Moving is the worst! It’s never easy to move into a new living space, whether it be a dorm room, apartment, or house. It always seems like there are so many things to do, to pack, label, sort, and prepare for. Then, of course, there’s the unpacking, organizing, and decorating on the other end!

That’s why I’ve gathered my top favorite moving hacks to help save you time and money. There are some great tips here that you are going to want to check out!

1. Stock Up on Garbage Bags

Instead of removing your clothes from their hangers, poke a hole in the bottom of a garbage bag and thread a fair amount of pieces through the top. Alternatively, you can use a garment bag or even a vacuum-seal one to be more sustainable. When you get to your new place, just take the clothes out, and they’re ready to hang!

2. Keep Your Clothes in Drawers

Spending hours folding clothes and placing them back into the same dresser once you’re in your new house seems inefficient, so skip that step altogether. Take out the drawers from your dresser and cover them in plastic wrap or with a large bag. This way, the dresser will be light enough to move, thanks to the absence of the drawers. And you can pop them back in once you’re set up in your new space.

3. Use Your Suitcases

For hard-to-carry items, like books, use suitcases to transport them instead of boxes—it’s easier to roll them than to lug them. Use small carry-ons for better weight distribution; with larger suitcases, you run the risk of overpacking, ending up with a load that’s too heavy to carry.

If you’re working with cardboard boxes, remember: A good rule of thumb is to use small containers for heavy items and large ones for lighter things. This way, you won’t pull your back trying to lift something that weighs 100 pounds.

4. Pack a “First-Night” Box

This one is a game-changer! Pack a box with all of the essentials you might need during the first night in your new home. Pajamas, toiletries, paper plates, pillows, etc. feel free to add whatever items you will need for a relaxing first night. When you’re exhausted from the long day of moving, the last thing you want to do is rummage through boxes to find all of your staples.

5. Plastic Wrap Your Utensil Holder

Rather than having to put all of your flatware back into their containers or a new box designated for the kitchen, just wrap the entire holder. Consider it one less item you’ll have to unpack and organize.

6. Protect Your Frames

Sharp-edged objects and furnishings almost always get banged up in a move, regardless of how careful you are. Use dollar store pool noodles or bubble wrap to encase and protect mirror frames, art, tables, and desks.

7. Color Code

Instead of labeling boxes by room, designate a color for each room so that you can visually sort through the mass with ease. Number the units for each space—i.e. box 1 out of 4—so you can keep track of that as well.

8. Use Foam Plates

Instead of individually wrapping every piece of dinnerware you own, use foam plates between the fragile ones to cushion them. Not only does it protect them, but it also saves you a wealth of time when packing and unpacking.

Pro tip: You can also go to the liquor store and ask for the boxes bottles come with and use them to store your glasses and stemware.

9. Use Your Clothes As Packing Material

Put socks over thin drinking glasses, use your sweaters to wrap breakables, towels to wrap bigger items, drape sheets and blankets over furniture, and so on. Rather than wasting money and resources on packing materials, recycle what you have at home to cushion and protect your items.

10. Fill Your Pots

Use lidded pots to transport dry ingredients from your cupboards or the pantry, like spices, oatmeal, rice, canned veggies, and so on. It will significantly decrease the number of boxes you’re using, and it will provide a sturdy encasing to boot.