Moving... According to the Employee Relocation Council, moving is the third most stressful event in life, following death and divorce. Death – Divorce – Moving. Who would have guessed? Anybody who ever moved, that’s who! Moving is beyond stressful, and no one is immune to it. It takes a toll mentally, physically and emotionally. You’re tired as heck, stressed out, and running on a very short fuse. Giving that the list of things you need to get accomplished while moving is relatively “endless”, it’s easy to forget something. And that “something” could be really important. So how do you avoid that? By using the checklist we put together for you below. Also in our upcoming free eBook (über full of tips and tricks if I may add), you’ll also have a reminder-list of vendors you need to call before and after the move, etc. Join us on Facebook to know when it’s out and take advantage of it. So here’s the list: One Month Before: ☐ Go through every room and decide what you’ll keep, what you’ll toss, and what you'll donate. ☐ Start researching moving companies in case you need one. Get multiple quotes from multiple companies, research their reviews and customer testimonials, and look up their BBB rating. Request an on-site estimate, and be sure to get an estimate in writing from each company. Also make sure that the movers are licensed, bonded and insured. Once you’ve found a company you feel good about, book them right away. Get a written confirmation from that company showing your moving date, all the costs and other details. ☐ Plan all your expenses and create a folder where you can keep all your moving-related paperwork like estimates, vendors, contacts, invoices, receipts and everything else you’ll read about below. ☐ Think about all the supplies you’ll need, and start purchasing them little by little. Boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, markers, etc. Purchasing in advance will ease up the pressure off your wallet, and you won’t be so stressed figuring out how to pay for everything the week of. Also think about whether any items will need special packing. ☐ Measure the space you have in your new home, to know in advance if all your larger pieces of furniture will fit not only in the rooms, but through the doors too. Moving day will be stressful enough, the last thing you want is to be stuck with your couch on the patio because it doesn’t fit. Two weeks before: ☐ Start using all the things that you don’t want to move, like your frozen and/or perishable foods. ☐ Begin packing, and start with the things you use most rarely. ☐ Label like a pro. Clearly label the room each box belongs to, and don’t forget to create “Open First Boxes”. Click here for details. You’ll be happy you did. Make sure to keep count of how many boxes you have for each room, and separate the valuables. Items like jewelry, expensive gadgets and important documents shouldn’t be thrown in a box alongside all the other ones, they should be traveling with you. ☐ Change your address. Make your way to the local post office and fill out a change-of-address form, or do it online at usps.com. ☐ Notify all the important parties of your new address. Vendors like: banks, credit card companies, health insurance and auto insurance companies, utility companies, etc. ☐ Contact the moving company to confirm your move date and time, and confirm any other arrangements you had set up. One week before: ☐ Refill any prescriptions you may have. The days before the move and typically the week after will be so chaotic, you don’t want to run out of any meds you need. ☐ Continue packing. ☐ Connect all the services you need in the new home. Things like cable, electricity, etc. 1-2 Days Before: ☐ Finish all the packing at least 2 days before the move, leaving only the items you absolutely need out. Those you can box the day of. ☐ Defrost the freezer. ☐ Double-check and triple-check that you won’t leave anything behind and that all the details are set. ☐ Reconfirm with the moving company and make sure that the movers have your cell phone number and correct (current) address. Moving Day: ☐ Have your inventory list available. ☐ After everything is out of the house, do a walk through to make sure nothing was left behind. ☐ Travel safely, and don’t let the process take the best out of you. For anything and everything you might need stored, store with us. We’re always by your side, and always here to help! Your storage friends (and moving advisors), US Storage Centers
