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How to Pack Fragile Items When You Move

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When it comes to your belongings, some items are certainly more fragile than others. Fine art, glassware, and other antiques require careful packing and handling, as well as proper storage, in order to remain in pristine condition, especially if a mover is handling your items. Whether you’re packing a valuable set of delicate china or even just a few old photographs, here are some tips to keep your fragile and valuable items safe during the move.

How to Pack Fragile Items When You MovePrepare in advance

When preparing for a move, the first thing you should do is sit down and create a list of all your delicate, valuable, or fragile items. This inventory list will be invaluable in the rare, but oh-so-unfortunate event that anything breaks or goes missing during the move and you end up having to make an insurance claim.

In addition to creating an inventory list, it’s also important to take a few photographs of each item.

How to pack and store the most popular fragile items

Fine China

If you’re packing different kinds of fine china or dishes, start by grouping like items together – plates with plates, bowls with bowls, cups with cups, saucers with saucers, and so on. Neatly wrap each item in tissue paper, keeping them organized by type and size. Use scotch tape to secure the tissue paper, rather than packing tape, as packing tape is very strong and can easily rip right through tissue paper.

Once the pieces are wrapped with tissue paper, wrap each piece with bubble paper, covering every exposed area. You should no longer feel the china underneath the padding.

If you’re packing china plates, you can stack them, but keep in mind that if the plates are heavy, you should not stack more than 5 plates at a time. If they’re light and small like saucers or bread plates, you can stack up to 6 plates. Use your best judgment here!

Glassware

Wrap glasses individually with packing paper, plain newsprint, or bubble wrap. To ensure that wrapping stays in place, secure it with a small strip of scotch tape. Glasses and delicate stemware are best protected from damage when they’re packed in boxes that are divided into individual cells, like this one.

Everyday glassware, from all purpose drinkware to casual stemware, should be stored in a dry, dust, and pest-free environment. While unpacking, you might be tempted to crowd your cabinets with as many glasses as possible, but it’s best to let them breathe and allow for some wiggle room. This will prevent scratches, as well as any accidental breakage.

Silver

Air can cause silverware to tarnish, so it’s important that all silverware pieces – flatware, coffee sets, dishes – are wrapped completely in clean, unprinted packing or tissue paper. Loose silverware should be wrapped in sets with clear plastic, tissue, or packing paper.

If your silverware is in a chest, you still may want to consider wrapping the pieces individually and repositioning them. You can fill all empty spaces in the chest with tissue paper or clean paper towels and wrap the chest with a large blanket or bath towel for further protection.

Vintage Photographs

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading and loss of sheet integrity. To keep your old photographs in pristine condition during the move, it’s important to protect them from light as much as possible.

If unframed, the best way to store old photographs is in archival storage materials or a dark container, such as a Solander Box. Make sure that all materials are labeled “acid free” when looking to purchase scrapbooks, filing cabinets, or other packing and storage materials.

Fine Art

Handle artwork as little as possible. Finger oils can damage artwork by leaving smudges and oily residue. Especially when caring for prints and works on paper, you can greatly reduce the risks of creases, bends, or smudges by carrying paper by the two corners or by supporting the work from underneath, rather than pinching it.

It’s also important to remember to only lean canvases against a flat surface. However obvious,  leaning the front or back of a stretched canvas against a sharp or pointed object, no matter how small, will leave a dent that could irreparably damage the piece. If you lean a work of art against anything, make sure to lean it on the wood of its stretcher bars to ensure that nothing presses against the canvas.

Label your boxes

Once you’ve successfully packed your boxes, make sure to label each one with your name, the contents, and a vertical arrow pointing upward to indicate that the box should not be loaded on its side. In addition, the words “FRAGILE” or “HANDLE WITH CARE” should be displayed prominently on at least two adjacent sides of each box.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

When is the Best Time to Move?

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When is the Best Time to Move?From hiring movers and renting a truck to packing boxes and decluttering closets, it’s easy for your moving date selection to fall to the bottom of your relocation priorities. Just remember, though, this one little detail can make an enormous difference when it comes to the ease of your move and the size of your bank account. Over the course of our own multiple relocations, we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that when you move is just as important as how you move. So in the spirit of learning from mistakes, here are the absolute best times to plan your next move in terms of convenience and costs.

Best Season to Move: It Depends

Ultimately, this decision comes down to your own needs, budget and preferences. Those trying to save money on a move should choose a late fall, winter or early spring move. Those with school-age children should consider opting for a summertime move. Those who strongly prefer to move in mild weather conditions may want to move during the fall or spring.

Fall: Great weather conditions for moving and you may be able to get a better deal on a home during the off season.

Winter: Cheapest time of the year to move since demand is lowest. Moving companies have more flexible schedules. May not be ideal if moving with children.

Spring: The weather won’t be as harsh as the winter months and demand is still lighter in March and April.

Summer: Ideal time if you are selling your home since demand is highest and you may get a higher price. Also, if you are moving with children then this season is ideal since they won’t be in school.

Best Month of the Year: Mid-September through April

If you define by “best” by cost then, generally speaking, you are more likely to save on a move during the late September to April window. Demand for movers usually slows down during this time frame and rates are low. According to various moving professionals, peak moving season stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, with roughly 70 percent of all moving takes place in the spring and summer. The reason for this? Families with children tend to move during the summer months to avoid any disturbances during the school year. It’s also easier to move in the spring and summer when the weather is ideal.

In addition, college students and other renters usually move in the early fall and late spring, since this is when most leases start and end. Keep in mind that if you live in a large city with university students, you’ll certainly want to try and avoid moving in early September. In Boston, for instance, the majority of apartment leases begin on September 1, making it the busiest moving day in the city. If you want to avoid moving mayhem in the streets, I suggest researching the most popular moving days (or lease start and end dates) in your own city.

Best Week of the Month: Mid-month

We suggest planning a “mid-month” move instead of a move at the beginning or end of the month. If you have the flexibility to avoid moving the first and last weekend of the month, then we strongly recommend opting for a mid-month, mid-week move. This is typically when demand is lowest and therefore, your costs may be lowest as well. As a general rule of thumb: the first of the month is more likely to be busy for movers since most leases begin the first of the month.

Best Day of the Week to Move: Weekdays (Monday through Thursday)

When picking a move date, it’s best to choose a weekday. Many moving companies like Pony Express Moving Services suggest moving during the Monday to Thursday window when there is less demand. So if you can afford to miss a day of work to move during the week, I highly recommend doing so. Moving on a Saturday or Sunday may increase your costs due to higher demand for movers and limited number of weekends in a month (especially during peak moving season). Moving on a weekday also means you’ll have the entire upcoming weekend to unpack and get organized before your following work week.

Best Time of Day to Move: Early AM

Good news early birds: mornings are the best time to get moving. If you hire a professional moving company, they’ll want to arrive in the A.M. – roughly during the 8 to 10 a.m. window. Early mornings usually mean cooler conditions for the movers during those warmer months. “The elements have a lot to do with it,” long-time moving professional Scott Dickerson tells me. “When it gets to be 105 degrees outside, we want to be gone by 2 p.m. to beat the heat.” If you’re moving yourself, it’s a good idea to get an early start as well. You’ll have more energy in the mornings (after that cup of joe, anyway), and you’ll be left with more time to unpack, organize and enjoy your new digs.

Other considerations when selecting your moving date

  • Weather: It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that you should trust your common sense. If you happen to live in a cold climate, you’re probably better off avoiding a move smack-dab in the middle of winter. After all, icy roads, treacherous conditions and heavy lifting make for a miserable time.
  • Work: If you have to move during a busy time at work, then it may be worth the extra bucks to move on a weekend date.
  • Family concerns: Have school-age children? It may make more sense to move during the summer in order to avoid a chaotic school year.

Of course, not all of us have the option to move at the most ideal time. The “best” time for you will really depend on: location, weather, budget, family matters and flexibility at work. Once you have these figured out, you’re on your way to a successful move.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a Free Quote Online.

Keep Your Home Clean and Organized After A Move

Home Clean and Organized After A MoveThe process of moving can seem never-ending. But there’s nothing quite like the feeling of finally getting everything unpacked and settling into your home. Those first few days after unpacking are pretty glorious—everything is in its right place and your space is perfectly clean and uncluttered. The good news is, it’s actually pretty easy to keep it that way.

Embrace small changes first

If you’re generally a bit messy, it may be difficult for you to adopt a tidier and more organized lifestyle. Trying to clean your home from top to bottom at once can be quite overwhelming for you, so you should try to adopt simple habits first. For instance, you can start by simply washing the dishes after your meal every time. Gradually, you can implement other changes until you realize that living in a clean, organized home is much more inspiring and motivating.

Greet change at your front door

When cleaning your home, you should embrace change at your front door – leave your shoes there. You can imagine how much dirt and bacteria you’re bringing inside when you walk around your home in your shoes. So, once you step inside, take off your shoes and leave them by your front door. If you have a lot of shoes, make sure to introduce enough storage units for you and your family members. You can even design a built-in shoe closet next to your entry.

Don’t let clutter rule your life

According to NBC News, one in four Americans actually has a clutter problem. Not only is this making your space smaller, stuffier and more overwhelming, but it’s actually leaving you without a few extra bucks in your wallet. You’d be surprised by how much money you can earn by simply selling your clutter online or organizing a yard sale. Therefore, instead of feeling cramped in your own home and letting clutter take over your life, you should finally free yourself and your space from unnecessary junk and useless items. The best way to declutter your home is to deal with one room at a time. You should throw away anything that you haven’t used in more than a year, put away some items and clothing that you want to donate and set aside those things that you can sell.

Start your morning the organized way

Your bedroom will seem more organized the moment you make your bed in the morning. This will take just a few minutes each morning and you’ll be able to start your day by creating an organized look in your bedroom. Afterwards, your personal sanctuary will seem more relaxing and inspiring, which will have a positive effect on you, as well.

Pay attention to what you breathe in

When cleaning and tidying up their homes, most people consider dusting, mopping, scrubbing and vacuuming without even thinking about the quality of their indoor air. Yet, indoor pollution is a serious issue that can affect your health and your home’s general atmosphere. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to eliminate or at least mitigate this problem in your home. For instance, effective AC units are a key component for creating a healthy, airy atmosphere in homes. Furthermore, proper air conditioning installation is a way of ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of both duct and spit systems in households. Therefore, if you feel that your home needs some fresh air, you should have an AC unit installed by professionals so that you can rest assured that it’s working properly.

Other ways to increase your indoor air quality is to introduce air purifiers and houseplants that will help you remove airborne toxins and allergens. You should also switch to healthy, green cleaning products instead of using those highly toxic ones.

Wash and deep clean

Everything from covers and pillowcases to drapes and area rugs collects dust and allergens in your home every day. Carpets and rugs, in particular, are full of dirt, toxins and other pollutants that can easily spread throughout your space. Therefore, you should wash and deep clean your fabrics, carpets, rugs and other materials on a regular basis. While covers, pillowcases, sheets, cloths, towels and other materials can be easily thrown into the washing machine, rugs and carpets require more effort, so you can just have them professionally cleaned at least twice a year.

Put away after use

Learning to put an item away after using it is a simple habit that will save you a lot of effort. By always keeping each item in its own place, you’ll prevent clutter from building up. You may need to introduce more storage units, but you’ll finally have enough room for everything.

Clean as you go

You probably passed by a blanket thrown over your sofa or a pile of magazines lying on your coffee table countless times. Instead of choosing not to even pay attention to these messy spots, you should tidy them up as soon as you notice them. Every time you pass by a cluttered or dirty area in your home, don’t ignore it, but deal with it immediately. This will save you a lot of trouble later on when you can’t postpone cleaning anymore.

Keeping your home clean, tidy and healthy often entails adopting simple habits that will make both your home and your life more organized.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Assisted Living Home Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a free quote online.

Should You Move Your Mattress?

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Should You Move Your Mattress?The mattress is one of your most important pieces of furniture since you spend a third of your life in it. When you’re moving, it’s the perfect time to ask yourself whether it’s time to invest in a new mattress or if your old one is worth taking with you. Here are some considerations.

Is it worth the hassle to move the mattress?

Unless your current mattress meets your needs, ask yourself these questions.

  • Is your mattress more than eight years old? If so, it might be close to the end of its lifespan.
  • How comfortable is your old bed? If you wake up achy or toss and turn, those are signs that your mattress might not be a good fit and needs replaced.
  • Is the mattress of good quality? If you have a bargain bed, your moving might be a good time to upgrade your sleep experience.
  • What condition is the mattress? If it’s sagging, indented, ripped, or torn, the move might finish wrecking your bed.
  • Does your bed meet your needs? Perhaps you need a bigger bed or want to upgrade to an adjustable or cool sleeping mattress.

It’s the perfect time to buy a new bed

If you’ve been thinking about a new mattress, there are lots of reasons to buy during your move.

  • Not moving it will reduce your moving costs.
  • If you’re DIY moving, not taking it reduces the hassle.
  • You can have a new bed delivered timed to match your move.
  • You can get white glove delivery for a stress-free move.
  • You’ll start off in your new space with a comfortable sleep experience.

What to do if you decide to buy instead of moving your mattress

One of the most convenient ways to shop for a new mattress is to buy online. You’ll get a better-quality bed for a more affordable price.

  • Before you start shopping, decide what size bed you need.
  • Look past marketing speak and check mattress reviews.
  • Consider whether you want a specialty mattress like an organic bed.
  • Check the time from order to delivery so you know when to buy.
  • If you have access, you might want delivery to the new place a day prior.
  • Buy new sheets and bedding if they need replaced or you’re changing sizes.

Getting rid of your old mattress

Coordinating getting rid of your old mattress requires timing since you don’t want to go without a bed at your old space. There are a few options to dispose of your old bed.

  • Repurpose it – If you have a spare room that needs a bed, use it there.
  • Donate it – Local laws may prevent donating your bed but in some areas, you can.
  • Sell it – If the bed is in decent shape, you might be able to sell it.
  • Give it away – List it on LetGo or Craigslist for free and let someone take it.
  • Recycle it – Look for a local recycle company. More than 80% of a mattress is recyclable.
  • Trash it – Hire someone to haul it away or take it to a landfill.

Tips for moving a mattress

  • When moving a mattress, whether DIY or using a mover, start with a plastic mattress bag to protect it from dirt, stains, and snags. They only cost $5-10.
  • For DIY, get help since mattresses can be ungainly. If you don’t have help, fold it in half and secure with ratchet ties to make it easier and use a furniture dolly.
  • Preferably move it in a closed moving van or truck. Stand it vertically – don’t lie it down and pile stuff on it.
  • Moving a mattress in the back of a truck is the next best thing but be sure to secure it with ratchet ties or well-knotted rope.
  • A car top is the least preferred method and the least secure. It needs to strapped extra-securely.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

How to stay focus during your move

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How to stay focus during your moveMoving is a complicated process that requires a lot of planning, review of many details and other time-consuming tasks. Along with the process of house-hunting that precedes it, bringing all of your belongings to your new home can start to feel stressful if you don’t take a measured and thoughtful approach that reduces stress and keeps you focus.

How can you maintain peace of mind while moving? Take the following advice into account as you start to plan the big trip:

Make a schedule and stick to it

“How can you keep your responsibilities for the move in focus?”

With so many moving parts involved in a move, it’s easy to let something fall through the cracks. Whether it’s turning on utilities for your new home or booking a packing service to box up your possessions before the movers arrive, there are plenty of needs to consider.

How can you keep your many responsibilities in focus and complete necessary steps in an organized, efficient way? Make a schedule. Use the calendar app on your phone or pen and paper – whichever works best for you – to schedule all the tasks you need to complete in advance of the move.

The major advantage behind this approach is breaking up the work into small, easily managed pieces while ensuring you give yourself enough time to deal with everything involved. Instead of getting overwhelmed, you have the reassurance of knowing there’s a relatively small amount of work to do each day.

Remember the reward that awaits you after your move

While planning a move and making sure it goes off without a hitch is a major exercise both mentally and physically, there’s a major benefit awaiting you at the end of the process: Your new home. When you choose a high-quality professional mover like Pony Express Moving and plan ahead to take care of things like activating your utilities and switching over your internet service, you make your eventual arrival something to look forward to.

You might feel bogged down in all the work that comes with moving or anxious waiting for the big day. Just remember that the reward is worth it – a house that you chose among many other candidates, one that appeals to you and will soon be ready for you and your family to move into. The payoff of living in your new home is certainly worth the wait.

Moving to Boston

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Moving to Boston has long been synonymous with a new beginning in the New World. Of course, the reasons for moving have changed, but for many expats, their impending move to Boston still marks the beginning of a new life.

Moving to Boston

Even if you only have a general idea of US American history, Boston’s significance during the formative years of the USA is unlikely to have escaped your attention. New England’s largest city — and one of the oldest in the entire country — played a pivotal role in many events leading up to the independence from Britain.

Boston’s Historical Past

Of course, the local residents of Boston proudly preserve and display this heritage. History buffs moving to Boston are bound to have a blast exploring the city and its past! Since its founding, a steady stream of people moving to Boston, enticed by the promises of the New World, caused the city to experience significant growth throughout the 1800s.

The two biggest and most influential groups who started settling in Boston in large numbers were Italian and Irish immigrants in the first half of the 19th century. The influence of both these groups is still very tangible today. The Italian and Irish communities settled down in North End and South Boston, respectively. The residents of these neighborhoods still value their home country’s traditions, which is why e.g. South Boston is home to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The City of Neighborhoods

When moving to Boston, you have the choice among a multitude of neighborhoods catering to different tastes. Each of these 23 boroughs has its own distinctive atmosphere and demographic profile, earning Boston the nickname “City of Neighborhoods”. Owing to this great variety, there is no single neighborhood that expats moving to Boston prefer. Nonetheless, below you’ll find a short overview of some of Boston’s vibrant neighborhoods which might make your decision a little easier.

Dorchester: Dorchester is the largest and also the most diverse neighborhood in Boston. Residents from Vietnam, Ireland, Cape Verde, and many other countries live together and make the neighborhood one of the most vibrant in the city. The Franklin Park located here offers walking and biking parks as well as numerous picnic areas.

Beacon Hill: This neighborhood is one of the oldest in Boston. Its architecture is reminiscent  of the old colonial times with brick houses and ornate doors. Its location on top of the hill and its historic landmarks makes it one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston.

South End: With its proximity to Downtown and the Back Bay, the South End has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods. It is especially popular with young professionals and the gay community. Nonetheless, due to relatively affordable housing and its over 30 parks, more and more families have started to settle in South End.

West Roxbury: Tree-lined streets and single family houses give West Roxbury a suburban feel. The neighborhood is especially desired amongst families because of its youth programs and because you can get to Downtown in 30 minutes and still have a front yard.

Jamaica Plain: “JP”, as locals call it, is one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in Boston. The ethnic diversity, the green spaces and the good connection to Downtown are some of the many reasons why young professionals and families alike love the area.

If you want to know more about one of Boston’s neighborhoods, the homepage of the City Administration offers a detailed breakdown of all 23 of them.

Skyrocketing Rental Prices

Much to the dismay of anyone interested in moving to Boston and, of course, the local population, extensive gentrification has caused rental prices to skyrocket. Today, people looking for homes in the area of the city face fierce competition on the rental market in one of the most expensive cities in the USA. If Boston’s upscale neighborhoods just outside downtown are the only option for you, prepare yourself for extortionate monthly rents. Proximity to the “T”, Boston’s number one mass transit system, is likely to increase your monthly rent even further.

With educational institutions of worldwide renown in and around Boston — such as Harvard University and MIT — the influx of students is considerable, and many opt for off-campus living. Naturally, this makes finding a home when coming to Boston from abroad quite a tricky task. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to jump on the first available housing that appeals to you rather than taking time to shop around.

Timing Is Everything: Moving to Boston

Boston’s rental market is very seasonal. September first is known as the traditional move-in date of the year, as this is the day when many leases start. Being too early or too late will both have the same result: fierce competition has a chance of dashing your hopes of finding a decent place to live when moving to Boston. Usually, Boston’s apartments go on the market about four to six weeks before the lease date.

Your financial plan or budget for your move to Boston should take into account the fairly hefty sum of money you likely will have to pay right before moving in. Apart from demanding the first and last month’s rent up front, some landlords also require you to pay a security deposit. With the rental prices in Boston the way they are, this will almost definitely amount to a considerable sum, so keep this in mind when planning your move to Boston.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

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Estimate Packing Time for Your Move

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Estimate Packing Time for Your Move
Why does it seem that the last 10% of packing can seem like 90% of the job? When estimating the time it will take to pack your apartment, condo or home, you always want to err on the side of more time than you think you’ll need. Even if it seems like an outrageous amount, better to plan to have the time available than be caught short on time when you really need it. So how can you estimate how long it will take to pack your belongings? We are glad you asked – because THAT is what this post is about.
From those intent on packing themselves to those who see the wisdom in hiring a professional to pack their belongings, the bottom line is getting your items packed up in a way that allows for safe transport to the new location. As human beings, we are generally optimistic about our ability to accomplish certain tasks. What we often forget is that there are all sorts of little things that add up over the course of the packing process. And if we are not careful to leave a buffer, we can get stuck needing more time than we budgeted.<
Things like running out of packing supplies, the added time to label things properly and pack things well. The time it takes to find used boxes or tape new ones together. The time it takes to move and stack packed items so the boxes are out of the way and still easy to access come moving day.

Three Ways to Estimate Packing Time

Packing Time Method 1

Roughly estimate the “worst case” time scenario you can think of. Then add another 50% to that. Yep, we are serious! It

Packing Time Method 2

Figure out how long it would take to pack ONE average box – start to finish – Include taping the box together, wrapping the contents, packing the box full, taping it shut and labeling the contents on the outside (top AND end). Then, if you are good at mentally calculating volume, walk around your entire home and estimate how many PACKED boxes per room. Do the same for closets, attic/basement, garage, storage, etc. ADD the boxes together and add 20% to the total (just in case). Then, multiply the number of GRAND TOTAL number boxes by the time per box. Take the total time and add 20% more time to it. NOW you have an approximate number of boxes AND the rough time you will need to pack them!

Packing Time Method 3

Unless you have moved several times or are one smart cookie when it comes to estimates like this, it may even take you more time than you calculate.If you can, it makes sense to pay a professional to pack your house for you. Professional packers are both fast and efficient. They pack your belongings with care and understand how to pack for efficient loading of the truck on moving day and for the safety of your belongings while in transit.As soon as you try a whole house packing service, you’ll see what we mean!

For a quote on packing as part of a move with Pony Express Moving Services , request a Free Moving Quote.

Things People Forget to Do Before They Move

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You packed everything perfectly, including that dining room chandelier, the big-screen TV, the vintage ’70s “Dukes of Hazzard” T-shirt collection. You even got your dog’s medical records from the vet. But something’s keeping you awake at night as your move draws nigh. You know you forgot something.

7 Things People Forget to Do Before They Move

Don’t worry, keep packing. We assembled this handy checklist of things people often forget to do—or don’t even realize they should take care of—so you can make sure you’re covered and can move and settle down in your new digs with ease.

1 month before: Cancel recurring charges

Taking care of a gym membership or other subscription services may fall by the wayside during the madness leading up to moving day. Worse, those recurring charges will keep mounting on your credit card while you’re in the throes of unpacking. Get a jump on canceling these at least a month before your last expected day of use, especially since many gyms require a 30-day notice.

Can’t get out of your contract or transfer your gym membership to a facility by your new home? Sell it through online classifieds such as GymTransfer (yes, most gyms allow this!). Don’t forget to unload any prepaid class cards, too.

On the flip side, important recurring charges on your credit card—such as mail-order medications—might be canceled if your address change hasn’t caught up with billing information. So compile a list of charges and make the effort to call these companies and give them a heads up to avoid disruption in service.

2 weeks before: Call your car insurance company

The Department of Motor Vehicles advises people in the process of moving to closely manage their car insurance during the transition, as states have varying levels of required coverage. Even if you’re staying in the same city, rates can differ from neighborhood to neighborhood. So call your insurer well before the move to find out the parameters and deadlines for updating coverage at your new address.

2 weeks before: Change your address early

Most people know the U.S. Postal Service offers an online form to quickly change an address for all of your mail, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to fill it out.

1 week before: Organize your finances

Since losing track of bills among piles of boxes is all too easy, we recommend setting up systems before a move that can easily transition from old home to new. For monthly bills such as phone, rent, or mortgage, it can really help to set them up for autopay, which you can typically do through your bank or the billing company.

Whatever system you choose, decide which household member will be responsible for paying which bills. And as moving often incurs unexpected costs, be sure that you’ll have enough money in designated accounts at time of payment.

1 day before: Snap pictures of your electronics

Those cables in the back of your TV and modem that keep your life wired? They don’t make sense now and will make even less sense when they are tangled in a box. A simple solution is to snap a picture of the setup before you take your electronics apart—and coil the cords and label them with masking tape, for good measure.

1 day before: Pack your plants

Do you have a special plant (maybe that hydrangea you planted for your child’s birth or your mom’s prized azaleas)? To make sure you aren’t forced to leave it behind in your rush, make a list of what plants you want to take with you and put a plant plan in place. Don’t put your shovels into the moving van until the last minute—you’ll need them to carefully dig up root balls. Buy large buckets beforehand and use them to transport each plant.

1 day before: Stock a go-to box

Set aside one box for the first 24 hours in your new home. Pack paper towels, cleaning supplies, clean sheets, towels, paper plates and silverware, toilet paper, and maybe even a bottle of bubbly to celebrate all your hard work, picnic-style.