Moving to a new home can be one of the most exciting and stressful events of your life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re relocating across town or trekking across the country – either way, moving requires that you uproot yourself from your current community. It also means that you’re going to have to get through a transition period before feeling fully settled in your new home.

Fortunately, it is possible to have a positive moving experience. Try following these 12 tips for when you’re moving your home and you just might avoid many of the typical moving obstacles.

Moving tip #1:  Give yourself plenty of time

The worst possible way to begin moving to your new home is not giving yourself enough time to plan and pack. Packing under pressure can cause you to throw things into boxes without any order or worse, to break the items you’re packing. When you don’t have adequate time to move, you’re more likely to get lost on your way to your new home or to undergo some other mishap.

Try this little trick to save yourself a huge headache:  Calculate the amount of time you need to plan, pack and transport your belongings – then double it. You’ll be a lot better off if you have more time than you need rather than not enough. It’s also the best way to ensure a stress-free, smooth relocation.

Moving tip #2:  Be prepared with the right supplies

When packing up for a big move, nothing is more frustrating than running out of supplies. Whether it’s boxes, tape, or packing material, running short on anything will slow you down and cause you aggravation.

Save yourself the hassle by getting extra supplies. As a rule of thumb, get more than you think you’ll need. At the end of your packing day, you’ll either have exactly the right amount or you’ll have a little leftover. If you do have extra boxes or other supplies, consider returning them to the place where they were first purchased.

As a side note, be sure to save a few empty boxes to be used on moving day. You can never be too prepared for the little odds and ends that will appear when you’re finally able to vacate your house.

Moving tip #3:  De-clutter before packing up

Don’t make the mistake of packing the entire contents of your house. Chances are you don’t need a lot of the things tucked away in your closets and garage space. Instead, go through and eliminate the clutter you don’t need. Have a garage sale or donate the goods to charity.

Moving tip #4:  Keep excellent records as you pack

Unpacking will be a whole lot easier if you first take the time to keep records of what you packed in each box. Make a simple list of numbers and write down the corresponding numbers on each box. Then list the contents of each numbered box next to the corresponding number on your paper. Don’t get lazy on this one – write down the contents of every box you pack. If you don’t, you’ll risk having to go through several boxes just to find a single item.

As a side note, put your list of contents in a safe, accessible place – ideally with your driver’s license and other personal information. Taking the time to make a packing list does you no good if you lose it before arriving at your new home!

Moving tip #5:  Leave your clothes on their hangers

Taking all your clothes off their hangers and folding them into a box takes a lot of time. It also takes a considerable amount of time to take those same clothes out of their boxes, shake out or iron out creases, and then hang them all back on hangers.

Save yourself from all that effort. Leave your clothes on their hangers and simply transfer them from your closet to a wardrobe box. A wardrobe box stands 4 – 5 feet high and has a metal rod across the middle, serving as a temporary closet.

Once you arrive at your new home, all you need to do is lift your clothes out of the wardrobe box to put them directly into your new closet.

Moving tip #6:  Pack ahead when you can

If you know you have an upcoming move, begin the packing process as early as possible. Start by packing the things you won’t need before the move. For example, if you’re moving in the summer, use the springtime months to pack up your winter clothes and any winter sports gear you may have.

Moving tip #7:  Be conscientious about what you take with you

Carefully consider whether you’ll actually need to move all the items you currently own – which is different from simply de-cluttering your home. For instance, if you live in Minnesota and you’re relocating to New Mexico, you should probably get rid of your snowblower and anything else specifically related to a northern climate. Only pack what you know you’ll need.

Moving tip #8:  Clean what you can ahead of time

Whether you’re leaving an apartment or house, chances are someone will live there after you. Take the time to clean up after yourself. This is particularly important if you’re hoping to reclaim any deposit you initially put down.

Don’t save all your cleaning till the last minute. Start scouring what you can before you’ve even had your boxes shipped out. This includes cleaning things like the oven, the insides of cupboards, and the refrigerator.

Moving tip #9:  Pack essential items in suitcases

Whether you’ll be in transit for several days or just a few hours, it’s wise to pack your most essential items in your luggage. Pack like you’re going on a trip and include your necessary toiletries, favorite clothing, cell phone charger, and anything else you’ll want to access immediately after you arrive at your new home.

Moving tip #10:  Move valuable possessions yourself

If you’re hiring movers, spare yourself the stress of letting them move your most valuable possessions. If you have any collections, antiques, or jewelry, it’s best to pack those with you. If there’s no way you can fit them, put them instead in a box with a generic label. Above all, don’t put your items at risk by labeling their storage box with a title that boasts their worth (i.e., “Expensive antiques”).

Moving tip #11:  Keep important papers with you

Pack all important papers in a handbag or notebook that will remain with you at all times. This includes passports, birth certificates, and financial documents.

Moving tip #12:  Take time to unwind once you arrive “home”

When you finally make it to your new destination, celebrate!  Take time for yourself by going out for ice cream or taking a leisurely walk around your new neighborhood. Don’t stress yourself out by feeling like you need to unpack right away. There will be plenty of time for that. In the meantime, you’ve earned a little rest and relaxation!  Give yourself a pat on the back for pulling off a successful move.