"On the stress scale, relocating ranks with death and divorce."

Everyone in the family experiences stress during a relocation--big stress--even if they're looking forward to the move. Whether you're going across town or across the country, you'll be leaving some things behind permanently--friends, routines, favorite places. Added to that are the uncertainties involved in selling a home, packing, moving, finding a new home, and settling into new jobs and schools. You're trying to create a whole new life!

Planning well ahead can help ease relocation stress. By mapping out the process, each step will become more predictable and manageable. Also, be sure to keep communications open and frequent among family members and with outsiders who can help.

"Sell your home before you buy."

Selling your current home before buying another makes good financial sense. Until your first home is sold, there's no way of knowing exactly how much money you'll have to work with--you could end up under-buying or over-buying. Also, as you approach settlement on your new home without selling first, you may find yourself under pressure to get your old home sold fast--even if it means dropping the price below market value.

Although you may be able to get a bridge loan to help finance your new home before your old one sells, this type of loan represents an additional expense, and will come with a time limit. What if your old home doesn't sell within the time frame allotted? Again, you could be forced to sell with less-than-favorable terms.

"Aging enhances wine, beef and homes."

As you look for a home to purchase in your new location, you may be faced with choosing between new homes and resale homes. The advantages of new homes are obvious--the latest conveniences, state-of-the art construction, fresh paint and carpeting throughout. Resale homes, on the other hand, offer many desirable qualities that can't be constructed.

Charm may be a resale home's most attractive feature. It develops over the years as a home is refined and improved by its owners. Mature landscaping and trees add warmth and beauty throughout older areas. Established schools and neighborhood relationships create a strong sense of community. In addition, many older homes on the market today have been completely updated, offering the best of the old and the new.

"Three moves are worth one fire."

If you're a pack-rat, don't wait for a fire to whittle your possessions down to a manageable level. Moving offers a better (if less efficient) opportunity to unstuff your garage, attic, basement, closets, cupboards and other areas of your home. After all, it's easier and less expensive to move with less stuff.

As you begin to plan your move, search every room in your home for unneeded and unwanted items. If you haven't used something in a year, chances are you'll never miss it. Separate the cast-offs into different groups--items to donate, items to sell and trash. Then be sure to follow through on your decisions swiftly, before you have a chance to change your mind.

"Every plan to move should include a Plan B."

Moving to a new home doesn't always go the way you'd like. If it did, you would sell your home quickly, then settle on a perfect new home just before your household goods pull up at the front door. Unfortunately, details often get in the way of what's supposed to happen on schedule.

If you're planning a relocation, make sure you develop alternate plans in case something doesn't go as planned. For example, talk with your lender about a bridge loan, in case your old home doesn't sell before your new home goes to settlement. The opposite could happen too--a lag between vacating your old home and settling on your new one. Having a plan in place for temporary housing could come in very handy.

"To get kids on-board for a move, involve them in the process."

It isn't easy pulling up roots and relocating. There's so much to lose and only a vague picture of what's on the horizon--especially from a child's viewpoint. Getting your children involved with the move will ease their anxiety and reluctance.

Share as much information as you can gather about the new location. Challenge older kids to find out about exciting or interesting aspects of your new home --and reward them for their efforts. If possible, take the kids on your home shopping trips, or at least bring them photos of homes you're considering. Try to visit the new schools before you move, making sure teachers and administrators will have time to talk with you and your children

"Moving is expensive, no matter how you look at it."

Moving services can be costly, but there are some things you can do to help keep down the cost of moving your household goods:

• Do as much yourself as possible. Rent a van, pack, load and move with help from family and friends. At least do the packing to cut mover’s charges considerably.
• Move off-season. If possible, schedule your move after September 30 and before May 1 for lower moving or truck rental rates.
• Get the floor plan of your future home to ensure your furniture will fit-get rid of what won’t.
• Toss old clothes. A full wardrobe carton weighs 75 pounds. Why ship items you won’t ever wear again? Instead, hold a tag sale and give someone else the chance to enjoy them.
• Toss or sell low-value, heavy and large items you no longer need or want. Items such as weight-lifting equipment, bird baths, appliances, a pool table, etc. have a way of weighing you down.
• Be generous. Donate items you don’t want to a charity and take a deduction at tax time. Many charities will be happy to pick up heavier items at your home.
• Avoid storage expenses by coordinating move-out and move-in dates so you can transfer possessions directly from the old home to the new one.

"Make A Moving Game Plan."

The best first thing you can do when you find out you’re relocating is to draw up a “game plan” for your move. Make lists for everything. List all the tasks you need to accomplish and try to give a reasonable deadline for each task. This will help you to set priorities so you’ll have a clear idea of what needs to get done and by when.

Here are some items to include on your moving "to-do" list:

Six Weeks Before Moving

• Make an inventory of everything to be moved.
• Collect everything not to be moved for a garage sale or charitable donation.
• Contact the charity for date/time of pickup. Save receipts for tax records.
• Select mover, arrange for exact form of payment at destination (cash, check). Get cartons and packing materials to start packing NOW, unless you have packing services.
• Contact insurance agent to transfer/cancel insurance coverage.
• Check with employer to find out what moving expenses they will pay.

Four Weeks Before Moving

• Notify all magazines of change of address.
• Check with veterinarian for pet records and immunizations.
• Contact utility companies for refunds of deposit, set turn-off date.
• Contact broker in new community to set up utility turn-on date.
• Service power mowers, boats, snowmobiles, etc. that are to be moved, drain all gas/oil to prevent fire in moving van.
• Check with doctors and dentist for all family records and prescriptions.
• Get children's school records.
• Remove all jewelry and other valuables to a safe deposit box or other safe place to prevent loss during move.
• Give away or arrange for transportation of house plants (most moving companies will not move plants, especially in winter).

One Week Before

• Transfer or close checking and savings accounts. Arrange for cashier's check or money order to pay moving company on arrival to new community.
• Have automobile serviced for trip.
• Fill out Post Office change of address forms, give to postmaster.
• Check and make inventory of all furniture for dents and scratches, notify moving company of your inventory and compare on final day.
• Dispose of all combustibles and spray cans (spray cans can explode or burn).
• Pack a separate carton for cleaning materials and tools.
• Separate cartons and luggage you need for personal travel.
• Organize at least one room in the house for packers and movers to work freely.
• Cancel all newspapers, garden service, snow removal, etc.
• Review the entire list to make certain that you haven't overlooked anything. Check and double-check everthing you have done before it's too late.

"Handle Yourself With Care!"

Packing and preparing to move can be stressful and exhausting, so make sure you take care of yourself throughout the process. Get as much sleep as you possible can (considering your bed may be on the moving van and you’re in a sleeping bag on the floor!). Eat well, keeping healthful snacks, such as bananas, packs of raisins, wrapped granola bars, on hand; and don’t give in to “junk” food—it will just slow you down. Drink plenty of water. On the day of your move, dress for comfort from head to toe.

Don’t Make A Move Without Insurance.

Even the most organized moves can result in damaged property. But how do you know how much – and what kind of -- you need to protect yourself and your possessions in case they are damaged, stolen or lost in transit?

First, take a look at what you’re moving and how much you want to spend on insurance.

Most moving companies offer four levels of liability:

• Basic liability: This minimal protection doesn't cost extra, but it only covers a portion of the total value of your possessions and you will have to get additional insurance to be fully covered.
• Declared value: The value of the things you move is based on the total weight of the shipment multiplied by a specific amount per pound (example; $1.25 per pound). For instance, if your possessions weigh 10,000 pounds the mover would be liable for up to $12,500. Claim settlement is then based on the depreciated value of the item(s) damaged.
• Lump-sum value: If you need insurance that is based more on value than on weight you can get insurance for a specific amount (the amount is variable dependant on the insurance provider) per $1,000 of value. You must know the value of what you are shipping and make a declaration in writing on the bill of lading.
• Full value protection or full replacement value: This type of coverage includes lost, damaged, and destroyed property. The coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of the item(s). Usually there is a minimum coverage amount and applicable deductibles.

You should review your homeowners insurance to find out if your policy covers breakage and theft in transit. If not, you may want to consider obtaining supplemental insurance or transit insurance for your move.