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Moving can be stressful. But with a little planning and old fashioned organization you can feel in control and and enjoy a successful move.  Below are some guidelines broken into three sections

1. Change of Address:  Be sure to complete a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service and contact and let people know about your change of address.  Put together a handy checklist of all the people including the government agencies and businesses you’ll want to inform of your move. This could include: schools, doctors, dentists, attorney, insurance agent, accountant or financial planner.

2. Purge before packing: Eliminate clutter and get rid of unnecessary items.

3. Home inventory checklist: A room-by-room checklist to help you take stock of all the stuff you’re moving.

4. Moving Labels:  Be sure to have labels to help keep boxes organized and moving helpers on task.

5. Moving File or folder:  Set up a moving file or notebook to keep all of your moving information in one place.

6. Research: Do some research on the area you will be moving to and research local schools and community resources.

7. Insurance: Contact your insurance company to arrange for renter’s insurance at your new apartment and set a date to cancel your current policy after you move out.

9. Subscriptions:  Cancel or transfer magazine and newspaper subscriptions.

10. Utilities:  Call your utility providers and make arrangements to have your utilities canceled after you move out. Utilities to cancel may include phone, power, water and cable/satellite.

11. Get your banking in order: Close any accounts you will not be transferring (savings, checking, safe deposit boxes, p.o. boxes, etc.)  Order new checks with your new address.  

12. Put it in Storage:  If you have large items that you are not going to move to your new place or are planning to sell later, rent storage unit to put them in.

13. Returns or pick ups: Return any library books and collect any items out for repair or cleaning.

14. Pharmacy: Fill any prescriptions that might be needed during your move.

1. Priority Box: Most likely unpacking all of your boxes will not happen the first night of your move-in. Its a good idea to pack a priority box of essential items. Things like shampoo, toothpaste, a change of clothes,clean sheets, a towel etc. This will eliminate the frustration of digging though boxes to find things the first night.

2. Cleaning:  Perform any last minute cleaning, and take out the trash.  Set out water or cold beverages for you and those helping you move.

3. Babysitting:  Have someone watch your children or pets during your move, or designate a special area of your residence where they can stay during the move.

4. Rental Trucks:  If you are moving yourself, load your rental truck carefully. Load the items you will need right away last so they can be unloaded first.

5. Movers: If you are using a moving company, give the movers any special moving/handling instructions. Review and sign any paperwork when your movers arrive. Make sure that you understand what you’re signing and ask questions if you need to.

6. Final Walk-through:  Do a final check of rooms and closets to make sure you aren’t leaving anything behind.

7. Paperwork:  If you are leaving an apartment, sign any final paperwork, perform any necessary final walkthroughs and turn over your key.

8. Laundry:  Do your laundry. No one wants to move dirty clothes into a new living space. Not doing your laundry ahead of the move will only create another task for you after just moving in.

1. Arrive early: Moving into your new apartment or house, make sure you arrive at your new apartment before your movers.

2. New Apartment Details: Check in with your apartment manager to perform an apartment walkthrough and get your apartment key, if you have not done so already. If you have made any special move-in arrangements, confirm those details with your apartment manager.

3. Utilities: Check to make sure the necessary utilities have been hooked up.

4.  Check inventory: If you are using a moving company, take note of items as they are unloaded to make sure nothing was damaged in transit. Once all of your belongings have been unloaded, read and sign any final paperwork.  Keep a copy for your records.

5. Initial set up:  Unpack your priority box and set up any furniture you will want to use that day, such as beds, chairs, etc.