Use strong containers, in good condition, that can be sealed with strapping tape. These can be purchased locally from moving companies.

Keep in mind what the box will weigh after it is loaded. 40 to 50 pounds is considered the maximum. Empty spaces in boxes should be filled with crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap to keep things from shifting in transit.

Books should be stacked on end and generally in smaller boxes than other things due to their weight. Label each box after packing, first, so that the movers will know which room to put it in and secondly, to help you to prioritize which ones need to be opened first.

Remove all breakables from drawers before moving furniture.

Don't pack valuables such as jewelry, collections, checks or savings books. Packing takes longer than you expect so allow plenty of time. Pack items that aren't frequently used first and unpack them last.

Organization in packing will save you hours of time and frustration in the long run. Items that are no longer wanted can be donated to charity and you may be eligible for a tax deduction.

In recent years the price of video cameras has come down so low that many households have one. Even if you haven't gotten around to buying one yet, you probably know someone who has one or you can rent one for a very reasonable price.

Most are very simple to operate and don't require any skilled training. The microphone is built into most of the cameras and some don't even require additional lighting.

Why not use this technology to make a video record of all of the personal possessions in your home just in case you have a burglary or fire? If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video with sound has to be worth ten thousand.

Have someone help you with this simple project. One of you can man the camera and the other can identify different objects in each room. Describe each item as you go along and if it has a serial number or other identifying mark, be sure to mention it.

Open all closet doors to show what the contents are and briefly mention different things. You can't believe how helpful this can be after a loss because many times you don't miss something for months after a claim is filed because you might not use an item very often.

Once the video tape has been made, you might want to even make a duplicate of it and put one copy either in a safety deposit box or at work or give it to a friend or relative for safe keeping.

Don't worry about being Steven Spielberg. You aren't trying to win an Oscar for this tape but just protect your possessions from loss. However, do have fun doing it.