Moving house is commonly thought of as one of life's most stressful pastimes. When you're planning a long distance move, the stress can feel even more immense than a regular short distance move. The added cost of moving everything you own to a new and distant destination is one of the factors that make long distance moves a daunting experience.

Fortunately, with the right planning and preparation, you can ensure that the additional expense is kept to the absolute minimum. Here are two easy ways to prepare and plan for your long distance move.

1. Take stock of your furniture

Furniture makes up the biggest percentage of the overall amount of room you'll need for long distance transport. Taking stock of what you have and being a little ruthless about what you will take with you is a great way to make your move more cost-effective. It's surprising how many unnecessary items are accumulated, particularly if you've lived in your current home for a long time.

Understanding the size and configuration of your new home is an important part of this process. Taking along a dining table or sofa that simply won't fit into your new home is an expensive and time-wasting exercise, as is taking along extra wardrobes, drawers, or storage units if your new home has an ample amount of built-in storage.

This advice also applies to smaller belongings. Be ruthless with your clothes, books, kitchen items, and other belongings and have a thorough cleanse before you begin to pack. It's a tragic waste of time and money to cart a load of things that you'll only end up selling, donating, or throwing away at your new home anyway.

2. Invest in vacuum seal bags

Vacuum seal bags are a worthwhile investment for any home, but they are particularly valuable when you're trying to keep your moving costs low. These bags give you the ability to compress your clothing down to a fraction of the volume that they would take up when packed loosely in boxes or suitcases. Because many removal companies charge by the cubic foot rather than by weight, this method can save you a bundle.

Vacuum seal bags aren't just handy for packing your clothing. Other fabric items such as towels, bedding, sofa cushions, and kitchen linen can also be compressed to keep your moving volume low. Even items such as curtains can be packed this way if you're planning to take them with you.

For more information about long distance moving, contact moving companies like Pikes Peak Moving & Storage.