Moving Tips: Getting Organized

Here are some moving tips from my article, “101 Best Moving Tips:”

Getting Organized

1. Start early– Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.

2. Room Lists– Start by forming two room lists, one for your current place and one for future place. This will help you manage what has to go where.

3. Room Inventory– Go to each room and write down the types of things that need to be packed: furniture items, length of shelving, closets, etc.

4. Time Allotment– Make sure to leave enough time. The most common timeframe reported by people moving is that it takes a month to pack. One study reported that it takes 4-5 hours to pack an average dorm room, so that should give you an idea of what’s involved.

5. Calendar– Pull out a calendar and plan by day when each room will be completed.

6. Delegation– If you’re moving with family members, agree with them exactly while tasks they will be doing and the date they will be finished.

7. Track your progress– at least once per week track where you are against the date on the calendar. Revise your plan if you’re falling behind.

What are your favorite organizing tips? I hope you’ll let me know by responding to this post.

Moving Checklist for 4 Weeks Prior To Move: Organizing

The next several blog posts are taken from our parent site’s Ultimate Moving Checklist. As you know, I am a big fan of using a moving checklist as a starting point for planning and keeping organized.

These tips are for the time period starting 4 weeks prior to the move, and focus on getting organized:

c Set the date.

Mondays – Thursdays are your best choices so that banks and offices are open in case you have a problem.

c Arrange for utility transfers.

Notify current and future utility providers of your move date. Note when current security deposits will be refunded and how much is due when for the new ones. This includes:

__ Cable/satellite television
__ Cell phone service
__ Electricity
__ Gas
__ Internet/broadband
__ Local phone service
__ Long distance phone service
__ Propane
__ Recycling pick-up
__ Sewer
__ Security system
__ Trash pick-up
__ Water

NOTE: It’s a good idea to schedule utility “turn on dates” at least one day prior to the move date and “turn off dates” at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.


c File change of address.

At minimum, file a Temporary Change of Address with the U.S. Post Office to buy you time before you notify everyone else. You can file online at http://www.MoversGuide.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) (both have a $1 fee), or go to the local Post Office and complete form PS 3575.


c Make sure you have enough cash. Most moving companies insist on being paid in cash before they unload a single box. Be sure have the correct amount with you with moving expenses, deposits, tips, and anything else you’ll need on moving day.

c Start a “change of address log.”

Create a change of address log by writing down who you receive mail from each day. Then contact those organizations with your change of address each morning or evening. This breaks up the task and helps make sure you aren’t missing important contacts.

c Notify specific people of your change of address. Some of the people who might need your change of address include:

__ Accountant/tax preparer
__ Alumni associations
__ Attorneys
__ Babysitter/ child care provider
__ Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity,
IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings
account)
__ Broker
__ Business cards (order new ones)
__ Cell phone provider
__ Child care/ daycare
__ Chiropractor
__ Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes
__ Credit bureaus
__ Credit card issuers
__ Dentist
__ Department of Motor Vehicles
__ Diaper service
__ Doctor
__ Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery
__ Family members
__ Health clubs
__ House cleaning service
__ House of worship
__ Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)
__ IRS (form 8822)
__ Lawn care
__ Luggage tags (replace existing ones)
__ Magazine subscriptions
__ New business cards
__ New employer
__ Newspaper subscriptions
__ Old employer
__ Orthodontist
__ Parent-teacher association
__ Passport
__ Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care
__ Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)
__ Physical therapist
__ Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)
__ Post office
__ Professional organizations
__ Retirement plan holders
__ Return address labels (order new ones)
__ Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)
__ Snow removal service
__ Social Security Administration
__ Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)
__ Swimming pool memberships
__ Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations
__ Water delivery service

These tips should get your move or relocation off to the right start. For more free moving tips, visit http://www.Movers-Edge.com.