Moving a household is never easy, but it doesn't have to be traumatic. The easiest way to handle a move is to divide it into manageable chunks. With thoughtful planning and organization of tasks, you can minimize the work that remains to be accomplished on moving day. Neglecting to take care of chores ahead of time, however, can turn a move into a nightmare.

We cover every aspect of moving in this article, from planning and packing to the arrival at your new home. In this opening section, we'll start at the beginning, with the planning stage.

Planning a Move
  • To effectively organize your move, begin months ahead. Along with making arrangements, you'll want to tend to countless details that can overwhelm anyone if they're left to the last week before the move.

  • Whether you're moving yourself or hiring a mover, don't move unnecessary items. A move is a good time to get rid of things that are no longer useful. For example, don't pay to move paperback books you'll never read again.

  • Make a master checklist of everything that must be done. So that you don't fall behind, schedule a deadline for each task and check off each task when it is done. There's so much involved in a move that you may forget what has already been accomplished.

  • Make reservations well in advance if you plan to rent a moving truck or hire a professional mover.

  • If you plan to ask friends for help, make sure they can make the commitment and ask enough friends to make the job easier. Don't expect one or two people to move all your belongings.

  • If you plan to rent a truck, get a lesson or two on how to drive one, particularly if you've never driven a truck before or if you will be driving it for a long distance.

  • Get carpets and slipcovers cleaned before you move. They'll come back wrapped and ready to transport, and you won't have to spend time trying to do this at your new location.

  • If you plan to travel by car over long distances, get your car checked out before you leave. Be sure to have a serviceable spare tire.

    A Checklist for Moving
    Two Months Before a Move:
    • Get estimates from movers
    • Collect boxes
    • Select mover and go over all details of the move
    • Begin packing little-used items
    • Go through your house to find unwanted items
    • Notify correspondents of move
    • Have a yard sale or donate items to a charity
    • Plan menus to use up food in the cupboards
    • Arrange air travel for family, if necessary

    One Month Before a Move:
    • Begin packing
    • Notify post office of change of address
    • Notify utility companies of change in account or disconnections
    • Notify newspaper of address change or stoppage
    • Collect important papers and medical records
    • Make any reservations for lodging

    Two Weeks Before a Move:
    • Check car; have any necessary repairs done
    • Renew or transfer prescriptions

    The Week of a Move:
    • Transfer or close bank accounts if moving long distance
    • Obtain traveler's checks, if needed
    • Defrost refrigerator
    • Tag furniture to identify its location in the new home
    • Prepare survival kit so the family can get along if the moving company is late

    The Day of a Move:
    • Strip beds
    • Disconnect all appliances

Packing is the part of the move everyone dreads. But with the right strategy, it can go smoothly and quickly. That's covered in the next section.