When you start moving….tips

Two Months Before Moving
		Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you have to move.
		Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need to charity.
		Decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals. Make reservations with a moving company or a truck rental company.
		Tip:  Call three companies for estimates to compare.
		Gather packing supplies:  boxes, packing material, tape, felt markers, and scissors.
		If you’re moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel, and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.
		Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements.
		Place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
		Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.
One Month Before Moving
		Start packing items that aren’t regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items in storage areas (garage, attic, and closets).
		Make travel arrangements for your pets.
		If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.
		Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist, and veterinarian.
		Send items (rugs, drapes, clothing, quilts, bedding) to the cleaners.
		Back up important computer files.
Two Weeks Before Moving
		Contact your utility companies (gas, electric, water, cable, trash collector, and local phone service providers) and notify them of your move.
		Sign up for services at your new address.
		Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your move.
		Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day if necessary.
		Confirm your travel reservations.
		Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate, pick up items from safety deposit box.
One Week Before Moving
		Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.
		Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods, and so on to carry you through the day after arrival in your new home.
		Finish packing all boxes minus what you’ll need in the final week.
		Inform the post office of your upcoming move.
		Send change-of-address cards with your new address and phone number to:
		Friends and family
		Banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, and other financial institutions
		Magazines and newspapers
		Doctors, lawyer, accountant, realtor, and other service providers
		State and federal tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed
		Workplace, schools, and alma maters
		Voter registration office and motor vehicle bureau
The Day Before
		Set aside moving materials, such as tape measure, pocket knife, and rope.
		Pad corners and stairways of house.
		Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings.
		Remove hanging fixtures.
		If moving yourself, pick up the rental truck and a hand truck or dolly to move heavy boxes.
		If you’re driving, check oil and gas in your car.
		If you’re traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards, and other essentials.
Moving Day
Carry with you:
		The keys to your new home.
		Map of new town and directions to your house.
		The telephone number of the moving company.
		Cash or traveler’s checks.
		Documentation related to the sale of your home.
		Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.
		Your current address book or personal planner.
		Prescription and non-prescription medicines.
		Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.
		Any important personal records and documents.
		Any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable (for example, a photo album).
		Back-up copies of important computer files.
		Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home.
		Personal hygiene items (for example:  toothpaste, soap, razor)
Arrival Day
		Show movers where to place furniture and boxes.
		Check inventory to ensure that everything was delivered before signing delivery papers.
		Note any damages on the inventory sheet.
		Tip:  It’s helpful to have the movers read off the inventory numbers on boxes and furniture while you check the inventory list.
		Unpack any valuable items, such as silver, art, and jewelry, upon arrival.
After the Move
		Walk and drive around your neighborhood and community to orient yourself and your family.
		Get new driver’s licenses, library cards, voter registration cards, and bus passes.
		Enroll children in school.