Moving is always full of stress, no
matter how ready you think you are. The best made plans can easily
fall apart and leave stress headaches in its wake, and cross-country
moves are often even more difficult than moving across town. Creating
and sticking to a checklist is an easier and more helpful way to keep
track of important tasks and things to remember.
Using a Calendar or Schedule checklist
is often much simpler and effective than a simple sheet of notebook
paper or a blank computer document. By organizing a set schedule of
things that need to take place and when, being able to check items on
the list enables even the most stressful of times to progress with
relative ease.
Two months before moving day is the
time to start collecting quotes from moving companies or truck rental
corporations. By collecting as many comparison quotes as possible,
people are more likely to find the best deal and are free to
negotiate with the company of their choice. Waiting till the
last-minute can break the budget and cause unnecessary stress in an
already anxiety-provoking time. When looking at hiring a moving
company, doing a background check or investigating with the Better
Business Bureau is always a smart move. Finding a reputable and
honest company is the best bet for ensuring personal possessions are
kept safe and returned in the condition they were in when they left
the old house.
Creating a budget can greatly reduce
the stress of moving, and remembering to plan for incidentals such as
gas and food along road is essential. The cost of the truck, pet
travel expenses and utility costs in your new location should all be
factored into the pre-planning period well in advance so adequate
preparations can be made.
A month and a half from the set moving
date, it is imperative to get a head start on organization. By
tossing things that are not frequently used or donating clothes that
no longer fit, as well as using up frozen food that cannot be stored
on the trip, waste is eliminated and less space is required for
moving. Make sure to find a safe and central location to store
important papers and identification so they are easy to find upon
arrival in the new house. As well as valuables, these items should be
kept close at hand and not packed to prevent theft or loss.
One month before moving day,
arrangements should be made with utility companies as well as any
other home services like cable to either transfer or discontinue
service. Options for these services in the new city can be researched
at this time, and scheduling hookups to coincide with your planned
arrival make sure no disruption in service occurs. Also put in a
change of address form for mail, and look into transferring bank
accounts if necessary.
A couple of days before the move make
sure to cancel any local memberships at the old place, as well as
defrost the freezer and refrigerator and to pack some clothes for the
trip that can be kept close at hand. Confirm the reservation for the
truck or moving company to make certain that everything is still good
to go.
By accomplishing these tasks well
before the big day, a stressful life event can be a lot easier
previously thought. The more that is accomplished before moving day,
the easier the transition will be, and moving across the country can
be just another task to complete, rather than a stressful upheaval of
epic proportions.
Richard Quick has been around moving
for over 20 years. His extensive knowledge of moving and moving tips
has helped thousands of people all around the nation. He contributes
most of his time now a day to writing and sharing his techniques he
has accumulated of his many years in the business. But he used to
work for such companies as the Square
Cow Movers in Austin, Texas.
Originally posted at Popgive.com.![]()
