Get ready, set, start packing!  

Packing

• Before you start to pack, decide what items to sell, give away, donate, throw away, or recycle. 
• Pack by room – do not combine items from different rooms into one box.
• Pack boxes to 50 pounds or less.
• Pack heavy items into their own smaller boxes and put lighter items into larger boxes.  Do not pack all your books in one box!
• Reinforce the bottom of boxes with heavier items for added strength.
• Do not pack flammable, corrosive, explosive items such as paint, gasoline, ammunition.
• Place china in plastic bags and stack plates upright on their sides, not flat.
• Label boxes that contain fragile items with a large red marker.
• Number the boxes and keep a list of what’s in them and which room the box goes into.
• Create a portable file or binder to store all of your legal, medical, dental, financial, vehicle and insurance records. 
• Gather owner’s manuals that you might need to set up computers, home theatre systems and complex appliances.

 Your New Address

• File a forwarding address with your post office.
• Contact your insurance agent to transfer coverage to your new address (home, life, health care, personal belongings, etc.).
• Make arrangements for canceling or changing newspapers, lawn service, diaper service, pool service, day care, utilities, telephone, cable television, trash, gas, water, etc.
• Sign up for utilities, telephone and Internet service at your new home.
• Confirm your new address with your:
  • doctor, dentist, therapist, specialists
  • veterinarian
  • accountant, lawyer, financial advisor, broker
  • cable company
  • telephone, utilities, Internet service provider
  • bank
  • accountant
  • insurance companies
  • credit card companies
  • magazines and newspaper
  • state and federal tax authorities
  • employers, co-workers, friends, family
  • professional organizations
  • school, college, alma mater
  • church
  • book store, video store, book club
• Walk through your home one last time to ensure that you have not forgotten anything.  Look in cabinets, drawers and behind doors.
• Save all receipts!  Some of your moving expenses are tax deductible.