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A moving checklist can be a life-saver when it comes to making arrangements for closing things down at the old place and starting things up at the new place.

Fortunately, most of us know well in advance when we will be relocating, so we can compile the list over a reasonable period of time. Once the list is made, keep it for future moves, and you won't have to put quite as much energy into it ever again.

It helps to go about it in a calm, systematic manner. I start as far in advance of the actual move as possible, and use my bill-paying as a guide.

The first thing, of course, is the change of address. There is a place on most monthly statements for a change of address. You can also get a very helpful checklist from the United States Postal Service, which also reminds you to change your voter registration and automobile registration. I copy those items onto my own list as soon as I see the reminder from them.

When you pay the following bills, which most of us pay monthly, add the related items to your list:

Utilities - This includes gas and electricity, telephone service (cell and land lines), internet service, cable or satellite television, etc.

Financial - Since I am writing checks to pay my bills, I automatically think of financial issues, so things like checking and savings accounts, etc. go on the list. I also need to notify any financial institutions where I have stocks, bonds, IRAs, etc. of my new address, since I may get only quarterly statements from them.

Vehicles - I already have automobile registration on my list, because I took that tip from the moving guide I got from the USPS. I add insurance and any vehicle loan information to the list.

Insurance - Adding my auto insurance to the list reminds me to add other insurance information, such as homeowners or renter's, health insurance, life insurance,etc.

Thinking about health insurance reminds me that I need to make new arrangements for health care and prescriptions.

You can see that as you go through your bill-paying process, you will be reminded of things that need to be addressed prior to the move.

Once I have completed the list from my bill-paying, I spend the next few days giving conscious thought to everything I do as I move through my day. For example, when I go outdoors to get the newspaper, I remember to put that on my list. When I get the mail, that reminds me to change magazine subscriptions. When I go to pick my kids up from school, I remember to add school things to the list. When I go to the gym, I am reminded to add that to the list. When I feed the dogs, I remember that I need take care of everything related to all of the pets.

The key is to keep your list with you at all times in the weeks leading up to the move, and adding items as soon as they come up. If you do this, you will end up with a comprehensive list well in advance of your move, reducing much of the anxiety that often accompanies a move.

Learn more about this author, Gena Reddoch.
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