Congratulations, you just purchased a new house and are now ready to move. The hassle of the home buying process is over, but the settling-in process is not quite done yet. While the hassle of moving your things can sometimes be unnoticeable because of all the excitement, it wouldn’t hurt to do a few things that will help you save a lot of time, energy, and resources during the move.

1. Make a detailed schedule.

Moving is not an easy task, especially if you’re transferring to a neighborhood far away from where you currently reside. It can be overwhelming to think about the move itself, but plotting it on your calendar and spreading out the tasks over a number of days is sure to make it less daunting.

Before you can move, you have to pack up your stuff first. If you’ve already braved the task of decluttering your home before the sale, then great! But if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, now is the time to write down how much you have to get accomplished, and when.

Once you can say for sure that packing up your things can be completed on a specific day and at a specific time, you may proceed to booking a date with your chosen mover. If you’re moving internationally, you may have to book your ticket at least a month in advance. If you’re driving yourself there, be sure you know how long the trip will take, and factor in any stopovers you may need so that you can get enough rest along the way.

2. Pack carefully.

While moving your things across short distances is something you can do with ease even at the last minute—it’s a different story if you’re moving across the country or halfway across the world.

When you’re about to set off on a long journey to your new home, it is important to pack as meticulously as you possibly can. It may seem like a hassle while you’re doing it, but labelling all boxes (and even the the smaller boxes inside them) can make things a lot easier later on. Make sure your fragile belongings are properly wrapped and labeled, and identify which side of the boxes should face up. You also want to make sure that you’re not transferring loose items and haphazardly sealed containers.

This not only helps the movers handle your belongings with care, but it will also give you an easier time unpacking in your new home.

3. Prepare a carry-on bag.

If you’re going to spend a lot of time on the road or on the plane, be sure that you have everything you need in a carry-on bag. Identify the things you’ll need while traveling, and pack them in a bag before having all your other things shipped.

Have an extra change of clothes, some toiletries, and enough snacks for the road. This way, you won’t have to search for them when your really need them.

4. Check the weather forecast.

When you set a date for the move, make sure that you have an idea of what the weather will be on that day.

Especially for cross country moves, being aware of the weather will help you avoid unexpected drives under heavy rain, or having to wait for your movers to arrive in a snowstorm. Also, if the weather turns out to be horrible on the day of your move, you may be looking at quite a few delays.

5. Bring entertainment for the kids.

This may seem like an unimportant part of moving, but you’ll be surprised how much of a hassle bored children can be during a long drive.

If you don’t want your patience tested during the ride to your new home, make sure you have something that will keep your kids occupied. This way, everyone can be in a good mood as you arrive at your new home!