You're moving! Into a brand-new condo. Into a new neighborhood. Maybe even into your very first place of your own or a home away from home. (We're hoping, of course, it's Vantage Pointe!) It's exciting. It's momentous. And, then it turns into reality as you start contemplating the nuts and bolts of getting all your stuff from point A to point B.
Of course, if you plan ahead and get organized, that stress can be reduced enormously and you can get back to the dazzle of living in a new home. It's amazing what a little foresight can do to help you get through a move with sanity intact.
So, here's a timeline with suggestions for the tasks you need to accomplish before the big day.
The Timeline
Six to eight weeks out. Ideally, this is the time to start thinking about your move. That's when you should begin sorting through your stuff to determine what goes with you and what should be disposed of through a charity or garage sale. Also, start collecting moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or at least partial packing. And, book a van line or other professional, including a professional mover, once you secure you move-in date.
Four to five weeks out. Contact the post office for a change of address form and give your new address to friends and family.You can even do some of this online and get great, useful coupons. Make a list of everyone you do business with--banks, credit card companies, magazines, and newspapers--and start making change of address arrangements. Review your checkbook and credit card statements to make sure your list is complete. You'll also need to change your vehicle registration and get a new drivers license.
Three weeks out. Notify your movers if there are any changes to your moving date. Decide what to do with plants (particularly if you're moving across state lines). Also make arrangements with family or friends to help care for small children and/or pets on the day of the move.
Two weeks out. Time to call the various utilities for your new home--gas and electric, telephone, water, cable, etc.--to ensure you'll have service when you move in and that everything will be disconnected in your old home once you're out. Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.
One week out. Organize your stuff and mark what you're taking yourself (jewelry, computers, important papers, family photos, back-up files, etc.). If you're doing your own packing, it's time to begin wrapping things up. Stock up on ziplock bags for small items like make up, junk drawer stuff, and office supplies. Consider making a floor plan of the condo to post on the front door for the movers as well as individual room grids posted on the door of each room to identify where furniture should be placed.
Moving day. Take a deep breath. Make sure young kids and pets are cared for by family and friends for the day. Keep a phone with you so you're always reachable. Once you're in, have lots of trash bags for the unwrapping process. Unpack the most important rooms first and break down boxes as you go. Find out from the management where you can get rid of the boxes and packing wrap.
Have a "Moving Day" Box
You may think you've got it all under control, but here's a suggestion for your first night in your new home: a "moving day" box. This will hold your essential living/moving items: landline and cell phone (and cell phone chargers), tape, scissors, basic tools, picnic supplies, bathroom items (soap, shampoo, towels, TP), bed linens, pillows, first aid kit, cleaning supplies, coffee pot, medical and pet records. This will get you through the first day or two when you're not sure where things are and you're just dying to take a shower and have a cup of coffee.
And what do you do with helpful friends and family members who can get underfoot on moving day? If they really want to know what they can do for you and it doesn't include packing or unpacking, ask them to bring over a good dinner. Send them shopping for items you may need but don't have on hand. Let them take the kids out for lunch or the dogs for a walk. Give yourself a break. It's moving day!
Of course, if you plan ahead and get organized, that stress can be reduced enormously and you can get back to the dazzle of living in a new home. It's amazing what a little foresight can do to help you get through a move with sanity intact.
So, here's a timeline with suggestions for the tasks you need to accomplish before the big day.
The Timeline
Six to eight weeks out. Ideally, this is the time to start thinking about your move. That's when you should begin sorting through your stuff to determine what goes with you and what should be disposed of through a charity or garage sale. Also, start collecting moving and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing or at least partial packing. And, book a van line or other professional, including a professional mover, once you secure you move-in date.
Four to five weeks out. Contact the post office for a change of address form and give your new address to friends and family.You can even do some of this online and get great, useful coupons. Make a list of everyone you do business with--banks, credit card companies, magazines, and newspapers--and start making change of address arrangements. Review your checkbook and credit card statements to make sure your list is complete. You'll also need to change your vehicle registration and get a new drivers license.
Three weeks out. Notify your movers if there are any changes to your moving date. Decide what to do with plants (particularly if you're moving across state lines). Also make arrangements with family or friends to help care for small children and/or pets on the day of the move.
Two weeks out. Time to call the various utilities for your new home--gas and electric, telephone, water, cable, etc.--to ensure you'll have service when you move in and that everything will be disconnected in your old home once you're out. Schedule appliance disconnection and preparation with a service provider.
One week out. Organize your stuff and mark what you're taking yourself (jewelry, computers, important papers, family photos, back-up files, etc.). If you're doing your own packing, it's time to begin wrapping things up. Stock up on ziplock bags for small items like make up, junk drawer stuff, and office supplies. Consider making a floor plan of the condo to post on the front door for the movers as well as individual room grids posted on the door of each room to identify where furniture should be placed.
Moving day. Take a deep breath. Make sure young kids and pets are cared for by family and friends for the day. Keep a phone with you so you're always reachable. Once you're in, have lots of trash bags for the unwrapping process. Unpack the most important rooms first and break down boxes as you go. Find out from the management where you can get rid of the boxes and packing wrap.
Have a "Moving Day" Box
You may think you've got it all under control, but here's a suggestion for your first night in your new home: a "moving day" box. This will hold your essential living/moving items: landline and cell phone (and cell phone chargers), tape, scissors, basic tools, picnic supplies, bathroom items (soap, shampoo, towels, TP), bed linens, pillows, first aid kit, cleaning supplies, coffee pot, medical and pet records. This will get you through the first day or two when you're not sure where things are and you're just dying to take a shower and have a cup of coffee.
And what do you do with helpful friends and family members who can get underfoot on moving day? If they really want to know what they can do for you and it doesn't include packing or unpacking, ask them to bring over a good dinner. Send them shopping for items you may need but don't have on hand. Let them take the kids out for lunch or the dogs for a walk. Give yourself a break. It's moving day!
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