Moving soon? Wondering where to begin in terms of packing and preparing for your move?

Here is a list of just about every single item you could possibly need in order to pack for your upcoming move.

If I were you, I would start gathering up these moving supplies now -- to ensure that your packing and moving will go really smooth.

I've moved 8 times. Usually, I moved myself -- with the help of friends and family. Once, I hired a professional moving company (actually my employer did). Soon, my husband and I will be moving once more (from our home in a subdivision to a log home we are building in the country), and I'm the calmest I've ever been about a move. By now, I feel like a pro at moving... I pretty much have packing and moving down to a science at this point.

Here's my best advice -- everything you'll need to have on hand in order to pack for your move.

Moving insurance is one of those things that people usually think they can get by without.

After all, your moving or relocation company will cover any damage or destruction of your property while it's being moved and during transit. Right? Well, not exactly.

People also assume that even if the moving company doesn't cover everything, then their homeowner's or renter's insurance will cover any damages.

However, the truth is while both of these types of insurance do cover some damages, they should not be relied upon when it comes to making sure all of your property is completely covered in the event of damage or complete destruction.

Moving blankets are the those large thick blankets and pads that you see professional movers using to cushion your furniture and boxes while they move your items into their trucks. The blankets keep your things from getting damaged.

A good moving company will even use them during transit, and to cover your wood banisters and such to protect them from being scratched as they move furniture up and down stairs.

If you hire a professional mover, then chances are these moving blankets will be provided as part of your moving package. You should still check though to be sure. But what if they aren't provided by your movers, or what if you are moving yourself with a U-Haul or other type of vehicle? How can you get these moving blankets so that your furniture isn't damaged while you and your friends and family  help you move it?

Some of the times when you might want to give your home a deep cleaning include:

Prior to moving

Before guests come for an overnight stay

At the start of each season (fall, spring, winter, summer)

Before putting your house up for sale

That said, sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what to do and where to start.

Here are a few tips to help you deep clean your home -- inside and out.

If you rent an apartment (or a house), then you're probably wondering if you should buy renters insurance or not.

My first introduction to renters insurance was when I worked as a property manager right out of college.  We had an apartment flood (due to no fault of the owner), and the tenant demanded reparations. 

I had to explain to the tenant that this is why it was suggested that they buy renters insurance when they moved in.  But the tenant did not understand why they were not covered by the property owner’s insurance. They were not happy, and I got my first taste of the downsides of property management.  In the end, the property manager sent the company cleaners to the apartment to clean all that they could, and the tenant had to deal with the rest. 
 
So, who really needs to buy renters insurance?  Here's what you need to know about insurance for renters.

Moving can be one of the most strenuous activities that you ever do, and not being prepared can make for a real nightmare.

Have you ever watched a friend or family member -- who wasn't organized and didn't have some kind of checklist -- move before? If so, then you know what I mean.

It's usually a total disaster when you try to do everything for a move at the last minute -- especially if everyone else is standing around watching in amazement and you're about to lose it. It's not a pretty picture.

However, with a good moving check list in hand, your move will be more organized, simple, and far less stressful.

Here is my best moving checklist... it got me through a big move recently!

Moving is hard enough, without it being such an overwhelming job time-wise that you feel exhausted before you even start packing!

The truth is, most of us feel this way about moving.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are several things you can do to both save time and make packing less stressful when you are preparing to move...