One Month Before Moving

• Fill out Change of Address from Post Office
• Fill out IRS change of Address Form
• Make arrangements with moving company or reserve moving truck
• Make travel arrangements, if necessary, with airlines, buses, car rental agencies and hotels
• Transfer memberships in churches, clubs and civic organizations
• Obtain medical and dental records, e-rays and prescription histories. Ask doctor and dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions.
• Set up bank account in new city
• Check into the laws and requirements of your new city regarding home-based business, professional tests, business licenses and any special laws that might pertain to you.
• Take inventory of your belongings before they’re packed, in the event you need to file an insurance claim later. If possible, take pictures or video tape your belongings. Record serial numbers of electronic equipment.
• Make arrangements for transporting pets
• Start using-up food items, so that there is less to pack and possibly spoil

One to Two Weeks Before Moving

• Switch utility services to new address. Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscription, telephone and cable companies of your move.
• Arrange for help on moving day
• Confirm travel reservations
• Reserve elevator if moving from condo
• Have appliances serviced for moving
• Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving
• Plan ahead for special needs of infants
• Close bank accounts and have your funds wired to your new bank. Before closing be sure there are no outstanding checks or automatic payments that haven’t been processed.
• Collect valuables from safe-deposit box. Make copies of any important documents before mailing or hand carry them to your new address.
• Check with your insurance agent to ensure you’ll be covered through your homeowner’s or renter’s policy during the move.
• Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Place deodorizer inside to control odors.
• Give a close friend or relative your travel route and schedule so you may be reached if needed.

On Moving Day

• Double check closets, drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure they are empty
• Carry important documents, currency and jewelry yourself, or use registered mail.
• Arriving at your New Home
• Renew your driver’s license, auto registration and tags
• Shop around for new insurance polices, especially auto coverage.
• Revise your will and other legal papers to avoid longer probate and higher legal fees
• Locate the hospitals, police stations, veterinarian and fire stations near your home.

Courtesy of www.all-moving.com For more moving tips visit website

Packing Tips

Whether your move is across country or across the street, a little bit of planning can make a world of difference when packing up your home. Here are a few tips to get you started.

• You can save a lot of money if you do the bulk of the packing on your own. Limit yourself to non-fragile items such as books, linens, clothing and shoes; and replaceable items such as plates, dishes (not fine china or expensive silverware), and small kitchen appliances. These items will be cheaper to replace in case of damage as opposed to hiring workers for the extra labor. Leave the furniture, mattresses, and heavy appliances to be packed by the mover.
• The heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. Don’t toss everything into one huge box. It will make the hauling much more difficult. A good rule of thumb is if you can’t lift the box easily, it’s too heavy! Keep the weight of the box under 50lbs and remember to always lift with your knees, not your back.
• You should never let the movers pack your jewelry, family heirlooms, or other priceless items. Should they be lost or damaged, the insurable value will not come anywhere near the value you would place on them. Such items include jewelry, sports memorabilia, photo albums, and various hobby collections. Pack these items yourself and take them with you, either in the car or as carry-on luggage if size allows.
• Get the proper boxes for your items – the right sizes and strengths. Have enough wardrobe boxes, as they’ll save you ironing time later. You can pack t-shirts and jeans in suitcases and regular boxes but you don’t want to pack your fine clothing such as suits or dresses in the same place. Save space by tossing in shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe box, but be reasonable. Don’t let the box become too heavy or susceptible to fallout from the bottom. Purchase the padded dish boxes with dividers to protect your fine china. For your replaceable and non-fragile items, save money by using the free boxes that you can obtain from supermarkets and wrapping the items in old newspaper.

Courtesy of www.homedepotmoving.com For more tips on moving visit website