1. 1. 1. 1. Throw out, give away or sell unwanted items.
         2. Inspect appliances. Decide whether they are worth moving.
         3. Start using up stored food.
         4. Find good homes for house plants, guppies, etc.
         5. List contents:
            1. Room by room
            2. Garage
            3. Basement
            4. Shed
            5. Garden
         6. Resign from clubs. Transfer memberships. Give away subscription tickets.
         7. Arrange to terminate household help:
            1. Snow removal
            2. Diaper service
            3. Cleaning lady
            4. Gardening services
            5. Dry cleaning
            6. Newspaper delivery
            7. Trash pickup
         8. Gather important documents:
            1. Medical records
            2. Birth Certificate
            3. Marriage Certificate
            4. School Records
            5. Insurance
            6. Warranties
            7. Dental Records
            8. Batismal Certificates
            9. Passports
            10. Pet Vaccination Certificate & veterinarian records for pets
            11. Automobile Records
         9. Consult bank manager about transferring accounts. Obtain a letter of introduction. Close unneccessary bank accounts, safety deposit box, etc. Leave forwarding address.
         10. Arrange transfer of medical and dental records, prescriptions and optical records.
         11. Cancel house insurance and arrange insurance coverage for new home and extra coverage for move.
         12. Contact: OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) P.O. Box 48, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5J3
         13. Register change of address at Post Office. Obtain and mail "Change of Address" cards. Keep a reference list.
             1. Magazine Subscriptions
             2. Record Clubs
             3. Book Clubs
             4. Doctor
             5. Alumni Associations
             6. Insurance Co.
             7. Credit Card Co.
             8. Dentist
             9. Utility Companies
             10. Department Store accounts
             11. Licence bureau
             12. Lawyer
             13. City Tax Department
             14. Finance Co.
             15. Stock Broker
             16. Accountant
         14. Get estimates from moving companies. Finalize arrangements (including terms of payment) one month before departure date. Double check dates to avoid conflict between new and former owners. If you are doing your own packing, arrange to purchase cartons.
         15. Start a moving expense book. Keep all receipts and documents. (These expenses are tax deductible if move results in your being more than 25 miles closer to your job).

3 Weeks Before Move

1. Return anything borrowed. Repossess anything lent or out for repair.
2.  Clear out club and school lockers. Return library books.
3. Arrange closing of utilities in old home; turning on utilities in new home (Hydro, Telephone, Water, Gas and/or Fuel) on the appropriate dates. Instruct heating oil supplier to fill oil tank before closing date. Arrange for transfer of "Hot Water Tank Rental Agreement" if applicable. Advise Water Softener and TV Cable suppliers of sale arrangements.
4. Draw a floor plan of new house. Mark what will go where.
5. Begin packing. Keep boxes reasonably light. Clearly label boxes: contents and room of destination.
6. Arrange for baby sitter for packing and moving days.
7. Have rugs, drapes, clothes cleaned. Leave them wrapped.

1 Week Before Move

1. Have car serviced.
2. Prepare a list of what will move with you personally:
3. 1. Valuable documents
   2. Jewelry
   3. Old phone book
   4. Phone list
   5. Basic overnight gear
   6. Snacks
   7. Light bulbs
   8. Toilet paper
   9. Games for children
   10. Camera
   11. Screw driver
   12. Facial tissue
   13. Pet food
   14. Asperin
4. Remove and pack exclusive chattels. Dismantle large power tools. Have T.V. aerial taken down if excluded.
5. Drain oil and gasoline from anything to be carried in van. Dispose of flammables (aerosol cans, varsol, paint, etc).
6. Buy traveller's cheques.
7. Pack light clothing in dresser drawers; heavy objects in boxes. Label clearly.
8. Arrange to sleep somewhere else the night before the van arrives.
9. Arrange access to the keys for your new home.
10. Cancel pre-authorized cheques issued for contracted services.

One Day Before Move

1. Stay home. Packers and service men will be in and out.
2. Lead the packers around. Point out:
3. 1. Fragile and valuable items
   2. Items to be loaded last
   3. Items left for new owners
   4. Last minute essentials
   5. Car pile not to be loaded onto truck
   6. Defrost fridge and freezer
4. Double check that valuables and documents are either in bank or with car luggage.
5. Sign the certificate of packing and unpacking. Note what you have undertaken to pack and unpack yourself. Verify the number of containers.
6. Make sure keys for new home are in safe and handy place (e.g. your purse or wallet, R.E. Office or Lawyer's Office).
7. Double check every room and closet before leaving.
8. Turn off furnace, air conditioner, water and lights
9. Read hydro, gas and water meters
10. Lock all windows and doors
11. Give your cell number to the truck driver.