Moving is a huge undertaking, but unfortunately, it can’t be avoided once you have found your new home. Here are some tips to help pack for your big move.

Determine what you no longer need and are willing to get rid of and make arrangements to have a charity organization come by to pick up the items a week or two before moving day. After all, the less you have to move, the easier it will be!
Stock up on packing supplies ahead of time – boxes, packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, etc. – this will be a big help when it’s time to begin packing.

Money-Saving Tip: use clothing to wrap breakables – clean socks work great for glasses and stemware as extra padding. Never use newspaper as a wrap – the ink on newsprint will rub off on and damage your items.

Once the packing begins, remember to pack the items you use the least first. Save the things you’ll need up until moving day for last.

Pack the items you will need FIRST at your new home in a clear bin, including things like a box cutter, tools, toilet paper, phone chargers, power strips, paper towels, trash bags, select cookware and eating utensils. The clear bin allows you to see inside making it easy to distinguish from all the other moving boxes.

Pack one room at a time, being sure to mark each box on both the top and the side with the contents and the room to which they belong.

Use smaller boxes for heavier items – this not only makes it easier to move but prevents the box from breaking.

Money-Saving Tip: cut down on boxes by packing all of your suitcases, baskets, laundry bins and hampers with stuff.

Pack plates vertically like records and they will be less likely to break.

Clearly, mark all boxes containing your breakable items as “FRAGILE”.

Place the heavier items on the bottom of the box and the lighter items on top.

Don’t leave any empty spaces in the boxes. Fill all the gaps with towels, clothing or packing paper.

Tape the boxes well ensuring that they will hold all the contents without breaking.

Place screws or other small parts from things you have to take apart into zip-locked sandwich baggies and tape them to the back of the item.  Before dismantling your electronics, take a photo of how they are connected so you can remember where all the wires go.