Relocating can be a stressful time in a person's life. To minimize the chaos, here are some helpful moving tips and checklist to keep the move transition running smoothly.

Relocating can be a stressful time in a person's life. To minimize the chaos, here are some helpful moving tips and checklist to keep the move transition running smoothly.

A basic thing to keep in mind when moving is to notify everyone. Send out a moving announcement to all friends and family. Avoid the impulse to skip the bill providers. Utility companies, credit cards, and the cable or satellite provider must be on the list to receive the info about the new address.

File a change of address form with the post office. This step is reasonably simple, but will make the transition easier. If a contact has not received the new address, the mail will still get to the right place. Brightly colored stickers on the mail will indicate who still needs to be notified of the new address.

A change of address can bring with it changes to insurance or legal matters. Contact a lawyer if legal matters may be involved. A new address may also alter rates for homeowners, auto, and renters' insurance.

Don't forget to notify the bank and credit card companies. It is important to protect personal information and such companies will want to know the new address to avoid any information getting into the wrong hands.

Here is a quick checklist to work as a reminder:

• Notify everyone of new address, friends, family, bills, etc.
• Change of address form at the Post Office
• Contact lawyer and insurance company about necessary changes
• Notify the bank and credit card companies
• Schedule the turning off of the utilities at your old home
• Make sure that the utilities will be turned on at your new home before moving day

Helpful moving tips mostly involve the packing process. The packing and unpacking of household and personal goods may be the most strenuous part about moving. A quick tip is to toss out items that are not necessary. If the item has not been used in a year, donate it to someone who can benefit. There is no need in packing, hauling, and unpacking an item that is no longer useful.

Most people don't think about packing the food items in the kitchen. If finances allow, try to dwindle the canned goods, boxed foods, and cold items before the moving day. This will reduce the hassle of transporting goods in a cooler or throwing out the food altogether.

Most people don't think about the effects of packing up the kitchen will have. By the second to last week before the move you should be eating off of disposable plates, plastic forks and knives. This is necessary so that you can pack up all of your utensils, dish ware and yes, cookware.

Label each and every box, bag, or container for easy identification. It is easy to assume that the red box will be readily identifiable, but over the miles, the memory gets tired.
On each box, include the name of the person whose contents are inside, the appropriate room where the contents should go, and two or three key items in the box. This step will not only jog the memory, but keep the unpacking process flowing smoothly and efficiently.

Boxes that will be needed immediately on arrival should be clearly marked in some way. Simply place a star, for example, next to the other information. This moving tip is great to locate a couple of pots and pans to cook dinner, or necessary toiletry items.

A few helpful moving tips and a checklist will keep the chaos to a minimum and have things moving smoothly.

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About The Author: Use a relocation calculator to determine relocation costs before you move by visiting www.cheapmovingonline.com a popular website that provides tips, resources and advice on making your house move go as smoothly as possible.