Get Ready to Move

These tips and checklists will get you 90% of the way to being organized and prepared.  Success is 90% preparation and 10% perspiration!

Dedicate a place to keep to move-related paperwork  To-do lists, contracts, receipts, checklists, and phone numbers all in one location will be a stress saver.

Create a Last-Out, First-In Box  Pack your day-to-day necessities so that they’re together in one place, including bedding, towels, toiletries, toilet paper, basic tools, cleaning supplies, medications, a camera (to document anything broken in transit), snacks, a few dishes and utensils, and a coffeepot — plus coffee and mugs. Take the box with you in your car.

Bedding & Sheets  Designate one drawer of a dresser or a “Last Load” box for sheets and towels so that you won’t have to rummage through boxes for these essentials the first night in your new home.

Keep the Phone Book  Take your current phone book with you. You may need to make calls to residents or businesses back in your former hometown.

Pack Heavy – Pack Light  Pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.

Protect Your Memories  If it’s irreplaceable, take it with you in the car (you don’t want regrets later). But if you do decide to pack framed photos or art, place sheets or blankets between them for added protection.

Unscrew Bulbs  Remove bulbs before packing your lamps.

Give the kids an exercize.  Have children write their names and new address on the cartons from their rooms so they can become familiar with their new street and town.

Document Valuables  Have items such as artwork and antiques appraised in case they get damaged. Photograph or videotape them, and upload the images to your computer. Also save them to a CD, and store it with your small valuables.

Color-Code Rooms  Assign a color to each room, and mark boxes and furniture (be mindful of delicate surfaces) with coordinating stickers to ensure the movers will know at a glance where everything should go.

Notify Utility Services  Request that your utilities and phone and Internet service be disconnected the day after you leave and installed in your new home the day before you arrive.  Eva and Temara will provide you with the utility phone numbers for your new home.

Stash Small Valuables  Keep jewelry and important paperwork together. Have a friend hold on to them until you get settled, or lock them in the trunk of your car on moving day.