The average American moves 14 times during his/her lifetime, which leaves plenty of opportunities for leaving stuff behind or packing necessities in boxes you only discover weeks later. You can reduce your chances of inadvertently donating your valuables to the next tenant or depriving yourself of essentials with a little advance planning.
1. Medication. Even though some people have to take at least one type of medicine every day, prescription and non-prescription drugs are commonly left behind during a move. Most people keep pills and syrups in a medicine cabinet - an often overlooked site on moving day.
Also, you should transfer any outstanding refills on prescriptions to a drugstore in your new hometown. Nowadays, this task can be easily completed online though in some cases you and your new drugstores will need to use the old-fashioned landline telephone to make the switch. Hopefully you have found a doctor in your destination, especially if you have a chronic health condition.
2. Personal records. Even in the Internet age, many important agencies still keep paper records. Ideally, you should get hard copies of all essential records before you move. Most families need at a minimum their children's school records as well as medical records for adults, children, and pets.
Some states will require that the former school or doctor's office send records directly to the new school or doctor's office. But you should always have your own copies just in case you need them.
3. Jewelry and other valuables. Carefully store these items in a clearly labeled box. Some items, especially jewelry, should be locked away in a secure fire-resistant box. Alternatively, you can store items in a safe deposit box at a bank in your new town. However, you should only store items that you rarely use or need.
4. Bills. There are countless ways to forget bills in a move. You might inadvertently throw unpaid bills in the garbage. Or your credit card lender or cable television company might not know your new address and you do not get important bills in time. Keep a list of all of your creditors and make sure they get your new address well in advance of your move. You really do not want that unpaid final electric bill to harm your credit rating, especially as you try to get established in a new locale.
5. Tools, accessories, and appliances. It is really easy to forget some things when you move. A lawn mower is usually stored outside of the home and often left behind. Look around for all of your flashlights, toilet plungers, and toolkits before you leave. Appliances such as coffee makers are often the last things used before a move, so make sure you do not leave these behind.
6. Old phone numbers and addresses. Most people nowadays keep contact numbers stored on a cell phone, but it is a good idea to write down all important phone numbers and addresses before you leave. Otherwise, you could spend a lot of time and even money trying to track information down through 411 or online.
7. Items outside of the home. Make sure you return all books to the library and all videos to the rental store before you leave town. Likewise, check with your dry cleaners, watch repair service, tailor, and other service providers to ensure you do not leave anything with them. If you borrowed items from friends or family members, return them. Also, try to retrieve any items you might have loaned out.
8. Garage door opener and spare keys. Likely a new family is moving into your home or apartment, so do not drive off with the garage door opener in your car. Get any spare keys from trusted family members or friends. Search all hiding places to uncover any other spare keys. If the locks are being changed, you can skip this step.
9. Banking accounts. Open a rent party supplies checking account about a month before your move, unless your bank has a branch in your new hometown. If you must switch banks, do not keep multiple accounts open indefinitely. It is too easy to lose track of the deposits and debits when you use more than one checking account. Also, even if you are keeping the same bank get checks printed with your new address.
10. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Toilet paper is one of the last things you will use in your old home and one of the first things you will need in your new residence. Bring any leftover rolls with you or stock up before arriving at your destination. The same rule applies to cleaning supplies such as sprays, solvents, and paper towels.
