• Plan, Plan, Plan. Don’t try to leave a job in your hometown on Friday and start working at a new job in your destination city on the following Monday. A weekend is usually not enough time to move from one city to another. Give yourself enough time between jobs to pack your belongings, tie up loose ends, travel at a comfortable pace, find a place to live and relax for a day or two before you have to report to work.

• Tell your children about the move as soon as possible. Do not put it off, because you only run the risk of having the children overhear a conversation and find out “by mistake.” Be sensitive to their feelings and allow them time to say goodbye to friends. Involve your child in the planning and packing process.

• Contact moving companies and try to get three estimates in writing, especially if you are moving from one city to another.

• Be sure your mover specifies the pickup and delivery dates in the order for service.

• Decide what you want to keep and what you don’t want to keep, then have a garage sale and get rid of the things you don’t want. Instead of paying money to move it, sell it and use the money for something else. Since plants don’t travel well, consider giving them to family and friends, or transporting them with you in your car.

• If you have a pet, include it in your travel plans as well. Sometimes it is better to have a vet board your pet while you’re in transit. Once you’re settled, the vet could send your pet to you by plane. If you take your pet with you in the car, don’t feed it; be sure to have plenty of fresh, cool water on hand, and be prepared to stop frequently for drinks and walks. If you need to stay overnight at a hotel, be sure to book a room in advance at one that allows pets. Do not leave pets locked in cars overnight.

• Contact all utilities and make plans to turn off your electricity, water, gas, cable, and phone service. Since disconnections are usually done early in the morning, it might be best to ask that everything be turned off a day after you are scheduled to leave your home.

• Separate and label the things you don’t want the movers to pack. For example, in your child’s room, you could empty his/her closet, then only put in it what needs to be carried in the car. Once those few belongings are in the closet, tape the door shut and put a sign on the doorknob: DO NOT PACK. Do the same in every room but be careful not to set aside too much or it won’t fit in the car.

• If you own a personal computer, back up the software and data files and keep the disks in your possession. You could also ship them via insured mail.

• Make sure you are present when the movers are in your home. You may be busy rushing all over town on last-minute errands, but don’t ask a relative or a neighbor to stand in for you during the estimate, the packing or the unpacking. The workers may have questions about your belongings that only you can answer.

• Do not allow movers to transport valuable personal items-such as medicines, jewelry, furs, old coins, money, firearms, etc. These should be kept in your possession. Follow the same rule when it comes to valuable documents, such as birth certificates, insurance policies, deeds, tax documents, etc.

• The bill of lading is your contract with the mover. Read it carefully.

• Check the inventory sheets closely to make sure everything has been listed.

• Pack a survival kit containing basic tools, a few towels, soap, toilet tissue, flashlight, drinking water, snacks, address book, checkbooks, etc.- things you will need on your trip or in your new home before the movers show up with your belongings. Keep the kit in your possession. If you are driving your car, put it in the trunk. Don’t forget to keep your city phone directory. Toss it in the trunk, too. Even though you are leaving, you will be surprised at how many times you will need it in the next few months.

• If you will be driving your car, have it checked and serviced for the trip.

• Get a change-of-address kit from the post office.

• Defrost your refrigerator (or freezer) one to two days before moving, especially if your belongings are going into storage. Put a handful of unused coffee grounds, baking soda, or charcoal (in a sock or nylon stocking) inside to prevent mildewing. Block the doors open so that they can’t accidentally close on pets or children.

• Drain fuel and oil from lawn equipment. If the mover is transporting your car or boat, you should drain the fuel from those tanks also.

• Take one last look around your home once everything has been removed. Check all drawers and closets, as well as the attic, basement, garage and storage sheds. Make sure you aren’t leaving anything valuable behind.

• Read the whole packet of information from your mover. Pay close attention to insurance information, and be aware that you have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed. You may also request a reweigh.

• If your belongings are damaged or broken, you should file a claim with the moving company immediately. Arbitration is an option if you are dissatisfied with the mover’s decision about your claim. Contact the American Movers Conference at (703) 683-7410

• Sources: Mobile Press Register, North American Van Lines, Allied Van Lines, United Van Lines and U.S. Postal Service.