This is part 2 of 4 articles geared as a practical schedule for making your move from one home or office to another as convenient as possible.
We continue on with the "cooking metaphors" to make it simple to remember
Moving Pre-Season 2: "Marinate the Meat" - approximately 4-5 Weeks before your move
In this "season", you are continuing to prepare or "marinate". Cardboard boxes, moving supplies, rental trucks, setting up your future home and all that goes with it - many decisions are yet to be made before you head down the road in your moving truck. You're getting closer to you moving day, but there are still a number of preliminary items that you need to consider and complete.
- While we live in a digital age and our convenience for many daily issues has increased, there are still a large number of basic "old school" items that you must not forget. Contact or visit your local Post Office to obtain a Change of Address form. You can also obtain this form online at the postal service USPS website.
- Make copies of this change of address form or make up your own change of address notice to give to the following people and businesses.
- Your monthly bill - utilities, phone, cable, etc
- Friends and family
- Banks
- Insurance companies
- Credit card companies
- Doctors, dentists and any other service providers
- Clubs or Associations
- Magazine and Newspaper subscriptions
- Getting organized - part 2: Now that you've already packed some items and thrown away a few, this is a good time to take another look at what you own, and decide what must go and what can be left behind. All items such as old books, magazines, broken items and old toys can be left behind. Remember, adding more weight to your shipment will cost you more money - either in fuel or expense (when using a professional).
- Who will move which items? Organize your move by deciding and making lists of what items you will not transport, what items your van line agent will move and what items you will move yourself.
- Make a decision on who will do most of or all of the packing. Trust me, you can pack moving boxes yourself - and do it well - but if you have the funds, you'll love having the van line agent do most of the packing. The convenience is fantastic and the van line agents know the best methods for keeping items safe and secure.
- Kids will like the process: Get your kids involved in the moving process. Allow your kids to do some supervised packing. Let them suggest a layout for their new room. Make it fun and exciting for them to move.
- Contact utility providers (e.g. telephone, gas, electric, cable TV and trash collection) at new and old locations with your moving date to make arrangements for connection and disconnection.
- Complete banking arrangements in your old and new location and transfer any funds to your new bank if necessary.
- Moving out of state? Check requirements for new drivers' license and auto registration in your destination state.
Part 3 will continue the preseason of preparing for your move.
