Helpful Hints

Getting organized for your move

• Take inventory of your home. Decide what to keep and what to give away. Donate items that you no longer want or have a yard sale.
• Buy a large accordion file for all important moving-related documents. Many moving expenses are tax deductible, so keep all receipts. Use this file to also organize important household papers.
• Check on insurance coverage for your possessions while in storage.
• Ask your pharmacy about transferring your prescription to a pharmacy closer to your new location.
• If you have school-age children, talk to your current school and the new one to find out how to transfer your child.
• If you will be changing banks, open your accounts and order new cheques in advance.
• Start packing belongings that you don't often use.
• Make sure you filed a "Change of Address" form with the post office.
• Arrange to have your utilities stopped at your old address a day after you've moved out, and request that any deposits be returned. Call the local utilities serving your new address to have service connected a day before you move in.
• Depending upon your circumstances, the list of utilities might include telephone, heat, electric, water, cable, garbage pickup and so on.
• Once you have your new phone number, call your long distance carrier and sign up for, or transfer, special savings programs and services.
• Cancel (or transfer) newspaper delivery at your old address.
• Pack a "survival" kit: Identify what each person in your household must have while you are in the midst of moving - from special foods to prescription drugs.

Items you should NOT pack:

• Keys to your new home.
• Basic tools: Hammer, screwdriver, nails, masking tape, tape measure, flashlight, light bulbs, pocket knife and trash bags.
• Kitchen essentials such as snacks, paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
• Miscellaneous items like eyeglasses, address book, chequebook, telephone, clock, a change of clothes and prescriptions.

Have these items on hand, ready for moving day:

• The keys to your new residence.
• Phone number, address and directions to your new home.
• The file with all of your moving-related documents.