With all the emotional issues and hard work involved, moving can be a stressful time, and arriving at your location to find that items are lost or damaged can make things much worse. Luckily, packing your belongings so that they will remain secure and can be easily located in your new house is not difficult. All it takes is a few helpful hints, some basic supplies and a solid organizational plan.

Californian Christine Sorgi has been a certified moving consultant for 20 years. Here she offers expert advice for packing your belongings in preparation for a move:

• Boxes.
  One of the most important keys to a successful move is locating good, strong cardboard boxes. Moving companies and specialty box stores sell packing boxes in a variety of sizes, but if you want to save money by finding used boxes, look for ones that are solid and free from water damage, crushing, and tears. Make sure to place heavier items, like records or books, in smaller boxes, so that they can be easily lifted.
  
• Packing material.
  Fragile items will have to be packed in protective material like paper, bubble wrap, or foam peanuts. Use enough to prevent damage, but not so much that you are wasting money. Paper is a frugal option, but you will need lots of it for dishes, glassware and other breakables. Sorgi recommends buying unprinted newspaper, as news printing ink will make a mess of your hands and any belongings you touch.
  
• Inventory.
  Keep a detailed inventory of what goes in each box. Sorgi suggests using a system where an inventory number on the side of the box matches a master list of items. Writing the ultimate destination of the box, such as "master bedroom," will also save time and hassle.
  
• Trip kit.
  Another frustration-saving idea is to make a box that serves as a "trip kit," and contains everything you will need when you first get into your new home. Items like toilet paper, a hammer, and a screwdriver should go in this kit so you won't have to hunt for them.
  
• A smooth move.
  Instructors will often let a child on skates push a chair around on the ice in order to get accustomed to the feeling of skating and to develop a good stride. The chair helps the child maintain balance much like a medical walker does on dry land.