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One Month Before Moving
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Pick up a Change-of-Address Kit from the Post Office. Also notify your address change with:
 Friends and family
Banks
Insurance companies
Credit card companies
Magazines and newspapers
Doctors, dentists and other providers - transfer drug prescriptions
Past employers
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For full service moves:
Get written estimates from several moving companies - Check References
Will the movers pack for you?
What type of insurance coverage is offered?
Get appraisals of high-value items in case of future claims
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For do-it-yourself moves, make arrangements for truck rental and moving help. Buy packing supplies:
Moving Boxes
Packing materials including bubble wrap, stretch wrap and tape
Felt tip markers
Mattress covers
Moving blankets
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Start packing boxes. Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room to be placed in. For important items to be unpacked first, write "Open First" on sides of boxes:
Dishes
Pots and pans
Alarm clock
Bedding
Toys
Towels
Light-bulbs
Plates
Tools
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Make arrangements for picking up your important records:
Birth
Doctor
Dentist
Legal
Optician, optometrist
School - make sure you get paperwork with a raised seal.
Veterinarian
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Close out your bank accounts:
Checking
Savings
Safe Deposit Box
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Make arrangements in your new town.
Transfer account from current bank.
Contact your child's new school and notify them of your upcoming move to their area.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce in your new town. Request a relocation package.
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Two Weeks Before Moving
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Pack your vital documents in one place:
Passports
Military records
Mortgage records
Marriage license
Birth certificates
Vehicle titles
Stock certificates
Insurance papers
Bank records
School records
Medical records
Tax records
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Make arrangements to disconnect your utilities. Get refunds for any deposits made. Have meters read. Give new address for them to send their final bill:
Cable - return box if necessary
Gas
Electric
Internet provider
Telephone
Water
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| Make arrangements at your new residence: |
Make arrangements to connect utilities at your new residence.
Make arrangements for cleaning.
Inquire about your new state's auto licensing procedure and auto insurance rates.
Check with your insurance company about transferring coverage to your new home.
Arrange to have a sitter watch your children at their house on moving day.
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One Week Before Moving
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Properly dispose or drain any flammable items:
Lawn mower gas
Snow blower gas
Paint
Aerosol cans
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Plan what goes in the car with you:
Toys and games for kids
Jewelry, special breakable items or collections
Important documents and records
Change of clothes and toiletries for your first day
Vacuum cleaner - if you want to clean right away
Toilet paper
First aid kit
Food kit with bottled water, cereal, bananas
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Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants.
Purchase additional moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collectables.
Have your car tuned up.
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The Day Before Moving
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Defrost and clean out your refrigerator.
Clean your stove.
Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.
Check your moving company's payment policies.
Purchase traveler's checks for other possible expenses.
Pack your former town's phone book for future correspondence.
Check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
Take down curtains and curtain rods.
Get a good night's sleep.
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Moving Day
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Strip your beds.
Moving company - will they disassemble?
Show movers around. Make sure your possessions to be moved are inventoried with them.
Get all keys together. Put in a safe spot.
Make sure moving truck driver has correct address, phone number and directions.
Confirm delivery date.
Check all rooms one last time. Remember closets, cupboards, basement, ceiling craw-spaces and garage!
Adjust thermostat for energy savings.
Make sure all windows and doors are locked.
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After Moving
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Explore your new neighborhood. Locate the nearest convenience and hardware store, pharmacy, supermarket, video rental, school and library, etc. |
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Check smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguisher.
If necessary, install a new door lock and/or dead-bolt.
Update your address information if you haven't done so (driver's license, car registrations, insurance, credit cards, bank accounts, voter registration).
If you have not received your security deposit, call your landlord to confirm your new address.
Call the Internal Revenue Service to change your address. You can also visit the IRS online at www.irs.gov.
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or Double the Difference! 