Planning

Generally moving is considered a very stressful part of life. But it can be a smooth and effortless one with proper planning and preparation. Here is a check-list spanning down the last six weeks for the move.

Six Weeks Before Your Move	Four Weeks Before Your Move
Three Weeks Before Your Move	Two Weeks Before Your Move
One Week Before Your Move	1 To 2  Days Before Your Move

Six Weeks Before Your Move
	To take or not to take:
More weight – more money . So decide what’s coming with and what is being dumped ? Books you've read and will never read again? Records you haven't listened to since college? The pan with a broken handle or the children's long- neglected games?
	Check if you can sell anything .
	Colorful file:
Open up a file for the details on your move. It could be a brightly colored organizer folder with pockets - you'll be less likely to misplace it. Make sure to collect receipts for moving-related expenses.
	Know tax deduction:
Depending on your reason for moving, you may be entitled to a tax deduction.
	Floor plan:
Start working on the arrangements in the new home like where you are going to place furniture etc. Mark and label specific pieces of furniture on your diagram, and put it in your moving folder. This makes the after-move work easy and stress free.

Four Weeks Before Your Move
	Inform everyone the change of address:
the post office, magazines, credit card companies and friends and family. The U. S. Postal Service offers a kit to make this process easier.
	Contact utilities
(gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV) to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move. You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house. Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move so that you have service when you arrive at your new home. And don't forget to arrange for an expert, if necessary, to install fixtures upon their arrival at your new home.
	Repair:
Complete any repair work on your old home, and arrange for any critical services needed at your new home.
	Self-packers:
start packing non essential and seldom used articles. Attic and basements are best places to start.
	Sale :
In case you are planning a garage sale, pick a date at least two weeks before the move, and advertise it locally.

Three Weeks Before Your Move
	Label:
Self-packers: start your serious packing. Label the contents of all boxes, and pack carefully.
	Catalogue boxes:
Box essential and similar items together, and write on them "Open First/Load Last" on these boxes. When you move into your new home, you'll be able to easily identify these boxes .
	Documents:
Make sure you have your driver's license, auto registration and insurance records.
	Things to discard:
Make note of the items which you will take with you and which you will discard.
	Medical records:
Contact your doctors, dentist and veterinarian to receive copies of medical records.
	Old Pals:
Make sure you have all the phone numbers and contact addresses of the old pals.
	Food Requirements:
Your food requirements need to be addressed. Plan as little as possible because you can’t ship them.
	Children school:
Contact your children's schools, and arrange for records to be forwarded to your new school district.
	Safe box:
Make new bank safety deposit box arrangements in your new hometown. Make arrangements to safely transfer items from your old safe deposit box to your new one.
	Sale:
Hold a garage sale now.
	Travel:
Make personal travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars) for your trip.

Two Weeks Before Your Move
	Insurance:
Check with your insurance company to cancel current coverage or transfer coverage to your new home.
	Pets:
Make arrangements for transporting your pets and any house plants, because movers can't take them in the van.
	Bank A/c:
Meet with your bank to change account status.
	Prescriptions:
Transfer all current prescriptions to a drug store in your new town.
	News papers:
Cancel any delivery services such as newspapers. Consider starting a subscription to the newspaper in your new town to introduce you to local news happenings.
	Servicing:
Have your automobile serviced if you're traveling by car.
	Spare keys:
Be sure to empty secret hiding places to remove valuables and spare house keys.

One Week Before Your Move
	The lawn:
Mow your lawn for the last time.
	Flammable items:
Dispose of toxic or flammable items that can't be moved. Drain the gas and oil from gas-powered tools such as lawn mowers and snow blowers.
	To be with you on the move:
necessary items that should go in your car and not the moving van: your checkbook, cash or travelers checks, medications, essential toiletries, light bulbs, flashlight, toilet paper, pet food, spare glasses or contact lenses, baby or child care items, toys and car games for children and your notes containing moving information
	A baby sitter:
If you have young children, arrange for a baby-sitter to watch them on moving day and further till you settle down. So that the baby is not too distracted with the moving work while you concentrate fully on that.
	Pack your own suitcase of clothes for the move.
	Special boxes:
Put your "open first/load last" boxes in a separate place so the mover can identify them.
	Bills:
Pay all outstanding bills. Be sure to indicate your new address on payment receipts.

One To Two Days Before Your Move
	The packing:
The movers will arrive to start the packing process or to finish up items you haven't packed.
	The Refrigerator:
Empty and defrost your refrigerator and freezer, clean both with a disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda or charcoal inside to keep them fresh.
	Safe deposit box:
Empty your safety deposit box. Plan to take important papers, jewelry, cherished family photos, irreplaceable mementos and vital computer files with you.
	Van operator:
Write directions to your new home for the van operator, provide the new phone number and include phone numbers where you can be reached in transit - either a car phone or friends, old neighbors, a place of business or relatives with whom you'll be in contact. You'll never be out of touch for long, should an emergency arise.
	New occupants:
Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home's new occupants. Leave remotes to garages, phone books and appliance warrantee information for the new owners.
	Plus :
Take down curtains and curtain rods. Empty, defrost and clean your refrigerator. Make sure it has at least 24 hours to air dry. Clean and air your stove. Pack your personal belongings except your alarm clock. Get a good nights rest.

copyright 2002