Moving involves a lot of small details. And keeping on top of all those details can be both difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, there's an easy remedy for this situation- using a moving checklist. The moving checklist highlights the most important tasks for your move.

This article details the best of the moving checklists online or in print:

== 4 Weeks Prior to Move: Organizing ==

• Set the date.

• Arrange for utility transfers. This includes:

__ Cable/satellite television

__ Cell phone service

__ Electricity

__ Gas

__ Internet/broadband

__ Local phone service

__ Long distance phone service

__ Propane

__ Recycling pick-up

__ Sewer

__ Security system

__ Trash pick-up

__ Water

NOTE: It’s a good idea to schedule utility "turn on dates" at least one day prior to the move date and "turn off dates" at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.

• File change of address.

• Make sure you have enough cash on hand to pay movers in full.

• Start a "change of address log" of all the people you need to notify. Be sure to include:

__ Accountant/tax preparer

__ Alumni associations

__ Attorneys

__ Babysitter/ child care provider

__ Banks (auto loans, checking accounts, credit cards, home equity, IRA’s, mortgage, safe deposit box, savings account)

__ Broker

__ Business cards (order new ones)

__ Cell phone provider

__ Child care/ daycare

__ Chiropractor

__ Courts, especially for traffic tickets or local disputes

__ Credit bureaus

__ Credit card issuers

__ Dentist

__ Department of Motor Vehicles

__ Diaper service

__ Doctor

__ Dry cleaning pick-up and delivery

__ Family members

__ Health clubs

__ House cleaning service

__ House of worship

__ Insurance providers (auto, health, life, other vehicles)

__ IRS (form 8822)

__ Lawn care

__ Luggage tags (replace existing ones)

__ Magazine subscriptions

__ New business cards

__ New employer

__ Newspaper subscriptions

__ Old employer

__ Orthodontist

__ Parent-teacher association

__ Passport

__ Pet sitter/ dog walker/ pet day care

__ Pharmacy (BONUS: get year-to-date expense summary for taxes)

__ Physical therapist

__ Physician (BONUS: get referral for new location)

__ Post office

__ Professional organizations

__ Retirement plan holders

__ Return address labels (order new ones)

__ Schools (BONUS: get copies of transcripts)

__ Snow removal service

__ Social Security Administration

__ Swimming pool maintenance (pool cleaning, pool opening or closing)

__ Swimming pool memberships

__ Veterinarian BONUS get vet records and recommendations

__ Water delivery service

== 4 Weeks Prior to Move: Resources and Packing ==

• Hire movers or reserve the truck.

• Recruit family and friends to help on the move.

• Get the essential moving supplies.

At minimum, you will need:

__ Markers to label boxes (preferably wide tip, dark color)

__ Moving boxes

__ Newsprint, packing peanuts or other cushioning material

__ Packing tape

__ Scissors or utility knife

• Make a moving organizer.

You can make a moving organizer for all your important notes, receipts, and important information by getting:

__ Binder, 3-ring, at least ½" wide

__ Pocket dividers to separate sections and hold important receipts

__ Paper for keeping all your notes (3-holed graph paper is ideal for this).

• Start packing!

• Start separating cherished items from the non-essential.

== 2 Weeks Prior To Moving ==

• Make arrangements to return items.

Here are some critical items to return prior to moving:

__ Cable/ satellite receiver boxes, remote controls, dishes

__ Cable/DSL modems

__ Carpet shampooer

__ Clothing (borrowed)

__ DVD and video game rentals

__ Library books (neighborhood and school)

__ Tools (borrowed or rented)

__ Trash cans/ recycle bins

__ Unwanted purchases

• Make arrangements to retrieve items.

Be sure to retrieve any of the following items:

__ Clothing at dry cleaners, tailors or in storage

__ Clothing lent to friends

__ Items at repair shops

__ Tools lent to neighbors or friends

• Open bank accounts near your new address.

• Create one "Open Me First" box for each room.

You’ll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily. The specific rooms are:

Kitchen:

__ aluminum foil

__ break-proof or disposable flatware, cups, and plates

__ coffee maker (don’t forget the filters!)

__ dish detergent

__ frying pan and spatula

__ pet food and bowels

__ scissors

__ tea kettle

Main Bathroom:

__ bath mat

__ bath towels

__ first-aid kit (aspirin, band-aids, hydrogen peroxide)

__ hair dryer

__ shampoo

__ shower curtain and rings

__ soap

__ toothbrushes and toothpaste

Tool room or drawer:

__ batteries

__ duct tape

__ flashlight

__ flat-head screwdriver

__ hammer

__ level

__ Phillips-head screwdriver

__ picture hangers

__ tape measure

__ utility knife

• Finish off packing for "non-living" rooms.

• Start eating up perishable food from freezer and refrigerator.

• Consider holding a "Packing Party."

• Hold a yard sale.

== 1 Week Prior to Moving Day ==

• Confirm start time, current home address and future home address with movers.

• Recruit friends for "moving day madness."

• Make arrangements for child and/or pet sitting.

== Moving Day ==

• Start early.

• Take all garbage out of the house.

• Make sure drivers have your cell phone number and you have theirs, along with their names.

• Be available for movers’ questions.

• Perform final checks before leaving current home.

Here are some final items to verify before shutting the door for the last time:

• Air conditioning, fans, and heat turned off?

• Water shut off, including to hoses?

• Light switches turned off?

• Keys and garage door openers for current home turned in or left on the kitchen counter?

• Anything left in refrigerator, freezer, stove, drawer under stove, in closets, in bathroom, under porch, in garage, in attic, in crawlway?

• Did you pack your hoses and sprinklers?