- Clear out unwanted goods – hold a garage sale or donate.
- Get rid of flammables – paint, petrol, gas cylinders.
- Empty fuel from mowers, clippers, trimmers and so on.
- Clothes — do you need them all? Charity shops may want them.
- Separate books: disposable, family reading and valuable.
- Check all electrical goods items will they work in the new home and are they needed?
- Start making up your change of address list.
- Arrange to have mail forwarded.
- Arrange termination date for electricity, gas, oil, telephone and other main suppliers.
- If you are taking electrical goods such as a TV, see if you still have their original boxes.
- Have rugs cleaned.
- If you have children, separate cherished toys to travel with you.
- Round up personal documentation — marriage/birth certificates, driving licenses and so on.
- If passports are needed, keep them separate so they are not packed.
- Moving outside the country and you want to take the car; check on import regulations and the duty payable.
- With regards to family pets — make sure vaccinations and documentation are up to date.
- Will your new home be ready? If not, you need to arrange temporary storage.
- Shops, schools, theaters, life styles — it’s never too early to find out about your new home.
- Start clearing out the food supplies especially the freezer.
- If necessary arrange your finances — close or transfer bank accounts, savings accounts and so on. With electronic banking this is not as much of an issue today.