6 weeks prior:
Start purging. Keep in mind, everything you don't donate or sell you will need to pack. That means more time and more boxes. For items that aren't valuable, set them aside in a large box to donate. For small items you want to sell, create an Ebay account and start selling. For larger items, take pics and post them on Craigslist or your local Pennysaver. The money you make can go toward the cost of moving into your new home.
3 weeks prior:
Order all boxes and packing materials. Most online packing supply websites offer free home delivery, which means you won't have to figure out how to fit all those awkward sized boxes into your trunk. Also, take advantage of USPS.com for packing materials and to order free priority mailing boxes for small fragile items. Now is also a good time to get quotes and reserve your moving date.
2 weeks prior:
Start putting things into boxes you don't use on a daily basis. Remember, moving is a marathon not a sprint. If you start packing now, you will thank yourself the night before. Examples of things to start packing now: books, photo albums, memorabilia, bulky kitchen tools, picture frames, other rarely used items.
One week prior:
Hopefully you have access to your new home by now. It is extremely advantageous to give yourself at least one week to start moving into your new place - this way you can start personally moving items you don't want on a moving truck i.e. important documents, expensive jewelry, fragile decor, paintings, etc. If you don't have access to your new home right away, make sure you have all valuable items and documents that you do not want on a moving truck locked away safely.
3-4 days prior:
Start moving your own clothing (optional). Save a few days worth of clothes and set aside. The advantage of moving clothing yourself is that even though wardrobe boxes are typically provided during a move, it is very time consuming to pack them into the wardrobes, not to mention taking all of the clothes out of wardrobe boxes and putting them into closets before your moving time-frame is complete. You can purchase an inexpensive fold-able rolling rack at Lowe's to help transport your own clothing.
2-3 days prior:
Time to pack up the kitchen. Treat yourself to take-out for a few days and set aside some snacks and breakfast items. Packing your kitchen is one of the most time consuming parts of moving since almost everything needs to be carefully bubble wrapped. This is an all day (or two) event.
Night before the move:
Pack an overnight bag. Pretend you are going on a mini vacation. Put your toothbrush, contacts, bath and shower gels, hairbrush, etc. into a carry on sized bag. This will help you tremendously the first night or two moving into your new place. There is nothing worse than not being able to find where you packed your phone charger/glasses/etc.
Day of the move:
Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and even freeze an ice pack or two. Even if you have hired a team of professional movers, you are rarely off the hook from not having to lift a finger. If you have pets, it is best to transport them before the movers arrive. Put them in a room no one will be using right away with a 'do not open' sign taped to the door (e.g. master bathroom). This gives them a secured place to wait during all the chaos. If you can afford to, schedule their day at the groomers on your moving day. That way you have until about 5 or 6 pm have peace of mind that Fido is safe and sound before picking him up.
Last minute tips: Don't forget the contents of the fridge/freezer. Also, remember to check the inside of the dishwasher and washer/dryer.
Make sure all furniture is empty such as wardrobes, bookshelves, and hutches. This way you won't slow down the movers when they go to move a piece of furniture and discover that it is still full of personal items.
If you are ever in a bind and have to move last minute, hire a local cleaning service to help you pack. They are much cheaper by the hour than having your moving crew pack for you.
