Here is the “Don’t Forget” List

There are so many things to deal with when thinking about moving.  When planning a move, it is best to START EARLY.  In this way you can purge items that you no longer need and in turn you won’t be paying to ship unnecessary weight.  Purchasing small, medium, and large moving cartons will help stacking of the truck neatly, leaving no extra room for things to shift in the van. Another tip is to mark boxes in magic marker on their sides with “Open First”, “Open Last”, “Alison’s bedroom”, “Haley’s Bedroom”, etc.  You want those boxes with your bedding and bathroom items and your kid’s favorite things to be handy.  You will want the shower curtain and the toilet paper and your toiletries first thing.  And you want your beds set up so at the end of the day you can fall into bed when you are exhausted from your day of moving.

Here is the Don’t Forget List:

1. Parking Permit:  Will the moving or rental truck be able to park in your driveway?  If the   truck is too large, you might need to acquire a parking permit from your local government.
2. Check Attic, Basements, and Closets:  After all your belongings have been loaded onto the truck, take a few moments to check the attic, basement, and all the closets for things left behind.  Those nooks and grannies could be hiding something that you didn’t want to leave behind.
3. Where to Sleep:  Usually if you are moving across the states, it will take the driver and yourself some days to get to your destination.  Making reservations or notifying friends you would like to stay with them should be on the list.
4. Records:  Pack your medical, dental, school, passports etc. in a small box and bring this with you.
5. The AMSA advises turning off all utilities two to three days after you are loaded and turning the utilizes on in your new place of residence two to three days before the movers and yourself arrive.
6. Mail: Check in with the Post Office to forward your mail to your new address.  Forwarding will give you a couple of months to contact all your institutions of your new address.
7. Valuation Protection:  Decide what valuation you need on your shipment.
8. Tipping:  You tip people who serve you food so you might consider tipping the folks that lug that six foot armoire up to your sixth floor flat.
9. Residence Damage:  Be prepared to fix holes in the walls from picture hanging or small damages that might have been hidden by furniture.  Your damage deposit or even the sale of your house could be sacrificed.