Moving tips or tricks?

Use clothes to wrap around fragile items. Also use clothes/linens as filler in boxes.

Bungee drawers into place if you don't take them out (since tape leaves residue or tears the finish off).

Place electronics either on top of the pile or in the car/cab with you.

Use packing time to 'edit' things out of your life, donate to thrift or advertise for free on Craig's List (or have a yard sale if you have time/energy).

Have a First Night Box if you can't unpack everything at once - change of clothes, toiletries, dishes, towels, sheet set, etc.

Keep the cats locked in the bathroom with their box and dishes so they don't get underfoot or try to escape. They should be the last trip and the only things on the last trip so you have full attention on them.

The hand truck is an excellent idea - makes moving so much easier.

If you have to move furniture or other large things up or down stairs, lay a 2x4 or a 2x8 or other plank-like wood piece from the top to the bottom of the stairs. Then you can slide the boxes/furniture up or down the plank.

Keep a small first aid kit on hand during the whole process. Don't pack up all your bandages and neosporin and stuff. Then if you end up bashing your hand while maneuvering through a doorway, slicing yourself on a box (box cuts HURTOMGWTF), or sustaining any other minor injury while packing/moving/unloadi ng, you can patch yourself up and get back to it. For me, time was of the essence when moving with a UHaul because there are only so many hours in the day to make trips, and I didn't want to be stuck moving things at night.

Keep Advil or some other anti-inflammatory on hand if you're not used to moving a ton of stuff in a short period of time. Take some either during or right after you move. Then your body will like you more the next day.

If you have a lot of clothes, its easier if you just stuff them all into garbage bags. (unless its something really nice) Then you can also use those for padding. Any electronics move last, so not to get damaged. Get as many friends as you can pay them in beer most of the time they will accept.

Have a decent idea of what is going to go where in the new place. So not everything will get thrown in the living room then you spend days sorting it out. Also as mentioned above now is a good time to get rid of unwanted items, donate or trash it.

Drink plenty of water.

Lots of tape so the boxes don't open/fall apart...
A large package of sharpies. I personally like the multicoloured ones!
I label, in LARGE letters which room and contents.
I pack my dishes in tea towels and towels. They don't need re-washing when un-packing!
I use blue bags for moving soft things-blankets, pillows, clothes, etc., and garbage bags only for garbage. Less confusion that way.
Have a "set up" box. Wires, tape, extra sharpies (mine tend to disappear ), lists, misc. last minute stuff.
I put the kitchen stuff I will need immediately in laundry baskets (coffee maker, a few cups, whatever will get through a day or so). They are easy to carry and find. I pack bathroom stuff in overnight bags so I know where it is right away.
That's all I could think of.
Have a good move.
Moving puts the F.U. in fun, you know!

1. Prepare the new apartment with bottled water, handsoap, a firt-aid kit, emergency flashlight (not fleshlight!) and batteries, and toilet paper!!! In the middle of moving furniture and boxes in, you'll want to be able to go to the bathroom and wipe yourself!

2. Try to have your cleaning supplies (vacuum, carpet steamer, dusting spray, and disinfectant) in one of the first boxes. Don't trust your new place to be spic-and-span off the bat and it's easier to get it a scrub down when it's empty.

3. Don't arrive with a bunch of dirty clothes or laundry! Have as much cleaned beforehand so that you can spend time unpacking and setting up your home rather than worrying about having clean underwear tomorrow.

4. Make sure you have useful unpacking materials like strong scissors, box cutter, hammer and nails for picture hanging, drill and other tools for putting furniture together and completing last minute repairs, cabinet liners for dishes (if you use them), and garbage bags.

I have many moves under my belt and it's become second nature to me at this point. Don't rush yourself, get plenty of help from friends and family, do things that need to be done rather than put them off, clean early, and work smarter, not harder! Good luck!!!

So many great suggestions so far so I will add only a few.

Boxes with lids are a must, and the more like sized the better for packing the truck.

If possible have one person stay in the truck while others bring the stuff to him/her. One person playing Tetris in the truck works way better. When I help people I always tell them that is my spot and have never ran out of truck before everything is in.

I always start with a wall of boxes in the front of the truck. Try to get all the bigger boxes in first and then the large furniture. Then you can use the smaller boxes for filler in all the nooks and crannies. Use rope/cord/string when needed to keep everything from shifting.

If not for work I would come down under the bridge and help you out. Good luck.

Oh! And don't forget: Lift with your legs and not with your back!

I found that rolling up towels and sheets makes more room and you can roll up glass in those items too. I also have used twine to bind books and carry them out that way. Be careful and lift with your legs!

WOW!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm really touched (in my than the usual ways).

I totally forgot how moving always puts the Tetris songs in my head.

@Delicious Surprise - my Fleshlight doesn't take batteries
@Chili - great ideas!
@Ghost - As obvious as the water suggestion is, it is one of the best suggestions for moving in July!
@Vaccinium - I reserved the truck and cart and scheduled a 7am pick up time.

Good plan! I did that w/my books too cuz OMG! Ive got like a library!

I liked using the plastic tubs w/a lid cuz they stack real nice and wont rip or get crushed like cardboard boxes. Plus you can use them for storage later or give them away for others to use when they move.

I also used garbage bags to throw underwear/socks/pjs in. Since its clean clothes, you can reuse the bags.

Have fun!

If you have a liquor store near you go there to get free boxes . they're the perfect size for packing books . Cause you can't over pack the box and you'll still be able to lift it .

Start checking the grocery store for apple boxes. They are always nice about giving away boxes if they have some currently in the back that haven't been crushed yet. Apple boxes are great because they are study, come with a top so they often don't require tape, fairly uniform in size to make stacking easy, and are a good size to avoid overloading. Plus they are free

Breaking/damaging something in a move is practically a given. If you have something that is very special to you, pack it yourself ahead of time a put it someplace safe, handling it yourself during the move.

huh...apple boxes. never would've that of that. Thanks!

I would take this time to go through your belongings and get rid of the things you dont need any longer, or items you have kept because you think you needed but have not pulled out of the closet for a year or more.

I do that ever summer. Go through the garage and shop for items that we have not used in the last year. It helps keep the house clutter free, and gives me a tax break from good will.

Buy some beer and invite friends to help move the boxes for you.

Always make sure each box only has items from one room in it, and write the name of the room on the outside of the box.

Knowing where it came from makes finding things much easier!

Pneumatic hand cart. It's amazing the difference one makes. Keep two average sized boxes open and ready to go for the very end of the move so you can toss random stuff into them. It drove me nuts finding little things I needed to take but didn't have a box for.

Have someone designated to unpack as you go. One time we moved and I stayed at the new place and unpacked boxes as they were brought in. We had unpacked our apartment much more quickly than we ever have.