Six Weeks Before Moving:

• Make an inventory of everything to be moved.  Photos are a good idea
• Collect everything not to be moved for garage sale or charity.
• Contact charity for date and time of pickup - save receipts for tax records
• Contact a quality self storage project near your destination to reserve a unit
• Put together a moving kit with markers, labels, change of address forms, etc.
• Get cartons and packing material to start packing now
• Contract with a local mover to load your heaviest items
• Be sure to identify each box.  Specially label those are are going to your storage unit
• Contact insurance agent to transfer or cancel coverage
• Check with employer to find out what moving expenses they will pay

Four Weeks Before Moving:

• Notify all magazines of change of address
• Check with veterinarian for pet records and immunizations
• Contact utility companies for refunds of deposits, set turn off dates
• Dry clean clothes to be moved, pack in protective wrappers
• Collect everything you have loaned out, return everything you have borrowed
• Service power mowers, boats, snowmobiles, etc., that are to be moved - drain all gas and oil to prevent fire in moving van
• Check with doctors and dentist for all family record and prescriptions
• Get children's school records
• Check freezer and plan use of food over next two to three weeks
• Remove all jewelry and other valuables to a safe deposit box or other safe place to prevent loss during move
• Give away or arrange for transportation of houseplants (most moving companies will not move plants, especially in winter) - Plants can also be sold at garage sales, or are perfect gifts for neighbors

One Week Before Moving:

• Transfer or close checking and savings accounts. Arrange for cashier's check or money order to pay moving company upon arrival at new residence
• Have automobile serviced if driving long distance
• Fill out Post Office change of address forms, give to postmaster
• Check an make inventory of all furniture and other large items.  Specially label items going to your storage unit
• Dispose of all combustible and spray cans (spray cans can explode or burn - Don't pack them)
• Pack a separate carton of cleaning utensils and tools (screwdriver, hammer, etc.).  Make this a part of your moving kit.
• Separate cartons and luggage you need for personal family travel
• Mark all boxes that you pack with the room they will be going to at your new residence
• Organize at least one room in the house for packers and movers to work freely
• Cancel all newspapers, garden service, etc.
• Review the entire list to make list to make certain that you haven't overlooked anything
• Check and double check everything you have done before it's to late

Moving Day:

• Plan to spend the entire day at the house. Last minute decisions must be made by you - Don't leave until after everything's loaded
• Hire a baby-sitter or send the children to a friend's house for the day
• Verify your inventory while loading is underway
• Tell everyone about fragile or precious items
• Make a final check off for the entire house, basement, closets, shelves, attic, garage and other rooms
• Keep your inventory records with you to help with unpacking and to clearly identify what's still in storage