| Moving means umpteen things to be done –it is | | | | clothes, emergency medications, food, towels, alarm |
| not about just putting things into boxes, taking them to | | | | clock, games for kids, hat, and windcheater. |
| another place, and unpacking there. The more | | | | • List of items to be sold/placed in storage. List |
| complicated our lives get the more the things to be | | | | of things to be repaired, replaced, painted, or |
| done before and after moving.To make life easier and | | | | refurbished. |
| less complicated, use a “moving | | | | • List of legal papers and keys to be handed |
| checklist.” This will help you move efficiently and | | | | over to the landlord or new owner of your home. |
| methodically.The first thing is to write down simple | | | | • A folder containing details of movers, truck |
| facts about your destination—what kind of | | | | number, drivers ID and cell number, as well as |
| weather, climatic changes, urban or rural, water | | | | addresses and phone numbers of their office at the |
| potability, infrastructure in new home, size of home, | | | | destination and call center or tracking center. An |
| colors of walls, rules made by landlord in case it is a | | | | envelope containing cash or cheque to settle the |
| rented home—some landlords specify no nails on | | | | mover’s bills. |
| walls.A typical check list will have:• Inventory of | | | | • Arrangements to be made in your new |
| goods—perishable, breakable, unbreakable. A | | | | home before you arrive: a working phone, installing |
| room-wise inventory is recommended. Also a box | | | | utilities like gas, electricity, and heat, putting in cable for |
| containing “first day needs” marked load | | | | the television as well as internet, turning on the water |
| last, unpack first. | | | | supply, getting the painting as well as any other |
| • A file containing essentials like house | | | | alterations or repairs done before the trucks arrive. |
| documents, insurance papers, packing lists, bills to be | | | | • Ready to use folder containing, birth |
| settled, travel tickets, keys to new home, and bills to be | | | | certificates, school records, medical records, dental |
| settled. | | | | records, transfer papers, and anything else required to |
| • A must do list to remind you to: | | | | enroll them in the new school. |
| o Arrange transfer of school records. | | | | • A bare necessities box marked No 1, |
| o Pay utility and other pending bills. | | | | containing: toilet paper, towels, soap, shampoo, bath |
| o Transfer bank accounts. | | | | towels, paper towels, insecticide, cereal, dehydrated |
| o Turn off phone, heat, electricity, and gas | | | | milk, coffee, and other must haves. |
| connections. | | | | • A “new home” must do list: |
| o Disconnect television and Internet cables. | | | | validate your car papers and drivers license, renew or |
| • A list of “to be done” --- post | | | | get new insurance, put all legal papers in order (check |
| office notification; insurance for valuables, health | | | | applicable laws), make a list of emergency numbers: |
| checks and medications; buying travelers cheques ; | | | | hospital, police station, social services, fire station, |
| closing club, gym, and library memberships; canceling | | | | doctor’s clinic, and vet.Be well prepared to |
| newspapers and magazine subscriptions; returning any | | | | move, make a list that pertains to you personally. If you |
| borrowed things; finding new homes for pets and | | | | are well organized the move will go smoothly.Paul |
| plants; confirming travel plans. | | | | Wilson is a freelance writer for the premier website to |
| • Pack a travel kit containing cheque books, | | | | find help on moving including moving companies search, |
| credit cards, personal phone book, I-pod, identity card, | | | | compare movers, moving insurance, auto transport, |
| flashlight, keys to new home, toiletries, change of | | | | moving tips, and more. |