Moving Timeline Check List
One month before your move
Arrange for moving your
furniture and personal belongings either by hiring a moving company or renting a truck.
Accumulate moving supplies
such as boxes, tape, rope, and anything else you might need.
Plan your travel route if
you are driving to your new home.
Some moving expenses are
tax-deductible, so you should save receipts for all moving-related expenses, including meals, lodging, and
gasoline.
Develop a plan for
packing, such as packing last the things you use the most.
Notify the Post Office of
your move by using the Change of Address form.
Notify friends, family,
and businesses of your move
Notify federal and state
taxing authorities or any other necessary government agency.
Driver´s
License.
Two weeks before your move
? Notify utility companies:
gas, electric, water, cable TV, and phone companies.
? Arrange for utility
services at new address.
? Notify long-distance
phone company and arrange for service at your new address.
? Have your car serviced if
you are driving to your new home.
? Recruit people to help
you on the moving day
? Arrange for someone to
take care of your pets during the move.
? Confirm moving company or
rental truck arrangements
? If you are leaving the
city, notify your bank.
One day before your move
? Keep moving materials
separate so they don't get packed until you are finished.
? Pick up rental truck if
you are doing it yourself.
? Fill up your car with gas
and check oil and tires.
? Try to get a good
night's rest.
Mail Forwarding
Q. Which form do I
need to fill out to have my mail forwarded?
A. The Change of
Address Order form supplied at any United States Post Office.
Q. Does each person
in the household have to have a form filled out?
A. If each member
has the same last name and they are all moving to the same address, only one
Change of Address form needs to filled
out. However, if this is not the case, each individual
must complete a separate Change of Address
form.
Q. When does the
Change of Address form need to be sent in?
A. To ensure that
there is no unnecessary delay, the Change of
Address form should be completed at least 30 days
before you
move or at least as soon as you know the date
of your move and
the new address. The "Start Date" will determine when the post
office will forward your mail to the new
address.
Q. Who else should
be notified of my change of address?
A. Everyone who
sends you mail should be notified of your change of address. This
includes
family,
friends, credit cards, banks, insurance companies, doctors, dentists, professionals,
magazines, etc. You can get notification postcards from the post office.
Q. How long will the
Post Office continue to forward my mail?
A. For most mail, it
will be forwarded for twelve months at no charge. Third-class mail will not
be forwarded unless the sender requests it
specifically.
Q. What are the
requirements for qualifying for a moving expense deduction on my Federal tax
return?
A. There are two
tests, the employment test and the distance test, that determine a taxpayer's
eligibility. For more information, call 1-800-829-1040 and ask for a publication on moving
expenses, or call your personal tax
advisor.
Q. Is there a place
on the Internet to change my address?
A. www.usps.gov
United States Post Office or www.addresscentral.com Move central
Tips on Packing
Packing your household goods can save a substantial amount of
money. To insure safety for your belongings, care should be undertaken to pack
properly.
Use strong containers in
good condition that can be sealed with
strapping
tape.
Keep in mind what the box
will weigh after it is loaded. 40 to 50 pounds is considered the maximum.
Empty spaces in boxes
should be filled with crumpled newspaper or bubble wrap to keep things from shifting in transit.
Books should be stacked on
end and generally in smaller boxes than other things due to their weight.
Label each box after
packing, so that the movers will know which room to put it in and to help you to prioritize which ones need to be opened
first.
Remove all breakables from
drawers before moving furniture.
Don't pack valuables such
as jewelry, collections, checks or savings books.
Packing takes longer than
you expect so allow plenty of time. Pack items that aren't frequently used first
and unpack them last.
Organization in packing
will save you hours of time and frustration in the long run.
Items that are no longer
wanted can be donated to charity and you may be eligible for a tax
deduction.
Videotape Your Personal Belongings
In
recent years, the price of video cameras has come down so low that many households have one. Even if you haven't gotten around to buying one yet, you probably know someone who has one
or you can rent one at a very reasonable price.
Most are very simple to operate and don't require any skilled
training. The microphone is built into most cameras, and some don't even require
additional lighting.
Why not use this technology to make a video record of all of the
personal possessions in your home just in case there is an incident. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video with
sound has to be worth ten thousand.
Have someone help you with this simple project. One of you can handle the camera, and the other can identify objects in each
room. Describe each item as you go along. If it has a serial number or other identifying mark, be sure to mention it. Once the videotape is made, you might want to make a duplicate of it and put one copy in a
safe place away from the original. Give it to a friend or relative for safekeeping.
Helping Children With the Move
Show your children their new home and their new room prior to
moving. If this is not possible, pictures or videos will help them visualize
their new home.
Assure children that you
won't forget their friends
Make a scrapbook of the
old home and neighborhood.
Throw a good-bye
party. At the party, have their friends sign a tee shirt.
Have your children write
good-bye letters and enclose their new address.
When packing, give them
their own box. They can decorate if they like.
If you move far away, buy
postcards when you stop so they can
remember the
trip.
When unpacking, allow them
to unpack their treasures.
Start a scrapbook for
their new home.
Visit their new school,
park, church etc. Take a camera.
Help your children invite
new friends to the house.
Let them choose a new
favorite restaurant.
Encourage them to send
letters to their friends about their new home.
Involve your children in
groups, sports, and activities.
Remember that even if you only lived in a home a few years,
to a young child could represent their entire lifetime!
|
