Moving Tips and Tricks - Secrets to Packing and Moving Like a Pro

You can learn about the basics of moving in our guide to Insurance Tools and Tips When You're Moving, including a Moving Checklist, People to Contact Reminder, and Household Inventory Worksheet, but read on for our top 9 moving/relocation tips and tricks that are less commonly known.

TIP-1: PACKING YOUR PLACE

There's more to packing than hunting down used boxes online or at the grocery store. Packing moving boxes is a special art. The trick is to get specialized boxes for fragile or oddly shaped items. You can purchase these boxes from moving or storage companies. You may have to shell out a few extra dollars($$$$), but it will be worth it when your items arrive in one piece.

• For kitchen breakables, purchase "dish barrel" boxes to hold your dishes in place.
• Wall art & mirrors are better protected in long, flat boxes.
• They're not exactly boxes, but vacuum-sealing bags for coats and other clothing can help you save a lot of space.
• Cylindrical poster tubes are an ideal container for art that can be rolled up.
• Wardrobe boxes with a bar for hanging your clothes may seem decadent, but they're huge timesavers when it's time to unpack.

So how do you find the right agent for you? Here are some helpful tips.

TIP-2: DON'T RESIST LABELS

You really can't over-label when it comes to moving. Consider numbering your boxes and keeping a reference list. That way, if you need to find something, you'll know which box number to look for. Some movers will even color code each box to its appropriate room. Make your labels highly visible. Mark boxes on their tops and sides so you can read them even if they're vertically stacked.

Ten most forgotten items When you move

With more than 43 million Americans planning to move this year, odds are even the most organized may not remember every detail of a move -- or every item. Remembering the “out of sight, out of mind” objects increases your success in moving all of your belongings. Mayflower suggests adding the following 10 points to the top of your preparation list:      

1. For the record -- Obtain copies of your and your family's medical records, including any dental and vaccine/immunization information, as well as any veterinary records for the family pet. In some cases, a notarized letter is required to receive official documentation; you may need to contact the American Medical Records Association to determine your new state's needs. You might also consider transferring current prescriptions to a drugstore in your new town.
   
   Another record you'll want to be sure to have in hand is your child's permanent school record. School records are usually required when registering your child at his/her new school. Often, copies are not sufficient and require a raised seal
    
2. Buried treasure -- If you've hidden any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving. You should carry valuable items such as jewelry with you or keep them in a safe deposit box instead of packing them on the moving van.