Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! Now, for the next challenge: moving. This is a great time to carefully weed through your possessions and to dispose of any clothes, furniture and fixtures that you no longer want or need. Donate them to a charity, hold a garage sale – but if you don’t want them any more, don’t move them.

Are you going to pack yourself or hire professionals? If you’re doing your own packing, following is a list of materials you’ll need. Moving companies and overnight mail businesses can furnish these, as well as specialized items including wardrobe boxes for clothing and heavy-duty boxes for china and other breakables. Liquor and computer stores also are good sources for sturdy boxes.

You should start collecting the following materials:

▪️ Boxes of all sizes

▪️ Plastic bags

▪️ Non-shredded newspapers

▪️ Packing tape

▪️ Markers

▪️ Bubble wrap

▪️ Tissues paper

Packing 101—A few guidelines

▪️ Cushion the bottom and sides of boxes first

▪️ Packed items should not exceed 30 pounds

▪️ When packing, go room by room – it will make unpacking easier

▪️ Begin your packing as early in the moving process as you can – it will take longer than you think at a time when you’ll be busy with many other concerns

▪️ Label all boxes by item and where in your new home they should be placed

▪️ Pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes

▪️ Thoroughly wrap your breakables in newsprint paper, paper towels or clothing, placing them in dresser drawers, containers with lids, large cans, etc.

▪️ Fill your refrigerator and washer and dryer with clothes, linens and other light objectsTape cords underneath all electrical appliances

▪️ Don’t tape furniture, doors and drawers, as tape can cause damage; instead, use rope, elastic or long strips of fabric to secure furnitureIf you have children, let them feel they are a part of the process by helping them pack their toys

On moving day…

Fill one box with moving-day essentials like paper plates, a coffee maker and coffee, hand tools and extension cords, a bucket, rags, soaps and paper towels. You may also want to set aside a few days’ worth of clothing, food and other essentials you’ll need prior to arriving at your new home and prior to unpacking.