From planning to unpacking, there are a lot of moving parts when relocating yourself or your family. Even if you’re moving on up, the process can still lead to some stressful situations. Minimize the hassle—and save time and money in the process—with these moving tips.

Planning for your move

Collect free boxes
Call your local grocery stores for large shipping boxes, and ask wine or package stores for wine cases, which are great for packing glassware. Old shoe boxes are ideal for small items like papers and photos you want to hold onto.

Calculate moving costs
Moving costs can vary based on whether you opt to go DIY or hire a professional moving company. They can also increase greatly if it’s a long-distance move versus a local one. Here’s a list of some expenses you can potentially expect to encounter depending on your choices:

• Truck rental
• Truck mileage and gas
• Moving materials (boxes, packing tape, etc.)
• Labor (typically calculated by the hour)
• Hotel stays

Keep, sell, donate, or toss
Having trouble letting go? Keep in mind that sold items make you money, donated items equal tax deductions, and tossed items are fewer items you’ll have to move. If you’re hiring professional movers, this may also reduce your costs since labor is typically per hour—and the less they have to take out of your house, the faster it’ll go.

Organize a moving folder
Gather all your moving quotes, contracts, and receipts (many moving expenses are tax deductible) in one place to ensure you don’t lose anything. Having a dedicated spot for these items will alleviate some stress when it comes time to review bills and contracts. This may seem intuitive, but moving can stress and distract enough to wipe you clean of organizational thinking.

Color code
Assign a color to every key area of your home, then print colored labels to tape onto boxes with clear tape. Using a number system, prioritize boxes you should unpack first and ones that can wait. Make a moving key on your computer with your color code and number system, which you can print and keep handy for easy reference.

Smart packing solutions

Take reference photos of cords before unplugging
Taking a quick snapshot of the cords on the back of complex electronics is a small action that you’ll be thankful for later. Hooking up your TV, monitors, and devices in your new home will be much more of a breeze with reference photos.

Keep hardware organized
Tape screws, bolts, and nuts directly to their associated furniture, appliances, and picture frames. For larger hardware, use a ziplock bag, label it, and attach it to the item. Organize your furniture in a way that will make assembly much easier to understand with your frazzled postmove brain.

Pack heavy items in rolling luggage
Books are great items to include in easy-to-handle, wheeled suitcases since their weight adds up quickly. If you don’t have a lot of luggage, you could also consider plastic tubs with wheels, which you can pick up for a much lower cost.

Protect mattresses
Put your extra fitted sheets to good use by doubling them up around mattresses to keep them clean. Fit them around both sides since the mattress will be touching the truck and floors on both.

Clean as you go
As you pack, quickly clean off items to avoid carrying excess dirt into your new digs. Cleaning wipes are efficient, or just keep a spray bottle and rag handy.

To help make the process as organized as possible, plan out your big event with this moving time frame worksheet.

Another key task to remember is updating your address wherever necessary. Use this checklist to make sure you don’t miss any account or office.