Checklist for Moving
Moving … a word that can conjure up as much dread as, say, “root canal” or “tax audit.” Any type of life change causes stress, and moving – especially if relocating to a new city or state – is a major change that’s bound to bring considerable stress. This stress, in turn, can drain your energy and motivation, making you more likely to procrastinate. With all that’s involved in preparing for a move, it’s no time to let anxiety stall you. It’s time to buckle down and get things done, and with each task you check off your to-do list, your upcoming move will seem a little less daunting.
Many of the suggestions on this checklist may seem obvious, but even just printing out these simple reminders can help ward off the dread of moving. By being proactive and completing pre-move tasks well in advance of when they need to be done, rather than waiting until the last minute, the job of moving becomes more manageable. Hopefully this piece of paper can help accomplish that.
In this article we’re focusing on the basics of planning and preparation. We’ll leave the “big stuff” like finding the best moving company, researching your new neighborhood’s transportation, employment, etc. for another article on another day.
Get rid of everything you don’t need.
Most of us accumulate a lot of stuff after living someplace for awhile. One thing you can accomplish right away is going through your belongings and weeding out what you no longer need. Moving unwanted clothing and knickknacks from one home to another is a waste of time and effort. You’ll be surprised at how much more in control you’ll feel once you start narrowing down the pile of stuff that will have to be moved. You can get rid of unwanted items by having a garage sale well before moving day and donating whatever is left to the Salvation Army or another charitable organization.
Gather and secure all important papers and documents.
Moving can be hectic, and you don’t want to lose track of important items in the midst of the chaos. You should definitely hand-carry things that you absolutely must not lose or misplace, rather than putting them in a box for the movers. These items include things like address books, birth certificates, bank statements, checks, credit cards and statements, home movies, irreplaceable memorabilia, insurance policies, marriage records, medical and dental records, military records, passports, photos and photo albums, resumes, school records, stock certificates, tax returns, telephone numbers, valuables like jewelry, vehicle documents, and wills.
Prepare ahead of time for living at your new location.
To help make the relocation process go more smoothly, there are many things you can get set up well in advance of your move. Open up new bank accounts and a new safe deposit box. Contact utility companies – including cable TV, Internet, gas, electric, oil, telephone, and water – in your new area to arrange for service. You can search for your new address at www.connectutilities.com to find some of these providers and services that are available in the area. Find new medical providers. If you are moving to a new state, contact the DMV (or whatever the motor vehicle department might be called in that state) and get forms needed to re-register your vehicles. Contact your insurance companies and find out if you can transfer your car and homeowner’s insurance. If not, find an insurance broker in your new area to talk about new policies you’ll need. Go to the post office and get a moving kit, or save yourself a trip and go online to moversguide.usps.com. Prepare change of address forms for anyone you communicate with by mail: credit card companies, other credit accounts, banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends, and any other people or businesses that you correspond with on a regular basis.
As moving day approaches, get a new legal pad.
When the moving process actually begins, you don’t want to have to hunt for phone numbers in your wallet or address book. Have a fresh legal pad ready with all important phone numbers, written legibly, for contacts at both your old and new location: banks, doctors, emergency contacts, family members, friends, landlords or real estate brokers, movers, pharmacies, schools, storage facilities, and utilities.
Moving is never fun, but with the right planning and preparation, it doesn’t have to be a madhouse. If you plan and prepare properly, the utilities can be disconnected at your old address the day after you leave and connected at your new address the day before you arrive. You won’t be searching frantically for a new doctor or pharmacy, should the unfortunate need arise. You’ll have all of your important documents at your fingertips. Your mail will start being delivered the day after you move in, and you’ll keep chaos and clutter at bay.
Good luck with your move, and enjoy your new home!
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