Maintaining your sanity during a major move is tricky. With so many details floating around — the move, the new apartment, the dog’s new vet — it can be stressful trying to keep everything straight. Here are some of our best tips for getting things organized before a major move:

Add key contacts to your phone

Store all the names, numbers, and email addresses of anyone associated with your move, starting with your Move Captain. Beyond that, add info for your crew foreman and the dispatch number for your moving company. Your Captain can always help you get in touch with the movers and coordinate the details, but it’s a good idea to keep these numbers stored where you’ll need them most.

Bookmark addresses and important locations

Which apartment are you moving into again? Where is your nearest Post Office or grocery store? To keep you from constantly searching, pin these spots in one place and build a resource for the next time the question comes up. We recommend Google Maps for this. It’s easy to use, universally recognized, and is a great way to share these locations with other people who might be helping on moving day.

Start a Moving Calendar

Depending on your moving method, you might have several dates and appointments to keep up. When is your container getting dropped off? How long will you be on the road? Should you ship something by a certain time to meet your arrival date? Note things here to keep you on track during the move.

Color Code Your Boxes With Tape

Sharpies are great for labeling boxes, but when it comes time to sort boxes by room, they all look the same. To prevent mixups, it can be helpful to color-code boxes when you’re labeling them so the crew can easily decide where to place them. Several packing tapes come in a variety of colors and styles other than clear plastic. If you have them on hand, try taping neon post-it notes to your boxes using clear tape. This step is especially helpful if you’re moving a large family.

Print out your Inventory

Your inventory list might have gotten you quotes, but it also comes in handy on moving day. During the loading and unloading process, keep your inventory at hand; using the inventory throughout the move to mark things as they get put in storage or unloaded from the truck can be a great way to keep tabs on the progress of your move. If you’re hiring a crew for a long-distance move, the driver will also be documenting the Inventory as items get loaded on the truck.

Keep an “Everything Folder” for Your Move

Before things get hectic, pickup a folder or a large envelope with all your important papers inside of it. This can include your Bill of Lading and other documents you sign such as leases, moving contracts, and insurance declarations. As things get put into boxes, it’s easy to misplace important papers; keep these out and close by for reference or when you need it.

There are hundreds of minor details to keep in mind while moving, but with a little organization upfront, your move will be much easier.

Check out more checklists for moving or pre-move tips from Moveline, a radically easier way to move.