A little planning can make your move less stressful

You'll soon be moving to a new home, but you're not sure what you should do first. Use this checklist to help you prepare.

Four weeks in advance

• Make reservations with your moving company.

• Hold a garage sale; donate to charity or throw away items you won't be taking with you.

• Get boxes and other moving supplies. Start packing.

• Get change-of-address cards from the post office.

• Notify magazines, charge account companies, insurance companies, clubs and other organizations of your change of address.

• Get the owner's manuals for the appliances in your new home, if possible.

Two weeks in advance

• Make a survival kit of things for the last cleanup (broom, dust cloth, etc.), as well as a snack.

• If you decide to do your own packing, label all the boxes. Write the destination (by room) on the top and sides of each box.

• Schedule dates for disconnecting gas, electric, water and telephone services. Arrange for refunds that are due to you. Schedule connections for your new home.

• Cancel cable TV, lawn maintenance and other services.

• Make travel plans and arrange for a hotel stay, if necessary.

• Arrange to move pets.

• Check with the mover about moving house plants. (Some movers will not move them.)

• Dispose of all items too dangerous to move, including flammable liquids.

• If necessary, have your automobile serviced and ready for the trip.

One week in advance

• Mail in your change-of-address forms.

• Clean the stove.

• If necessary, reserve an apartment elevator for pickup and delivery dates.

• Cancel your newspaper delivery.

• Have enough medication to last at least two weeks. Have prescriptions forwarded to a pharmacy at your new destination.

• Set aside valuable items to carry with you, including jewelry, vital documents, money and valuable small items.

One to two days in advance

• If you're having movers pack your goods, have them do that now.

• Empty, defrost and thoroughly dry refrigerator and freezer.

• Get enough cash to tide you over.

Moving day

• Complete information on the mover's bill of lading and carefully read the document before you sign it.

• Make sure you have your copies of the bill of lading and inventory.

• Before the van leaves, take one final look through the house to make certain that nothing has been left behind.

• Give the driver directions to your new home.

• Notify the driver and the van line where you can be reached during the move.

Delivery day

• Be on hand to supervise unloading and unpacking.

• Check carefully for any damaged or missing items.

• Note on the inventory any damaged boxes or obvious damage to unboxed items before you sign anything.

SOURCE: Detroit Free Press