Fortunately, lots of people have done this before and are willing to share their wisdom. The secret is to be organized and use proper supplies.

You Can Save Money By Packing Yourself - Packing your household goods is a very time and energy-consuming task. On average, it will take two people two full days to pack and prepare for the move of a 3-bedroom house.

Of course, you can always hire professionals to do the job for you. Discuss your needs with some moving companies. They will do as little or as much packing as you want. Get quotes from several because prices vary widely - and read the contract carefully. Ask them for references. If you pack yourself, though, it can be a real money-saver.

Several weeks before your move, take a realistic look at your belongings and dispose of unwanted or obsolete articles. Some people discover that moving is a great opportunity to 'purge' and let go of unused/unwanted items. Now is a great time for that Garage Sale! If not a garage sale, perhaps there is a charity in your community willing to redistribute your extra 'stuff'.

Start by setting up your packing center. Use a large table for a firm work surface. It's time to start collecting your packing materials.

Boxes - How Many Are Enough? First of all, use boxes designed for moving. They are a good investment because they will protect your things better and they'll save you time when you are loading the moving van. Some self-storage businesses even sell used/recycled boxes.

Here is a guide for the number of boxes you might need. Most self-storage businesses will let you bring back unused boxes for a full refund, so take more than you think you need. 1 or 2 rooms: Sm. Boxes - 7, Med. Boxes - 3, Lge. Boxes - 3, China Boxes - 1, Wardrobes - 1 3 to 4 rooms: Small Boxes - 15, Med. Boxes - 8, Lge. Boxes - 6, China Boxes - 1 or 2, Wardrobes - 1 5 to 6 rooms: Small Boxes - 20, Med. Boxes - 12, Lge. Boxes - 8, China Boxes - 3, Wardrobes - 3 7 to 8 rooms: Small Boxes - 30, Med. Boxes - 20, Lge. Boxes - 12, China Boxes - 4, Wardrobes - 4

Box Descriptions Professional moving boxes come in a few different sizes: Smaller (2 cu. ft.) boxes for heavy items such as dishes, files and books Medium (4 cu. ft.) boxes for pots, pans, small appliances, lamps, shades, clothing, linens, and toys Large (6 cu. ft.) boxes for light/bulky items: pillows, bedding, stuffed toys Mirror or Picture Cartons are a great way to move art, framed posters, etc. China Barrels provide extra protection for dishes, fine china and glassware. Wardrobe Boxes are used for packing clothes and drapery (each wardrobe holds approximately 20 garments).

Besides being strong and durable, there is another, not-so-obvious advantage to buying proper moving boxes. The uniform sizes allow for quick packing and stacking. When you have boxes of every shape and size, it is really time consuming to fit them all together in the moving van. If you are renting a van using uniformly sized boxes will save you time and money.

Other Packing Materials Mattress covers to protect box springs and mattresses from moisture and dust Newsprint (preferably non print and in pre cut sheets) Tissue paper and/or bubble wrap for wrapping and cushioning breakable objects Styrofoam chips are necessary fillers for empty spaces and will prevent items from bouncing around inside the boxes Packing tape to seal the boxes Twine to seal boxes and tie loose items together Scissors or a sharp knife Felt markers and/or box labels Notepad and pen to list box contents as they are packed

Final Packing Tips - Label all your boxes on several sides. Include which room the box should be delivered to. - If there are boxes that you want to open first, write a number on them. - Start by packing out of season, or least used items first. Leave the things you use everyday to the end. - Tape important things together such as pins for shelves and bookcases to the bookcase, nuts and bolts for bed frames to the bed frame, etc. - Use crushed newsprint at the bottom of each carton for cushioning. - Fill empty spaces in the boxes with crushed paper. You don't want anything to slide around. Put heavy items on the bottom and lighter things on the top of each box.

Let's face it - moving is work. By following these suggestions you'll be able to work smart - not just hard.