Moving can be an overwhelming process and when you have to move, you could be wondering where to start. Being organized and informed can help make the process much easier.

In order to make your move a success, you may need to ask for assistance from other people. It's a good idea not to make yourself completely dependant upon others because they can unfortunately be unreliable or things may pop up in their lives that make it difficult for them to carry through, so ensure that you have a back up plan in case of unexpected events, but don't be too proud to ask for some assistance, even if it's only in a small way.

Preparing to move

Make a list of what you'll need to move such as:

Boxes and Bags: Boxes can be obtained in several different ways. If you're moving with a removal company, they can normally supply your boxes or sometimes tea chests at a discounted rate or even for free. Sometimes you can find them being sold online through online auction sites if someone is clearing them out. Asking those around you may find help to locate a good source of boxes. Asking local businesses can also be a good place to start. Often they are happy to let you have them especially if they have an excess and usually pay to have them removed. You may want to consider getting a lot of smaller boxes as they are easier to manage and won't weigh as much when filled.

You may know of a cheap $2 store nearby who sells those huge plastic shopping bags that zip up. These are great for clothing, linen, pillows, cushions, blankets etc. that are light and bulky. They're easier to carry and a cheaper option. They also come in very handy after your move and fold away flat taking up very little room.

Buying strong garbage bags is a cheap alternative for packing lighter or soft items. You can buy a whole roll of them if need be. Just be careful not to get them confused with the bags of rubbish that you're throwing away. If you're able to buy some that are clear, you'll be able to see the contents and avoid confusion when looking for something later.

Take advantage of containers etc. that you already have for moving some things. For example, you may have a big boiler pot in your kitchen that you could stack cutlery in. Taping the lid down will make it a safe and easily managed container for moving. Lidded buckets, large storage containers and other things will be useful too.

Space-saving storage bags that can have the air removed from them, are a great way of storing more items in a smaller space.

Packing Tape: Buy plenty of packing tape to tape up your boxes. It's cheap and very useful even after the move so it's better to buy a few more reels than you think you'll need to save the extra stress of running out while you're standing in the middle of a room of packed boxes. Having a dispenser or a tape-gun will make the job much faster and helps to avoid losing reels of tape. If you have a bunch of people helping, it may be a good idea to buy a couple more and also keep an eye out for tape with 'fragile' printed on it. This is amazingly helpful when packing to remember which of your items needs to be treated with more care. Fragile stickers can also be found in stationery supply stores.

Scissors: Dig out as many pairs of scissors as you have if you can't buy the tape dispensers. It's also handy for cutting carboard, clothes into cleaning rags and other things. Allocate a spot in the room you're working in for putting scissors and tape in between use so that they can always be found and don't accidentally get thrown out or packed before time. Make sure that everyone knows the spot you've chosen and that they put them back when they're not being used.

Butchers Paper or Newspaper: Newspaper is obviously the cheaper alternative for padding and protecting your items when moving, but if you are able to buy butchers paper at a cheap price, it makes an even better alternative because your items won't have newspaper print that needs washing off so this will save you precious hours at the other end when things can immediately be put away. If you aren't familiar with butcher's paper, it's the off-white paper that is sometimes used for wrapping meat in at the butcher or delicatessen. It's a soft, matt paper.

You can find a double purpose for clothing, linen, towels etc by wrapping fragile items in them before putting them in their box. This is up to personal choice of course, but it's like packing two items at once and avoiding breakage for the fragile items.

Black Marker Pens and tags to mark bags or boxes: This is especially helpful when a removalist is moving you, but it's a good idea just for yourself and will save a lot of messing around. If you mark each box with the room that they are meant to go in (lounge, study, bedroom 1 etc), the removalist will often place the boxes and bags in the appropriate room immediately thereby saving you precious time having to sort out which goes where later on. Buying plain tags for bags and writing the room that they are to go in on them will prevent stickers and labels from coming off plastic bags and only takes a moment to tie on. They are a small outlay when compared to the amount of time you'll lose without them.

Helpful services in your area.

Services in your local area and the area you're locating to can be helpful. Finding a removalist in the area you're moving to can save you up to half the cost of moving by having your items backloaded. For those who are unfamiliar with this term, it means they are picking up your things and moving them on the way back from another location. They do this to save wasting a trip back from a moving job. There are many experienced companies who will help you move nationally or internationally should you need them. Get a range of quotes, do your research and try to find feedback on the company before securing their services and ensure you have moving insurance taken care of.

Some postal services will inform some of your service suppliers of your change of address. Such services can be a great time saver. Make sure that you have your mail redirected for anywhere from a month to twelve months. Three months is a good time and allows you to receive mail from anyone you've forgotten to change address details with including those who don't communicate with you each month.

Companies can be hired to come into your home, carefully pack everything and unpack them again for you at the other end. This is especially helpful if you are relocating through work and don't have time off to unpack for yourself.

Explore options that will help save you time such as cleaning services. Other services will help you to locate a rental or purchase property should you need it and a range of other things. Taking a quick look on the internet, phone book and local newspaper will help you discover some interesting and helpful services that will save you a lot of effort and maybe some money.

You'll also find free online moving planners, and tips for the particular area you need. You'll also find e-cards or announcements that allow you to quickly inform everyone of your new contact details.

Out with the Old

In order to make the move as cheap as possible, you won't want to move items that you don't need or want any longer. The first thing you should do when you find out you're moving is to clear out at many items as you can. There is always something that can be thrown out or given away that you don't need to take. Just cutting down on the amount of items you have to move will not only make your job quicker and less stressful, but it will save you money too.

Start by going into each room and taking some boxes and bags with you. You have some tough decisions to make, but using simple rules will make the job much easier on you. You will need to be disciplined and stick to the rules in order to do this properly. Remember that all items are just material things that can be replaced or renewed later. Sentimentality is an attachment to items that have special meaning, but it's the memories that count and you don't lose those when you lose the item so keep this in mind when clearing out objects that have no use to you other than a sentimental reminder. You may wish to take a photo of the item to help keep memories. It sounds silly, but it works and takes up a lot less room. Of course, if it's something that you really love and want in your home, then of course you would keep it.

Losing their items to the rubbish is very upsetting to children so you may wish to consider letting them choose which things they keep and which they throw away. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised at their choices. Of course, if they choose to get rid of a perfectly good item and keep something that's broken, obviously they consider it a prized possession and the move will be less stressful if they keep it. If it really bothers you, then you could entice them to let go of it by suggesting a new one as a replacement after the move, but of course you'll want to keep this as a last resort to avoid having to replace everything they have.

I have had success with choosing a mid-sized box and handing it to the children telling them that they can fill it with the items they wish to keep.

Suggested rules for clearing things out

This can be a lengthy process if you have been in the same house for many years and especially if you are a person who hoards things in case you might use them later.

For most things, a good general rule to follow with clothing is that if you haven't used it in 3 months, get rid of it. Of course, you may have a favourite jacket or clothing item that you use each year and that's fine, but if you didn't wear it last season, then you probably won't this season so get rid of it and buy yourself a new one after the move.

If it's not a necessary item or your most beloved of items, it's safe to get rid of it. Rather than just throwing all of your things away, try selling them to help pay for the cost of moving.

I have managed to make thousands of dollars doing this when I move. Of course, that's including furniture, but even day to day smaller items can be sold. Just be fair and use commonsense when you do it and don't sell it if it's not in excellent condition or make your buyers aware of all faults or problems with the items you sell. A safeguard is to sell only items that you can find nothing wrong with. You won't have time to mess around with refunds etc. unless you have months before moving so it's best to sell the better quality items that you have.

Other things can be thrown away or donated to places such as charities or shelters. The charities are getting fussy about what they accept now so if it's not in excellent condition, you would probably be better off throwing it away. When moving recently, I offered a whole lot of things to our local pre-school. There was something from every room of the house from office chairs to cutlery. They were grateful for it and I know they'll go to good use to help the children and school in some way.

Remember that when you sell your items, the purchaser has not attached a sentimental value to it and will be looking to purchase your item at a very good price. Look around and see what the going rate is for second hand items similar to what you're selling and it will give you a realistic idea of what you can expect to receive for it.

Try to avoid buying new items leading up to the move so that you don't pay to move them. You could make a list of things that you will need in your new home and celebrate after you move by shopping for them.

Children

Moving can be an upsetting experience for children so preparing them to look forward to the move in advance will be a big help. Telling them about the good things they have to look forward to will help them deal with letting go of friends and other things they love. They also like to help with packing so allowing this will help keep them busy thereby limiting idle time that can be spent worrying.

Let them choose the special items they wish to take to the new home and something that they can keep with them on the trip over. You could perhaps give them a new toy that they can use on the trip to the new house to give them something else to look forward to on the moving day.

When you get to the new house, ensure that the children's boxes are placed in their rooms where they can happily organize their items where they'd like them if they are old enough to do so. This time spent with familiar things will help the new home feel comfortable more quickly and will give you the chance to put your things away.

Keep an essentials box

You'll no doubt want to have a meal, a cup of coffee, drink for the kids etc. so make sure that you pack a box with basic essentials that can be put in the kitchen. You may wish to pack some sandwiches, a thermos of coffee or the kettle, some cups, teaspoons, coffee, UHT milk, sugar etc. along with something for the kids to drink. That way you don't have to go searching when you want to take a break. It doesn't hurt to put some basic items such as paracetamol, bandage strips (or plasters), inhaler, needle and thread etc. in case of emergencies. If you have a baby, you would also put in any needs that baby may have or better still, you may have somebody who could look after bubs while you unpack.

It's also a good idea to put a few other things in this box if you have younger children. You'll want them to be kept busy so they're not complaining of being bored. Firstly, they can help to empty their boxes and put their belongings where they want them. When that's finished, they'll most likely be looking for things to do so you could have a kids emergency box that contains movies, games, colouring and exercise books, pencils and anything else you can think of. Also make sure that the TV and DVD players and game consoles are within reach and set up for them to watch if they wish to watch a movie. These will give you extra time as they will most likely explore the property and organize their room first.

Put things away immediately

This is perhaps the most important piece of advice I can give you. Don't leave it until later to put things away. Start putting them away immediately and get the whole family to lend a hand. Even ask friends and family to help if you have your hands full, but getting it done on the day you arrive will save you a lot of problems later on. Plan beforehand so that there is a place for everything and you'll start off your time in your new home being organized and happy.

You could carry it over to a few days if you have a lot of stuff to put away, but stick with it until it's finished. Make sure everything goes where it belongs first time so that you don't need to re-organise later.

Make sure your cellular phone and an address/phone book is handy for emergencies and so that you're contactable.

I hope these tips will help make your move more enjoyable, cost effective and stress-free.