Moving back in with your parents is never easy.

Maybe you’ve had a taste of living on your own at college, or you may have been on your own until your circumstances took an unfortunate turn. Whatever the reason, feel blessed that your folks are able (and willing) to let you crash with them, again.

In your mind, the perfect plan is to just throw everything in boxes and move it in a rented van. Even if that’s the way you moved out, you owe it to yourself to move back in wiser and more mature. Managing your move like an adult will also make you feel more in control of your situation, despite being back in your old room.

Optimum Moving is one of the best moving companies in NJ because our long-term growth strategy depends on attracting and retaining customers by delivering unmatched, white-glove service.

One way we engage our customers and potential customers is by sharing the secrets to a successful move our experienced local and long-distance movers use every day.

This in-depth article you’re reading expands on relevant parts of that checklist by providing :

5 ways to move back home like an adult.

1. Make moving your hobby.

You should give yourself at least two months to prepare for moving day. Approach this event like a hobby you dedicate a little bit of time to each day. Taking bite-size pieces keeps the entire process of overwhelming you and gives you the flexibility to adapt quickly and easily.

Start by getting a folder dedicated to your move. Keep everything related to the move in that folder, including the Residential Moving Checklist and your own personal notes. The simple luxury of having all the information you need in one spot every time you need it cuts the stress level in half.

2. Clean the place up.

Before you even think about packing, start by cleaning up. Trying to clean while you pack raises the stress level because you’re trying to do two things at once. By dedicating time just to getting rid of obsolete things in your life, you can tackle the project little by little.

Pro tip: During your cleaning sessions, snack on food in your cupboards so you don’t have to move it.

Work out ways to handle junk removal and getting rid of furniture, if you need to, because your landlord may charge you if you leave it. Moving companies may offer furniture disposal services. You can also add happiness to your move by donating items to local charities. If you’re entrepreneurial, you may be able to finance your move by selling items on eBay and at yard sales.

3. Get quotes from 3 moving companies.

Even if you don’t think you can afford a NJ moving company, get three moving quotes. It’s a great opportunity to get free moving advice from professional movers. That’s why this step is number three. Once you start thinking through the process, questions will come up, which you should write down and ask when you go for your quote. For example:

“Do you offer packing and unpacking services?”

“Do you provide packing containers?”

“Do you move pianos and provide junk removal?”

Make sure any moving company you work with is licensed with the state Division of Consumer Affairs. If you’re moving out of state, interstate movers must be licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which offers a convenient consumer rights and responsibilities guide.

The best moving companies in NJ don’t give online moving quotes. These types of quotes may be good when researching local moving companies, but they are non-binding quotes. Here’s a sample of what a moving estimate might look like. Get all quotes in writing! For more tips on avoiding moving scams, check out our complete article.

Pro tip: Always price in the good insurance. Your choices of coverage are limited liability, added valuation, and full value. Limited liability is free to the consumer and covers 60 cents per pound interstate and 30 cents per pound in New York State. To be clear, that’s roughly $18 for a broken 50-inch TV going from Manhattan to Passaic County.

4. Get quality packing supplies.

Experienced professional movers will tell you, when you’re looking to cut costs, don’t cut corners by using limp boxes and newspaper to pack your possessions. Quality packing materials are essential to a successful move.

Office supply stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, and bookstores are all good places to find free boxes, and you can go online to places like Freecycle and Craigslist. You may also consider renting or buying plastic containers.

Pro tip: After your move, you can use plastic bins for year-round storage.

Free bubble wrap is harder to find, unless you or someone you know does a lot of shopping online. It’s worth the money if you have to pay for it. Plan on putting heavy items, like books, in small boxes, and fill the bigger boxes with lighter items, like pillows and blankets.

With your free moving estimates, you can accurately compare how much it will cost to move yourself against the convenience of paying for professional movers.

Pack yourself like a pro by following these simple steps.

5. Stay on top of the details.

Moving day is not a set-it-and-forget-it process. It’s your responsibility to manage every step of the move—even if you hire a moving company!

Make use of your moving folder and document, document, document. Take photographs of your possessions so you have proof of their condition for the insurance company and any future arbitration or litigation. When packing, label boxes clearly so you can be selective about what you want movers to handle.

If you decide to hire a NJ moving company, be specific about pick-up and delivery. It’s common for a moving company to give you a range of dates for delivery, but “as soon as possible” is not an acceptable delivery date. As always—get pick-up and delivery estimates in writing.

On moving day, don’t wait for the movers to arrive before you think about how it’s going to work. Have your system established, including where trucks will park and how movers will enter the house. All storage areas (like the basement or attic) should be easily accessible, and areas should be cleared out before moving day so containers can be quickly stacked.

Plan ahead by putting protective coverings on the floor. A door mat or towel thrown in the entrance way won’t be enough. Heavy traffic areas should be protected, and don’t forget to protect floor space in each room for a staging area.

By following these intuitive steps, you can move back home like an adult and start off with your parents (again) in a good way.