The Best Way To Stay Organized While Moving

Moving is stressful. Staying organized while planning a move can be really difficult. With so many moving parts, it can be tough to keep everything in order. You are packing up all of your belongings and moving them to a new location. What happens if you don’t keep details of the move organized? The moving process will be more time-consuming, more expensive, and more emotionally and physically draining. But there is a simple solution to help you stay on top of it all while moving:
A Moving Bundle
What is a Moving Bundle? It’s a few essential tools to help you stay on top of tasks and keep documents organized while moving. Creating a place to store all details related to your move is critical for maintaining a low-stress level during this chaotic process. There are three components to an effective moving bundle:
Moving Planner

A Moving Planner full of checklists, logs, and trackers, to keep yourself on task. I never had any luck finding a helpful Moving Planner when we were moving. So, I created one for you! This 140-page, wire-o bound planner has 11 sections:
- Moving Tips
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Moving Checklists
- Moving Company
- Moving Day
- Service Recommendations
- Current Home
- New Home
- Inventory
- Financial
It’s small enough to fit in your handbag, yet big enough to keep track of all important notes. Unique features include: questions to ask moving companies when you interview them, address change checklists, healthcare checklists, moving day timelines, room planning summaries for your new home, and more.
3-Ring-Binder & Tools

A 3-ring-binder with organizational tools to use as a catchall for necessary documents you receive throughout the moving process. When you sign a contract, place a copy of that contract in this binder. When you purchase something related to the move, put the receipt in this binder. When you receive an email with important information, print it out and stick it in this binder.
I find a 2” binder works best for a typical family move— large enough to keep things organized. The bigger the move, typically, the bigger the binder needed. I like to make my moving binder stand out so that it doesn’t get lost. Pick a bright colored binder, decorate it, or use flashy colors & stickers. It is hard to misplace something that is so obnoxiously decorated.
Organizational Tools to supplement your binder:

- A highlighter to emphasize any notes
- A 3-ring-pouch to keep all moving-related receipts
- A set of different colored pens to make different notes. I usually use a black pen for basic notes, a blue pen to sign documents, and a red pen to make a note of something that needs to stand out.
- Dividers to categorize your documents. I like to label sections very specifically so documents can be found easily. I recommend creating labels that follow along with the sections in the Relocation Planner.
- Sticky flags to bookmark something that needs to be reviewed or signed.
- Post-It notes to jot down quick, temporary notes. If I have a question as I am reading through a contract, I write it down on a post-it note, place it next to the spot I have a problem, and draw an arrow to the line in question.
- A notepad that is large enough to take lengthy notes. I like choosing a pad with holes on the side to tear off my notes and add the sheet to the correct section of my binder. I hate scrambling at the last minute for a piece of paper for four reasons.
- I will lose that scrap piece of paper.
- I will miss out on the initial information while I am looking for something to write on.
- I want to appear organized to prospective companies, so they take me seriously and know I mean business.
- I don’t want to write notes on something that I will need to use later on and will inevitably misplace
Email Folder

A designated folder in your email for moving documents: a majority of your correspondence with moving-related service providers will be via email. You will receive many emails related to your move. So, having a place to send all of those emails will save you a ton of time in the future. I usually create a main folder labeled “Relocation.” Then, because we have moved so much, I make a sub-folder for each specific move: “Year City – Street (if needed).” For example: ‘2019 Chicago – Belden’. This title is clear yet straightforward.
While this isn’t a tangible product that you can hold in your hands, it will be the key to staying organized digitally. You will receive so many quotes, messages, and other details via email…so keep it simple, because it is easy for emails to get lost if not categorized properly.
I promise, if you find the time to find a moving planner, put together a binder, and set up a designated email folder, moving will be a more enjoyable process. Instead of searching for scattered documents, digging through emails, and getting overwhelmed, you will be able to focus on being efficient and getting the job done.
If you are still looking for the perfect relocation planner, check out this printed and bound relocation planner designed by Move Mama Move. Looking for something digital to print off at home? Check out our digital planner here!

Great list! I’ve started a binder for our move in a couple months. One thing I love…colored duct tape. I have at least 6 different colors and have been using it for the labels on my boxes, super easy to see which room it goes in.
Jessica, what a great idea!!! I love it! Putting colored duct tape on my shopping list for our next move.
Moving is so stressful . Being organized is a great way to reduce that stress. I wish I had this list when I moved out of state several years ago.
I agree, Lora!
This looks like a great way to keep things organized during a move!
Thanks, Charlene! It really is.
Such an excellent list! We are in the middle of an unexpected move due to work relocation and this will come in handy.
Aw, good luck with your move, Lisa. Hope it goes smoothly!
This is such a great idea. It could also be implemented and modified for camping trips and road tripping.
That’s a great idea, Pauline!
Oh man, I HATE moving! But I love your helpful hints. Why haven’t I ever thought of this?!
Thanks, Magan…it can be soooo much work!
I’m getting ready to move in the next few months and this will come in handy! I had to chuckle at friend’s young newlywed daughter and SIL moving into their first home. They didn’t realized they had to turn on all of the utilities, etc. They spent a couple of chilling nights without lights, etc.
Aw, glad you will be able to use this! Your poor friend’s kiddos…I am sure they laugh about it now, but it was probably a rough couple of first nights.
What a great idea!! Moving can be so stressful and this would make it so easy!! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Holly!
being organized in a move is absolutely necessary – great idea for a binder!
Yes, it is so important, Angela. Thank you!
Wow, This is organization at it’s best! Love it!
Thanks, Lisa!
As someone that has moved a lot, this is a great list. The next time I move I will put the effort forth to label each room with a different colour. I know to do this, but just haven’t done so in the past.
Thanks, Maria…it has been lifesaving for our recent moves!
I love how organized this is! I don’t plan on moving anytime soon, but man when I do I know how to prepare myself.
Thank you, Michelle.
I love the idea of a binder for moving to stay organized. I used a binder when my son went through chemo, I used binders when I had a house fire for all the insurance documents. It’s just a great way to keep track of all of your paperwork. Great post!
I agree, Kristen… binders can help you keep it all together.
As a former military spouse, I do a lot of these things when I move but I picked up a few tips in here that I hadn’t thought of. Thank you for making this list. I’m pinning it because it has a LOT of value for others as well as for me.
Thank you Eva, I am glad you found this useful 🙂
We are planning on moving within the next few years or so and this will be so helpful!
Aw, glad it will come in handy, Haley!
Such a good idea Lisa! I wish I would have thought of this the last time we moved!
Thank you, Caitlin.
I have never thought of this but what an awesome idea!
Thank you, Michele!
Oh my word! This is so helpful! My family just bought a new house and will be moving in about a month. This will be a game-changer! Nice 🙂
Thank you, Chelsea! Hope your move has been going well.
Hi Lisa! These are great tips. I moved across the country this past August and now fully understand how stressful moving really is, and how much planning decreases that stress. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Thank you for your kind words, Megan. It can definitely be stressful, which is why I created these tools to help others. Letting them pack up the stress and say hello to new adventures.
This is such an excellent idea! I have moved so many times and each time I feel so disorganized and stressed. Your system is the perfect solution to all that moving chaos! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you, Nicole! Moving, no matter how many times, can be so stressful, especially if things are a bit chaotic. Thank you for your kind words.
We have moved several times, but in the same town so it’s been pretty easy. This summer we are going to be moving for the first time in 5 years and all the way across the country. I’m a little nervous, but having a binder like this is a great idea! I’m all about being organized and efficient.
How exciting, Alison! I hope the move goes very smoothly. If you need any tips, let me know!
Great tips! And any reason to buy more office supplies is a good one lol
Yes, I agree!
Moving can be so stressful! I love this idea to help keep everything organized and make it as stress free as possible.
Thank you, Hannah!