I'm moving soon. Have been packing over two decades of possessions. Got a good
Referral for a moving company. Question: do I have to empty my file cabinets...
I know I have to empty draws , but I have five file cabinets.

Ask the moving company.

Usually movers want drawers emptied because a) the cabinets/dressers are VERY heavy with contents and b) things fall down the backs of drawers. Some get jammed in there, or ruined, or even fall down to the bottom and out onto the truck or ground.
Aside from that, furniture gets jostled a lot over the roads. A 4 drawer file cabinet can't take it, unless it's a very expensive brand. If it isn't strapped in tightly, it will start bumping into whatever's next to it, and so on....
Empty them. Consider weeding out a lot of papers. That's the one fun part of moving.

Thank you... I had emailed the movers but never got a reply.. I'll start
Emptying

I will agree, I have moved file cabinets twice without empty, and both times they were damaged because of the weight and movement.

Personally I ended up renting my own truck, and hiring my own workers after using several moving companies.

Yes, I'm already planning (in my head) how I'm going to pack my files and
Keep them in order. If I were even fifteen years younger, that's exactly
What I would do... it's how I emptied my mom's apt when she died.. we
Rented a truck... but now I'm too far over the hill and my strength is not
What it was. Fortunately I have a close friend who has always used these
Movers and she couldn't speak any more highly of them... they have
Excellent writeups on yelp too.

There are file boxes you can get. They're moving boxes fit for files, have metal rungs to hang the files on. It would take quite a few to contain all your files if your file cabinet is full, but it's the best way to move files, and a small box of paperwork is much easier to move than a full cabinet.

Once you're moved, putting the files back in order is as simple as opening the boxes and moving the files. I would highly recommend these boxes for moving. It makes life so much easier when it comes to files.

I also do agree that this is the perfect time to go through all your papers and get rid of the stuff you don't need.

Good luck. :)

Thank you... I just got some wonderful boxes which will fit my files and my
Files are the hanging kind... you're right, that will work out just fine. I guess
I just feel a bit overwhelmed for living here over 20 years and just didn't
Expect my landlord to sell... Thank you for getting back to me

I can't imagine moving. We've lived in our house for 21 years, and have accumulated a lot of junk. A part of me would like to move just so we have no choice but to get rid of stuff, but we'd need months to get everything packed up or thrown out.

I hope the move goes smoothly. It is never easy to move, especially when you've been someplace for so long, but look at it as a new adventure, and a fresh new place as well. Sometimes change is a good thing, and exciting, even if it's stressful.

I'm trying... I'm a city person (NY) moving upstate where it's less hectic but it will take getting use to... Just tossed out 20 VCR's LOL!

20 VCR's. LOL! Wow, you may actually be on par with me. I'm sure I could scrounge up at least that many if I actually had to pack everything. :)

You'll be fine. Keep me posted on how it goes, and how you like your new place. I have a feeling you'll settle in very well, and really enjoy your new digs. :)

I see you're a pet expert. I've been feeding ferals for all those years..
Had many TNR'd but only one in this last group of 6.. and now I'm
Moving.. left letters in the mailboxes of every neighbor begging
Them to feed the cats... no replies... that's the hardest part of moving

Sissy? Is that you?

I have a friend going through the same thing you are. She's being forced to move, landlord is selling the place, and she's been feeding a colony of feral cats for years. Would be really really really weird if you are one and the same. She's a new friend, someone I met through another friend. Would really really be a "it's a small world" moment if you and she are the same person.

You're in New York? Is that right? I'll do some research, see if I can find any cat sanctuaries near you that would be willing to help with the cats. Sadly when it comes to computer skills, I'm lacking, but I'll give it my best effort.

Luckily feral pets aren't a huge problem where I live, but I totally understand why you're upset about having to leave them. I would be too.

Wish I had an easy fix for this. I will do my best to try and find outside help for your cats, and yes, to me they're your cats. :)

I see you're a pet expert. I've been feeding ferals for all those years..
Had many TNR'd but only one in this last group of 6.. and now I'm
Moving.. left letters in the mailboxes of every neighbor begging
Them to feed the cats... no replies... that's the hardest part of moving
You didn't contact Alley Cat Allies?

Yes I did but there's no way I can get them fixed and even with that nothing there will help me.

I'm cutting back on the feeding in hopes they will find other places to eat.
Sanctuaries are not going to take them or no kill shelters where they would
Be sitting in a cage 24/7 anyway. Better they take their chances on the
Outside. These are coincidences with your friend Sissy... but that's not me!

I'm still flabbergasted about your 20 VCRs. How does that happen? Given to you, found, bought at yard sales? I sold mine for $1 about 10 years ago.

Allied Cat Allies works with your area vets to do TNR. Have you at least contacted vets to alert them to the existence of this colony?