Moving Checklist: a need for a relaxed move

You have many things to think about when preparing to move. Your first priority of course is safely relocating your belongings to your new residence, but you may not have thought about several other aspects of moving that you will need to accomplish.

Creating a well thought out checklist can help the sometimes daunting task of moving become a more organized endeavor. See the sample checklist below that literally moves you to think outside the box. As you look it over, there are things that may not pertain to your situation and others tasks you may need to add to your final checklist.

• Obtain a change of address form, fill it in, and return it promptly to the post office.
• Contact banks, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions to provide them with your change of address.
• Notify employers and schools of the new address.
• Update your family’s doctors, pharmacies, and health insurance records with the new address. This will save time later.
• Check with the schools to find out what steps are required if student transfers will occur.
• Alert the utility companies with dates to stop service at the old address and start them at the new address.
• Communicate your new address information to your extended family and friends.
• Prepare to pack your belongings by gathering boxes and protective materials.
• Arrange a specific date and time with the moving company.

If each family member initiates his or her own moving to do list, think about how smooth every room of the house can be packed and easily moved into your new location.

Make your list easily accessible. One idea is to put it up on the refrigerator. If you need to add to your list as you think of other tasks, it will be easy to find. As tasks on the list are completed, be sure to check or cross them off.

As you get closer to moving day, you will want to follow some of the suggestions below.

• Walk through your rooms with a box in tow and eliminate things you no longer need or want. If you find enough items you will live without, have a yard sale or donate articles to a local Salvation Army store or Goodwill thrift shop.
• Begin packing boxes room by room. Pack the items you will not need during moving week first and be sure to pack similar objects together.
• Create packing lists that go into the top of the boxes just before you tape them shut. Mark the outside with the room they are moving from and where you want them placed in the new location. Jot down a general idea of the contents of each box.
• Eliminate excess groceries the week of the move. Use up foods you have and try to avoid packing perishable items.

Follow these steps to help make your moving experience a relaxed event for you and your family.