• It is important, however, to keep all of the documents necessary for your move such as address and utility information (or a laptop with this information) in one place and easily accessible on moving day itself. Don’t pack it away in a box; rather, find a safe place for it in the kitchen by your purse or in the glove box of your car.

• Taking this one step further, if utilizing professional movers, it is best practice to keep all your sensitive documents (passports, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, etc.) in a safe place and move this yourself as well. This way, you minimize the risk of it getting lost in the move or compromised in transit, and you’re able to ensure these important, hard-to-replace items stay safe.

•  Moving is often touted as one of the most stressful experiences, but one of the primary ways to alleviate this stress is to start as early as possible and not wait until the last second.

• Begin a few weeks out to give yourself ample time to go through your items, pare down what you do or don’t need, and then pack thoughtfully and carefully.

• For individuals who are moving themselves, there are a number of ways to make the moving job itself mentally and physically easier. Renting a moving truck, especially one with a ramp, will make loading and unloading easier and save time as well. 

• The ramp will also make an immense difference in how much time and effort it takes to load and unload large, heavy items plus save strain on your arms, knees and back.

• If you want to save money on a move, it’s easy to cut costs by reusing old boxes or taking recycled boxes from friends and neighbors. 

• Wardrobe boxes can make moving lots of clothing a breeze.

• Heavier items are best packed in multiple, small boxes.

• Smaller, lighter items such as linens or kitchen utensils can be packed in large boxes and moved with ease.

• Pack the essentials: only the items you truly use and touch every single day. Think about your bathroom essentials, shower curtain, the bedding on your bed, dishes and utensils, maybe the most heavily utilized pot and pan.

• By saving your essentials for last, you can ensure what you need to immediately function in your new home is packed away together and ready to unbox quickly upon arrival.

• Packing by room and labeling appropriately is a smart move, but level up your efforts by doing a quick inventory of what is in each box and writing it on the side. 

• A box labeled “Kitchen” could mean many things. You know what room it goes in, but what is really inside? Is it cookware? Spatulas? Small appliances? Kitchen towels? Labeling your boxes with detail will make finding what you need a breeze.

• Starting a few weeks out, pack just one room at a time. Start packing away the items that aren’t used on a daily basis, such as extra towels and back stock of toiletry supplies in the bathroom, or books on the living room shelves, for example.

• Do the bathroom on a Monday, the living room on a Tuesday, and so on. Set aside just one hour and play fun music and see what you can get through in that time.

A moving checklist that contains a written reminder of every task that needs to be completed before the move can be particularly helpful for staying organized. 

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A good moving checklist should include: 

• Action items related to the move itself: hiring movers, acquiring moving boxes and supplies

• Action items related to the new home: turning on utilities, getting the new home cleaned, painted or re-keyed

• Action items related to packing

• A list of what you may need to buy for the new home

• Action items related to the house you’re leaving: such as cleaning, small household repairs, making keys for new owners, etc.

The items were packed by the customer instead of the moving company. The liability for a box that breaks during a move and is packed by the owner (PBO) can depend on the specific terms and conditions outlined in the moving company's contract. It's essential to review the agreement to understand the extent of the moving company's responsibility for items packed by the owner.