When you begin packing, you should set up three bins:  one for trash, one for donations, and one for yard sale items if you are planning a sale before the move.  As you pack each room, utilize these bins to make the process run smoothly.  These bins will also help you scale down unwanted belongings.  Packing Light for a move will help your new home stay organized and free of clutter.  If you are using a moving company, then scaling down your belongings could also effect how much you pay for the move.  Generally speaking, the fewer items the moving company is responsible for, the lower the cost of transport.

As you pack, be sure to make a quick list of the items that are contained in each box. Tape this list securely to the outside of the box so that things can be easily found.  Also, label each box with the room it should be placed in when it arrives in the new home.  Try to place like or similar items together in the same box.  Instead of moving every single box to a central location, keep the boxes in their current rooms so that the boxes will be placed on the moving truck together.  This way, the items will already be somewhat organized on the truck and will make unpacking go even faster.  Before leaving your old home, be sure to check and double check each room thoroughly to ensure that nothing is left behind.

The key to an easy packing experience is organization and consistency.  By clearly marking each box and keeping the boxes organized by room location, the entire process will be easy to complete.  Discarding or donating unused items will help make your new home clutter free.  Stay focused and packing for your move can be completed quickly and with no stress.  So, grab a permanent marker, some paper, boxes, and packing material, and let’s get packing!