I have moved 4 times between 2018 and 2023, and I’ve learned quite a lot about the best items to use for packing and moving. I shared in Episode 107 my top 25 packing and moving tips. To go along with those tips, here are my packing and moving essentials for a smooth move.

Essential Items for Packing

Let’s start with the obvious… boxes and containers. Some stores, like groceries, liquor stores, and office supply companies, offer heavy-duty boxes. If you are a member of your neighborhood’s Facebook group, you can post in there to see if anyone has boxes they’re willing to donate as well. The main home supply stores, including Home Depot and Lowe’s, have all kinds of boxes, as does Amazon. I found certain boxes to be very helpful, including a TV moving box that could also be used for moving a large piece of artwork. 

If you need a bunch of new sturdy boxes, I really like Bankers boxes because they have handles, and I like how the bottom folds down so it doesn’t have to be taped. It just seems sturdier to me. 

There are also great storage totes that are very sturdy. I use these Rubbermaid storage totes for storing holiday decorations. For linens, pillows, and clothes, I really like these blue jumbo heavy-duty moving bags. They have come in handy for all kinds of uses!

One more container, so to speak, is a mattress bag to protect your mattress during the move. Check with your movers to see how much they will charge you for a mattress bag, and compare that to purchasing one yourself. 

Let’s move on to the packing and cushioning materials. Use your own linens to wrap items. If you have a box that is already heavy but has a lot of space still in it, a pillow is a great item to stuff that box to the top. I use a combination of wrapping materials. Bubble wrap and foam wrap are common, and I have used them both. Two more economical and environmentally-friendly options are honeycomb packing paper and newsprint packing paper sheets. The honeycomb packing paper can be easily torn apart as you are wrapping items. The newsprint packing paper can also be used for crafts. Both are recyclable. 

Another type of packing material is stretch wrap. It comes in all sizes and can be used to wrap different items. I used this 5” x 1000’ roll of stretch wrap to wrap rolling drawers with my scrapbooking supplies, as well as my silverware organizer with my silverware still in it. That way, when I unpacked, I just had to remove the stretch wrap, and my silverware was already organized and could simply be placed in the drawer. Plus, this stretch wrap lasts a long time! I’ve used this 2-pack of stretch wrap in 3 moves now, and I still have some left over!

I recommend labeling a box as you pack it. There were many boxes that I half-packed and then left open to search for items to fill it up with, and then a week later I had to dig through the box again to remind myself what I had originally packed in it. Sharpies are the go-to permanent markers for a reason. I always use Sharpies for labeling boxes.

Of course, packing a box is not complete until it is closed and taped up. This is not an area where you want to skimp! Scotch Heavy Duty Packaging Tape is the gold standard, in my opinion. Some people like a tape gun, but I often struggle with them and just prefer using a good tape hand dispenser. 

Essential Items for Moving

One item to have on hand throughout your move is a first aid kit. Whether it’s someone cutting themselves, tripping, or getting stung by a wasp, having a first aid kit helps when you’ve already packed up your bathrooms. You can quickly find any first aid needs with a kit that’s readily available. 

Another item to have on hand is a multipurpose tool set. This tool set isn’t too bulky and has just about everything you would need during a move. 

One last item to have available during a move is a folding stepstool. I like this sturdy stepstool because it has 3 steps, a high weight limit (remember to calculate your weight plus whatever you are lifting), and wide anti-slip pedals. It’s large enough to reach most heights while also being able to fit in most vehicles. 

Essential Items for Your New Home

Now that you are in your new home, it’s time to unpack! You will have a lot of boxes to open, and probably also some stretch wrap that either you or the movers wrapped your furniture with to protect drawers and other items from shifting during the move. This fully auto retractable box cutter is the best, and the safest, one I’ve found. In fact, my brother found it and bought it for my parents during their last move, and I then bought one for myself. I also recommend investing in quality pair of heavy-duty all purpose scissors. I have used these scissors countless times over the last month, before and after my move!

I’ve found that I enjoy using a shelf liner, particularly in kitchen cabinets and drawers. Some shelf liners stick to dishes and become bunched up, which is a pain. This Duck Smooth Top EasyLiner, available in various sizes and patterns, is my favorite – it’s non-adhesive, but it stays in place and does not stick to my dishes and glasses. 

In many apartments and houses, the closet and pantry shelves are the coated wire shelves. My problem with these shelves is that items fall through the spaces. I need an even surface! This Shelf-It Liner for wire shelving with locking tabs is perfect! It comes in different sizes, which is perfect because I needed the 12” deep liner for my closets and the 16” deep liner for my pantry. 

I can’t tell you how many times before and after my move that I have needed to measure a space or furniture. When I’m by myself, the tape measure can be cumbersome. I love using a good laser measure like this RockSeed digital laser distance meter. 

What are your packing and moving essentials to help you have a smooth move? Email me at am****@***********ic.com with your input.

Solo travel can be an incredibly enriching and empowering experience. The main concern for many solo travelers is their safety.

Here are my top 10 safety tips for solo travelers.

Tip #1: Research your destination.

Understand the local customs and traditions, and research any potential safety concerns. Check for any travel advisories. If you’re traveling to another country, register with your country’s embassy.

Tip #2: Share your itinerary, where you’ll be staying, and your contact information with a family member or a trusted friend.

Update your friends and family regularly during your trip. Talk with them before you leave so they know how often to expect you to check in, and talk about what actions you’d like them to take if you haven’t checked in when you were supposed to. 

Tip #3: Plan ahead of time where you will stay, and choose reputable accommodations.

Choose centrally-located accommodations.  Check out the most recent online reviews. Also, even if you are in a private room with locks, consider bringing a security alarm that wedges under the door to alert you if anyone tries to enter the room while you are sleeping or are in the bathroom.

Tip #4: Be cautious with your personal information.

Don’t share too much personal information with strangers, such as your full name, your address, where you are staying, or other travel plans. Be careful how much you share on social media about your travel plans and your real-time location.

Tip #5: Keep your valuables secure.

Use a hidden money belt or a RFID travel pouch to store important documents, cash, and cards. Also, consider putting tracking devices in your suitcase and other bags, like AirTags.  To use the AirTag, you just press it to activate it, put it where you want it to track an item, and then use the Find My app on your iPhone. There are also various types of protective covers, like keychains, to put your AirTags in. There’s also a safety feature about AirTags that I really like. It’s designed to alert you if someone else puts an AirTag in your stuff to try to track you. If an AirTag that isn’t yours is near you, you’ll get an alert on your iPhone that reads “AirTag found moving with you.” At that point, you can open the Find My app and disable the tracking of that AirTag, or you can choose to have the AirTag play a sound. If you have an Android phone, you can use the Tracker Detect app. If you haven’t found it in a certain amount of time, the AirTag will start playing a sound, a beep. Another part of keeping valuables secure is to avoid showing in public expensive items like jewelry, smartphones, or cameras. If you use your phone in a public place, consider putting a privacy screen protector on your phone, and it’s always good practice to have a phone case to protect your phone if you drop it.

Tip #6: Blend in with the locals.

Dress so that you blend in with the local culture. Also, learn a few basic phrases in the local language to improve communication with locals. 

Tip #7: Always stay aware of your surroundings.

Be vigilant, especially in crowded or unfamiliar areas. Trust your instincts. If you feel uneasy or unsafe, don’t hesitate – move somewhere else. Also, avoid using headphones or being distracted by your phone in public places. Avoid walking alone at night, particularly in unfamiliar or more desolate areas. Instead, take a taxi or ride-sharing service. Consider carrying a self-defense tool, such as pepper spray or a personal safety alarm. I like this pepper spray because it has a practice spray. If you are traveling in the United States and you plan to carry or purchase pepper spray, read the pepper spray laws for the states you’ll be traveling in. Pepper spray is legal in all 50 US states, but several states have certain restrictions. 

Tip #8: Use reputable transportation:

Choose well-known, licensed providers for taxis or any other public transportation. Avoid accepting rides from strangers. Use the official taxi line or a ride-sharing service, or go on public transportation if you consider it safe. Always know the route before you start your trip. On rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft, share your location with a friend or family member so they can receive your driver’s information and see where exactly you are.

Tip #9: Be cautious with your food and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Limit your alcohol consumption, and never leave any drink unattended. When traveling to different countries, know where the tap water comes from. If you have any doubts about its safety, only drink bottled water.  Also, be cautious when trying new foods, especially street food. Go to reputable places. When you arrive, observe their food handling practices if you can.

Tip #10: Always have a backup plan.

Carry photocopies of important documents (your passport, visas, driver’s license, insurance cards) in case you lose them or they are stolen. Save emergency contact numbers, including a friend or family, and if in another country, your country’s embassy, on your phone, and keep a physical copy. Keep some extra cash in a separate location for emergencies. Also, be prepared to not be able to charge your phone for a long time – carry an external charger for your phone. 

With some pre-trip preparation and then awareness and alertness while you are traveling, you can have a safe solo traveling experience that you will enjoy.