Time to Move!

Oh no! You just received orders and now it’s officially time to move!

Don’t panic, just stay organized and follow this weekly guide to make your move a success. This is the ultimate moving checklist. If your moves go like mine, you usually have about two months to get it all together and get yourself moved.

Here is a handy timeframe to help make your moving plans:

6-8 weeks to go:

  • Confirm new living arrangements
  • Check out local moving companies

4-6 weeks to go:

  • Confirm local moving company or moving arrangements if you are doing some of the move yourself
  • Cancel any local memberships if you are moving out of the area (i.e. gym)

4 weeks to go:

  • Confirm moving date/movers or packers if you are hiring them
  • Cancel lease (if applicable)

3 weeks to go:

  • De-clutter (go through your current space, room by room)
  • Buy sharpies, boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape

2 weeks to go:

  • Take down pictures and any other wall decorations
  • Wrap all pictures and decorations in paper
  • Cancel cable
  • Cancel electric
  • Cancel water
  • Cancel gas
  • Contact post office to put in new address and when to begin forwarding mail to that address
  • Contact credit card companies, banks, insurance companies, etc. to inform them of your new address
  • Only buy what you need from the grocery store to get you by, and use up what you already have
  • Take pictures of how cords are connected to electronics and how furniture pieces are set up so you remember when you get to your new place (and also to reference to make sure pieces aren’t damaged during move)
  • Wrap purses that you won’t use until the move is complete
  • Wrap any delicate jewelry in baggies and boxes to keep them from getting tangled

1 week to go:

  • Wrap any delicate/fragile pieces like china, barware, and glasses with bubble wrap and paper
  • Wrap all shoes in individual bags
  • Put clothing on hangers, group with rubber bands, and then put garbage bags over the groups
  • Pack items in a suitcase that you will live out of until movers get to new location (include all vitamins and medications, and don’t forget to check the upcoming weather reports to pack proper clothing)
  • Make sure that you take any liquid out of containers before they are packed (ex. soap out of pumps, water out of teapot)
  • Put any cords in a box with labels so you know what you use them for (use twist ties and rubber bands with labels)
  • Throw out any extra food and use up what you have
  • Buy Lysol wipes, water bottles, paper towels, and soap to prepare for the moving day (and, if possible, a handheld vacuum)
  • Wrap toilet cleaning supplies and toilet wands in separate bags to keep them from mixing with anything else in the bathroom
  • Wash shower curtains if they are fabric. If they are plastic, wipe them down so they are packed dry
  • Wash sheets while movers pack and fold them so they are clean when you get to your new place
  • Wrap mattresses and pillows with the zippered mattress and pillow protectors
  • Make sure that you bring all cash and any personal documents such as passports, birth certificates, and social security cards to make sure they get to the new location safely

Happy moving!

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Retired Expert

Retired Expert

Army Wife Network is blessed with many military-focused people and organizations that share their journey through writing in our expert blogger category. As new projects come in, their focus must occasionally shift closer to their organization and expertise. Their content and contributions are still valued and resourceful. Those posts are reassigned under "Retired Experts" in order to allow them to remain available as content for our AWN fans.

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