Moving Checklist
One Month Before Moving
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Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office and fill out:
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Friends and family
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Banks
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Insurance companies
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Credit card companies
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Magazines and newspapers - cancel local newspaper delivery
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Doctors, dentists and other providers - transfer drug prescriptions
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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.
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Use up perishable foods
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Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items
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Prepare a list of what you want to move.
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Large appliances?
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Outside furniture?
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For self packing moves, buy packing supplies:
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Boxes
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Packing and masking tape
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Markers
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Newspapers
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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:
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Dishes
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Pots and pans
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Alarm clock
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Bedding
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Special toys
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Towels
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Light bulbs
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Plates
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Tools - hammer, pliers, wrench
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Stop by and make arrangements for picking up your important records:
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Birth
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Doctor
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Dentist
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Legal
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Optician, optometrist
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School - make sure you get one with a raised seal
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Veterinarian
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Close out your bank accounts:
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Checking
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Savings
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Safe Deposit Box
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Start a new bank account in your new town.
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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.
Two Weeks Before Moving
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Pack your vital documents in one place:
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Passports
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Military records
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Mortgage records
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Marriage license
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Birth certificates
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Vehicle titles
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Stock certificates
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Insurance papers
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Bank records
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School records
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Medical records
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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:
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Cable - return box if necessary
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Electric
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Gas
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Internet access
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Telephone
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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.
One Week Before Moving
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Dispose or drain any flammable items:
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Lawn mower gas
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Snow blower gas
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Paint
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Aerosol cans
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Plan what goes in the car with you:
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Toys and games for kids
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Special breakable items or collections
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Important documents and records
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Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day
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Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean right away
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Toilet paper
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First aid kit
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Food kit with bottled water, cereal, bananas
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Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants.
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Have your car tuned up.
The Day Before Moving
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Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator.
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Clean your stove.
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Make sure you have payment ready for the movers.
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Purchase traveler's checks for other possible expenses.
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Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence.
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Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.
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Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
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Take down curtains and curtain rods.
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Get a good night's sleep!
Moving Day!
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Strip your beds.
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Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are inventoried with them.
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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.
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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.
