Plan Ahead: 

• Keep a record of all house-hunting expenses and save all receipts 
• Decide what to move and what not to move 
• Begin to collect boxes for packing 
• Obtain change of address cards from the post office and notify magazines, charge accounts, organizations, etc. of your pending address change 
• Have a garage sale for unwanted items or donate to charity and take the deductions 
• Schedule dates to have gas, electric, telephone, water and cable service disconnected at your present address and schedule connections at your new home. Be sure to ask for any refunds due from utility companies 
• Arrange for stoppage of all delivery services 

Remember To: 

• Give forwarding address to post office 
• Transfer bank funds, arrange check accounts in new city 
• Obtain or arrange for transfer of medical and dental records 
• Request the transfer of your children's school records 
• Plan for special care needs of infants and pets 
• Check insurance coverage for furnishings in transit 
• Save your old phone book to help tie up loose ends 

Packing and Preparation: 

• Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator 
• Arrange in advance to have all appliances disconnected if necessary 
• Label all your boxes when packing and be sure to mark which room each box comes from 
• Remove heavy articles from drawers to keep them light 
• Keep your personal belongings such as jewelry, other valuables, documents and currency on your own person or use registered mail 
• If possible use original cartons when packing stereo equipment, VCR's and televisions 
• Pack breakables individually with newspaper or double wrap and mark fragile (this includes plates, saucers, glasses, vases, and decorative ceramics) 
• Wrap framed pictures and mirrors in cardboard and mark fragile so you won't accidentally bump them 

If you Are Using A Mover: 

• Take down all blinds, draperies, mirrors, etc. Otherwise movers may charge extra 
• Set aside items which are not to be taken by the movers and label them accordingly 
• If you need certain things as soon as the movers arrive, make sure they are loaded last and unloaded first