STRESS FREE MOVING GUIDE

Your Estimated Moving Date: ____________________

8 Weeks prior to moving:

□ Be sure to call several movers for estimates. On site estimates are always moreaccurate and are free.□ Ask mover for a reference list of customers they have moved.□ Calculate possible expenses you will incur when moving (e.g. pet care, hotelcosts, home deposit)□ Once you've chosen your mover, discuss costs, packing, timing, and insurancewith them.□ Create a "move file" to store all important information and collect receipts for moving-related expenses.□ Ask the Internal Revenue Service for information about tax deductions on movingexpenses and what receipts you'll need to keep.

7 Weeks prior to moving:

□ Prepare an inventory of everything you own. This inventory can be broken intothree separate categories: items to be handled by the mover, items to be handledby yourself, and items to leave behind or sell at a garage sale.□ Stock certificates, wills and other one-of-a-kind items (jewelry, photos, homevideos) are difficult or impossible to replace. You should plan to carry them withyou instead of packing them.□ A couple of ways to rid yourself of items no longer needed would be to host agarage sale or make donations to your favorite charity.□ Make arrangements to dispose of items not sold or donated.□ Contact your insurance agent to transfer property, fire, auto and medicalinsurance.□ Organize dental and medical records. Be sure to include prescriptions, eyeglassspecifications and vaccination records.□ Check with DMV and inquire about changes that you may occur in your autolicensing or insurance requirements that may change in your new community.

□ Notify your children's school(s) and make arrangement for records to beforwarded to the new school district.

6 Weeks prior to moving:

□ Contact any clubs or organizations you are associated with for information intransferring, selling or ending your memberships.□ Start becoming acclimated to your new community. Familiarize yourself withlocation of hospitals, police and fire departments, and your new shoppingdistricts. Contact the Chamber of Commerce or Visitor's Bureau to requestinformation on schools, parks and recreation, community calendars and maps.

5 Weeks prior to moving:

□ Begin including your children in the process at this time try to make it excitingand fun by having your kids do some of their own packing and labeling.□ If you plan to do any part of the packing, start collecting suitable containers andpacking materials, most movers can sell you packing materials.□ If no longer required, cancel local deliveries.□ If you have pets, call your new township to determine if there are any specificrequirements for pet ownership. Obtain veterinarian records.□ Register your children in their new schools.

4 Weeks prior Moving:

□ If you live in an apartment complex be sure to contact building management toinquire about scheduling your move date and time. Certain buildings may havedate and or time restrictions as to when moving can be done.□ Contact the moving company to schedule your move date. It is easier to changeyour move date than to reschedule at the last minute.□ Fill out a US Postal Service change of address form.□ Close any local charge accounts.□ Make airline and hotel reservations if applicaple.□ Notify your insurance company of your move. Transfer all insurance on your home and possessions.□ Contact utilitiy companies for disconnection and transfer of services Since youwill want to have your utilities (electric, gas, phone, etc.) still connected onmoving day, arrange to have them disconnected from your present home after your scheduled move-out.

3 Weeks prior to moving:

□ Arrange for a baby-sitter to watch your children on moving day, if necessary. Youmay need someone to keep your children occupied and make sure they remainsafe during the busy loading process.□ During the packing process be sure to return any library books and anything.

2 Weeks prior to Moving:

□ Call ahead to have utilities connected at your new home.□ Start packing items you don't use often. Make final packing decisions.□ Start to clean and clear your home, including closets, basements and attics.□ Call your bank to find out how to transfer your bank accounts.□ Visit you bank and clear out you safety deposit boxes.□ Carry your valuables with you. If you've hidden any valuables around the housein that special hiding place, be sure to collect them before leaving.□ Some state laws prohibit the moving of house plants. Consider giving your plantsto a friend or local charity or transporting them yourself.□ Try to plan meals that will use up the food in your freezer.□ If you are traveling by car have your automobile serviced.□ Transfer all current prescriptions to a drugstore in your new town.□ Dispose of flammable items such as cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistrysets, aerosol cans, paint, ammunition and poisons such as weed killer.□ Drain all the oil and gasoline from your power tools and lawn mower to ensuresafe transportation. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions if necessary.

1 Week prior to moving:

□ Now is the time to tie up loose ends. Review this guide to make sure you haven'toverlooked anything.□ By now your moving company should have provided you with all packingmaterials except wardrobes. Be sure to take extra time to label your goodsappropriately.□ If you are moving a long distance, be sure to pack any suitcases you plan onusing and confirm your families travel arrangements (flights, hotel, rental cars,etc.). Try to keep your plans as flexible as possible in the event of an unexpectedchange of schedule.