Moving is exciting. Meeting new people and enjoying new experiences are among the perks of relocating. But, moving also carries its fair share of stress and worry, whether you’re headed across town or the country. Packing accounts for much of the stress. Move hassle-free with the useful tips below incorporated into the experience.

1- Do Not Procrastinate

Packing and preparing for a move is no fun, but putting it off only makes it worse. When you procrastinate, you rush to finish. This causes broken possession and stress. Wipe procrastination off your agenda, especially before relocating to a new home. Give yourself plenty of time to sort through things, pack, box, and tackle life’s other tasks, like work and activities with the kids.

Remember, even though you are relocating and it takes a lot of time, you still have other tasks like work and after-school activities. That is why you should never procrastinate when relocating!

2- Pre-Pack

Prepack things that you won’t need before the move. Start repackaging two-three weeks ahead of the big day. Extra shoes and clothes, toys, kitchen items, and other miscellaneous items can be packed ahead of time, reducing stress when you finally load up the moving truck.

Keep items that you need around the house unboxed but in limited supply. Pack up everything except what you need a couple of days before the move. When everything is packed and ready to go with the exception of a few necassties, you’ll be out of the house and ready to go much sooner on moving day.

3- Clean it Out

We all accumulate tons of things we don’t need, whether it’s stopped working, does not fit, or we’ve just changed directions since its purchase. You shouldn’t take items to the new home that you don’t need or will not use. Clearing it all out is the best idea.

Hold a yard sale before the move. It’s a bit of work, but the money that it generates is useful at a time like this. Plus, sales are exciting. Donate items to local charities or thrift stores. Many offer pick-up service, which is beneficial during the relocation process. Friends and family may want some of the no-longer-needed goods on your to-do list. And, of course, the trash can is there to toss in all of the broken and no longer usable items.

4- Label Boxes

A black magic marker becomes your BFF during a move. You’ll use the marker to label boxes, which saves a lot of time and hassle when unpacking at the new house. Grab a couple of permanent markers to label all of your boxes before the move. Use the marker to label each box with its contents and the room that it goes inside. Movers know exactly which room to place boxes when it is labeled. This saves time and energy at a time when there is so much to do to complete the move-in!

When each box is in the right room, unpacking is less challenging. It is time to enjoy your new home and leave worries behind! You can choose which boxes to unpack each day based on its contents and need. This ensures that you don’t overdo it, something most people do after a move to a new home. You also avoid putting it off, something else that we tend to do when we grow tired or bored with an activity.

5- Find a Great Moving Company

A great moving company eases every move, whether moving across town or the country. They’ll take care of the entire moving process from start to finish, or they’ll provide just a few services. You control every aspect of the move! With moving professionals, you save time, money, and eliminate stress and worry while ensuring safety. Moving is a dangerous job for untrained people!

Moving companies are plentiful, however, so always research options before you hire. The best moving company offers reasonable rates for the services that you need. The company has a good reputation, information that you can easily verify via online sources. A good moving company also carries license and insurance and is bonded for your protection.

5 Tips to Ease Your Move to The New House by Mikayla St. Clair