Your moving checklist will quickly become your lifeline during your relocation. Not only will it contain all of the things that you need to do from finding international movers to packing your personal effects, but it will contain a list of all your packed items. Basically, your moving checklist will contain all of the information pertinent to your move. Naturally, as with all checklists, this is not something that happens automatically, you will have to invest a little bit of time in creating your moving checklist. However, once it is started, it will be easy to continue and will save your plenty of headache and heartache.

Getting started with the creation of your moving checklist can be done in two general ways. Either you can break down your task by timeline or by category. Some very elaborate checklists break the tasks by both timeline and category – however, this is rather time-consuming and not really necessary. The best method is to first write down everything that you need to do. Start off with finding the right international movers and then list everything you can possibly think that might be relevant: getting permits, visas, passports, finding schools, closing accounts, opening new ones, finding a home in your new country, finding storage for your goods until you can move in, informing friends and family as well as credit card companies, cell phone providers, utilities, etc… have your mail forwarded, getting vaccinations (for your family and pets), learning the local language of the country to which you are moving, etc… In short, write down every tiny detail that you will need to sort through before the international movers show up at your door.

After you have everything written down, next break it down into timeline. Certain tasks will have to be accomplished before others or might require more time to sort out – make sure to list those well in advance. For instance, if you need to apply for visas, work permits and passports make sure that they are listed the 6-3 months before your moving day. You will need time for such paperwork to process and you do not want to get caught paying last-minute fees to get the documents in a rush; some documents you may not even be able to rush, which could delay your departure and cause other problems.

Packing should begin at least 3-2 months prior to your move because you need time to sort through your belongings and to decide what you will be taking with you and what can be disposed off, either by selling, donation or simply throwing out in the trash. Remember that lightening your eventual load will save you money in shipping costs as most shipping companies charge by weight.

Also remember that your moving checklist will evolve as your move evolves. You will find yourself scratching things off as they get done and adding new tasks to the list as they present themselves. Your moving checklist is the best way to keep track of your move and to ensure that nothing gets forgotten.