Once you know you’re going to move, start planning your move in a way that will make sure it takes place smoothly. Below are a few things to remember as the day draws closer.
1) Acquire high quality boxes, packing and tape for moving early on, so that you can begin to pack items that you don’t use very often.
2) Think of everything in terms of money: do I want this enough to pay someone to move it? If the answer it no, get rid of it.
3) Make out a list of people or businesses that will need to be informed of your address change, including the post office, the phone company, insurance and banks, magazine subscriptions, and of course your friends and family. Notify utility providers of when you want service to be cut off.
4) Begin to eat up all your imperishable foods a month or two ahead of time. In the last two weeks, try to eat all the perishables left in your refrigerator and avoid buying any groceries you don’t absolutely need. If you plan to move the refrigerator, unplug it two days ahead of time so that it can thoroughly defrost and dry. Plan to eat take out and use disposable dishes for those days.
5) Hire a moving company who knows the area you’re moving within. You don’t want that van getting lost on the way! Rather than going for the unknown company with the rock-bottom price get someone who’s established and reputable, and who carries insurance. An experienced company can give you all kinds of advice about moving.
6) Make sure those things you need first go on the van last. For instance, you don’t want to be stuck without toilet paper, even for an hour. A couch is also a fine thing to have when you’re tired.