Here is some good advice for those folks who have sold their homes and need to pack up and move on.

First decide if you are going to do it yourself, or hire a full-service company or, relatively new, hybrid, of the two. Then, get recommendations from friends and relatives on the best choices and solicit two or three quotes. Like most undertakings, working with a high-quality, customer-service oriented company can make all the difference in how you feel during and after the move. Sort your belongings into categories: keep, throw out, recycle, donate, or sell. Try to be flexible in the timing of your move; you can save a lot of money by asking the mover for the different rates for different times. Save on packing materials by packing a lot yourself and using your own belonging as breakage buffers. If you have a large collection of books, check into mailing them; it might be cheaper than the movers. Lastly, decide ahead of time where your furniture and belongings will be placed in their new location. All of these suggestions can help save you time, money, and worry.

Source of information: based on an article originally posted on RISMedia, July 13, 2010. (c) 2010, Chicago Tribune. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.