Moving means new opportunities, but the process is mostly stress. These genius moving hacks get you to your destination that much easier.

Did you know an average of 40 million people move each year?

Many of them won’t plan ahead, organize, label, or ask for help. They are making obvious mistakes and making their move harder.

But moving house doesn’t have to be stressful. You don’t have to be one of those people who make the process more difficult.

Instead, you’ll take these 12 moving hacks and use them to make your move much easier. Read on!

1. Start Early with Your Moving Hacks

Just like any other big project, starting early makes everything run smoother. As soon as you determine that you will be moving, use a calendar system and moving checklist to plan out your move.

Create due dates for tasks that need to be done six, three, two, and one month out. Then create the one-month countdown so when moving day comes you are ready and everything is done.

2. Clean out Clutter

Cleaning out the clutter before you move means you’re not taking a bunch of baggage and stuff with you. Now is the time to unburden yourself!

The more clutter you get rid of, the less stuff you have to move with you. Look for items that you no longer use, are broken, or should be replaced.

Create categories for items such as sell, give away to friends and family, and donate. This will help you determine the best way to get rid of the excess stuff.

3. Break Tasks Down

Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by large tasks. By breaking them down into manageable parts you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more accomplished.

Take packing your home and break it down by room. From there, break down packing a room into areas of the room such as a closet, cabinets, and shelving.

4. Accept Help

If you are blessed enough to be offered help, don’t think and don’t hesitate. Just accept it.

Help doesn’t have to be in the form of packing and moving items. Help could be someone watching your kids for the day so you can have uninterrupted time to work.

Friends and family could also have you over for dinner so you don’t have to worry about cooking and cleaning.

5. Interview Multiple Local Moving Companies

Trust your gut and don’t go with the first moving company you contact. It’s best to interview at least three different moving companies.

This will let you get a better idea of local pricing. Your local moving companies may also give you some packing tips that you haven’t thought of yet.

6. Pack with Unpacking in Mind

Put items in boxes and onto the moving truck strategically so that unpacking is easier and your new house will feel like home sooner. Pack items that you will want first last on the truck.

Label and group boxes by what rooms they will be going into. By labeling the boxes based on the room they will be going into, you’ll save time moving boxes from room to room after your move.

You will also save time digging through boxes looking for things you’ll want right away, like cleaning supplies.

7. Pack Fragile Items Early

Many people wait until the very end to pack their dishware and glasses. Often this becomes a rush process, leading to poor packing and breakage.

To prevent fragile items from breaking, pack them early with plenty of padding. This will reduce moving costs by not having replacement costs.

8. Keep Clothes on Hangers

Don’t waste time taking all of your clothes off their hangers, only to be put back on hangers at your new home. Group your clothes into manageable groups.

Take a trash bag and slide it up over the individual groups. Tie the handles around the hangers to keep them together.

When you get to your new home all you need to do is put the clothes in the closet and cut off the bag. This will save time and prevent wrinkles in your hung clothes.

9. Cut Some Handles

Cut rectangle holes on two sides of your boxes to create carrying handles. Place them toward the top of the box to make carrying easier.

This will make carrying boxes less awkward. It will also make picking up and putting down the boxes much easier.

10. Change Your Address in Advance

By changing your address in advance, you reduce the risk of missing out on mail. Often it can take companies up to thirty days to process your address change.

In that time, your mail will continue to go to your old address. By changing it in advance, your mail will be waiting for you at your new home.

11. Keep Your Receipts

Make a record of your moving expenses and keep receipts from any money you spend that’s related to the move. Some of these expenses are tax deductible.

To qualify for moving deductions because of change of employment, you must meet certain time and distance requirements. You must either start your new employment before your move or work for 39 weeks within 12 months after the move.

Your new place of employment needs to be 50 miles further away from your old home than your old employment. Members of the military can always claim moving expenses regardless of distance.

You can claim reasonable expenses such as the cost of gas and mileage. You can also claim rental trucks, short-term storage, hotel, and boxes.

12. Organize Your Chords

This tip is two moving hacks combined into one. The first part of this hack is to take a picture of how your chords are hooked up.

The second part of this hack is to pack each individual chord in a toilet paper roll. This will save you time hooking every back up in your new home by keeping things organized and showing you how they go back together.

Put These Moving Hacks to Work

The most valuable of the moving hacks is to get organized early and stick to the plan. The earlier you start, the more time you have to get everything packed, rid yourself of clutter, find a mover, and plan for unpacking in your new home.

When the time comes, streamline your packing by keeping clothes on hangers and organizing your chords. Make moving the boxes easier by cutting handles.

Now that you’ve got your move under control, it’s time to prepare for decorating your new home.