It’s a property jungle out there, from dealing with dodgy estate agents, to walking through landlord landmines, just to finally find that perfect spot you want to call home.

If you thought that was hard, it’s time to pack your stuff!

Moving time has come and the more you try and organise it, the worse it gets; that’s when you want a guide just like this, so grab a pen and paper.

First, make a list. It doesn’t sound like much but writing lists really does make a difference while you’re organising something.
Bullet points will also help you keep track of the most important things:

- Documents;
- Clothes;
- Valuables;
And so on.

You could have subcategories, which will help you remember the details.

Once you’re working on each subject, make sure you tick the word, or mark it in some way. Not only that will help you keep track of what you’ve already done, but it will also give you a sense of achievement.

Now comes the actual move itself. You’ll say your goodbyes to the dear old home, looking from room to room and marveling at how empty it all looks. At this point your children will be trying out the echo in the empty spaces, so it’s about time to go.
After a long – or, if you’re lucky – short trip to the new home, you are probably shattered.
That’s when you will benefit from a well-organised packing method!

A simple but effective rule really worth following is to keep a box (which for convenience, can be named with something of your choice, or “kitchen box”) with your kettle, toaster, mugs, plates and cutlery nice and handy, so you and your family can enjoy refreshments as soon as you set foot into your new home.

Another good tip to follow is to have a second box within reach, containing bread, UHT (long-life) milk, sugar, teabags, coffee and various dry snacks and breakfast foods of choice.

If possible leave the “food box” and the “kitchen box” next to each other. You must think convenience, at all times. In the long run, you will be the one to benefit from it, so a bit of preparation and effort really goes a long way.

Now you have reached your destination, had refreshments without a fuss, and probably tested your new toilet.
So chances are you still have a few hours before putting your tired head down. What you really want now is to know where your clothes are, and at this point the best thing to have done is to have left a box of “immediate need” clothing for each member of the family (this obviously goes according to the season).

Something nearly everybody underestimate is the day after you have moved in, there are probably still school and work to go to (and if for some reason there isn’t any of this to attend, you still don’t want to spend all day in your pyjamas), so you want to have your “next day” clothes ready.

Like I mentioned, it is a good idea to have a box (or suitcase) of clothes, towels and shower/bath essentials for each member of the family. You could have the boxes named for convenience, and once more, make sure they are left within easy reach, ideally next to the “kitchen box” and the “food box”.
One more box you want to have done in advance should be the one filled with bedding, again, appropriately named and left next to all of your other handy boxes.

Make sure you also know where you radio or MP3 player is – that will really make a difference while you’re unpacking everything else, as music helps concentration and will make you work faster, so it’s another little tip that will go a long way.

Well the first night in the new home has come, and hopefully the move hasn’t been too stressful. If you followed this simple guide, you may have found that a bit more attention to details did the trick!