Here is one possible template for a moving schedule. You can adjust this schedule to make it work for your own needs and circumstances. Although this schedule does not specify weekly goals related to specific rooms of the house, it may be helpful for you to plan to pack up one room a week and to specify your choice of room on the schedule. If you pack just one room at a time, you'll feel less overwhelmed than if you have half-packed boxes all over the house.

Eight Weeks (at Least) Prior to Move

Speak with friends and families about their moving experiences. Begin to research the companies that look most promising and narrow down your options. Contact these companies to obtain bids. If the fee range varies greatly from company to company for similar services, inquire about these discrepancies. Calculate potential moving expenses — contact your employer and the IRS to check on possible assistance and deductions. Create a detailed schedule for your move. Contact a charity to see if they might be willing to do weekly pick-ups, or rent a dumpster so that you can simplify the process by clearing out excess clutter.

Seven Weeks Prior to Move

Create an inventory of all that you own. From this inventory, decide which items you'll move on your own and which you'll need assistance with. Consider placing ads on craigslist.org or eBay for items you don't want to take with you. If you have enough items that a garage sale would be feasible (and if your schedule allows), have one now. Contact your insurance companies to obtain insurance for your move and for your new residence. Begin dealing with change-of-address issues with utilities, credit card companies, and magazine subscriptions. Arrange for a transfer of medical and dental records to your child's new school. Make sure that you obtain your own copies of all medical (especially vaccination) and dental records which can transfer to your new doctors and dentists in your new location. Obtain packing/shipping supplies.

Six Weeks Prior to Move

Begin packing nonessential items. Confirm moving dates with the company you've selected and complete all related paper work. Contact your current landlord and neighbors to discuss your departure. If you will be flying to your new city, purchase airline tickets.

Five Weeks Prior to Move

Cancel local deliveries, such as newspapers, milk, and so on. Continue to pack nonessential items. Order your financial records and paperwork (you may want to purchase a portable, plastic filing box so that you can keep essential records close at hand). Send an e-mail to family and friends with information about your new address.

Four Weeks Prior to Move

Complete change-of-address forms with the post office and IRS. Notify your insurance companies and utility companies of your move. Continue to purge and pack.

Three Weeks Prior to Move

Arrange for a babysitter to watch your kids on moving day. Continue sorting and packing. Return all library books, videos, and items belonging to friends and neighbors.

Two Weeks Prior to Move

Contact utility companies for your new location and arrange for service. Continue to pack. Transfer your finances and bank accounts to branches near your new home. Transfer prescriptions to new pharmacies or inquire about your ability to pick-up prescriptions from a pharmacy in your new town if your prescription is held at a chain pharmacy.

If you are able to hire professional cleaners to clean your home, schedule a cleaning for the day after you move out. This may be a great way to save time — expect that you won't have a lot of extra energy surrounding your old home, but that the new owners will certainly appreciate a professional cleaning job prior to moving in.

One Week Prior to Move

Finish packing. Reconfirm date with your moving company. Pack personal belongings that will travel with you. Empty and defrost your refrigerator. Pack your personal items to travel with you. If you are moving any appliances, prepare them for transfer. Review all paperwork related to your move. Begin packing your unload-first box (this should include essential items such as your toiletries, bedding, towels, paper ware for the kitchen, light bulbs, tools, a flashlight, a notepad and pen for making lists, and possibly your coffee pot and some coffee).

Moving Day

Pack up your bed and last-minute items. Finish packing your “unload-first” box.

Confirm delivery time with movers. During your move, try to be considerate of your neighbors. Try to avoid making too much noise early in the morning or late at night.

Move-In Day

Arrive at your new home before the moving company. Ideally, you will have access to the home at least a few days before the moving company comes so that you can do any last-minute cleaning and preparations. On that first day, if you've moved appliances, make sure they've been properly hooked up and are working properly. Have payment ready for the movers — in most cases they will prefer cash. Check with them in advance, because the last thing you need on your moving day is to have to rush to the bank for cash!

Have a tool kit on hand to fix and assemble furniture. Assemble the beds so that you can sleep in your new home on that very first night. Head to the local grocery store and stock your kitchen with quick snacks that won't make a mess — fruit, PowerBars, fresh bread, milk, nuts, bottled water — anything that will make you feel a little more settled in your new home and keep your blood sugar stable for the work ahead.