This post was sponsored by PODS®
Hello friends! I’m back to share the rest of my top ten tips for planning a move. If you missed part one with the first five tips, you can catch up on MOVING TIPS PART ONE. Now let’s continue with the remaining tips to help your move go more smoothly.
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6. Make a master to-do list and assign tasks.
Moves come with countless details, and everything often takes longer than you expect. A master to-do list keeps important tasks from slipping through the cracks and gives you a clear view of what’s left to do. Keep the list visible — clipped to a clipboard or in a notebook — so you can add items, cross things off, and refer to it throughout the day. Seeing progress reduces stress and helps everyone stay focused.
The best strategy we used was to divide and conquer. Identify what you can handle, what each family member can take on, and what makes sense to hire out. Delegating prevents burnout and keeps momentum going.
We hired PODS to deliver containers and used a referral to Hire-A-Helper to arrange loading help from Washington Labor Services. We packed most things ourselves but hired help for heavy lifting. To reduce stress while our house was on the market, we brought in a housekeeper to clean before listing, a window cleaner to freshen up windows, and a landscaper to keep the yard presentable. In past moves we handled all these tasks ourselves, but when time is tight, outsourcing some jobs is a real gift.
Whether you ask friends and family to help or hire professionals, getting support will make the process smoother and leave you with more energy to manage other priorities.
7. Be flexible
No matter how organized you are, moves rarely follow the script. Plans change. When something unexpected happens, adapt and move forward. If you run out of time for a garage sale, donate or offer items for free; if a home offer falls through, regroup and keep searching. When a house isn’t exactly what you pictured, look at it creatively. Deep breaths and a calm attitude help solve most problems more easily than stress or frustration.
Patience pays off. Staying level-headed will help you navigate delays, negotiations, inspection issues, and other hiccups without making the situation harder than it needs to be.
8. Prepare for extra moving expenses
Moving costs extend far beyond the purchase price of a new home. Budget for supplies like boxes, tape, and bubble wrap; for take-out when you’re too busy to cook; and for professional movers if you hire them. If you’re buying a home, you’ll also want to plan for earnest money, inspections, repairs, appraisals, closing costs, utilities setup fees, and possible hotel stays if timing doesn’t line up.
Set aside moving funds well in advance so you aren’t scrambling. Lenders will watch your accounts closely when you apply for a mortgage, so being prepared for extra expenses helps the process go smoother.
If you need extra cash, sell items you no longer want on local marketplaces a few months ahead of time. You can also source used or free moving supplies from local stores. Advance planning prevents last-minute money stress and helps you avoid losing potential resale value on items you didn’t have time to list.
9. Gather bins, boxes and supplies.
Even after decluttering, you need plenty of boxes and supplies. Avoid moving everything in duffel bags — plan the types and quantities of boxes you’ll need. For many items, sturdy banker-style boxes with lids are ideal: they hold heavy items like dishes and books and are easy to carry. Order tape and bubble wrap ahead of time and stock up — you’ll likely need more than you expect.
Clear plastic tubs are great for items that will stay in storage long-term. For awkward or fragile items, consider renting reusable plastic moving bins delivered to your home and picked up at your new place. We rented from EZ Binz and would absolutely do it again: their bins have attached lids, are easy to stack, protect breakables, and help speed up unpacking since you return them promptly. Delivery often includes a dolly, which can be a lifesaver on moving day.
Order specialty boxes in advance for TVs, art, and wardrobes to protect fragile or awkward items. Use rolling suitcases for books or clothing and, when practical, move clothes inside dressers to save time and boxes. Grocery and warehouse stores often have free boxes available if you ask ahead of time.
When packing freestanding cabinets and dressers you plan to reuse, pack and label each drawer so you can unpack quickly and restore normalcy in your new home.
10. Focus on the essentials.
Pack an essentials bag to carry with you during the move. Treat the move like a trip: you’ll be away from your usual routines and comforts, so keep toiletries, a few changes of clothes, medications, chargers, important documents, and any immediate paperwork easily accessible. I also kept a bag with my laptop, tablet, phone chargers, notebooks, and moving papers so I could handle tasks without digging through dozens of boxes.
Visualize your first few nights in the new home and pack what you’ll need right away: sheets, pillows, a couple of pots and pans, basic utensils, and toiletries. A box or two you unpack immediately will make those first nights comfortable and reduce stress. In a past move, a delayed truck left us scrambling to buy basics — something we could have avoided with an essentials box.
If all of this feels overwhelming, breathe. Take it one day at a time and check off tasks on your list. Say no to unnecessary extras during the move and concentrate on what matters most. Your house may be messy for a while and your routine might be disrupted, but you will eventually settle in. You’ll look back, laugh about the chaos, and appreciate the fresh start.
What are your best moving or packing tips? Please share your advice or extra tips in the comments! You can find PART ONE HERE.
Thanks again to PODS for their partnership in our move!
See more on our “move out day” post and our “move in day” post!