely start buying essentials now so you don't have to deal with getting them as you're trying to sort your new home. Toiletries, cleaning products, shelf stable foods, herbs and spices, broom, mop, hoover, sheets, etc. You don't have to go crazy, but a moderate supply will serve you well. You might also want to get plates, cups, glasses, a kettle, pots and pans if you don't have them already.

Also, try to save up as much money as you can in the meantime.

Congratulations on your new home! You'll have so much fun settling in!

I wouldn't buy things now. Unless there's another lockdown (in which case you might stay put for a few weeks?) store cupboard items and kitchenware can be bought in one big Tesco shop (delivered) the day after you move. Otherwise you are filling your tiny annex with them to pay to have them moved.

I am concerned that you talk about having more disposable income currently. Get in the habit of not spending all you earn, keep the money for setting up home to one side and do it when you've moved. Good discipline for life.

Cluttering a small annexe then paying to have the stuff moved is daft. Get into the habit of living on your new budget now and stick the money in a savings account. When moving day comes you can buy everything you need without worrying about the cost and you’ll know you can handle the new budget. Good luck and congratulations!

If you need to, I would do a declutter before you move too so you are only taking what you actually need/ would like. I have fine this before each house move we have done and it really helps. I understand what pps are saying about not stocking up but I would a little just to get it off my mental list a little. Especially post and pans etc ..if you need them.

Consider starting to budget for things for baby too if you haven't already as this can add up for first child.

Very exciting - all the best.

Ikea are very good for kitchen starter sets. At the least, you would need a frying pan, a large and small saucepan. A large stockpot/metal casserole. Tin opener, corkscrew, sharp knives (vegetable knife, and a bread knife at the very least). A measuring jug, a cheese grater, a Pyrex mixing bowl. Fish slice, draining spoon and ovenproof dishes for making lasagnes etc. A baking sheet is very useful, as is a bun tin and cooling rack if you plan on home baking. Plates,bowls and mugs/cup.
As for cleaning stuff, buy shops own. Don’t buy brands that you recognise from TV ads, they are far more expensive.

Congratulation on the baby I would do a mixture choose some things now that you really love eg bedding, crockery and cutlery. A small box with tiniest size washing up liquid, tea towel and dish cloth, soap and hand towel would see you through first day or two. Cleaning things etc can be done in an online order to arrive within a couple of days. Good luck and enjoy