Embarking now upon my 18th move, I've learned a few things:

• Whenever possible, sort through all of your belongings prior to packing. Throw away or donate as many of the items you forgot you owned as possible.
• Throw away as much garbage as you can in advance. Having bags of garbage leftover when you're ready to vacate is no fun.
• Books are heavy. However, it's better to have a few really heavy boxes than to have all of them sort of heavy.
• Make optimum use of furniture on wheels. Wheels = a cart and heavy things + carts = success. (Therefore, does success - heavy things = wheels?)
• Creativity is the key to a stress-free move. Many everyday household items are containers: pillowcases, grocery sacs, bookbags, large bowls, suitcases.
• Given time, patience, and creativity, it is possible to succeed in a do-it-yourself move.
• The key to avoiding pre, during, and post-move breaks is to not own breakable things.
• Some fragile things (like dishes) are inevitable, and wrapping items in paper is time-consuming, paper-consuming and annoying overall. Solution: wrap nothing. Put all breakables in the same box and guard that one box with your life.
• Though packing goes more quickly when you throw things in the nearest box, you'll be glad come the first night after the move if you can find your toothbrush and a towel.
• Frequent movers are familar with the rubbermaid containter vs. box dilemma. Boxes can be hard to come by, tubs are more durable, but boxes collapse better. Tip: don't buy Rubbermaid. Their lids never fit securely. Sterilite is a fine (and often cheaper) solution. A blend of tubs and boxes usually works well.
• Don't pack too early or you'll just end up packing twice.
• Don't pack too late or you'll regret it.
• Speak to my roommate as little as possible while she's packing, and you'll still be alive to move. :)