Are you moving soon or helping someone else move? Take some steps to make the move go more smoothly.

1. GET PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME BY GETTING A SUPPLY OF PACKING PAPER, OR NEWSPAPER AND WHITE TISSUE PAPER. (Towels can make good filler, too.) Remember not to wrap anything in newspaper that may allow the newsprint to transfer to the item you’re wrapping. You may need to get bubble wrap and masking tape for wall hangings.
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2. GET SOME BOXES AHEAD OF TIME, AND MAYBE SOME TRASH BAGS. Heavy things should be in small boxes. Light things, such as linens and stuffed animals, could be in large boxes. However, lightweight items that are not fragile could also be placed in heavy trash bags. I prefer small boxes for anything that will fit in a small box. They’re much easier to move here and there, especially for women, in many cases. They will even make it easier to pack things ahead of time. If you need to use things in the boxes before you move, you should be able to find them fairly easily if they’re in small boxes. When moving things out of my dad’s home, I BOUGHT A BUNCH OF “BANKER’S BOXES” AT AN OFFICE SUPPLY. Assembling them is a little more complicated than regular boxes, but they have lids, which is handy. If you’re lucky, you can find them on sale. After the move, you can disassemble them and tie them up for future use or to pass on to someone else.

3. HERE’S MY BIGGEST TIP. HAVE SOME FELT PENS ON HAND. PUT ONLY ITEMS FOR THE SAME ROOM IN ONE BOX OR BAG. THEN BE SURE TO MARK TO WHICH ROOM THE BOX OR BAG BELONGS. If you use heavy trash bags that are dark-colored, you can put a strip of masking tape on both sides of each bag so you can mark them with your felt pen. You will want to make sure the items inside aren’t thought to be trash. When the boxes and bags are unloaded into the new home, they can be carried to the room where they belong. IT’S ALSO VERY HELPFUL TO MARK WHAT KINDS OF THINGS ARE INSIDE EACH BOX OR BAG, especially for the kitchen and bedroom. You may need your coffeemaker or your green shirt before you have a chance to unpack everything. You might love yourself later for marking them, or you may kick yourself later if you didn’t.

4. IF YOU’RE HIRING A MOVER, MAKE SURE IT’S A REPUTABLE COMPANY. Many people have deeply regretted hiring the company they chose. Maybe you can get one that’s recommended by a friend. At least check with the Better Business Bureau.

5. PUT THE HEAVIEST PART OF THE LOAD AT THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER. Here’s some added advice. To make moving day more pleasant, have an ice chest with bottles of water and/ or sparkling water drinks. Before everyone becomes famished and starts to lose energy and begins slowing down, provide some sandwiches or burgers or pizza and a little lunch break. Brownies or cookies would be a good afternoon picker-upper. Keep some paper towels in the bathroom so people can dry their hands if all the towels are packed, and don’t pack up all the hand soap. Your friends and family members who lend a helping hand will feel appreciated if you treat them well.

HAPPY PACKING!