Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash

Does anyone look forward to moving? Sure, it's exciting to relocate to a new home, a new city and/or a new neighborhood, but the physical act of getting your belongings from one place to another can often be time-consuming and stressful. The good news is there are steps you can take to make this process easier. It goes without saying that you should start as early as possible. In addition, keep the following tips in mind.

1. Use this opportunity to de-clutter.

Moving is a great time to rid your household of those items you seldom or never use. Whether it's collections, books, clothing or sporting equipment, take a close look at the items you're packing and make a pile to send to a local charity, to sell or to give away to friends or family members. You'll be grateful when you have less to unpack and find homes for in your new residence.

2. Label your boxes with colorful paper for easy sorting.

Create a color-coded system for each room of your home. Label your boxes with a colored paper so you'll know easily which room they belong in when you get to the new house. Sticky notes are a great option because they come in a variety of bright colors. Be sure to mark at least two sides on each box and secure the labels with some extra tape so they stay in place during transit.

3. Use small boxes for heavy items.

While it's tempting to fill large boxes to the brim, these can be back-breaking to carry from the house to the truck and into the new place. Instead, opt for small boxes for things like books, dishes, kitchenware and other heavy items. One book or one plate isn't very heavy but an entire set of them can be extremely difficult to lift.

4. Pack a moving day emergency box

Whether you are moving with or without a professional mover, you'll want to pack a box with your essential items and keep it with you. This can include glasses, phones and chargers, prescriptions, toiletries, important documents, cleaning products, a change of clothes for all family members and even a set of plates and utensils to use until you get all of your kitchen boxes unpacked.

Moving your household belongings doesn't have to be something to dread. Make your move less stressful by de-cluttering your rooms and closets before you move, marking your boxes so you know where to put them in the new house and making sure to pack an emergency essentials box.

Planning to take your TV to your new home? For those who recently bought or sold a residence, you may have only a short period of time to pack your TV and other belongings and bring them to your new address. Fortunately, we're here to help you simplify the process of packing your TV for moving day.

Now, let's take a look at three tips to properly pack your TV.

1. Use the Right-Sized Box

If you saved the original box for your TV, you should use the box for moving day. That way, you can store your TV in a strong, durable box that offers maximum protection.

On the other hand, if you threw away the box for your TV, there's no need to worry. You should have no trouble finding a heavy-duty box that is big enough to hold your TV and will ensure your TV will be protected throughout your move.

In most instances, a double-wall corrugated box is ideal for a TV. Double-wall corrugated boxes are available in multiple sizes and are unlikely to get damaged or punctured while in transit.

2. Cover Your TV

Wrapping your TV in a soft blanket usually is a good idea. With this blanket in place, you can protect your TV's screen against scratches.

Also, don't forget to secure the blanket to your TV with rope or moving-grade shrink wrap. This will ensure the blanket will stay in place for the duration of your move.

If you can't find a suitable blanket to cover your TV, you can always substitute a blanket with bubble wrap. Cover your TV in bubble wrap and seal the ends with tape, and you're good to go.

3. Label and Secure the TV Box

Slide your TV into your moving box and keep it in an upright position. By doing so, you can avoid putting pressure on the TV screen – something that otherwise may cause permanent damage to your TV.

Before you seal the box that contains your TV, you'll want to add plenty of packing material. This will ensure your TV is firmly padded and won't tip or shift while you're on the go.

Finally, seal the box with packing tape and label it accordingly. Since your TV is sensitive, you'll want to label the box as "Fragile" as well.

If you need help packing your TV or other belongings, it often pays to hire a moving company. With a team of professional movers at your side, you can quickly and safely get all of your belongings from Point A to Point B.

Lastly, if you require extra assistance getting ready for moving day, don't hesitate to contact a real estate agent. In addition to helping you buy or sell a house, a real estate agent can put you in touch with the best moving companies in your area and guarantee that you can enjoy a fast, seamless transition to a new home.

If there's one thing more stressful than moving it's moving over long distances. Moving far away often means new jobs, new friends, and a new way of life. It's a big change that doesn't need to be made any more difficult by a complicated moving process. In this article, we'll cover some ways to prepare yourself for a long distance move so that you can rest easy knowing you're ready for this new chapter of your life.

A new home, a new lifestyle

If you're moving across the country you probably don't know where to begin when it comes to preparing yourself. A good place to start is with the basics of daily life. Ask yourself these questions before you start packing:

• Do I have the right clothes? You don't need a whole new wardrobe before you move, but you don't want to brave a Northeast winter with just a sweatshirt either.
• What can I get rid of? Think about all of the items you have and how much you use them. If you haven't used something in a year there's a good chance it's not worth hauling across the country.
• How much space will I have? If you're moving into a house bigger than the one you have now you might not need to part with many bulky items. If not, consider having a yard sale before you move.
• Do I know enough about where I'm moving?  When moving to a new place, you'll want to know where the closest hospitals, gas stations, and grocery stores are. Explore Google Maps and websites for the area you're moving to to get to know the place beforehand. Write down important addresses and telephone numbers.

Create a timeline

With all of the changes that are about to happen in your life, odds are you'll get overwhelmed with many of the details of moving. Create a moving timeline, whether it's in an app on your smartphone or on a piece of paper. On this timeline, write in dates you'll need to accomplish certain items by. Here are some sample items for your timeline:

• Pick a move-in/move-out date by today
• Choose a moving company by today
• Sell or donate unwanted items by today
• Sign paperwork and exchange keys today
• Donate clothes by today
• Going away party by today
• Pack up office by today
• Pack up living room by today

Packing your belongings

When packing for a long distance move there is more pressure to do it right and not forget anything. Follow these packing tips to ensure a safe travel:

• Take inventory. Use an app that helps you categorize your belongings. Check off important items as they're packed and cross them off as they're unpacked at your new home.
• Pack one room at a time. This will help you keep everything together and ensure you don't forget anything. It will make unpacking much easier.
• Don't forget to label all your boxes. Keep that Sharpie in your back pocket at all times.
• Communicate. Make sure everyone who is moving with you and helping you move are all on the same page when it comes to packing so that no details are overlooked.
• Use extra padding. A longer drive means more opportunities for something to get broken along the way. Pack boxes full and put fragile items on the bottom of the truck.