Changing Your Address for a Move

In all the work of packing, disconnecting and reconnecting utilities, and helping kids and pets adjust, don't forget a small task with a big impact: changing your address when moving.

Start by reviewing this list of 10 tips for address changes - it includes reminders to verify your new address and decide whether you need temporary or permanent mail forwarding - from How Stuff Works: http://home.howstuffworks.com/real-estate/10-tips-for-changing-your-address.htm#page=0

Then when you're ready, use the US Postal Service's online site for changing your address at https://www.usps.com/umove/

You'll need to contact some institutions directly, like your bank, doctors and veterinarians, and loan holders. About.com has a checklist that can be a good starting place for constructing your own list: http://moving.about.com/library/movingchecklist/blchangeofaddress.htm

And don't forget to notify the IRS, especially if you make estimated tax payments throughout the year. http://www.irs.gov/uac/Moving-Soon%3F-Let-the-IRS-Know!

Moving Organization

Whether your move involves kids, pets, or only adults, it's important to have strategies for keeping your move organized and efficient. Here are some ideas for you to check out:

• Packing tips from About.com, including the importance of color-coding and keeping a list: http://interiordec.about.com/od/moving/a/org_movetips.htm
• MovingTips.org offers checklists, starting at one month out from your move: http://www.movingtips.org
• Some "big picture" tips from Realtor.com: things to think about in advance as well as detail tips like taking pictures of your electronics' cables before disconnecting. http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/summer-moving-tips.aspx
• 33 simple but non-obvious moving tips on Buzzfeed: http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/brilliant-moving-tips
• A great packing material source: UsedCardboardBoxes.com offers quality previously-used boxes that save trees and save you money. http://www.usedcardboardboxes.com/index.php

Here's to the smoothest move possible!

Tips for Moving with Kids

Moving is already a big transition, but it's even bigger when you have children involved. If your family includes children and you're moving this summer, whether across town or across the country, here are some resources for you:

• From the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, a fact sheet to give you an overview of what to expect and what to watch out for: http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Children_And_Family_Moves_14.aspx
• From TLC, ten tips for moving with children, including some you can do over the internet like taking a virtual "tour" of potential new houses or apartments so your kids can give input on your selection and start thinking about how their new rooms might be set up: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/10-tips-for-moving-with-children.htm
• KidsHealth.org offers two resource pages, one for parents about how to help prepare children for a move - http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/move.html - and one for kids to read - http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/moving.html
• From PBS, six more tips for easing the transition, including the great suggestion to provide self-addressed envelopes to friends and other important people so they can easily send a note or letter to your family in your new place: http://www.pbs.org/parents/supersisters/archives/2010/08/moving-with-kids.html
• And from GreatSchools.org, recommendations for books to start your conversations about moving, at a range of age levels from toddler to twelve-year-old: http://www.greatschools.org/students/books/2293-best-moving-books.gs

Moving with Pets

May is National Moving Month, meaning that this month is the beginning of summer and moving season in the US. Many families will take advantage of the break in school and the relatively calm weather to move to new homes between now and Labor Day.

If your family is moving and you have pets, you may be thinking about what you'll need to do to make this a smooth transition for them. Here are some suggestions and resources:

• Realtor Mag has collected suggestions from The Pet Realty Network in Naples, FL, which include making sure your pet's ID tags are up to date, taking a copy of your vet records with you, and packing a basic pet first aid kit.
• For practical and logistical ideas, PetsWelcome has a variety of checklists. These include pre-move items, like veterinary care and state regulations; different transportation methods; and advice for moving small pets, birds, fish, horses, and others.
• Petfinder suggests some steps you can take before moving to help cats acclimate to carriers and dogs to cars and points out what you'll need to check motel rooms for, if you're driving for multiple days.

Between these sites, you'll be able to assemble a to-do list that suits the needs of you and your pet. Happy moving!