Preparing for Your Move

Whether you're moving locally or long distance, preparing for your move is essential to make it as stress-free as possible. Packing boxes and loading the truck are some of the last things you do when you move. Preparing for your move before you load the truck includes the following:

• Make sure that you've signed the papers for your lease if you are renting. If you have bought a home, make sure all of the paperwork is finalized.
• Eight weeks before you move, arrange for a moving company on a specific date and time. This task requires time, since you must acquire estimates from several moving companies to find the best deal. Consider the reputation of the moving company.
• Put in a change of address at the post office. You may also complete this task online, specifying the date you want your mail service to stop at one address, and start at another.
• Call your pharmacy and arrange to transfer your prescriptions to you new drug store.
• Contact all of your doctors, lawyers, schools, investment brokers, credit card companies, 401k companies, health insurance providers, and church and community organizations to tell them that you are moving, supplying the new address.
• Remove items from your bank's safety deposit box and transfer them to your new bank.
• Take your pets to the veterinarian for checkups.
• Arrange to have the utilities turned on in your new home the day before you arrive, and notify your current providers that you are moving and have them take the service out of your name.
• Start collecting boxes and packing equipment at least six weeks before you move.
• Inventory your household items. As you pack them, label the boxes with numbers and write the name of the room where you want the box to be in the new home.
• Check out online inventory applications such as http://www.packandfind.com.
• The first items to pack are things you can do without for at least four weeks.
• The last items to pack are toiletries, a change of clothes, cell phones, prescriptions, and food.

Moving presents a great opportunity to clean out your home. Decide what will go to the trash or charity, and what goes to the new home. Take a lamp and several light bulbs with you in your car when you stay the first night in your new home. If you cannot find your packed lamps or light bulbs, you will at least have one source of light that first night. On moving day, carry with you a change of clothes, your medicines, a few snacks, a flashlight, small first aid kit, and cash to tip the movers.