You won't be able replicate everything in your new home exactly the way it was in your old one, and who would want to anyway? Your new place is a fresh palette for new ideas. But taking pictures of every room before you start to pack up your old home will help you plan how to unpack. It will save you a lot of time, too. You can see what worked and remember what may be hidden in an unpacked box. Don't forget to take pictures of complicated electronic hook-ups to help you put them back together. If you can find a floor plan for your new home, you'll have an even more detailed plan.

If you're moving to a rental or a fixer-upper, there might be some plans you have for your new place. Whether you hope to paint, do minor repairs, conduct extensive renovations or simply give the place a nice squeaky-clean shine, try to do so before you move in. Any projects you have planned will be easier and faster if they're completed before your boxes and furnishings arrive. If you don't have time to get in there yourself, consider hiring some help who can complete your tasks while you finish packing for the move. You'll have a much better chance of making your plans a reality.

Do you have a plan for purging the pile of junk that has collected in your closets, garage and/or basement? If your home is a landfill, then you may need to schedule when you'll address each pile of junk over the next few months before the move. Go through each pile more than once, setting aside the definite throwaways during the first sweep and the less obvious throwaways during the next couple of sweeps. Many of the items can be given away to charity. Go online to see what local charities you'd like to support and figure out which ones will benefit most by what you have to donate. Don't forget to keep a record what you donate and get a receipt for your taxes. If you have more time on your hands, you can schedule a garage sale before your move.

Everyone knows it's easier to remember what you need to do if you sit down and make a list. Also, that gives you the opportunity to check off to-do items as you go, which is always satisfying. When you've got kids and pets to consider, there are a lot of things to remember. A list will help you organize your thoughts, and it should be made several months in advance of your move. And including deadlines is paramount. Some items need to be done before others, so schedule deadlines accordingly and then stick to them. While you're in list-making mode, make an inventory of what you're moving for insurance purposes. This inventory will be helpful as you unpack, as well, to ensure you're not missing anything.