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One Month Before Moving

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• Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office and fill out:

  • Friends and family

  • Banks

  • Insurance companies

  • Credit card companies

  • Magazines and newspapers - cancel local newspaper delivery

  • Doctors, dentists and other providers - transfer drug prescriptions

  • Past employer - for W2 forms

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• Take a look around the house. Start to think about what you don't want to take with you.

  • Use up perishable foods

  • Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items

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• Prepare a list of what you want to move.

  • Large appliances?

  • Outside furniture?

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• For full service moves:

  • Get written estimates from several moving companies

  • Will the movers pack for you?

  • What items won't they move?

  • Get appraisals of high-value items in case of future claims

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• For do-it-yourself moves, make arrangements for truck rental and moving help, and buy packing supplies:

  • Boxes

  • Packing and masking tape

  • Markers

  • Newspapers

  • Twine

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• Start packing boxes. Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room to be placed in. Mark "Open First" clearly on boxes containing important items to be unpacked first:

  • Dishes

  • Pots and pans

  • Alarm clock

  • Bedding

  • Special toys

  • Towels

  • Lightbulbs

  • Plates

  • Tools - hammer, pliers, wrench

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• Stop by and make arrangements for picking up your important records:

  • Birth

  • Doctor

  • Dentist

  • Legal

  • Optician, optometrist

  • School-make sure you get one with a raised seal

  • Veterinarian

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• Close out your bank accounts:

  • Checking

  • Savings

  • Safe Deposit Box

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• Start a new bank account in your new town.

  • Transfer account from current bank?

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• Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area.

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• Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package.

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Two Weeks Before Moving

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• Pack your vital documents in one place:

  • Passports

  • Military records

  • Mortgage records

  • Marriage license

  • Birth certificates

  • Vehicle titles

  • Stock certificates

  • Insurance papers

  • Bank records

  • School records

  • Medical records

  • Tax records

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• Make arrangements to disconnect your utilities. Get refunds for any deposits made. Have meters read. Give new address for them to send their final bill:

  • Cable-return box if necessary

  • Gas

  • Electric

  • Internet access

  • Telephone

  • Water

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• Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence.

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• Make arrangements for cleaning

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• Inquire about your new state's auto licensing procedure and auto insurance rates.

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• Check with your insurance company about transferring coverage to your new home.

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• Arrange to have a sitter watch your children at their house on moving day.

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One Week Before Moving

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• Dispose or drain any flammable items:

  • Lawn mower gas

  • Snow blower gas

  • Paint

  • Aerosol cans

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• Plan what goes in the car with you:

  • Toys and games for kids

  • Special breakable items or collections

  • Important documents and records

  • Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day

  • Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean right away

  • Toilet paper

  • First aid kit

  • Food kit with bottled water, cereal, bananas

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• Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants.

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• Purchase moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collections.

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• Have your car tuned up.

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The Day Before Moving

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• Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator.

• Clean your stove.

• Make sure you have payment ready for the mover - they will not unpack without a check. Check your moving company's payment policies.

• Purchase traveler's checks for other possible expenses.

• Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence.

• Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.

• Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.

• Take down curtains and curtain rods.

• Get a good night's sleep!

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Moving Day!

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• Strip your beds.

  • Moving company - will they disassemble?

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• Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are inventoried with them.

  • Write "subject to further inspection for concealed loss or damage" on contract when you sign to protect yourself should you find damage while unpacking.

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• Get all keys together. Put in a safe spot.

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• Make sure moving van driver has correct address, phone number and directions. Confirm delivery date with him.

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• Check all rooms one last time. Remember closets and cupboards, basement and garage! Make sure all windows and doors are locked.

Good luck! Remember - many of your moving expenses are tax deductible, so hang on to your receipts. Call the Internal Revenue Service and request Publication 521: "Tax Information On Moving Expenses" to find out which moving expenses you can deduct.

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