One Month Before Moving

Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office. Most Post Offices require at least 3 weeks for the address change to process.

Make a list of people you are going to inform of your new address:

Friends and family

Banks

Insurance companies- either plan to cancel or transfer services

Credit card companies

Magazines and newspapers - cancel local newspaper delivery

Doctors, dentists and other providers - transfer drug prescriptions

Past employer - for W2 forms

Start to think about what you don't want to take with you.

Use up perishable foods

Sell, donate or hold a garage sale for unwanted items

Prepare a list of what you do and do not want to move.

Large appliances

Outside furniture

For full service moves:

Get written estimates from several moving companies and compare them. Discuss in detail any and all fees and what their damage and payment policies are.

Will the movers pack for you and what are the pros/cons?

What items won't they move?

Get appraisals of high-value items in case of future claims. Include photos of valuables for your records

Be sure to arrange for exact form of payment at destination with your mover.

For do-it-yourself moves, make arrangements for truck rental and moving help, and buy packing supplies:

Boxes

Packing and masking tape

Markers

Newspapers

Twine

Start packing items you don't use on a daily or weekly basis.

Seasonal Items

Seasonal Clothing

Home Office Items

Miscellaneous Items- candles, tapes & CDs, knickknacks, etc.

Stop by and make arrangements for picking up your important records:

Birth

Doctor

Dentist

Legal

Optician, optometrist

School - make sure you get one with a raised seal

Veterinarian

Start a new bank account in your new town.

Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area.