Seven Things to Do When You Move

As we're preparing to leave behind our home of many years at 5045 S. Aspen Dr. Battlefield, MO, we're thinking about all the things we have to do. Here's a list of the big seven.

1. Notify your doctors and other healthcare providers. We really love our doctors and dentist. In most cases, they are giving us forms that we can hand over to our new doctors so that they can easily and quickly request our records. Our dentist went so far as to research dentists in our new town and recommend a couple. So helpful!
2. Downsize before the move. Even if you only end up getting rid of a few things, it's worthwhile to go through your closets and storage areas and donate or sell things you no longer use. That way, you won't have to deal with those items when you get to your new house.
3. Set end dates for services at the house you're leaving. Notify all utility providers, pest control, cable and phone companies, lawn care services, and any other entity that provides you with paid services at your house. This will ensure you aren't left footing the bill for services after you're gone.
4. Hire a moving company or reserve your moving truck. Remember that most movers and U-Haul places can't be on your door step the next day. At a minimum, call a week in advance to reserve your spot or book a day for the movers to arrive.
5. Don't forget about stuff that's in storage. If you've had items stored at a friend's house or a storage unit, don't forget to direct the movers there for a pick-up, or get the stuff yourself. You don't want your abandoned stuff to end up in a starring role on Storage Wars!
6. Pack your own bags. Don't forget to pack a suitcase or two with some essentials that you'll want to have handy such as clothes, toiletries, and shoes. Also, consider taking very valuable items in your suitcases rather than letting movers take them. You don't want anything to get lost or, ahem, misplaced during the move.
7. Tell the US Post Office about your move. There's a form you fill out with the post office to ensure your mail gets forwarded. This covers you for a period of weeks while you notify companies and individuals of your new address.