Although your move may still seem like a long way off, you will want to have finalized some of the details of your move by this time. Hopefully, you have made substantial progress in simplifying things around the house and are ready to take care of other important things during this period:

• Complete an IRS Change of Address Form, Form 8822. You can also go online and visit www.usps.com to obtain a change of address form or you can obtain the same form at your local post office.

• Notify the appropriate people and businesses of your upcoming move. You can often do this online, over the phone or by mailing a copy of your change of address form. This list could include notifying banks, insurance companies, credit card companies, doctors, dentists, clubs or associations, magazine and newspaper subscriptions as well as your friends and family.

• Alert service providers such as landscapers and pool cleaners of your upcoming move, so you can schedule their final work before you move out and ensure that you don’t have any outstanding commitments to them.

• Request a copy of your family’s medical records from your doctors and dentists so that you will have these for your new physicians and your children’s new schools.

• Discuss with your insurance agent(s) canceling or transferring your current policies for auto (if you desire to transport your car), and property, etc. Depending on the distance of your move and whether you’re leaving your current state, you may be able to keep your current policies. You will want to adjust your premium payments if you pay annually or semiannually to account for the reduction in your coverage term. You should also ask the insurance agent that handles your property (homeowners or renters) insurance what coverage, if any, you will have under your policy related to your upcoming move.

• Put together a list of what your mover will be transporting, what you will be moving yourself, and what you will leave behind. Hopefully, you have chosen a moving company by now and have figured out the packing you will be doing and what your movers will handle.

• If you’re doing some of the packing, begin acquiring the necessary moving and packing supplies. One of the best ways to get exactly what you want and save money in the process is through buying your moving boxes online. Moving boxes and supplies are specially made to handle the demands of moving and it’s not a good idea to use old boxes or ones you get from local stores.

• If possible, get your kids involved in the moving process by allowing them to do some supervised packing. Stuffed animals are always fun for young children to pack. Also, start talking to them about a layout for their new room, and let them make suggestions on how they would like to see their new room organized.