Long-distance moves can be particularly complicated, but even an in-town move can be overwhelming, especially when moving on short notice. Following are a few ways to keep track of everything when planning to move.
Getting Organized to Move
Before tossing everything into boxes, getting organized will make the packing and moving processes easier. Make a moving survival kit with essential items to ease the transition period. Being prepared will alleviate the stress of searching through boxes or the inconvenience of having to go without or waste money buying replacements becaue needed items are unreachable. Some items to set aside:
- cell phone and charger
- clothes and toiletries
- first aid kit and prescription medicines
- hair dryer
- a pan, knife, oven mitt, and eating utensils
Keeping track of important papers and records will also make moving go more smoothly. These may be needed in the days after moving for filling out forms, setting up accounts, applying for a new driver's license and other official paperwork. Also keep track of checkbooks.
Packing to Move
Recruiting friends to help with the decluttering and packing will make the process go faster, and it will be more enjoyable as well. Giving everyone a marker to label the outsides of boxes with exactly what is inside them will be a save time later. Properly labeled boxes can be unloaded from the truck and taken right to the rooms in which they belong. And if a certain item becomes needed right away finding it will be much simpler.
Making Moving Arrangements
Amid the chaos of a long-distance move, it's the details that are easy to forget. Contact moving companies for estimates, or compare truck rental rates, and write everything down. Keep a record of every moving expense and get a receipt for every item donated to charity. These may all be tax deductible.
Keep a checklist of things that need to be done, such as updating address information with banks and credit card companies. In the chaos of an interstate move, it's easy to forget something as simple as returning a key, or updating an address. Contact doctors, etc. get records and referrals.
Contact utility companies to make arrangements as soon as you have a new address. Having utiliy services hooked up can take several days, or in some cases, even weeks, that's a long time to go without a home phone or hot showers!
More Moving Tips
Navigating an unfamiliar city can be very stressful. A GPS,, or a good map, can make getting around easier, and being able to locate banks, government offices, stores and restaurants quickly will save a lot of time.
Pet owners who are moving with their pets should also research pet-friendly hotels. Additionally, reading pet travel tips can make the moving experience less traumatic for cats and dogs, and people, too.
Finally, the entire packing and moving process can create a lot of waste from boxes, bubble wrap, tape and take-out food containers. Green moving tips and eco-friendly packing supplies will make relocating easier on the environment as well.
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