Eliminate items you no longer use/want – have a garage sale or make donations to local charitable organizations. Why pay to move it when you don’t need or want it?
Start getting boxes, tape, bubble wrap, etc… anything you will need to pack up, and make notes of what may need special attention.
Obtain change of address cards to contact any of your regular mail senders.
Obtain medical and dental records as well as children’s immunizations if moving out of the area
Arrange for your children’s school records to be transferred to their new school.
Start packing and begin with items in your home you do NOT use on a regular basis.
Be sure to clearly label or number your boxes to make unpacking and finding items easier.
As you pack, make notes of items of significant value (LCD/plasma TVs, stereos, computers, etc.) as you may need to declare items of value if they are lost or damaged during the move.
Look to change some important information online.
Go to your local post office to fill out a change of address form with your new address.
Don’t forget to contact the following places to notify change of address: banks, cable/phone providers, insurance companies, utility companies, credit card companies, doctor/dentist/vet offices, investment companies, etc.