Tips to Make the Moving Process go Smoother

Moving can be a tiresome and burdensome experience. But it doesn't have to be as long as you have a plan. There are things you can do to take the stress out of moving and make the process go smoothly.

Moving doesn't start on moving day. Moving actually starts about a month or so before your moving day. So it is important to start then and not wait until the last minute. About a month before you move, you should “announce” to the world that you intend to move. You can do this by:

• Fill out a change of address order form for the post office.

• Fill out an IRS change of address form.

• Reserve a rental truck or contact a moving company.

• Make arrangements for your pets if you have any.

• Get your medical records if you are moving to a new city.

• Take an inventory of all your belongings. This will help you in case anything is lost on the move. Videotape all your belongings and write down serial numbers if applicable. These will all help if you have to file an insurance claim.

• Use up your food. You don't want to move anything that can spoil.

Things to do two weeks before moving

Some things cannot be done any sooner than 1-2 weeks prior to moving. But getting these things done as early as possible will cut down on stress on moving day and in the ensuing weeks after you move.

• Notify the utility companies that you are moving. Get service established in your new home. This includes electricity, cable/satellite TV, phone, Internet service, gas, and more. The earlier you do this, the better chance you will have that the utilities get established in your name on the day that you move in.

• Copy any important documents that you cannot afford to lose. Keep most important documents, such as passports, with you on moving day.

• Confirm that your homeowner's insurance will be in effect on your new home.

• Defrost your refrigerator and freezer if moving appliances.

• Notify any of your creditors that you are changing addresses. If you don't get your bill because you forgot to change your address with them, you might find yourself paying all sorts of interest charges and damaging your credit.

Packing Tips

Packing can be one of the most stressful parts about moving. Worse yet, packing done incorrectly can cause many of your items to get lost or broken. Here are some packing tips:

• Use good boxes for moving.

• Use packing tape for taping boxes

• Do not put more than 50 pounds in one box.

• Put all audio/visual equipment in its original box if you have it.

• Label EVERY box. Mark if it's fragile, what room it goes in, etc. This will save you a lot of time when you move into your new house.

• Books are very heavy, so pack books in small boxes. If packed in large boxes, you could hurt yourself or anyone that helps you move.

Last-Minute Details

Waiting until the last minute is usually not a good thing, but there are some things that you should do on the day you move. These things include:

• After everything is loaded, double-check everything. This includes every closet, dresser, etc. Make sure nothing is left behind.

• Make sure that you have all your important documents with you.

• Make sure that you have access to money if necessary. Bring cash, traveler's checks or a credit card.

Doing these things will take a lot of the stress out of moving. By getting things done in an orderly and timely manner, the process will go much smoother.