Two Months Before Moving

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Sort through your belongings to reduce the number of things you have to move.

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Have a garage sale or donate items you no longer need to charity.

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Decide whether to move yourself or hire professionals. Make reservations with a moving company or a truck rental company.

Tip:  Call three companies for estimates to compare.

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Gather packing supplies:  boxes, packing material, tape, felt markers, and scissors.

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If you’re moving a long distance, make travel arrangements with the airline, hotel, and rental car agency. If you’re driving to your new home, get maps and plan your travel route.

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Save all moving receipts, because some moving expenses may be tax deductible. Check the current tax code for requirements.

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Place your legal, medical, financial, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.

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Purchase insurance coverage for valuables to be moved.

One Month Before Moving

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Start packing items that aren’t regularly used such as off-season clothes and decorations and items in storage areas (garage, attic, and closets).

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Make travel arrangements for your pets.

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If you’re driving, get your car tuned up.

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Get medical records from your doctors, dentist, optometrist, and veterinarian.

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Send items (rugs, drapes, clothing, quilts, bedding) to the cleaners.

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Back up important computer files.

Two Weeks Before Moving

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Contact your utility companies (gas, electric, water, cable, trash collector, and local phone service providers) and notify them of your move.

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Sign up for services at your new address.

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Contact your long distance phone company and notify them of your move.

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Call friends and family and recruit help for the moving day if necessary.

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Confirm your travel reservations.

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Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate, pick up items from safety deposit box.

One Week Before Moving

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Pick up items from the cleaners, repair shops, or friends.

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Pack a survival kit of clothes, medicines, special foods, and so on to carry you through the day after arrival in your new home.

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Finish packing all boxes minus what you’ll need in the final week.

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Inform the post office of your upcoming move.

Send change-of-address cards with your new address and phone number to:

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Friends and family

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Banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, and other financial institutions

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Magazines and newspapers

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Doctors, lawyer, accountant, realtor, and other service providers

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State and federal tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed

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Workplace, schools, and alma maters

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Voter registration office and motor vehicle bureau

The Day Before

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Set aside moving materials, such as tape measure, pocket knife, and rope.

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Pad corners and stairways of house.

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Lay down old sheets in the entry and hallways to protect floor coverings.

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Remove hanging fixtures.

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If moving yourself, pick up the rental truck and a hand truck or dolly to move heavy boxes.

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If you’re driving, check oil and gas in your car.

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If you’re traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards, and other essentials.

Moving Day

Carry with you:

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The keys to your new home.

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Map of new town and directions to your house.

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The telephone number of the moving company.

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Cash or traveler’s checks.

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Documentation related to the sale of your home.

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Your insurance policies and agent’s phone number.

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Your current address book or personal planner.

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Prescription and non-prescription medicines.

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Enough clothing to get by if the movers are late.

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Any important personal records and documents.

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Any items of great personal value to you that are virtually irreplaceable (for example, a photo album).

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Back-up copies of important computer files.

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Sheets and towels for the first night in your new home.

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Personal hygiene items (for example:  toothpaste, soap, razor)

Arrival Day

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