In the past 3.5 years I've moved from NYC to LA, back to Long Island from LA and then from Long Island to NJ... I'm a pro at it now.

some advice for you:

If a box remains still packed for more than 3 months, you don't need anything in it, so just throw it all away.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.