A Moving Checklist
by Kyle Thomas Haley
Description: A checklist for getting you organized and ready to move to your new home.
MOVING! The very thought of it can send chills down our spine and
can cause us to break out into a cold sweat. Experts say that
any kind of "change" creates "stress". Moving, (and especially
if we are relocating to a new city or state), represents a huge
change and naturally brings about a great deal of stress. This
can be a double whammy, because stress can lead to a lack of
energy and motivation. Many of us tend to procrastinate during
stressful periods of our lives. This is one time, though, when we
must rise above that. When preparing for a move we need to put
the pedal to the metal and get a lot of things done. Moving and
relocating calls for being proactive, grabbing the bull by the
horns, and actually completing certain chores well in advance of
their deadline.
Get Rid of What You Don't Need.
Many of us are "pack rats". One thing that we can get out of the
way immediately is going through all of our "stuff" and getting
rid of what we don't need anymore. Moving unwanted clothing and
bric-a-bracs from one place of residence to another to is a great
waste of time and effort. It is surprising how much more in
control we feel once we start narrowing down our "inventory" to
what we actually need to keep. Getting rid of the unwanted items
can be done by having a garage sale long before moving time and
then donating the leftovers to the Salvation Army or other
charitable groups.
Get All Important Papers and Documents Together and Secure Them.
Since moving is hectic, to say the least, we need to be aware of
the exact location of all of our important items. Things that we
certainly don't want to lose or misplace should be "hand carried"
and not put in a box for the movers:
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
Vehicle Documents
Wills
Prepare Well in Advance for Living at Your New Location.
There are many things that we can do at our new location well
in advance of our move that will help smooth out the bumps and
grinds of our relocation process when the actual event occurs:
Open up new bank accounts. Open up a new Safe Deposit Box.
Contact the new area utility companies and arrange for your new
services. These can include Cable TV, gas, electric, oil,
telephone, water and Internet access. Arrange for new medical
providers. If you are moving to a new state, contact the DMV
and get forms necessary to re-register your vehicles. Contact
your insurance companies and find out if your car insurance,
homeowner's insurance, etc. can be transferred. If not, find an
Insurance Broker in your new area and discuss your needs and
requirements for new policies. Go to the post office and get
a moving kit. Prepare change of address forms for all of your
correspondents; credit card companies, other credit accounts,
banks, insurance companies, current utility companies for final
statements, magazines and other subscriptions, family, friends,
and any other persons or businesses that you correspond with on
a regular basis.
As the Time Approaches, Get a Nice New Legal Pad.
As moving day approaches and when the moving process actually
begins, you don't want to be hunting for phone numbers in
wallets, purses, or address books. Have a nice new legal pad
ready with all important phone numbers written clearly and
legibly for both your old and new contacts:
Banks
Doctors
Emergency Contacts
Family Members
Friends
Landlords or Real Estate Brokers
Movers
Pharmacies
Schools
Storage Facilities
Utility Companies
With proper planning and preparation the moving process, though
never fun, can at least be sane. With proper planning and
preparation the utilities at your present address can be
disconnected the day after you move and the utilities at your
new address can be connected the day prior to your arrival. With
proper planning and preparation you will not be frantically
searching for a new doctor or pharmacy, if that unfortunate need
arises. With proper planning and preparation you will have all of
your important documents at the tip of your fingers at all times.
With proper planning and preparation your mail will start
arriving the day after you move in to your new abode and your
life will endure a minimum of chaos and clutter.
Good luck with your move and good luck in your new home or
apartment.
Kyle Thomas Haley of has been helping people relocate on
the Internet since 1999 with Relocation Websites such as:
http://www.relocation-guide.net
