This post was created in partnership with Hire-A-Helper. All thoughts and opinions belong to GenPink contributor, Hannah, who is planning a Texas to Florida move VERY soon. 

In a few months I am going to move to Florida, about 1,000 miles from my current home in Texas. I have been trying to figure out what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.

Here is a list of my top seven moving tips for one or more months out from your moving date:

1. Plan housing in the new destination.

If you have the time and financial ability, take a weekend to visit your next city to find a place to live. If you’ve already made living arrangements, or if you’re on a budget, spend some time planning logistics for your new place. A resource like Roomle is helpful to decide where your furniture will go.

2. Gather moving supplies.

Collect the following items that will help with a seamless moving experience: Boxes (like free ones from your office, bookstores, grocery stores, etc.), tape, markers, unprinted newsprint (I bought the end of a roll at the local newspaper office in my parent’s hometown for $3) and several rolls of colored duct tape or washi tape to label boxes for each room.

3. Figure out a moving plan.

Are you going to hire a moving company to move you, use a long-distance storage (think PODS) or drive a truck? Further, do you want to use movers to put your stuff in the truck? There are so many questions to consider, and a good place to look for comparing these different types of moves is HireaHelper.com. The website can give you a realistic estimate of the price difference between the three different types of moves.

Keep a running list of all the supplies, to-dos, travel arrangements, confirmation numbers, etc. We recommend Evernote, so that you have it all one one device, such as your phone and computer. But a dedicated notebook will work too. (Don’t pack the notebook!)

4. Sort through your stuff.

Since you are going to move a long distance and everything must go in a box, this is the optimum time for a good purging of the dusty items in the back of your closet. I personally have found things from college that just needed to go, such as old textbooks, broken decorations and other junk. Designate a tub or a corner of your room for donation items. Stop by your local Goodwill/Salvation Army regularly, so you aren’t tempted to pack up those “maybe” items.

5. Pack out-of-season items.

As you sort through your belongings, go ahead and pack up the items you know you won’t use in the near future. I packed my winter wardrobe and all of my seasonal decorations.

6. Gather paperwork.

You want to keep all of your important paperwork (i.e.: car title, car insurance, passport, medical documents and even prescriptions) in a central location. Eventually toss them in a well-labeled box so you know where they are when you arrive to your new destination. Additionally, if you have a pet, you will want to keep all of their vaccination records updated and in the same box as your important papers.

7. Make a bucket-list for your last few weeks in your current city.

As I am about to leave Dallas soon, I am making a point to take time out to hang with friends and hit up any sites that I haven’t had a chance to see yet. Check TripAdvisor, Foursquare and the local publications for a list of must-see places. Even if you have lived in your current location for a while, chances are there is at least one tourist activity you should add to your calendar before your moving day.

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About Hire-a-Helper:

HireAHelper is an online marketplace where you can find, compare and book an independent service provider. Using HireAHelper is much like using a travel website to compare rates and book a hotel room – you’re making a reservation with an independent service provider. HireAHelper gives 1% of their revenue away, and they sponsor 80+ kids in need.

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