Prep

• Call the utility companies as soon as you know you’re moving.

• Find a mover now. They can get booked pretty far in advance. Make sure to ask for quotes from at least three different companies and check their reviews.

• Make donation pick-up arrangements for things you don't want to take with you.

• Start finding boxes.

• Stop buying as many groceries and eat what you have so you don't have to move it.

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Packing

• Don’t empty out your dresser drawers. Take the drawers out of the dresser, leave the items in there, and secure them by wrapping up the drawer in plastic wrap.

• Leave your clothes on the hanger. Group them and wrap groups in large garbage bags or hang them in a wardrobe box.

• Use your linens, towels, and other soft items as padding when packing breakables.

• Use large items like pots to hold small items like spices.

• Wrap plastic wrap around things that might spill.

• Pack your suitcases. You can pack a lot of heavy or oddly shaped things in suitcases since their wheels make them easy to move.

• While your TV is still plugged in, take a picture of the back of it so you’ll remember how to set it back up later.

• Pack a bag of items you'll need right away so they will be easy to find once you move.

• Mark boxes with the room they will belong in at the new house, and list a few important items in each box. This will help you find what you need until you get all unpacked.

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Moving Day

• Have a plan for little kids and pets.

• Be packed up the day before moving day. Last minute packing can slow down your entire day.

• If you aren't hiring movers, invest in a hand truck. It will save you tons and energy of time moving large items or multiple boxes at once.

• Call on your friends. Pizza and beer afterwards helps motivate them!

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Unpacking

• Start with the kitchen so you can feed yourself. Then set up your bed so you can rest. The rest can get done as necessary.

• Do a little bit at a time. Don’t stress yourself out trying to get every single box unpacked right away.

• Get rid of boxes as you empty them. As soon as a box is emptied of all its items, break it down and recycle it.