Moving with Cats & Coffee, Part 4
Moving is not the most intuitive process in the world. It seems easy enough: pack up your things from point A and transport them to point B. But, whether you’re moving across the city or across the country, there are a number of pitfalls and inefficiencies that can occur along the way. Having recently moved myself, I designed this series to offer advice on things that went right and — perhaps more importantly — what didn’t go right. You can expect four posts in the Moving with Cats & Coffee Series, published every other week, on topics such as packing tips for moving, moving with pets, and things to do ahead of a move.
This post covers moving day itself, with a checklist of everything you need to do and remember to keep with you on the day of your move.
Everything You Need for Moving Day
I’m a big fan of making lists (hence the freebie list offered at the end of this article), and found a moving day checklist to be particularly useful. It is easy to get wrapped up in small tasks, and to ultimately forget important things as a result.
Moving Day Checklist Part 1 | Things to Do:
- Wear closed-toe shoes (sneakers, preferably).
- Wear comfortable clothes with pockets. I highly recommend leggings or bike shorts (these are my favorite) and a workout top or comfy tee. Braid or put your hair up if you have long hair.
- Call your movers to confirm their ETA. Be sure they know where they can park and how to get to your apartment, if applicable.
- Fully charge all batteries before movers arrive — phone, iPads, laptops, etc.
- Download podcasts and playlists on your phone. If you have any drives or flights ahead of you, you don’t want to rely on spotty internet or reception!
- If you need podcast recommendations, I suggest checking out my Curated Content Series for some of my favorites! Click here for some of my favorite audiobooks and here for some great Audible Freebies.
- Pack a backpack or oversized bag with all your important belongings, including things you’ll need throughout the day. Examples include:
- Snack bars and water bottles,
- Glasses and extra contacts, if applicable,
- Travel toiletries (pro tip: this Indie Lee set is great for this),
- Important paperwork,
- Electronics and chargers,
- Pet supplies and necessities,
- Jewelry and watches,
- Any cash you keep at home, and
- A change of clothes for later on.
- Double check closets, cabinets, and other often-forgotten spaces for anything you may have forgotten to pack.
- Perhaps keep an extra small or medium size moving box with you for such last-minute packing.
- Once you’ve checked, put painter’s tape or sticky notes on the cabinet doors to indicate that they’re done and you don’t need to check again. I say this as someone who checked things over and over again.
Moving Day Checklist Part 2 | Things to Keep With You :
- Sufficient cash on hand to tip movers (side note: I’ve mentioned this a few times in this series, can you tell I had an issue with this one?).
- Snacks and reusable water bottles, in case you don’t have the opportunity to grab lunch or food once the movers arrive. Pro tip: don’t get protein bars with lots of chocolate or peanut butter that will melt and get all over the place.
- Keep a folder or folio of important paperwork. Keep passports, titles, legal documents, social security cards, spare car keys, blank checks, and so on in a single spot. I use a clutch like this, which fits easily in any backpack or travel bag I carry.
- A small stash of cleaning products, both to wipe down your new cabinets before you start unpacking and to clean up any unforeseen messes during the day. I recommend the following products:
- Disinfecting wipes and/or Wet Ones,
- A roll of paper towels,
- A roll of toilet paper,
- A few trash bags,
- Dish soap, and
- Hand soap and/or bar soap.
- Prescription medications — and Advil, because your back will probably hurt by the end of the day.
- Electronics (iPads, computers, smart watches, etc.) with their chargers. Consider getting a little tech kit organizer like this one, so you can have everything in one spot.
Read More of the Moving from Cats & Coffee
- Moving with Cats: Advice & Insights – Read on for three categories of Cat Mom Life advice for moving with cats, including things to do before a move, packing for your furbaby, and introductions to the new home here!
- 15 Things to Do Before a Move – There are some important things to get done before a move. But what does it mean to be move-in ready? Read on for 15 action items that will make your life so much easier.
- Packing Tips for Moving: What Worked (& Didn’t) for My Recent Move – Take the guesswork out of your next big move. Get simple packing tips for moving – what worked (and what didn’t) for my recent move here.
*This post was originally published on July 25, 2021. It was most recently updated on April 8, 2022.
