The Moving Planner Blog

While most of your worldly goods can be safely entrusted to long distance movers, there are some things that are better left in your own keeping while you move, for one reason or another. Top of the list is personal documents- things like passports (even if you’re only moving across town or interstate), marriage and birth certificates, and credit cards. If it’s hard to replace or has anything on it you wouldn’t want a stranger to see, keep in close by in your bag or even in your wallet.

Small, easy to pocket valuables are also best not left with the movers. Even if you have insurance to cover the cost of a lost or stolen item, some things just can’t be replaced. Your grandmother’s wedding ring is priceless no matter what that insurance valuation says. Either wear precious jewellery and watches or keep them in a bag slung over your shoulder.

The same goes for larger items with a sentimental value. There is little or no point in stealing someone else’s family photo album, but because a mover might not appreciate it as much as you do, they might not be as careful as they could be. Make sure your most precious memories stay close by- especially the older ones that aren’t backed up on your computer’s hard drive or posted on the internet somewhere.

There are a few other things to keep out of reach of packers and movers, not because they’re especially valuable or expensive, but because they’re useful. Put aside a spare change of clothes for each member of the family (maybe two changes for little kids, just in case of spills and accidents during the exciting and busy moving period), a toothbrush and toothpaste each, and a few key toiletries like soap and deodorant.

Make sure your moving day bag has space for snacks and treats. They’ll help keep kids occupied and out of the way and they’ll keep busy grown-ups from running out of energy. A good novel can also make moving a lot more pleasant. Remember that you may have to wait while the packers and movers transport boxes in and out of both your old and new homes, and while you should be there to provide guidance it’s sometimes better to have a cup of coffee in the kitchen and let them get on with it.

There are a few important pieces of information that should stay on you during the moving process too. Note down the telephone number of the moving company and ask for the cell phone of the truck driver if it’s a short distance move. Find a few phone numbers for services around your new home too- a doctor’s practice and the nearest hospital, the local police department, and maybe a couple of restaurants that could deliver a meal once you get to your destination, too tired and hungry to cook or go out. Put the paper in your wallet and keep that on you.