That move is now starting to hover right over your shoulder, breathing down your neck, making you sweat. Hey, don't sweat! If you followed the 8 week guide to getting started, you're sitting very pretty among the chaos of your home-in-transit.
Remember, you don't need to do these steps in the order listed below, just make sure you get them done or they'll be added to the four-week list!
- If possible, start looking for good health-care professionals in your new city. Ask for referrals from your current doctor or dentist or optometrist.
- Fill out post office change of address cards. This can now be done online, which saves you time and the hassle of going down to your local post office.
- Get that contact list you'd stored on your refrigerator and start sending new address notifications to everyone on your list. Make sure you include insurance agents, credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, friends, relatives, and anyone else you can think of.
- Sign-up for a free e-mail service with a company such as Yahoo! or MSN or Netscape, then send out e-mail notifications to everyone in your electronic address book, giving them your temporary address unless you're fortunate enough to know your new permanent e-mail address.
- Clean out your closets. Set aside items that you will not be taking with you.
- Hold a garage sale or sell your stuff online. Donate items left over after the sale to charities.
- Start contacting your financial providers, such as your bank, to have them change your details. In addition, they can begin canceling or setting up automatic payments and/or accounts. If possible, sign-up for electronic banking, allowing you access to your records anytime, anywhere.
- Notify schools and employers of your change of address.
- If moving out of the area, choose a school (if you have the choice), register your children in the new school and arrange to have records transferred if you haven't already done so.
- Start packing. You should also be aware of what not to pack - items that should not be moved. It's a good idea to start packing early, when you find a spare moment or two. For more packing and sorting suggestions, check out 20 Packing Quick Tips.
- If you have pets, you'll need to start preparing their move, too. Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date and book an appointment with your vet for a health check-up. You want to make sure Fluffy is okay to move.
- Decide which items of clothing are traveling with you and what will be going into your essentials box.
