Moving is one of the biggest sources of stress, but here are a few ways to ease the burden:

1. Start with more boxes than you think you'll ever need. This small step will save you lots of headaches in the long run.

2. Keep track of where each box is going! Label boxes by room and put labels on the doors of the rooms they're going to in order to reduce confusion. You'll thank yourself later!

3. Reduce. Nothing makes moving easier than having less to move! Now is the time to have a garage sale or make that donation to charity.

4. If you can't bring yourself to sell it or give it away, mark a bunch of boxes destined for storage or the basement. It'll keep clutter out of your house for a little while. If you haven't unpacked it within a year, you probably never will and might be ready to throw or give it away.

5. Prepare a moving survival kit. This kit should include things you'll need right away: cleaning supplies, trash bags, a hammer, sponges, paper towels, paper plates and plastic utensils, light bulbs, hand soap, and don't forget the toilet paper! Also pack several days’ worth of clothes, your bedding, special children's toys, and any needed prescription drugs and toiletries. Also keep small valuable items and important documents like bank records, birth certificates, passports, credit cards, realtor and utilities contact information, phone numbers, and maps with you. Remember your moving survival kit should go in the car with you, not in a moving van!

6. To avoid damage, wrap furniture and beds in plastic wrap, which can be purchased at storage and moving companies. Wrap breakables in towels or newspaper.

7. Pack boxes to capacity, but make sure to use the right sized boxes for your stuff. For the sake of your helpers and your own back, don't put more than 30 pounds in each one. Use smaller boxes for heavier items such as books, and larger boxes for light items such as bedding.

8. You'll need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely.

9. Don't pack explosives. It's dangerous and could render your insurance void.

10. Last, but not least, hire someone else to move for you! If that's out of the question, entice your friends with the promise of a nice dinner once you're all done.