Make sure the last box on the truck (thereby the first off) is the one with the Kettle and a few cups so you can make refreshments throughout the day
Have stuff handy to keep the kids occupied during the pack and load/unload stages. When I was a kid (and I moved A LOT courtesy of Defence) Mum would give us tasks like cleaning skirting boards
Anything valuable, pack yourself (computer etc)
Make sure you have a FULL inventory of your belongings. Make back up copies of this list and keep it with you.
For Garage Sale, list a start and finish time when you advertise it (advertise in the local paper too). Be prepared that "hard core bargain hunters" will arrive before the start time.
Have loads of spare coins and notes for change
Be prepared to bargain the price down to get rid of it
Congrats to your DH on getting into the Police Force!!! All the best for the move!
Golly gosh Kim! Thats a big move! Congrats on DH gettin the job though!
Moving is a great time to spring clean! Start going through ALL your cupboards now and work out what you need, what you don't and what could garage sale/selvo's. And do ONE ROOM AT A TIME! It can be so overwhelming sometimes to see things in the big picture. Buts its much easier to tackle one task at a time.
We moved to Brisbane in Feb and back to Townsville in August this year! Its hard work with little ones but I must admit the girls were pretty good.
Are the kids in care at all??? Cause I have to admit its quite difficult to try and pack etc when they are there. They think its just great that you are pulling things out so they think 'oh cool! lets pull things out too!' but its usually the stuff you've already packed!
Oh and invest in portable car DVD players! They are the best!!!!
Definitely go through every cupboard and shelf - inside and out - you do not want to be dragging truckloads of stuff that you don't use or love with you. Take it from me, it's easier to do it at this end than at the other end.
Don't assume you will have a house with the same amount or type of storage as you do now. Things to look for in your new house - a good weatherproof, lockable shed (for overflow if needed) or other storage (underhouse, etc) and be prepared for some temp storage means like plastic crates etc if needed.
Take photos/video of your electronic items (including dryer, washing machine, fridge) working just prior to your uplift. Don't wait until the other end when it's busted and the removals insurance questions whether they were broken before the move!
Definitely organise someone to mind the kids during prepack and uplift - and if you can at all - at the other end as well. If they organise the move for you several men will descend on your house and start packing all at once - you want to have as many eyes as you can so that your bins don't get packed with their rubbish in them (yep has happened before) and that they're using enough paper and not cramming your gear into the truck all wrong. It's not easy to look after kids and supervise the packers at the same time.
Re selling your house - make sure you investigate whether you're better off selling and buying a new house or whether there's a subsidised employee housing scheme that you can take up that makes it more financially rewarding to rent your house out and live in one of theirs. It can make a bit difference over just a few years.
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