Do not start packing weeks in advance. Though that may be your instinct, you will just make yourself stressed out while living out of boxes. If there are areas filled with items you do not use on a regular basis such as in your basement or storage closet go ahead and start those early. You might very well find that you can throw or give most of it away. Save your time and energy for spending time setting up your new place.

Pack room by room and label your boxes accordingly. This will make unpacking in your new place much easier. If you have a different layout in mind for your new house, then direct your items into boxes that correspond to the rooms in the new house. Get a packet of thick markers and put once in each room before you start so you do not spend unneeded time searching for something with which to write. If you use packing boxes that are printed language or symbols to help identify the products inside, use them.

Hire professional movers to pack and unpack your van. Usually, you can find help for a few hundred dollars (depending on how much you are moving). That expense is relative cheap considering the hours (even days) that it will save you plus the aches, pains and sometimes medical expenses associated with moving heavy furniture and boxes. Make sure they are insured, you do not want to liable if someone hurts themselves on your property. If you absolutely cannot afford movers, find some good friends to help you.

Time your moving date wisely. If you can stay away from the end/beginning of the month, you many find cheaper rates on truck rental and on moving help. If you know that you will be moving in advance, book your help as soon as possible. That will give you more flexibility. Rental trucks for moving can be found at many locations and companies may charge by the day, hour and or mileage. Some truck rental companies even list links to professional local movers.