Moving home is frequently referred to as one of the most stressful things that you can face in life. However, the truth is that it needn't be. So long as you are adequately prepared, moving day can be quite an adventure and something to look forward to. Most people who find the trials of moving day excessively problematic to cope with usually have not planned far in enough in advance and left too many things to the last minute. Here's what you should be doing ahead of your big day.
Notify friends and neighbours. Make sure that you have posted a change of address notification to everyone that you want to keep in touch with after the move. Send these out a week or so ahead of your moving day but include the date from which your postal address will change.
Take out new home insurance. Some insurers won't pay out on contents policies if items get damaged in transit during a move. Let your insurer know that you need a new policy for the new address or that the policy will at least need to be updated. A number of insurance companies offer moving day insurance which can be advisable if you own rare or delicate items.
Book your removalists. Moving under your own steam takes a lot of hard work, especially if you have larger items, such as furniture, to shift. If the move is over a long distance, it is best to book interstate removalists well in advance because the most reputable firms tend to get busy.
Read your meters. All utility firms need to be informed that you are no longer resident at your former address. Although this job can wait until after you have moved if you prefer, it is essential to avoid later disputes about your gas, electricity and water usage by making a note of what the meters say a day or two before quitting.
Use up perishable items. Things like freezer food and fresh fruits won't survive a day out in the sun when you move, so start using these items up in the run up to moving day. If you plan your last few meals properly, then it is entirely possible to move without wasting any food.
Transfer your driver's license and car registration. Although rules and costs about this differ from state to state in Australia, it is worth doing this in advance of your move so that you don't have to think about it in the busy few days afterwards. At least check what the state law requires of you before moving.
9 December 2016
Moving can be really expensive! But I move regularly for one reason or another, and I've become pretty good at moving on a budget. I can always find a cheap removalist and get some great deals on packing supplies. I also have some good tips on smart packing to reduce the amount of boxes that you need to move, which can help to minimise the costs as well. People are always impressed with my budgeting mojo, so I thought it would be good to start a blog to share my tips as well as create a place for others to share their ideas on moving on a budget.
