Moving house always sounds like a great idea at the time, until it comes to the tedious task of deciding what you’re going to bring and leave behind, how you are going to redirect all the administrative systems in place that you take for granted on the daily, and the million and one belongings of high value that you will inevitably forget somewhere, never to be seen again.

You may have moved house before, or this might be your moving debut, but either way, here are 8 quick tips to help you remember the important things first, so the rest of the move is a smooth ride.

1. Do the boring stuff first

Physically moving all your furniture, crockery and other precious possessions is one thing, and tackling the admin stuff is another. If you want to save your future self from headaches and pique, make sure you let your bank, utility providers, mail-subscription companies and any registration providers know your new address, and cancel any services you don’t need anymore.

2. Use clothes to cushion your things

Bubble wrap is fantastic and fun to fidget with post-move, but if you want to save some dollars and space, use clothing, blankets or any linen to wrap your fragile items. If you have children, using stuffed toys and pillows are a great way to pad your possessions and without extra cost.

3. Or, get some space bags

If you’ve got the fragile items down, and just want the most efficient and compact method of packing your clothes and fabrics, invest in space bags. This airtight, waterproof, vacuum-seal storage bag will change your life for the better and triple your overall storage space.

3. Back up your data

The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home and discover your desktop has had a bit of a lethal bump along the road, and all your important files are in the void. To avoid worst-case scenarios such as these, back up your data using hard drives, or the cloud.

4. Empty your fridge

All those frozen dinners, glorious tubs of ice cream, bags of mixed berries – their time has come. Start emptying out your freezer in the weeks leading up to your move by either eating or chucking items. As for your fridge, eat the remaining foods, and leave nothing behind to avoid the uprising of mould and unpleasant odours.

5. Go on an aggressive purge

You do not need all the items in your house. That is fact. Chances are, there are clothes you haven’t worn in a decade, books you haven’t opened in three and a half years and that box of dismantled Ab King Pro parts is not ‘going to happen’ in your new house. It’s better to go on a cleanse and start selling and giving away your items before you waste time and money packing and transporting them to your new place.

6. Have a survival kit

The best way to tackle your move is to anticipate all sorts of situations. Therefore, a survival kit will be of utmost value when you are in moving-limbo. Be sure to pack snacks, bottled water, a first-aid kit, phone chargers, toiletries, an overnight bag with clothes and anything else that you might need on the first day in your new home. Having a couple of pots, bowls and a kettle can be handy if you don’t want to be eating out excessively before unpacking everything.

7. Have a folder with all the important docs

You don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t locate your ID, passport, or any important documents pertaining to the move. Getting a folder and having your essential paperwork with you will save you a lot of trouble.

8. Park your pets elsewhere and pick them up post-move

Pets don’t appreciate unfamiliarity, and the chaos surrounding a big move will render them restless. Not to mention all the commotion being made by the removalists. Drop them off at a kennel/cattery or engage the services of a pet sitter during the move.