Dread your upcoming move all you want, but it’s going to happen. Make moving day less painful with this series of clever and easy tips and hacks that are simple, but will make the whole process faster and easier. And then maybe, just maybe, you won’t go insane after packing your 99th box, and will enjoy the first night in your new home.

Above, a toothpick or safety pin marks the end of packing tape, making it easier to spot the edge so you don’t waste time running your finger around the roll, looking for where the tape begins.

Put any screws or hardware in marked sealable bags, then tape the bag inside the corresponding boxes, or on the furniture itself.

Don’t bother emptying your bedroom dresser of its contents. If you cover each drawer with plastic wrap, you can move them as is without the need to unpack, then repack and organize your clothing.

Use socks as packing material to protect glasses, and extra linens for other breakable dish ware. It’ll save you money on bubble wrap and is more protective than newspaper.

Cover salt & shakers, half-used shampoo bottles, or anything else in danger of leaking during the move, with more plastic wrap. Screw on the tops over the plastic wrap. Hey look, no spillage in transit!

Before you unplug and pack up all electronics, label your cords. A piece of duct tape or masking tape, with the name of the corresponding equipment written in pen, will save you from having to guess what’s what when you reassemble everything in your new home.

Also, take a picture of the back of your television and/or stereo equipment, so you’ll know exactly how to set it up once you get to your new home.

Pack the heaviest of your objects (like books) in suitcases with wheels. No hernias to see here, keep moving and thank you very much.

Place knives in padded potholders so no one gets cut, poked or scraped in the process of moving. (If they are really nice knives, you can wrap them individually as well so they don’t damage each other.)

(Image credits: Ashley Poskin)