Moving Tip 1

Make a note of your shipment registration number (found in the upper right-hand corner of your bill of lading) and keep it with you in case you need to call your mover with questions about your shipment.

Moving Tip 2

Designate one drawer of a dresser for sheets and towels so that you won't have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.

Moving Tip 3

If you need to store some of your goods, it's a good idea to tour the warehouse of the mover you're planning to use. Look for cleanliness, organization, security, etc.

Moving Tip 4

After you've thoroughly cleaned and dried the inside of your refrigerator, put a handful of fresh coffee, baking soda or charcoal in a sock or nylon stocking and place it inside to keep the interior smelling fresh.

Moving Tip 5

Pack your current phone book to take with you. You may need to make calls to residents or businesses back in your former hometown.

Moving Tip 6

Pack heavy items in small boxes, light items in larger boxes.

Moving Tip 7

Before the van foreman leaves for your destination residence, give him a phone number where you can be reached. It is also a good idea to provide him with an alternate contact in case you can't be reached.

Moving Tip 8

Place pictures in boxes between sheets and blankets to give them added protection.

Moving Tip 9

Plates and record albums should be packed on end vertically, rather than placed flat and stacked.

Moving Tip 10

Toilet paper, telephone, toothpaste and brushes, snacks, coffee and coffee pot, soap, flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper plates, cups and utensils, a couple of pans, and paper towels are some of the essentials you may need upon arrival at your new home. Pack a box with these types of items and ask your van foreman to load it on the van last so that it will be unloaded at your new home first. Before packing medicine and toiletry items, make sure that their caps and lids have been tightly secured.

Moving Tip 11

Remove bulbs before packing your lamps.

Moving Tip 12

Tag all items and be prepared to wheel and deal--garage sale gurus love to haggle.

Moving Tip 13

In addition to the room and contents, have children write their name and new address on the cartons from their rooms so they can become familiar with their new address before they get to their new home.

Moving Tip 14

At destination, you might want to consider having the TV and VCR hooked up first to occupy the kids while the rest of the van is being unloaded.

Moving Tip 15

Keep your pet calm and away from all the activity on moving day by arranging for a friend to watch your pet at their house.

Moving Tip 16

When moving plants to your new residence via your car, try not to let foliage rest against the windows, as the leaves will scorch.

Moving Tip 17

Upon arrival at your new home, let your PC "acclimate" itself to room temperature before plugging it in.

Moving Tip 18

Leave the rest to the professionals, sit back and relax, and look forward to the new opportunities, new friends, new experiences, etc., that are part of any move.