What Are the Bare Necessities to Pack When Moving Into a House?

Bedding

• Even if you can't get all the beds set up the first night, pack sheets, pillows and a blanket or sleeping bag for each family member. Setting beds up before you do anything else means you can go straight to sleep once everything is off your moving truck and safely stowed, advises Jill Cooper, co-owner of the Living on a Dime website and co-author of "Moving on a Dime."

Money

• Most moving truck rental companies ask you to return the truck in the same condition you rented it. This includes refilling the gas tank of your rental truck. The rental company will refuel the truck but it often charges more than nearby gas stations. Your bank and credit card company may freeze your accounts if you make a purchase too far from home, as a protection against identity theft. Call them before you move to prevent being stranded later.

Bathroom Supplies

• Everyone needs toilet paper, baby wipes and hand soap right away. Setting up your child's potty chair and your baby's changing table as soon as possible prevents accidents. Your cat needs access to his litter box, and dogs who use puppy pads are less likely to have accidents if they know where to go. If you put the litter box or puppy pad in the smallest room in the house and close the door, your pet will be less likely to spray or defecate in an inappropriate place.

Dishes

• Washing dishes is the last thing you want to do at the end of a long day of moving. If you have paper plates and cups, plastic silverware and a couple of serving trays, you won't have a big mess to clean. Just toss the dinnerware, rinse the trays and you can take a break. Better still, use ready-to-eat meals and drink boxes and you have no cleanup at all.

Medications and Toiletries

• Some medications may not be available at all, especially on international moves. InternationalMovers.com advises packing a three-month's supply of all medications for each member of the family, as well as any that your pets need. Your preferred pharmacy may not carry your medications even if you only move from state to state or within a state. Regional brands of toiletries and personal hygiene brands may not be available, so pack extras if you have a preferred brand.

Food and Kitchen Appliances

• Ready-to-eat foods keep everyone fed until you find the coffee pot, microwave and tabletop grill. You can make sausages, hotdogs or hamburgers, boil tea or coffee and heat microwave meals and baby formula.