How to Avoid Moving Day Battle Fatigue, Cont.

5 Weeks Before Moving Mountains

• Start the packing. Don't forget to involve the kids. But be sure to properly label everything so there won't be any confusion on the other end.
• Collect proper containers for your goods. You will want proper moving boxes that can be easily and quickly stacked in the truck. Boxes you find behind stores may be cheaper, but they also tend to fall apart, be difficult to arrange in the truck in a safe manner and can contain bugs and other unwanted elements. You are far better off buying proper boxes or talking to neighbors who recently moved and using their moving boxes.
• Collect the other moving items you are going to need, such as good strong tape, big markers for labeling, wardrobe boxes so your clothes won't wrinkle, and paper to wrap delicate items like china. These are the essentials for a good move.
• Register your children in the new school. Sometimes records take time to transfer.

4 Weeks More in the War Room

• If you currently live in an apartment, contact your building management about arranging a time for the move. You will need to get the building's key for the freight elevator. Be sure you can finish packing before this date. You must be completely packed and ready to go when the movers arrive or you will incur additional costs for them to help you finish.
• Contact your moving company to confirm the date and time for the move. You will want to get on their calendar early.
• Fill out an U.S. Postal change of address form and arrange for your mail to be forwarded.
• Fill out change of address forms for all magazine subscriptions, catalogues, and other mail you will want forwarded to the new location. This process can take some time, so don't wait until the last minute.
• Consult your insurance companies to transfer insurance on your home and possessions. You do not want to move your possessions without insurance coverage (explained in detail later).
• Contact utilities for disconnection or transfer after your moving date. Do not cancel them before you are completely out of the home. Remember that you are going to have to clean the old place after moving your possessions out, so leave a couple of days for that to happen before cutting off service. You may want to do your research for new utilities on-line.

3 Weeks to Folding the Big Tent

• Arrange for baby sitters or friends to take your children the day of the move. Things will be hectic enough without having your children running around and having to watch them. Send them to a friend's house.
• Return any borrowed items from libraries, friends or organizations.
• Arrange to have anything cleaned, repaired or stored you need done before or during the move.

2 Weeks Prior to Palpitations

• Call ahead to have utilities connected at the new location.
• Make final packing decisions. Start by packing items you don't use often and work your way to the more common items.
• Start by clearing and cleaning room by room starting with the attic and basement then working your way through the house.
• Call your bank to transfer accounts.
• Plan meals that will use up your food. You don't want to buy any new groceries to move. Food is the hardest item to move. This may result in strange dinners for a couple of weeks, but it will be worth it.
• Plan for meals on the go near the end. Tape some delivery phone numbers by your phone and set aside some extra cash for the inevitable. It really isn't a move until you are sitting on the floor, surrounded by boxes and eating a pizza right out of the box.
• Have your car serviced if you are traveling by car to your new location.
• Properly dispose of flammable items-DO NOT PACK THEM! These include gasoline cans with gas, cleaning fluids, fireworks, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, paint, ammunition, pesticides, etc.
• Drain all the oil and gas from lawn mowers, weed whackers and other outside equipment to prepare them for the move. Refer to the owner's manual for each item for the best way to do this.

1 Week Before Dropping the Checkered Flag

• This is your last chance to tie up loose ends. Make a list as you go and start working on crossing items off it. You will be amazed at how many things get added at the last minute. Always keep a pen and pad of paper handy for this list and other notes to yourself. Moving is a hectic time, so give yourself a break with little reminders. The refrigerator is a great place to keep the list so you won't lose it in the packing process.
• Be sure all your boxes are labeled properly. If you are using used boxes, make sure you cross out any inventory stickers or labels noting where the boxes should go. Then label your boxes with big notes saying what room the box goes in and any other cues like "Open First," "Fragile," "Load First," "Load Last." Your labels should go on at least two sides of the box and never on the top. When the boxes are stacked you won't be able to read the tops. It also doesn't hurt to add smaller notes to yourself, like "silverware," "dishes," "glasses," and the like for boxes you know you will need. This goes for linens too.
• Be sure to pack a few boxes with the absolute essentials so you won't have to unpack everything to be comfortable. These boxes should be labeled "Open First" and contain items such as: complete bed sets so you can get some sleep; some dishes, silverware and glasses so you can have a meal; a coffee pot and coffee for that first morning in the house; a pan so you can prepare a meal; and some clothes and toiletries so you can clean up.
• Make sure the moving company has your new phone number or a number where you can be reached if you are not going directly to the new home. This is especially important if you are moving long distances and the truck will have to travel.
• At least one day before the move, defrost your freezer and refrigerator.

Moving Day...

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