An Easier Move

So you have sold and/or bought a new home and it's time to move. I have provided a few tips to make that adventure less stressful and with fewer surprises.

Time to move, time to make a real assessment of your belongings. Time to rid yourself of unneccesaries. Have a garage or tag sale. Remember that getting rid of these items is the purpose so price accordingly. The extra cash will help defray the costs of moving.

Decide whether you will hire movers or move yourself. Which ever way you choose the preparations will be close to the same.

Inventory your rooms and estimate what needs to be packed. Clothes, linens, jewelry, art, window dressings are all things to be considered. After you have carefully assessed you will have a rough idea of the moving supplies you will need. Boxes, stuffing, wrapping, bubble wrap and heavy tape are just some of the essentials. Don't forget labels and markers. Each box should be plainly marked as to which room it should go into in the new dwelling. And to make it really convenient in unpacking have subheaders. Such as Joanie's room, joanie's shoes or blouses and skirts. You get the idea. You never know when you get there how your time constraints will effect you and how important it will be to be able to go to the right box and find those particular items that you need right then. It will also help in that the movers or yourself know exactly where to unload those boxes to keep from having to move them around in the new house.

Be sure to make a checklist with all boxes and bags and when you and your belongings arrive...check them off one at a time so you make sure everything made it to the new house.

A good time saving trick is to put signs up in each room of the house for the movers. Each sign identifies that rooms contents and designation. When you get to the new home put the same designated signs in each room. The movers won't have to ask you near as many questions and if it's just you and friends, it will be the same convenience.

Who should you notify?

• The post office. They have an excellent move package to get all your mail forwarded and to notify your regular mail such as credit card companies.
• Your bank. You will need to get your statements sent to your new address and new checks.
• The utility companies. You need to get your current ones shut off and the new homes turned on. That includes phones, cable, internet as well as gas, electric and water. Do you have alarms?
• Your employer. Notify human resources. Notify past employer 401k plan administrators.
• Your car insurance man. Your rates may change if you are moving to a new area.

Finally, if you have children or pets, plan ahead to child and pet proof the new place. If time is a factor you may need to put the supplies to do this in your car to take in first.

When you and your belongings arrive, use your checklist and account for everything. Don't expect to get everything unpacked in one day. Take your time and don't get stressed.