Nowadays a large number of people prefer to move themselves rather than hiring a moving company. Sure, it's cheaper and you can pack things your way. But have you ever tried moving yourself?

Every time I move, I tell myself that I can do a better job. And every time I'm reminded of how darn time-consuming it is and how much frustration is involved throughout the process.

It definitely helps to go into it being prepared. I've moved many times in my life, including a coast to coast transition. If you decide to go it on your own, here are six ways to help you prepare for a more successful move:

• Carefully plan out your move before you begin.

  Although you can be a little more relaxed about your schedule if you're moving yourself, it's still wise to work out a schedule and stick to it. If you've never moved yourself before, if you have a large house with a big family, or if you have lived there for a few years, you might be amazed at how much stuff there is to sort through. First pack up as many things as you can that you know you can live without. Same goes for throwing things out or selling things you don't want to take with you to the next place. The earlier you get things taken care of, the better you'll be in the end.

  Think about how you'd like to organize boxes - by room, by level, by person, by type of items, etc. You can start to mark boxes before you even start to pack.

• Prepare your moving supplies.

  Supplies you may have on hand include scissors, knife cutter, hammer, screwdriver, markers, newspapers, scotch tape. Additional supplies you will want to purchase include boxes, masking tape, and bubble wrap. Box costs can run $2 each or more, and the average eight-room house requires over a 100 boxes. If you don't want to buy or rent boxes, visit your local liquor store or grocery market and ask for their extra boxes. If you are working with a HomeGain agent, you can get free boxes. Ask your agent or visit www.homegain.com for more information.

• Think through your muscle power.

  If you are lucky enough to have some friends who have "volunteered" to help, offer to treat them to a meal or something else to thank them. Or, if you don't know anyone, you can look at online posting sites like Craigslist to hire someone. Make sure to check their references because accidents do happen, and some people are just plain more careful than others. This person may also be willing to help transport your items to the new location.

  Regardless of the help you get, it's inevitable that you will have to lift a few items. Learn how to pack and lift heavy items correctly to avoid physical injury.

• Decide what type of moving vehicle you need.

  If you need to hire a moving vehicle, shop around for a local supplier that has the best options for vehicle types, price and drop-off locations for your needs. Some will hire by the day or by the hour. If you choose a large company like U-Haul, you may be able to find some coupons online. Again, it's wise to check their references (or look them up on the Internet or simply ask some friends) and/or insurance policies before you sign an agreement. Be careful of hidden charges, for example, if you exceed a specific mileage. These types of companies can also rent you hand trucks, dollies, furniture pads or straps.

• Look into your insurance coverage.

  Talk to your current home insurers to see if your coverage extends to all your possessions if you move yourself. You may find that your contents insurance will offer some or all coverage. However, you may have to pay a premium for the extra cover during your move.

• Keep a few items easily accessible when you move.

  It's a good idea to keep items that you may need while you are moving, or once you get into your new home (and don't want to search through all the boxes). Such items include a hammer, screwdriver, cleaning supplies, extension cords, eating supplies, coffee maker, toothbrushes, and shower items. Especially when kids are involved, this is when your well-thought out marked boxes comes in handy.

As stated earlier, the best thing you can do before starting your move is to plan it out and cover your bases. Give yourself a little extra time, too, because you can always expect the unexpected when it comes to moving.

Good luck with your move!

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