Getting ready for a move across town? Pack like a pro with these simple supplies!

Getting ready to move? There are a lot of different packing supplies out there, especially if you start looking into specialized boxes and containers. If you are moving to the other side of the country, you might want to forego the hassle and leave the packing and moving to the experts who will bring all the needed supplies along. If you are moving across town and opt to rent a truck or transport your things using the help of family and friends, you are likely looking for fool-proof and budget conscious solutions to assist. Aside from those always-critical cardboard moving boxes, these are my go-to supplies that will help you get the job done like a pro:
 
Liquor store boxes – The boxes that you can get for free at your local liquor store come already equipped with dividers, which you will find are perfect for wrapping and packing mugs, glassware and breakable tchotchkes that would not fair as well in an open container. Roll them in packing paper and stack within each divider to make everything snug as a bug for your journey.
 
Contractor grade outdoor trash bags – Contractor grade bags are triple the thickness and strength as regular outdoor trash bags and can easily contain just about anything. Use these upside-down over groups of hanging clothing in place of a garment bag to transport your wrinkle-prone and fancy garb from one closet to the next with ease. Use them to protect and contain bedding, throw pillows, hangers and stuffed animals. Just make sure you label them with a bright piece of duct tape, so they don’t get mistaken for trash!
 
Plastic zip / cable ties – Purchase a package of 10”-12” long ties to use for bundling folding lawn and beach chairs, containing all parts of a dismantled wire shelf or baker’s rack, or anchoring all your vacuum cleaner parts to the vacuum so you can easily find things when you are ready to unpack. The use for these little buggers is only limited by your imagination when it comes to moving!
 
Bubble wrap – Completely underrated as a moving supply, bubble wrap is critical for adding an extra layer of protection to breakables, especially those that are larger and/or irregular shapes. Bubble wrap can also be used to cover pictures and smaller framed art that can be placed side-by-side into a standard moving box for safe transport over short distance moves.
 
Packing paper (or newspaper if in a pinch) – Not everything needs bubble wrap, but it’s probably obvious that you will need to put some sort of other cushioning in between breakables as you pack them. Wrapping most everything in a sheet or 2 of packing paper usually keeps them safe. You can buy a big box for less than $10 at most home improvement stores. Newspaper is also an option, but I would avoid this for porous or light-colored items, since the ink from the paper could be transferred to them permanently during the moving process.
 
Grab plenty of good quality packing tape, a box cutter and a few wide Sharpies, and you should be all set to conquer your move. With a bit of elbow grease, and maybe a lot of help from friends, you will be moved and unpacked in your new home in no time.