A Checklist For Moving
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 a great amount of
stress along with it. 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. This checklist contains many
suggestions that may seem like "no-brainers". However, the very
act of printing out these simple suggestions and reminders can
become a significant security blanket as the dreaded time
approaches. Moving and relocating calls for being proactive,
grabbing the bull by the horns and actually completing certain
chores well in advance of their deadlines. Hopefully this little
paper will help you to accomplish that. In this particular
article we are leaving out the "big things" such as finding the
best moving company, researching your new neighborhood's
transportation, parking, employment, etc. Those are for other
articles on another day. Today we are concentrating on the
basics of planning and preparation.
Get rid of what you don't need.
Many of us are "pack rats". One thing that we can accomplish
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 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
absolutely must not lose or misplace should certainly be hand
carried, 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, Valuables, 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,
Utilities.
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.