Many people absolutely dread packing, but what if packing could be easier? There is no 12-step guide to packing for a trip, but you do have us.

Here are some tips to help making packing a lot less annoying from our friends over at Zillow.

Don’t Become a Hoarder

Get rid of your junk.   If you don’t see it in your new house, throw it away.   “If you intend to give something away to a friend or family member, either deliver it to them promptly, or set a deadline for them to come and pick it up,” Matzke, a former home stager from Minneapolis said.   Also consider having a garage sale or donating the items to charity.

Don’t Pay for Boxes

I went with a friend to buy boxes at a local U-Haul and it cost her nearly $7 for three large boxes. Go to your local grocery or liquor store and ask them if you can have their empty boxes for free.

Put a Label on It

Pick a color for each room and label the box on all sides.   “You never know how things are going to end up being stocked in the moving truck, and nothing is more frustrating than having to flip a box around to find out what room it belongs in,” said Kevin Smits, a residential real estate agent in Frisco, CO.

Tape is your Friend. Not the Enemy

“Buy good tape, and buy a lot of it,” Smits said. “It is easy to open those boxes later with a knife or even a set of keys.”   But if something breaks because it wasn’t reinforced properly, it’s going to be a lot harder to replace.   Also, don’t forget to pick up a heavy-duty tape dispenser made for shipping. According to Zillow, you can buy one for $20 or less at office supply stores and other retailers.

Smart Placement

Consider the weight of the object.   “Remember, the bigger the box, the lighter the content,” said Chantale Bordonaro, a professional organizer and relocation specialist in California.   For instance, books should go in small boxes, shoes and clothes in midsize boxes and bedding in large boxes. “It is easier for the movers and won’t break their backs,” Bordonaro said.

Be Efficient

Don’t go on to the next room unless you’re finished with the one you’re currently packing up.   “We tend to get distracted and fail to finish,” Smits said. “All this does is leave you with a whole lot of last-minute packing by throwing unrelated things into a box.”   And that doesn’t help anyone.

Save the Kitchen for Last

The last thing you want to do after a long day of packing is scrounge around for plates, utensils and cups.   “That last farewell dinner in your old home just isn’t as memorable if you are drinking out of a red Solo cup and
eating on a flimsy paper plate,” Smits said.   Also, don’t waste your money on bubble wrap and use towels instead. Pack your items into bigger objects like laundry hampers, totes, baskets, empty suitcases and drawers to save some time and money.