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Simply thinking about THE day can be a
two-aspirin event! But there is no getting
around it, so you might as well be prepared.
Here are a few tips to help you survive your
moving day intact:
Be Prepared
By this time you should have everything packed
and ready to go. Make a point to get lots of
sleep the night before your move and start your
day with an energizing breakfast. It's a good idea to keep all utilities connected
through your move date. This allows you to stay
comfortable and the ability make last minute
phone calls. It also ensures you have power and
water to do final cleaning.
Load Up!
The condition of your goods at destination is a
direct result of how well you pack and load your
belongings. Remember to place cardboard or
plastic sheeting on the floor of the truck or
trailer prior to loading to help protect your
shipment. It is also recommended that you cover
your shipment with plastic sheets or a tarp to
protect your items from becoming dusty. This
site includes helpful tips to ensure you can
handle these tasks like a pro. Remember to keep
your "essentials box" handy and make a point to
keep "last load" items for the rear of your
shipment. (Don't load the vacuum cleaner under
tons of other stuff!) Even if you are hiring outside labor or have
volunteers to load your goods, it's important to
personally supervise the loading process. Keep
track of your inventory list and make sure you
are satisfied your shipment is properly loaded
and secured behind the bulkhead.
Stay in the Loop
Your personal involvement is important
throughout the moving process. Ultimately you
are responsible for how your goods are packed
and loaded.
Make Room for Relaxation
You are likely to arrive at your new home before
your goods do. This gives you the opportunity to
look things over and choose a "relaxation
space." Start by designating a room or area for
relaxation. Plan on keeping this space cleared
of clutter or boxes. You can even plan to bring
out lamps and a few pieces of furniture for this
area before unloading anything else. While
tackling the monumental task of settling in,
you'll appreciate having a place to "get away"
from your work. This is also a good time to look things over.
Check appliances, utilities and heating/cooling
systems to prevent unpleasant surprises. Make
sure your mail is making it to your new address
and that your phone service is connected. You
might also take this time to meet your neighbors
and drive around your new area.
Once you are ready to coordinate delivery of
your goods, pull out your "moving file"
Unload and Settle In!
At this point you'll probably feel the urge to
tackle everything at once. Take a deep breath
and realize you don't have to unpack everything
in one day - or even in one week. Start by unloading your truck or trailer and
placing boxes and furniture in their designated
rooms. Once the truck or trailer is empty of all
goods and debris, you can take it back to the
rental center.
 Wonder where to start unpacking? Plan on taking
things one room at a time, starting with the
kitchen… Set up the microwave and coffeemaker
and stock the fridge with easy-to-prepare meals.
Remember to keep your trusty "essentials" box
accessible. Once your basic kitchen items are in
order, you can focus on other areas of the house
knowing that you have somewhere to go for a cup
of coffee or a quick snack. Next, focus on the bathrooms. Make toiletries
and paper accessible and pull out a few towels.
Once your new kitchen and baths are functioning,
you can focus on the rest of the house at a more
relaxed pace. Where you go from here is a matter
of personal preference - take your time and make
an adventure of it! |
Start by creating a "move file." You'll need a
place to keep important information and receipts
for moving related expenses. Contact the IRS or
visit their Web Site to determine what expenses
can be deducted on your next tax return. Make
sure to file information for Moving and any
other special services you might need. 
Start using up items that can't be moved to
your new home. Properly dispose of flammable or
potentially hazardous chemicals. This would
include anything in an aerosol can, cleaning and
lighting fluids, paint, matches and ammunition.
Eat foods that are frozen or stored in glass
jars and don't plan on replacing these items
until you are in your new home. Finally, be
aware that live plants cannot be shipped with
your other household goods. Plan on taking these
in your car or find new homes for them.
