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The cost of moving can make you wonder if it’s really worth buying a new home … or scoring that new apartment. But is it really all that much to bring in a pro? Moving is backbreaking work, so at some point it makes sense that you’d stop torturing yourself and bribing your friends and explore the smarter option!

It depends, of course, on how much stuff you have, how far you’re moving, and other factors. Here are some ways for you to figure out more accurately how much it will cost you to move.

Use a moving calculator

A good starting point is to punch your basic details—like number of rooms and distance you’re moving—into a moving calculator. According to Randy Shacka, president of Two Men and a Truck in Lansing, MI, online moving calculators are fairly reliable, and their accuracy increases with the number of details you can enter. So look for one where you can input the square footage of your home, date of your move, number of movers, number of flights of stairs, and anything else that might affect how much time it takes to get the job done.

Get a custom quote

Once you have a ballpark figure, the next step is a custom quote from a qualified professional. The best way is an in-home estimate, but you can also send a full written inventory to your movers to gauge the cost of moving.

“At the very least, get a virtual one in which you show your items via a live-stream video chat,” suggests Manuela Irwin, a moving expert with MyMovingReviews.

Get competing quotes

Better yet, get quotes from various movers. You can contact them separately or use an online service like Moving.com, where you enter similar data and get competing estimates from various licensed local movers. Either way, you want to have the ability to compare offers and settle on the best choice.

Consider the extra costs

With your official estimate in hand, it’s time to consider the variables—which can often wind up increasing the cost of the move. Packing is charged separately and can be either full (your entire place, from socks to sofas, is packed by the movers) or partial (the pros do some of the prep—usually involving breakables and electronics—and you do the rest). Boxes and packing materials (bubble wrap, paper) are often included in the service.

These variables could also increase the cost of moving:

Assembly:

When movers have to dismantle furniture and then reassemble it upon arrival.

Long carry:

A walk of more than 75 feet, charged when the truck can’t park near your home’s entrance.

Shuttle service:

If the normal route isn’t accessible by the moving truck (narrow roads, inadequate parking, a weak bridge), a fee is charged for a smaller vehicle for transport items to and from the larger one.

Lowering/hoisting:

Think pianos and other large items that require a crane and moving platform.

Redelivery:

A result of bad timing! A fee is charged if you aren’t there to meet the truck and it has to return to unload
Specialty items: Think pool tables, pianos, gun safes, exercise equipment, antiques, hot tubs, and freezers

Looking around, wondering how to downsize a house full of stuff so it will fit into your new home can send you right into anxiety overload. But look at it this way: downsizing can make a move to a new place a whole lot easier on everyone.

Granted, sorting things to toss or donate can be a headache in itself. But trust us: Downsizing is so worth it. After all, there’s a bit of the hoarder in everyone (sometimes more than a bit), and moving is the perfect opportunity to pare down your possessions. Plus, when you’re paying movers by the hour, fewer boxes means a smaller bill.

How to downsize when moving
Sound good? OK, here’s how to downsize in seven easy(ish) steps.

1. Consider your new space

Whether you’re downsizing or upgrading your square footage, you need keep in mind what will and won’t fit in your new pad as you debate how to downsize all that stuff—and we’re talking style as well as size. Don’t keep all of your ratty den furniture if you’ll have only a formal living room, and consider ditching the china cabinet if you’re losing dining space.

And don’t just plan to put oversized pieces in storage until the day you have a bigger home. Unless they’re heirlooms or antiques, or have sentimental value, you’ll probably never think of them again.

“Ask yourself if you are willing to pay to store” anything that won’t fit, says Michelle Hale, the co-owner of New York City‘s home organization service Henry & Higby. “If not, it’s probably best to cut ties.”

2. Downsizing the junk

No one will be surprised if future scientists discover that every closet hides a secret wormhole to another dimension. Somehow, it absorbs all your secret junk—and still has enough room for more and more stuff to be thrown in it. Step No.1 for a pre-move downsizing: Sort through that terrifying mess.

“Take a long, hard look at your clothing and closets to see what you can throw out or donate,” Hale says.

She recommends following the “two-season rule” and ditching any clothing item you haven’t worn in two seasons (six months) or more (“with some sentimental exceptions”).

3. Ditch old kids’ clothes

Go through your children’s closets with the same discerning eye. In fact—because kids grow so darn-tootin’ fast—take an even more critical look.

“Make sure to only move clothing that fits,” Hale says. Donate anything that’s gently used, or give the items to friends or relatives who might need them, because babies=expensive, y’all.

If your kid happens to hit a growth spurt right before you move, consider that a blessing and pare down his closet to the barest of essentials. You’ll be buying new clothes, anyway. Save yourself a box.

4. How to downsize your electronics

We all have a few skeletons in the closet. For most of us, those skeletons are broken electronics. Whether they’re old laptops, cracked cellphones, or numerous micro-USB chargers, those suckers need to head to the slaughterhouse. (Don’t just toss these guys in the dumpster, though; there are electronics recycling programs you can use instead.)

There’s one exception, Hale says: Unique chargers or cables whose pair you can’t identify. Maybe they’re for your kid’s 3DS game console or that old digital camera.

“Put it in a box for the duration of the packing process,” Hale says. “Better [to be] safe than sorry should you find a match for it in another part of the house.”

5. Sort, sort, sort

Go through each room of your house, from least-used to most-trafficked, and sort each and every item you see. Divide them into three piles: keep, donate, and toss.

Having trouble choosing the correct designation? Take a cue from Marie Kondo and ask yourself, “Does it bring me joy?” If the answer is a true, honest-to-God yes, add it to the keep pile. Otherwise, it’s time to say goodbye.

“We would never recommend throwing out everything unless you have the means to completely outfit your new home, but getting rid of those items will make your new house a happier space,” Hale says.

Once you have the donate and toss piles in order, deal with them immediately. The longer they sit, the more likely you are to put junk into your moving boxes. You’ve already said adios once—don’t force yourself to say it again.

6. Ditch the duplicates

Unless you’re holding onto something for sentimental reasons, now’s the time to get rid of doubles. Two wine holders? Multiple printers? Six table lamps when you need only three? Choose your favorites and downsize the rest.

7. Create an ‘open first box’

Hale’s last rule of downsizing keeps things smooth when it comes time to unpack: Create an “open first box,” complete with toilet paper, lightbulbs, toiletries, basic cleaning supplies, and bed sheets. This genius idea keeps you from having to dig through every box to fill your basic needs on your first night in your new place—just open, kick back, and relax. Just make sure to label it clearly and instruct your movers to leave it somewhere obvious.

“It will help you get through that first night with a little less stress,” Hale says.

As every parent knows, the chances of your children getting their way has to do with their delivery and the content of their ask. Little Billy wants to play outside with his friends for an extra 30 minutes? He’d better ask nicely, say “please,” and give you a good reason why.

Similarly, adults who live in communities operated by homeowners associations, co-op boards, or landlords must take a comparable tack when lodging a complaint.

Favors, general appeals, and demands for mediation between you and a third party are much more likely to be successful if you approach the higher-ups in a reasonable and respectful manner, armed with evidence. If, on the other hand, you use a harsh tone or lack the proof to back your claim—no matter how reasonable the request is—you won’t get very far.

Here’s how to raise your voice in an effective way so your HOA, co-op board, or landlord listens.

Review the rules to understand rights and obligations

The first step to ensuring your complaint is heard and addressed is to figure out if you have the right to make it in the first place.

“Lodging a complaint with your HOA, co-op board, or landlord can be a frustrating and daunting task,” says Mike Qiu, owner of the Seattle-based home-flipping company GoodAsSoldHomeBuyers.com. “There are certain measures you can take to increase the likelihood of getting results. Review the governing documents of your HOA, co-op board, or lease agreement to understand your rights and obligations.”

Once you’re sure you have a case, follow the rules laid out in the documents or lease agreement on whom to contact.

Put it in writing and follow up

Now that you know whom to contact, do it in writing to make sure you have a paper trail.

“It is very important to document the complaint,” says Peter Gray, a licensed community association manager and the president of Pyramid Real Estate Group in Stamford, CT. “This adds accountability, ensures nothing gets lost in communication, and it makes it so much easier for the property manager. Most issues involve multiple parties, and clear communication is critically important.”

If you don’t get a response, follow up in writing.

Document the evidence in pictures

You will also want to document whatever evidence you can. Photos are preferable to video for several reasons.

“I especially love pictures that have notes, diagrams, arrows pointing to the issue,” Gray explains. “I learned this the hard way. I sent a picture to a vendor asking him to remove poison ivy. It never occurred to me that he might not know which plant this was, but poison ivy doesn’t occur in his country. He sprayed—and killed—an expensive shrub, which I ended up paying for. Since then, I always circle in red the problem area.”

Gray cautions against using video because they’re “enormous files that rarely accomplish more than a picture.” Plus, they’re tough to forward in an email and share with other team members, making it harder to take care of the problem quickly.

Of course, some issues—like a neighbor’s dog doing its business on your lawn and the neighbor failing to pick up after the dog—are best illustrated through video, so hold on to any evidence you have.

Try contacting the Better Business Bureau

If you’re not getting the traction you were hoping for, and you followed all of the steps above, try recruiting help from established online services.

“Online complaint services such as Angi, ConsumerAffairs, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau can be effective in resolving complaints that aren’t getting traction with your HOA, co-op board, or landlord,” says Seth Williams, a real estate broker with Reference Real Estate in Boston.

Most complaints that go through the BBB and other similar services are resolved, partly because businesses don’t want low ratings online.

After follow-ups and ample time, get legal help

As a last resort, consider taking legal action by consulting a real estate attorney or a lawyer who specializes in tenant’s rights. But keep this in mind: If you don’t win your case, you might be saddled with legal fees.

“In some cases, legal action may be necessary in order to get results,” says Jon Sanborn, co-founder of San Diego real estate investment firm SD House Guys. “If you feel that this is the case, consult with a lawyer to discuss your options. This should be done as a last resort and only after all other attempts to reach a resolution have failed.”

Good luck! And remember what your mother told you: You’ll catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

Many of us enjoy showcasing a few spooky items around the house this time of year. But some people’s troves of creepy things aren’t merely Halloween decorations—they’re the stuff of waking nightmares.

We spoke with professional movers from all over to find out some of the creepiest things they’ve ever discovered while emptying out homes. Their stories might just surprise you, and definitely aren’t for the faint of heart. From human remains to demonic writings scratched onto walls, here are seven of the spookiest stories about items movers found on the job.

1. Mystery ashes

Typically people clean out precious items before the movers arrive, but in one case, an urn of human remains either wasn’t considered that important or was forgotten completely—until the movers arrived.

This Manhattan apartment was densely packed, and extremely messy with lots of hoarded items,” says Lior Rachmany, CEO of Dumbo Moving.

Rachmany says his movers were extremely unnerved when they found the etched urn in pristine condition buried under piles of stuff.

“My team kept asking the customer if they wanted to move the urn themself and take it with them to their new apartment—but they insisted on having the movers handle it,” he says.

2. Enshrined heads

“This was in Philadelphia,” Rachmany recalls. “The movers were cleaning out a hair salon when they found a variety of male and female heads wrapped in plastic all around the room.”

The life-size dummy heads felt all too real to the movers handling them, while their blank faces and crazy hairstyles made the experience even more disturbing.

3. Bewitched skeleton

“The creepiest thing we ever found in a house was an intact human skeleton in a giant, antique, cast-iron cauldron,” says Kevin Godfrey from EmptyUp.com. “It was tarred, feathered, and filled with chicken bones, knives, and daggers.”

The previous tenant of the Patchogue, NY, house had been conducting voodoo ceremonies out of his rented abode.

“Apparently, people were paying him to dig up bodies and cast spells against their enemies,” Godfrey says. “Oddly enough, that’s not even why he was evicted.”

4. Taxidermy nightmare

In a sparse Atlantic City, NJ, apartment, one moving team got a bad surprise when it walked in and saw what appeared to be a large grimacing rodent (later identified as a lemur), standing on a bookshelf at its full height, baring teeth and claws.

“It looked like an elongated rat with beady eyes,” says Rachmany. “One of the movers screamed when they saw it because it looked so alive.”

5. Doppel-doll-ganger

Speaking of beady eyes, what would you do if hundreds of them were staring at you at once? Jeff Wolf‘s team at All My Sons Moving & Storage had to figure this one out fast when it walked into a home in Fort Worth, TX.

“The house was completely dark inside with minimum lights,” says Wolf. “All the windows had blinds and curtains to block out any sunlight from coming in.”

When his crew arrived to do an initial walk-through, it found room after room filled with dolls—voodoo dolls, that is.

“The crew leader estimated that there must have been over 300 dolls,” Wolf recalls, “and the scariest part was that one of the dolls looked almost exactly like one of our movers.”

6. Homeowner’s headstone

Most of us prepare for our inevitable death by writing a will. One resident of Westchester County, NY, seems to have taken things further: When Rachmany’s moving crew arrived in the backyard of the small house, it found the homeowner’s headstone.

“My team wasn’t sure what it was at first, and found out it was a tombstone by turning it over,” says Rachmany. “There was no death date on the tombstone, but it had the homeowner’s name on it, along with the year they were born.”

7. The London house

This one was so scary, we were hard-pressed to find just one spooky thing about it. Professional mover Elisabeth Miller, of Move N’ Go, gives us all the details.

“The house, in general, looked quite abandoned and poorly maintained,” says Miller. “There were a few holes—I can only assume they were peeping holes—in the walls of the bedrooms and the bathrooms, and weird old books left around the house, containing images of organs and dissections.”

But this house had even darker secrets.

“There was a chair roped to the attic ceiling, and a secret basement with old lab equipment—including test tubes filled with unknown liquids,” says Miller.

Then there were the weird, demonic-looking etchings on the bedroom wall, right next to the bed.

“To make things worse, inside the wardrobe I found а painting of a smeared face with a date on the back,” says Miller. “The face on the painting resembled a person I earlier saw in a family photo in the living room. Thinking about it still gives me the chills.”

If you’re about to move to a new home, there is one thing you absolutely must do: Declutter before moving. Really, this is your big chance! There is no better excuse than an upcoming move to unload dead weight.

Think about it: For one, moving costs money—an average of $1,250 for an in-state move or a whopping $4,890 for out-of-state—so every box you pack adds up. (To get an idea of how much your move will set you back, try a moving calculator.)

Plus, you want your new place to look awesome, right? Cramming nooks, crannies, and closets with junk just isn’t pretty.

All of this is our long-winded way of saying it’s high time you started chipping away at your possessions. For help on that front, check out these guidelines on how to declutter before moving.

Step #1:Start throwing things out early

Try to start purging at least a month before you move, says Ross Sapir, CEO of Roadway Moving in New York City, which moves up to 6,000 customers each year. The reason: This gives you time to, say, sell items online or drive them to a consignment shop. Plus, advanced decluttering “spreads out the (task) to make it feel like it’s less work than it actually is,” Spair says.

Try to tackle one room or one closet (or one drawer) a day—it’s less overwhelming—and never handle an item twice. Designate “toss,” “donate,” and “sell” boxes, and when you decide on an item’s fate, toss it into the correct box. Done, done, and done.

Step #2: Gather the right packing materials

Gather organizational tools like packing tape, black markers, and labels in a tote; that way, you don’t have to rummage through drawers whenever the decluttering bug bites. After all, you’re going to need to get this stuff for moving day anyway, so there’s no harm in kicking things off early.

Another huge help? Clear plastic bins are your friends—and great homes for small items like batteries or office supplies. You can see what’s inside, and they’re easily stackable to save space.

Step #3: Consider the size of your new home

Before decluttering, think about your new home and how much space it contains.

That will help you decide whether to move that extra set of pots and pans or donate them. But even if you’re moving into a home with equal or more space, that doesn’t mean you should use this as an excuse to keep everything you own. Clutter and extraneous crap—is clutter and extraneous crap!

Step #4: Target these top things to toss

Here are some common items you can almost certainly do without. Be merciless, and get them out of your life!

Still boxed:

These items never made it out of the boxes: gifts, Groupon deals that seemed like a good idea at the time, bulk purchases of all those giant jars of capers you won’t live long enough to eat. Surely, someone will appreciate these goods that fell by the wayside. You might even be able to raise some cash by selling this clutter online. But get rid of it.

Not used:

Tastes and waistlines change. If you haven’t worn or used something in a year, you probably never will again. If it’s in good shape, donate it to charity. If it’s stained or hopelessly out of date, toss it.

Expired:

Food way past its sell-by date and expired or unwanted medication shouldn’t live with you in your new place. Some pharmacies will take back unused medication, and cleaned plastic pill bottles are recyclable. Bag up your pills and take them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. Don’t pour or flush medicine down the drain, which can contaminate drinking water with chemicals, according to Earth911.

Past paperwork:

We all have boxes of documents, clippings, and recipes that we never read—they don’t need to be schlepped to a new house. If you file your tax returns online and report everything you should, the IRS says to keep returns and documentation for three years after you file. You can toss ATM and bank deposit receipts after a year. Keep “forever” documents (e.g., your birth and marriage certificates) in a separate box so you don’t mistakenly pitch them with your Dave & Busters receipts.
Books and magazines are heavy and bulky to move. If you’ve read them, and don’t think you’ll ever read them again, donate them to a local library. Many senior residences maintain libraries and would love a fresh supply of reading material.

Extras:

Jettison extra towels, extra teacups, extra anything. If it hasn’t come in handy in the past year, it won’t come in handy in the future.

So you’ve moved into a new home—yay! Maybe you’ve even celebrated with your first takeout meal in the middle of your fabulous (and empty) living room floor. But before you get too comfortable and go into a flurry of unpacking all those carefully labeled boxes, check out this list of things to do right after moving into a new place. It’ll set you up to be sitting pretty for years to come.

1. Take photos

Photos of bare and unadorned rooms? Yep. If you’re renting, these are essential when the time comes to get your security deposit back. Photos are also important if you bought a new home, since a fair amount of time may have passed between the inspection and when the previous owner finally took a powder. If any damage occurred in the interim, or the movers scratched a previously pristine floor, document it. A gallery of pictures taken before your furniture makes it inside will be worth a thousand words—and maybe more than a couple of bucks—should you need to point out damage.

2. Check your belongings for breakage

If you hired movers to either pack or move your belongings, “you have a limited amount of time to report any suspected damage or missing items,” says Kevin Gallegos, vice president of Phoenix operations for Freedom Financial Network. “Make sure that if a major appliance was moved”—such as a refrigerator, washer or dryer—“they still function as they should. Review your contract to determine liability coverage if you discover a problem.”

3. Figure out when and where to leave your trash

As you unpack, you’ll be eager to get rid of the trash, so finding out from your landlord, homeowners association or neighbors when and where you can do that is key. “You won’t want to miss pickup day when you’ve got piles of cardboard lying around,” says Desmond Lim, founder of Boston’s moving website QuikForce.

4. Change the locks

It’s your home now, but who else had the keys when the previous residents lived there? No one wants even the slightest question about safety lingering over a new home. This makes swapping out locks as soon as you can “one of the most important things homeowners can do when they are settling into a new property,” says Marty Hoffmann, vice president of marketing at Kwikset.

5. Register your car

Did you move from one state to another? If so, you’ll need to register your car within about 60 days. Each state’s requirements are slightly different, but penalties range from fines to impounding your vehicle if you fail to comply in a timely manner. You’ll also need to get a new driver’s license, usually within 30 days of your move.

6. Break out the drop cloth

Most people don’t have the luxury of painting prior to moving in, so, if possible, paint as soon as you regain your strength from the move. “The longer you wait, the tougher it is to paint,” says Steve Revnew, vice-president of product development at Sherwin-Williams. Most people “continue to collect and add furnishings, all of which make painting more difficult,” he says. “Moving heavy furniture or working around furniture isn’t easy, especially smaller rooms.” But with no obstructions besides neat, stackable boxes, painting is a breeze.

7. Check your credit reports

Your credit reports are usually accessed during a move, as everyone from new employers and landlords need to reference them for background checks. That’s why it’s important to “request a copy of your credit report within six months of your relocation,” Gallegos says. Besides ensuring that your address change was recorded accurately, Gallegos advises to “watch for inconsistencies that might indicate you’ve been a victim of fraud. During a move, a great deal of personal financial information is exchanged and forwarded via mail and email. It’s important to make sure your personal information wasn’t compromised.”

8. Update your voting address

Whether it’s the upcoming election for president or your local school board, don’t forget to update your address so you can vote. Most states allow a 60-day grace period during which time you can use an old address at your new polling place. For elections beyond that, register at least two weeks prior so you don’t miss out on swaying any important issues. After all, what better way is there to plant a foot in your new neighborhood than exercising this all-American right?

Asignificant shift in your life circumstances often ushers in an era of change. Those who are newly single, empty nesters, or recent retirees often find themselves mulling over the seductive yet stressful idea of downsizing their home.

A smaller home typically means lower bills and less upkeep. Then there’s the potential windfall that comes from selling your larger home and buying something smaller. But there are plenty of factors homebuyers forget to consider when downsizing.

We tapped real estate professionals and people who have recently downsized to share their best practices for navigating this daunting and emotional process.

Budget all costs ahead of time

Downsizing, as it turns out, can be pricier than you might expect.

“It’s easy to underestimate the cost of moving in the current inflating market,” says Nicholas McMillan, founder and owner of Hire Realty in New York. “To avoid underestimating the cost of downsizing, make a budget that includes all expenses—moving expenses, closing costs, and any renovations or repairs that need to be made to your new home.”

On average, the cost of moving within your state will set you back $871 to $2,396. It’s largely determined by how many rooms of furniture you have. Moving out of state costs about $4,700, depending on how far you’re going.

Map out your new space

Don’t assume your current furniture won’t fit in your new, smaller home. Before you take to Facebook Marketplace and start purging your household belongings, pull out a measuring tape and get to work.

“Take the time to measure your new space and consider how you’ll use each room,” says Shaun Martin, CEO of We Buy Houses in Denver. “This will help you make informed decisions while selling off or giving away your current furniture, and potentially shopping for furniture, accessories, and organization solutions you may need in your new home.”

If you’re struggling to decide what stays and what goes, make three lists: what to keep, what to put in storage, and what to toss. Can’t bear to part with your sectional and your grandmother’s vintage armoire? It might be best to rent a storage unit to give yourself some time.

Rethink hobbies in the home

Sure you love gardening, but do you still need a house with a large backyard? Some downsizers decide they’re done with maintaining flower beds and vegetable plants—and that’s A-OK! There are many ways to still do what you love, without participating in the hobby or activity in your home.

“If you’re an avid gardener considering moving to an apartment, look into community gardens and similar services in your area,” Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent To Own Labs in Orlando, FL. “Your home gym could just as easily be the fitness center down the road. Your crafting room could move to the local makerspace.”

Hold a family show and tell

Any downsizing will inevitably require a painful purge of stuff, much of which is attached to different stages of your life and people who might not be a part of it anymore. The transition can be made much easier by offering some of these objects to loved ones who you know will give them a beautiful future.

“It’s common to worry that letting go of our things means saying goodbye to our history,” says Jami Shapiro, owner of Silver Linings Transitions in Carlsbad, CA. “If you want to share your things with family members, create a list of the most important items and share their story. Host a family show and tell and give items away. Or do it remotely if you can’t gather in person.”

Shapiro recommends using it as an opportunity to delve into your family’s history through these objects.

“You can make an album of photographs and share the history of each item,” she says. “That can also be a nice way to hang onto their memories, without hanging onto them.”

Prioritize an open-concept layout

If you’re slashing your square footage significantly, an open layout can help make the place feel roomier.

When searching for a home, Brady Bridges, owner of Reside Real Estate in Fort Worth, TX, recommends prioritizing properties with open floor plans and natural light.

“Once you move in, you can create the illusion of more space in small rooms by hanging mirrors—a common tool used by design professionals,” says Bridges.

Consider a radical change

There’s nothing wrong with staying close to home when you downsize, but Rick Heggem, owner of WhereMightILive.com, suggests at least considering a move out of town.

“Decide if you truly love where you currently live, or only tolerate it,” says Heggem, who downsized and moved with his wife from the San Francisco Bay Area to Washington, DC, in 2020.

You made it! The big move went smoothly and here you are, waking up for the first time in your new house. You toss off the covers and head downstairs to start brewing some coffee—only to realize the Keurig is nowhere to be found.

What started as a memorable morning soon turns into a scene you’d rather forget: tearing through box after box with no luck before you’re forced out into the world, uncaffeinated, in search of the closest place to get your fix.

“I remember one couple who got into a really big fight the morning after their move because one of them wanted cereal and the other had packed away all the spoons,” says Christine Daves, a professional organizer and owner of Think Organized.

The good news is that with a little planning, postmove scenes like this can be easily avoided. We got the dish from the pros about the essential items you shouldn’t pack on moving day—and there are a couple of surprises.

Toiletries and medications

“I always tell clients to pack a suitcase like you’re going out of town for two days, and longer if the move is cross-country,” Daves says. “Your toothbrush might be [in a box] in the garage and your PJs might be in the kitchen. It’s just easier if everything you need is in one place—your suitcase.”

Make sure you also include a generous supply of toilet paper and hand soap so you aren’t caught off guard.

And don’t forget to toss any medications or supplements in your overnight bag.

“Prescriptions are a really big one,” notes Branden Hedberg of Hedberg Moving Solutions, in New Brighton, MN.

Important documents

Make sure you keep at least one form of identification on you during the move, especially if you’re renting a moving truck or anything else that’s going to require an ID.

Also, make sure you have any necessary documents—for both your new and old places—accessible at all times, Hedberg suggests.

Anything valuable

In the same vein, it’s best to keep anything of importance or value out of moving boxes and off the truck. Money, jewelry, or small family heirlooms can mysteriously disappear between point A and point B.

Keep them with you, or put them in a safe deposit box. (If you’re moving across town, you may want to get a new safe deposit box and relocate your treasures there before you move.)

Basic cleaning supplies

The house you move into should (hopefully) be cleaned before you arrive. But movers will be traipsing in and out of your house all day, and that will inevitably create a bit of mess.

If you keep a vacuum—or even just a broom and a dustpan—on hand, you can sweep everything up on moving day and won’t have to worry about waking up to a mess. Plus, isn’t starting with a clean slate what moving’s all about?

A shower curtain

This one’s remarkably easy to forget and pack away: If the showers in your new home aren’t enclosed with glass doors, make sure to keep a shower curtain with hooks—or at least a liner—handy for those first couple of nights. Keep towels out of the moving boxes, too—or be darned sure you know where they are.

Comforting items for the little ones
That means favorite stuffed animals and any blanket or pillow your kids are particularly attached to. It’ll make the first night in an unfamiliar place a lot less scary, Daves says.

A utility knife and a marker

Sounds strangely specific, right? Well, these two items are going to make unpacking feel like a breeze.

“If you’re going to dive into unpacking right away, you’ll want a utility knife out—a couple of them, even, because you’ll set them down and get distracted,” Daves says.

She also likes to keep a marker handy to mark boxes that have been unpacked. Her method: Fill up empty boxes with the disposable moving supplies (e.g., bubble wrap) and mark them with a big X once they’re ready to be taken out to the trash or for recycling.

Tech chargers

We don’t think you’d actually put these in a moving box. But no one wants that “oh crap” moment when your phone or laptop is dead and you have no idea where you put the charger. Make sure you (and your kids) know where these sanity-saving items are before you make the move.

Disposable dinnerware

There are only so many nights you can eat pizza while hovering over the box, or Chinese food straight from the containers. Don’t be the couple who fight; have disposable plates, cups, cutlery, and paper towels on hand from the get-go.

If you’re especially efficient and manage to unpack your dishware on Day 1, make sure you have dish soap and sponges on hand to clean them.

Pet supplies

Imagine clipping on your dog’s leash and getting Rover excited for his afternoon walk only to realize that you have absolutely no idea where the doggie bags are. Don’t risk being the new neighbor who doesn’t pick up after their pup—leave the doggie bags out of the moving boxes. (Make sure you don’t pack his food and water bowls, either).

A corkscrew

Trust us: At the end of moving day, you’ll want this handy.