Moving Checklist for 4 Weeks Prior To Move: Organizing

The next several blog posts are taken from our parent site’s Ultimate Moving Checklist. As you know, I am a big fan of using a moving checklist as a starting point for planning and keeping organized.

These tips are for the time period starting 4 weeks prior to the move, and focus on getting organized:

c Set the date.

Mondays – Thursdays are your best choices so that banks and offices are open in case you have a problem.


c Arrange for utility transfers.

Notify current and future utility providers of your move date. Note when current security deposits will be refunded and how much is due when for the new ones. This includes:

__ Cable/satellite television
__ Cell phone service
__ Electricity
__ Gas
__ Internet/broadband
__ Local phone service
__ Long distance phone service
__ Propane
__ Recycling pick-up
__ Sewer
__ Security system
__ Trash pick-up
__ Water

NOTE: It’s a good idea to schedule utility “turn on dates” at least one day prior to the move date and “turn off dates” at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.


c File change of address.

At minimum, file a Temporary Change of Address with the U.S. Post Office to buy you time before you notify everyone else. You can file online at http://www.MoversGuide.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) (both have a $1 fee), or go to the local Post Office and complete form PS 3575.


c Make sure you have enough cash. Most moving companies insist on being paid in cash before they unload a single box. Be sure have the correct amount with you with moving expenses, deposits, tips, and anything else you’ll need on moving day.


c Start a “change of address log.”

Create a change of address log by writing down who you receive mail from each day. Then contact those organizations with your change of address each morning or evening. This breaks up the task and helps make sure you aren’t missing important contacts.


c Notify specific people of your change of address. Some of the people who might need your change of address include:

__ Accountant/tax preparer
__ Alumni associations
__ Attorneys
__ Babysitter/ child care provider
__ Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity,
IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings
account)
__ Broker
__ Business cards (order new ones)
__ Cell phone provider
__ Child care/ daycare
__ Chiropractor
__ Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes
__ Credit bureaus
__ Credit card issuers
__ Dentist
__ Department of Motor Vehicles
__ Diaper service
__ Doctor
__ Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery
__ Family members
__ Health clubs
__ House cleaning service
__ House of worship
__ Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)
__ IRS (form 8822)
__ Lawn care
__ Luggage tags (replace existing ones)
__ Magazine subscriptions
__ New business cards
__ New employer
__ Newspaper subscriptions
__ Old employer
__ Orthodontist
__ Parent-teacher association
__ Passport
__ Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care
__ Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)
__ Physical therapist
__ Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)
__ Post office
__ Professional organizations
__ Retirement plan holders
__ Return address labels (order new ones)
__ Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)
__ Snow removal service
__ Social Security Administration
__ Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)
__ Swimming pool memberships
__ Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations
__ Water delivery service

These tips should get your move or relocation off to the right start. For more free moving tips, visit http://www.Movers-Edge.com.

Saving Money On Your Move

Moving is not only a stressful process, it can also be a very expensive one. If you use professional movers, the total price tag can range from around $1,000 (for a small, local move) to more than $20,000 (for a large, cross-country or international move).

Here a few tips on saving money on your move:

• Lose some weight. Most of the expense is driven by the weight of the items transported. That means that eliminating items from your move (especially heavy items like old furniture and books) can reduce the final tab significantly. Aim to reduce the total by 1/3.
  
• Get at least 3 in-home estimates. Having reliable companies compete for your business does two things: it helps you negotiate the lowest price and it points out services that may not be necessary for your situation. Use this process to identify your best option.
  
• Watch your truck rental estimate like a hawk. Make sure you pull out your calculator and fully estimate the cost of the base rental, mileage, fuel, fees and other charges. You might be shocked as to how high the final total can be. Be sure to shop around and negotiate the best price.
  
• Consider alternatives. Look into "you pack" moving services, where you load and unload the moving container yourself and only pay for the actual transport costs. This is a great option if you can convince friends and family to help with the physical moving of boxes and furniture.
  
• Hold a yard sale. Yes, I realize this sounds silly. You are pressed for time and don't think it can raise much money. However, by selling off items you'll no longer need in your new place, you'll cut down on the cost of your move AND put from several hundred to over a thousand dollars in your pockets. Check out tips on http://www.yardsalequeen.com/.

• Look for free moving boxes. New moving boxes are the best, but there are alternatives. This one is tricky for two reasons: the wrong kind of boxes can break or bring dirt and insects into your new home, so steer clear of grocery store produce boxes and the like. Instead, try copy paper boxes, your local liquor store (their boxes tend to be very strong), bookstores (all their books come in book boxes and larger) and your local library. NOTE: I recommend you do invest in two kinds of new boxes: "cell" boxes for holding glasses from the kitchen and wardrobe boxes for packing clothes, since they are invaluable and are difficult to find for free.

Here are some other resources to investigate:

• Ultimate Moving Checklist, containing detailed steps of what you need for your move, with categories and priorities already assigned.
• 101 Best Moving Tips, collected and rated from dozens of websites, articles and books on moving strategies.
• Movers-Edge.com homepage, our parent site's homepage.

What are your favorite money-saving tips for moving? Please let me know!

List of Banned Packing Items

Yesterday I wrote about things you might not want to pack. Today I'm taking a different direction, focusing on things you aren't allowed to pack, at least not with commercial movers.

The basic ideas are pretty simple. Professional movers don't want to transport anything that:

• Can explode
• Could perish in the move
• Is highly flammable
• Is toxic
  

Always check with your moving company or truck rental agency to be sure you're complying with their rules and laws in your region. If you don't follow the rules, you can end up voiding your contract and other sanctions.

That being said, here is a brief list of what is most often forbidden:
Aerosol cans

• Ammonia
• Ammunition
• Batteries
• Bleach
• Candles
• Charcoal
• Chemicals
• Fertilizer
• Firearms
• Fireworks (even the little ones)
• Filled gas tanks/ fuel tanks
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Lawn equipment (if tanks aren't emptied)
• Lighters and lighter fluid
• Matches
• Nail polish remover
• Oxygen
• Paint remover
• Polyurethane
• Pesticides
• Plants and produce
• Sturno cans
• Turpentine
• Varnish

Avoid these items in your packing an you could save yourself big headaches later on! :-)

Leave It Behind

There are several ways to make your move a less stressful event. As you know from previous posts, these include getting organized, finding the right movers (or rental truck), and "packing smart." However, one of my favorites has to be reducing the number of "moving parts" (pardon the pun) by cutting down on what you take with you.

When I was living in Hawaii, I found out that I was going to have to pack our house by myself and make sure the total didn't exceed 12,000 pounds, including a 4-door sedan. Now I don't know about you, but threats that all my belongings would be abandoned on the dock if it didn't meet the weight restriction did wonders to "focus the mind" on reducing the number of belongings I took. I also had several boxes left unpacked from my move to Hawaii, which didn't help.

If you're not facing a weight restriction on your next move, it's still a good idea to reduce the quantity you take with you. Here are just a few reasons to try to cut back on what you move:

• Save time. Anything you don't take doesn't have to boxed, sealed, labeled, inventoried, carried, tracked, loaded, arranged, unloaded, unpacked and put away. That's a lot of steps saved!
• Save money. You can save on the truck rental (get a smaller truck) or movers' fees (many charge by the pound) by getting rid of the "dead weight."
• Save stress. Fewer things packed means fewer things requiring organization and worry.
• Make money. Anyone who's ever watched "Clean House" realizes that a well-planned, well-executed yard sale can often top $1,000 in proceeds. That's some serious cash. Even if you donate items, you can usually take a deduction (consult your tax professional).
• Help others. There are millions of families in need who might be thrilled at the prospect of receiving gently used items.
• Go green. "Reduce, reuse, recycle" applies to home items as well. Items getting a second life reduces greenhouse gases from being carried on the truck and from manufacturing, distributing and selling replacement items.
  

So how do you decide what stays and what goes? Here are some guidelines on what to leave behind:

• The 18-month rule: If you haven't actively used it in the past 18 months, chances are that the item can be parted with.
• If it's broken, missing pieces or unusable, it's time to let go.
• Out of size or out of style clothing should not be heading to your new home's closet.
• If it would mean more to someone else, consider donating it.

What about you? What have you been able to part with during moving, and how did it work out?

As always, check for our "101 Best Moving Tips" and "Ultimate Moving Guide" at http://www.Movers-Edge.com.

One Moving Box Alternative to Avoid

A number of moving websites I've visited point out that many items to be moved don't require a traditional packing box. For example, you're better off leaving dressers and chests of drawers loaded with their contents instead of packing all the items in separate boxes. (Tie the drawers in place to the furniture with bungie cords or something similar).

You can also use other containers such as trunks and large plastic storage bins. All of these are great options and worth considering.

However, I have to warn against the latest recommended box alternative: trash bags. The arguments for them seem compelling:

• they're dramatically cheaper than moving boxes
• they're plentiful
• they're easy to use
• they can hold much more than average box can
• they can hold odd-shaped or bulky items

Sounds great, right?

Well, there are significant downsides to bags:

• they tend to get put out to the garbage with your treasures inside them, no many how times you repeatedly warn everyone
• they are notorious in how often they rip, tear, snag and split
• they don't stack well
• they offer almost no cushioning or protection for their contents
• their handles tend to stretch and break
• labeling them is a real bear, which means know what's in which bag is tricky at best

All of these drawbacks tend to add up during the chaos of a move, which is not the time to learn of a strategy's disadvantages. So if you want to consider box alternatives, feel free. However, do yourself a favor and skip the trash bags!

Have you had box alternative victories or tragedies? Please let me know!

Also, please don't forget to visit our homepage at http://www.Movers-Edge.com.

Where do I start?

Moving can seem overwhelming at times. There are so many small tasks to accomplish and track that the whole process seems daunting. Many of us are left with the question, "Where do I start?"

Rather than cover the entire moving organization process, let's focus on the absolute basics:

1. Set the date. It's hard to plan a calendar of dates if you don't when the move is going to happen. Find out when your new place will be ready, and shoot for the day after just to give you a cushion. You can always adjust it later.
2. Decide on whether you'll need professional movers and/or a moving truck. That will determine many of your next steps, especially since finding and reserving these resources should happen shortly after you begin.
3. Get your hands on a moving checklist. Regular readers of this blog will know I'm a huge fan of starting with an existing, professionally-developed checklist and adjusting it as necessary. You can use our parent site's Ultimate Moving Checklist to get you on the right track.

You can also read a more complete article on getting organized for moving here. However, if you can just nail down the 3 points listed above, you will be onto a great start.

How have you gotten "unstuck" and started on your previous moves? Please let me know!

Picking Your Moving Day

Picking your moving day depends on several factors, including:

• When your new place will be ready to occupy
• When you can schedule time off work
• Movers' schedules (whether those movers are friends and family or a professional moving company)
• Utility hook-up dates
• Closing date, if you're dealing with a mortgage

Here are some tips on picking the best day:

• Memorial Day - Labor Day accounts for just under 50% of all moves, making it much more difficult to get scheduled. Avoid the summer if possible.
• Tuesdays - Thursdays offer the most availability on most professional movers' schedules and also insure that businesses will likely be open if you run into a problem.
• Arrange to have your old utilities shut off one day after the move and for your new utilities to be turned on the day before your move. This does two things: it allows extra time for the new utilities to get sorted out if something goes wrong, and makes sure you have connections at your old place if leaving takes longer than you expect.

Did you ever move on a day that was particularly good or bad? Please let me know!

For moving tips and advice, visit http://www.Movers-Edge.com.

Labeling Boxes- Part 2

Last time I wrote about some of the basics of labeling your moving boxes. Now I'll finish up with some final tips:

• Mark one or two boxes per room as "Open Me First" boxes with a red, wide-tipped marker. These are the boxes that contain the "absolutely can't live without" stuff. For me, one example would be the coffee maker and coffee for the kitchen. Using these labels make it easy to get settled in quickly as soon as you arrive.
• Don't forget to indicate "Fragile" on all boxes containing anything breakable. Yes, it may seem obvious, but you don't want to run the risk of forgetting prior to Moving Day.
• Label at least two sides of each box, preferably the two broadest sides opposite one another. That way, if boxes get turned, you'll still be able to find what you need.
• Don't use the box tops for labels. The reason is simple: when your boxes get stacked, you won't be able to see them!
• Indicate the contents on the labels. Yes, this is a pain, but not nearly as painful as not being able to locate your possessions. You want to be fairly specific, but you can safely group obvious things ("spice rack" is a better option than writing out "Anice" through "Zedoary" is probably overkill).

If you follow this simple guidelines, you should be in good shape of being able to identify all your boxes quickly and easily. Check out all our tips at http://www.Movers-Edge.com.

What are your best labeling hints? I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Box Labels (Part 1)

It's not unusual for a relocation to involve over 100 moving boxes- that's a lot to keep track of! You can eliminate a lot of stress unpacking by using clear labels on your boxes. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

• Label your boxes as you go. Some people decide that they will pack things first and then label a whole room's worth at the end. Unfortunately, they tend to both run out of time and forget what's buried in the bottom of most boxes.
• Make you labels legible. Use block letters to make your labels easy to read. You don't need to win a penmanship contest, but labels you can't read won't help you much.
• Use wide-tipped markers. When your boxes are stacked or scattered during unpacking, you'll want to be able to read your labels from across the room. Pencils, pens and thin markers' letters are almost invisible even a few feet away.
• Use a room labeling system. Try to use room labels such as "BTH2- 4," where "BTH2" indicates the second bathroom, and the "- 4" identifies it as the 4th box. This helps movers know exactly where items go, and allows you to quickly know if one of a room's boxes have gone missing.

Next time we'll talk about what other information should be on your box labels.

What about you? What was the best, or worst, system you ever tried to use in labeling your moving boxes? Be sure to check out our other moving tips and suggestions.

Getting Organized for Moving

Today's tips focus on getting organized for your move. Most people tend to jump right in to packing without planning out their move. That's understandable- taking time to plan seems like a waste of time that could be spent packing more boxes!

However, the truth is that spending just 30 minutes of planning time on your move can save you hours of time later on, as well avoiding several headaches you might incur otherwise. Here are the basics on getting a moving plan together quickly and easily:

1. Start early- Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.
2. Room Lists- Start by forming two room lists, one for your current place and one for future place. This will help you manage what has to go where.
3. Room Inventory- Go to each room and write down the types of things that need to be packed: furniture items, length of shelving, closets, etc.
4. Time Allotment- Make sure to leave enough time. The most common timeframe reported by people moving is that it takes a month to pack. One study reported that it takes 4-5 hours to pack an average dorm room, so that should give you an idea of what’s involved.
5. Calendar- Pull out a calendar and plan by day when each room will be completed.
6. Delegation- If you’re moving with family members, agree with them exactly while tasks they will be doing and the date they will be finished.
7. Track your progress- at least once per week track where you are against the date on the calendar. Revise your plan if you’re falling behind.
8. Plan to finish a week ahead of time- This is a sneaky one. If you plan to finish a week in advance and then you don't quite make it, you'll have some cushion to complete the tasks. If you don't have that planned for and you run out of time, you'll be in a very difficult position.
9. Check out the 101 Best Moving Tips Ever (2009 Edition) for a comprehensive list of great tips.
10. Take a look at our free, printable, complete moving checklist to help keep all your moving tasks straight.

What techniques do you use to keep your move organized? What tools have you found work well, and which ones did you find to be a waste of time?

I look forward to hearing from you.

What kind of moving tips do YOU most want to see?

Welcome to Moving Tips HQ, the official blog for http://www.movers-edge.com/.

Rather than start off random tips, I thought I'd ask you what kind of tips you would most like to see.

Worried about packing all those boxes? Stressed out over managing the small details? Concerned about leaving someone out in your change of address notifications? Interested in creating a moving calendar to keep you on track? What other moving topics interest you?

I look forward to reading your suggestions!