Doing all that you can to make the movers’ jobs as easy as possible serves several purposes; aside from the courtesy factor, you’ll also save time and perhaps money by simplifying the process. In the interest of creating an efficient moving environment, you should make sure that all boxes are clearly labeled. This will help the movers know which rooms they belong in, and whether or not the items within are fragile. Staging boxes in the most easily reached, open area in your home with the ones containing fragile items grouped separately will also help movers load the packages quickly. Dissembling any furniture that will need to be taken apart for the move is another time saver.

It’s also important to make arrangements for any pets that you may have; the process of moving can be stressful for furry family members as well, not to mention the possibility of them getting injured or causing injury by tripping a person carrying heavy items. If at all possible, boarding pets or asking a friend to pet-sit is best for everyone involved.

Because moving can be a stressful time for children, especially if they’re moving into a new school district, coming up with fun projects to celebrate a move can help them see it as an exciting opportunity, rather than cause for distress. If time allows, helping them to create their own personal moving announcements to send to their friends, whether digital copies through email or physical cards to be sent via snail mail, can also foster a sense of excitement. Feeling that they’re an integral part of the moving process can also prevent a sense of powerlessness regarding the change of address, which often leads, eventually, to behavioral problems and resentment. Getting the whole family involved in the design and creation process can also help kids develop valuable teamwork and compromise skills as they collaborate on the project.

A moving announcement designed by the whole family is not only a fun way of sharing your changing contact information and celebrating a new milestone, but is also a great keepsake for a scrapbook or family album.

Making a floor plan sketch of your new space in order to plan furniture placement ahead of time will make it possible to ensure that everything ends up in the proper room before the movers leave. This is also a great way to find out what you have versus what you’ll need; if you’ll require additional shelving or other items in your new place, you’ll know in advance and can add them to your shopping list. When the time comes to finish that shopping, limiting yourself to a handful of pre-chosen stores will prevent the wasting of huge amounts of time by eliminating the chance of drifting aimlessly from shop to shop. Being flexible with your choices can take some of the stress out of the shopping experience; allowing yourself to be surprised by a departure from your normal style is okay.

Because cable and other utility service providers tend to give such large windows for appointments, scheduling all of them for the same day can reduce the amount of time spent waiting and the traffic through your new space. If the cable installer, phone tech and movers are all in the house at once, it’ll seem that much more peaceful when all of their jobs have been finished and they’ve gone home.

She recommends packing and moving the smallest and most fragile items first in order to prevent them from being inadvertently broken when heavier, bulkier items are being moved. Delicate belongings also tend to fare better in plastic bins with lids, rather than traditional cardboard boxes whose flimsy construction does little to protect contents from impact. Pieces of furniture can be labeled with Post-it notes, indicating their destination in the new home in order to minimize confusion; the adhesive is delicate enough that it won’t damage finishes if applied directly, but she does advise wrapping all furniture in heavy-duty plastic to prevent scratches and dents. Pieces with doors and cabinetry should be wrapped and taped to keep them from opening and becoming damaged. Artwork and delicate framing can be easily protected with simple plywood crates that have been padded along the inside with bubble material for added protection.

Stewart states that her own moving experiences have been made much more simple by clearly labeling everything possible and keeping the use of cardboard boxes to a minimum; the protection offered by plastic bins, sheeting and bubble material greatly reduce the risk of items being damaged in transit. Following these simple tips and allowing plenty of time to complete each task properly is the best way to be sure that everything arrives in your new home safely and completely intact.

Be Very, Very Picky
Closely screen all candidates, no matter how great they appear on the surface. Have a list of questions prepared so you don’t miss anything important, and don’t be afraid to get person – this person is going to end up living in your space.

Put Up the Fence
Before inviting someone to live in your home, establish some clear boundaries and rules before either party signs on the dotted line. Items to cover can include chores, schedules, and having other people over. By getting this discussion out of the way you can ensure that you are both clear on who’s responsible for what.

Get a Room
If at all possible, even if it costs more, get your own room. Having a private retreat to head to after work or when you want some rest and relaxation can make all the difference.

Get Out
No matter how much you like your new roommate(s) it’s still important to get out and about. Doing so gives your roommate his/her personal time, as well as letting you each have some time away from each other so you can get along better when you are both home.

Everyone Stay Warm
Nothing is as miserable as people who are cold – so dress warm for moving day! Remember to layer your clothing, wear warm socks and put on good winter boots. A toque and gloves will also help to retain body heat while you are moving boxes. If the day is really miserable you may want to pick up some instant heat packs for the ends of your boots and gloves.

Check Ahead
If you are moving more than a few kilometres it can pay to check ahead and see what road conditions are like. No one wants to get stuck on the highway, and if conditions are bad you may be better off staying an extra night in your old home if possible. Double check your gas and tire pressure before you leave, and invest in a good emergency kit. It always pays to be prepared!

Turn Up the Heat
Make sure the heat in your new home is turned on at least 24 hrs before you move in, so you don’t have to wait to warm up. You also may need to recruit someone to shovel the driveway and walkways before you and the moving party arrives. Keep a few thermoses of coffee and hot chocolate on hand in case anyone needs a quick warm up, and remember to have fun!

Don’t Forget to Dress Warm
To stay warm during a Winnipeg winter you’ll need layers, and lots of them. At the minimum you should have a base layer (polyester), one or two mid layers (lightweight wool / polyester mix / fleece) and an outer layer (shell or parka). Also ensure you cover your hands, face, neck, and wear warm socks.

Friendly Faces
There are tons of reasons to move to Winnipeg, especially to meet lots of friendly people and to have a chance to enjoy both city and rural living.

Enjoy the Scene
Winnipeg has an excellent arts and culture scene, as well as many fabulous restaurants. You can take in a play or musical at the beautiful Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. The theatre also regularly features operas, classical music, ballets, and children’s shows. Meanwhile, the city has a range of restaurants, from comfort food to high end gourmet.

Embrace the Cold
There’s lots of outdoor activities in Winnipeg in the winter, so grab your gloves and toque and get ready for a great time! Whether it’s carnivals, skating, ice carving, or relaxing by a roaring bonfire you can find lots to do this winter. See the Travel Manitoba site for more.

Tantalize Tastebuds
Hungry? There’s certainly no shortage of great places to eat in Winnipeg. Home to over 1,000 restaurants Winnipeg is a perfect place to explore a Culinary Adventure.
And here you thought you’d be in for a long, boring winter. Not in Winnipeg!

Here is a list of items to consider putting aside:
· Important Numbers: Double-check that your address book or cell phone have all the essential numbers you need, particularly since it could be a few days before your internet is up and running. Also add numbers for local handymen, your phone company and hydro provider.
· Bathroom Items: Having a shower and clean teeth may seem second nature, but you may not be thinking about it when you pack up. Set aside some towels, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and toothbrushes.
· Change of Clothes: Pack a bag with a minimum one change of clothes per family member, plus pyjamas. This gives you at 12-24 more hours before you have to locate and unpack clothing.
· Toolbox, etc.: Keep your toolbox handy just in case, plus some paper towels, light bulbs, and batteries.
· Kitchen Essentials: Mark one box for immediate unpacking which contains a set of plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery for each family member. It may be a few days before you get a chance to unpack the rest of your kitchen.
· Cleaning Items: In case the previous owner did a lacklustre job have some all purpose cleaner, gloves, a sponge, and window cleaner set aside.
· Toys! Toys! Toys!: So your kids aren’t miserable have a basket of toys, books, and coloring for them to play with while you move. A new DVD probably wouldn’t hurt either.

Now that you know the essential items, make a plan to have them placed into the moving truck last so they can be unpacked first.

But one of the most important things you’ll do before a move is to notify businesses, colleagues, family and friends of your new address and phone number. You’ll keep personal information secure, by preventing receipt of personal financial correspondence at your old address. Here are some important tips to remember during this notification process.

(1) Observe notification deadlines. Many government agencies such as the post office require advance address change notification. For example, Canada Post recommends that you submit a change of address form at least three days in advance of your move. And you can always do it a little sooner than recommended.

(2) Check for online forms when available. As most people have access to the Internet, submitting address and phone updates via online or printable forms from websites can save time and frustration. Your local Winnipeg mover often has links to change of address forms on their website. Just understand that some businesses (like credit card companies and banks) may need independent verification of the changes, ensuring that you are not falling victim to identity theft.

(3) Create pre-printed postcards. It’s always nice to send a handwritten note, but if you have a large list of friends and family members, you may want to invest in postcards with your new address already printed. You can always add a personal note and let the recipient know when you’ll be settled in your new home. Another idea is to enclose a pre-printed address label (ready to be pasted in an address book) in your correspondence.

Using these strategies will help you keep your most important correspondents in the loop and ensure that you don’t miss an important piece of mail.