Moving Tips Learn How to Get Organized During a House Move | Page 10

transplant plants from your breakable pots (the movers can pack and transport
those) into lighter-weight unbreakable ones that will be easier to for you to
move. If it turns out you can't move your plants, donate them to friends, a
botany class, or local retirement home.
You didn't clean house
Face it, there are tons of things in your home that you haven't used in years. But
you'll be paying to pack them up and move them, and then you'll be faced with
unpacking them and finding a place where you can store them, unused, for
another 10 years. Bad idea! Instead, plan a reuse, recycle, regift weekend where
everyone in the family gets rid of the things you really don't need or use. Donate
items to charity, hold a garage sale, or give furniture to the kid next door who
is getting his own apartment. It'll save you time and trouble in the long run --
and will prevent extra charges when your moving men stumble upon
Grandma's old set hidden in the back of the garage!
You didn't pack a survival kit
Smart movers make sure they have a personal survival kit that they carry with
them so that move-in day (and night) goes smoothly for everyone in the family.
This might include must-haves such as scissors, a screwdriver, your address
book, a flashlight (you never know!), a map of your new town, Johnny's can't-
sleep-without blanket or favorite jammies, your toiletries, dog food, a can
opener, soap, coffee, toilet paper, and necessary medications for the whole
family. Remember to have enough handy cash, too, so that you'll be able to tip
your movers and pay for that pizza delivery you'll most certainly need.
You didn't look at the inventory and check it twice
The inventory list is incredibly important. It's your way of checking that
everything from your first home was packed up as it should be and got on the
truck. You can't watch every single item get boxed up and loaded, of course, but
a perusal of the inventory document before you leave will give you some
reassurance that nothing was left behind. Don't let the movers rush you
through this inventory process! Check the list again as items are unloaded at
your new residence. It's easier to locate a missing item the day of the move than
a month later when you discover you can't find the box with your video camera
and holiday tapes. Before signing off on the inventory sheet on delivery day,
make sure you understand the process for filing claims for missing items.