In the Bag is a monthly column where we give you a list of suggested items to have on hand in a variety of situations and locales.



July and August are the most popular months for moving.  And while a move can indeed be very exciting, it can also be very stressful... especially on the day of the actual move.  

Whether you are moving across country or just down the street, we've put together a few tips, plus a list of items to include in a Moving Day Kit, which will help keep moving day meltdowns (yours and your kids') to a minimum.


TIPS

You know the old saying the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?  I've found that my moves seem to go a lot smoother if I treat the moving guys to pizza and drinks mid-move.  Plus, this way they don't take an hour going off-site for a lunch break, saving you time and money in the long run.


Bring one set of sheets, blankets and towels separately, in your car, and make your beds as soon as they are delivered to your new home.  This way, at the end of the day, when you are too tired to do anything but sleep, you can just fall into bed.

Make sure that the local cable company has been there (to connect your television and computer cables) before move-in day.


Below find a list of things to have on hand for the big day.  My motto: be ready for anything, which in this case could mean missing boxes, power outages or disconnected telephone service.


Here are the basics:

Cell Phone (fully charged)
Cell Phone Charger
Pad of Paper and Pen
Kids Activities (coloring books, board games, etc.)
Take-Out menu from a local restaurant
Local Yellow Pages
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Duct Tape
Screwdriver
Hammer
Sunscreen
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Extra Wipes
Extra Diapers
Baby Food and/or Formula
Snacks (for you and kids)
Bottled Water
Paper Plates
Plastic cups
Plastic Silverware
Toiletry Bag (with daily essentials)
Extra change of clothes
Pajamas
Matches
Flashlight
Candles
Sheets
Towels
Pillows
Hand Soap
Sponge
Dishwashing Soap
Clorox Antibacterial Wipes (for easy cleanup of mess found on arrival)
Radio

© istockphoto/ Stefan Klein