Ideally, you know when a move to a different home is coming up months in advance. If you’re done with school and will be moving out of your college apartment or simply moving to a new place because it’s time, saving money by moving yourself is a great option. However, there are ways to make your move easier, faster, and more cost-effective. Plus, if you can manage to save time and money, you’ll also save yourself—and the friends helping you move—some headaches. Follow these tips and thank us later.

It’s easy to procrastinate a move and it’s understandable. It can take a lot of time, it’s stressful, and sometimes a bummer if you’re moving from a place where you have great memories. Still, you’ll save yourself a lot of misery if you start to declutter before packing and get rid of things you don’t need or use anymore. Try to start this around two months before your scheduled move. This way, you’ll have fewer things to haul—literally lightening your load.

Most people don’t have spare boxes on hand, let alone bubble wrap, moving blankets, etc. About a month before your move, start to get these things ready. Take a look at what you have in your home and make note of fragile items, so you have a good idea of how much bubble wrap to purchase. Before you go out and buy cardboard boxes, ask friends and family if they have any spares or share the request on Facebook. You’d be surprised how many people may have recently moved and have extra boxes to give away.

If you’re moving in the summer, you won’t need your winter or fall clothes out and vise versa. Put those in boxes so they’re ready to go. The same goes for any other non-essential items. Books you’re not currently reading, extra blankets, picture frames, and more can go into boxes as well.

When the items that belong in your kitchen are in boxes with labeled “Kitchen,” your move will go much more smoothly. This way, you’ll know where your pots, pans, silverware, etc. is right away when you head to your new place. Plus, when moving the boxes into your new home, you and your friends will know where to put each box. Organization feels so good!

Depending on your budget (and your schedule), you may decide to rent a moving truck. These can be huge time savers, because they save you from making multiple trips back and forth. Plus, when renting a moving truck, you often have the option of renting dollies and moving blankets. They also typically come with tie-downs, to secure your larger items. If this option is for you, be sure to call the moving company as much in advance to ensure they have a truck available.

Once you’ve moved into your home and the movers or your friends are gone, be sure to take a look at your new place. Make sure everything is there and nothing was forgotten or damaged in the move.

If you’ve recently moved into one of our properties, you’ll want to be sure to have information on general maintenance, just in case you have any questions about your new home. You could also benefit from our five-step move-in process, to make the move that much easier. Now all you have to do is unpack and enjoy life in your new place!