Moving

Getting organized while moving is more involved than packing and unpacking. There are many details to consider. This article will provide some tips and suggestions, and serve a mental checklist while you embark on your nomadic escapade called moving.

Pre-move Organizing- Do you need to take it all?

Comedian George Carlin once said, “A house is just a place for my stuff. You get a bigger house, you get more stuff.” Until one moves, they truly cannot appreciate the humor from that 1980’s comedy bit. When you move, you are given the opportunity to de-clutter your home, or, leave the mess behind as you take on a new address.
Cleaning out a closest is a separate subject in itself really, but when packing, do not take things that you will not use. Take this opportunity to start fresh with an uncluttered closet. Get rid of clothes that do not fit, or that you do not wear anymore. Get rid of games you don’t play, movies you don’t watch, toys no longer played with and anything else that has been unused for a long time. If your items are worth money and you could use the extra bucks, and have the time, have a yard sale or go EBay crazy (ahead of time- do not take it with you to sell later!). Or, if you prefer, a less-time consuming and more feel good option is to donate items to homeless shelters, Goodwill, Salvation Army, group homes or other places that can use clothes and household items.

If you are moving somewhere further away, or will not have access to a refrigerator right away and still have perishable food items, consider donating them to a local soup kitchen where the items can be used immediately. Many grocery stores do this with food from their deli's, as well as catering companies whose entrees were not all eaten at an event. Non-perishable items can be donated to food banks, but also other charities as well.

Packing

Before packing, you will need to make sure you have adequate packing supplies. Be sure to have several size boxes, such as shoeboxes for small things as desk items, and large ones for dishes, etc. Boxes can be bought, or found on delivery days at grocery stores, restaurants and liquor stores. You will also need thick markers, packing tape and tissue paper or newspaper for wrapping fragile items. Garbage bags can also be used to put over hanging clothes. If you know things are going to be stored somewhere in your new home, get organized ahead of time and buy plastic storage containers and move them like that, rather than unpack them later and re-put them away in the containers. Save yourself a step!

When packing, be sure to label the boxes according to what room they will be going in, as well as content. You may have ten kitchen boxes, but which one are the dishes in? The mugs? This will make unloading much easier, as well as unpacking. Also, do not pack more in a box or bag than you can carry. A friend of mine once put papers in a trash bag, thinking that paper is light. When she was done, she went to pick it up, and she could not lift it. She had to drag it. Be aware how you are packing. You would not want to struggle when it comes time for the move.

Changing Address/Phone Number

An address change can take a week or so to process, so change your address early. You can do this by picking up a form at a post office. The form is actually in a packet that also contains coupons pertaining to things needed by movers. For quite a while, perhaps up to a year, the post office will forward mail for you. However, to get your mail quicker, you should also change your address with the people who send you your mail. Utilities of course will be aware of your move, sine you will be either shutting them off, or transferring the account, which will be discussed later. Many times, companies have a spot on every bill for you to note an address change. In addition, you can call them yourself to update it. Here is a partial list of some to get your mind rolling:

• Family and friends- Stationery stores have a selection of postcards just for this
• Credit card companies
• Student loan holders
• Bank- do you need to order new checks?
• Insurance companies- vehicle, life, etc.
• Department of Transportation- you will need to change your license and car registration
• Voter Registration- your ward / district may be changing
• Magazine/Newspaper subscriptions- change address, or cancel
• Your employer
• Credit bureaus
• Any other accounts/memberships you may have (Such as, do you get Schwan’s delivered? Are you in AAA?)

In addition to notifying companies about your address change, you may also need to make changes to things you use that contain your address and phone number. Do you use a rubber stamp for your return address? Do you use labels? Do you need new checks? Do you have a home-based business with stationery, and business cards? Do you need to change the number on your fax machine? (My fax machine still prints my old number on the sheets…)

Utility Turn On/Turn Off

You will need to get new utilities hooked up. If you will be between places for a little while, you may need to have service at both for a little while, especially things like electric and water. If moving within the same area, you can have the option of keeping the same number. If you choose to change it, you may want to list your number so people who do not know of your move can locate you. You can also consider having a prerecorded message announcing your new number on your old one. If you are staying in the same general area, you can just transfer your account. Or, if you are moving to an area where you will use a new company, you will need to sign up for a new account.

Other Services/Bills

In addition to the necessities of utilities, you will need to get the extras.

• Cable- Does the area you have offer cable television? Digital cable?
• Satellite TV- is satellite a better deal in this area?
• Internet Service Provider- you may be with AOL or MSN, but if you are signing up through your local cable or phone company (for DSL) you may need to cancel an existing account, and notify everyone about your new e-mail address.
• Security- were you subscribed to a home security monitoring service? Are you going to continue your subscription at your new place?
• Renter’s Insurance- if you are renting, did you have a policy you needed to change? Do you want to sign up for a new service?
• Trash pickup- does your municipality pick it up, or do you need a private contractor?
• Schools- are you registering?