The best way to take the stress out of moving is to have a solid plan for executing your move. Before you even start to pack boxes or plan for moving trucks to arrive at your home, it's a good idea to do some research. Often, by making a few simple, you can have a great plan for your move that's easily set in motion. Here are some packing suggestions that are sure to help out anyone who wants to achieve a less difficult move.

One of the first things that any one who has moved will tell you is that you need plenty of boxes. This seems like the simplest of things, but it is actually much more important than it seems at first. Whether you decide to purchase boxes from a moving company or go to your local liquor store (they tend to have the sturdiest boxes, and will gladly give them to you for free), get more boxes than you think you will need. If you assume that 10 boxes will be enough to pack all of your belongings be sure to get 15. When you add in the necessary padding and packaging materials needed to keep items from breaking, your household goods will take up more room than you expect. Nothing is worse than discovering you need more boxes at 10 in the evening!

When packing furniture for a move, disassemble it as much as possible. For example, remove feet from couches and take apart bed frames. This way, you can fit your furniture into the most compact spot possible, which can save you money as you may not need to rent as large a truck for your move this way. The same goes for electronic items – if you break them apart into components, it is much easier to pack them into smaller spaces. Be sure to wrap any furniture or large electronics with moving blankets or padding, so that you can keep them safe from breakage or scratches.

Finally, one of the most important things to consider is what to pack first and last. Keep essentials such as clothing, medications, toiletries and food items with you for as long as possible. You never know when you might need one of these items, and generally they are easy to pack up at the last minute. Clothing and other personal supplies that are not needed at the time of your move (such as winter clothing during a summertime move) can be packed up ahead of time to make this task easier.

Moving is a pain in the derriere, but it need not be overly brutal. Take the time to think about the move and you can minimize the misery.