I do not intend you to actually read this post, as it is quite boring and not at all exciting. I have removed all of the specific line items that are personal to our family (specific utilities, specific memberships, etc.)
This list is also not inclusive of everything that might need to be on the list. It is simply a starting point to use as a springboard if you need to create your own!
I went through and labeled each action item with the corresponding week it needed to be completed, so that at a glance, I could reconcile whether I was falling behind with a task, or right on schedule.
When this process first started ... with Week One ... I had:
- 6 weeks before Todd left for India
- 13 weeks before the kids and I left Ohio
- 18 weeks before the kids and I left the United States
Without further ado, I present to you ... the India To-Do List:
WEEK ONE
Apply for Todd's Employment Visa
start HSBC bank account
begin process of gathering school records, recommendation letters and medical records for school application
if animals are concerned, schedule consultation with their vet to learn of required vaccinations, quarantine laws, flight options for them, etc.
WEEK TWO
close any dormant bank or credit accounts
Decide whether to continue life insurance policies
Meet with Realtors for interviews
Redraft Wills
Research Travel Clinic vaccinations requirements
schedule/find sea shipment company
Todd's Flight arrangements on front end
update/cancel TiVo
WEEK THREE
Advise insurance company of intent to move
family Visa Applications - obtain necessary letters and proof information
book Delhi flights
arrange any travel plans before leaving the country
schedule service appointments for any electronics making the trip (camera, video camera, game systems, etc.)
collect legal docs - marriage, birth, adoption certificates
copies of insurance docs, med records, optical, dental records,
Create Power of Attorney for unfinalized sale of house
remove photos/frames from wall, patch/repaint
Schedule tax/financial advice meeting
Supply of passport sized photos
Todd's initial packing, go through clothes
WEEK FOUR
investigate warranties for household appliances being sold with the house, renew if necessary
Inventory contents of home and begin making list of what ships, what stores and what is given away or sold
Schedule Travel Clinic vaccinations
sort file cabinets TAKE, STORE, DESTROY
voter registration change
investigate Cobra insurance, flex plan details
buy multiple "tool kits" for loaning out
create binder for new homeowners
WEEK FIVE
Decide on which credit cards to leave open, which to close
investigate cancellation policies for cell phones, gym memberships, cable, etc
detail, wash and wax vehicles
for sale ads for vehicles
AAA international driving permit
hepa air filters
any necessary household repairs need ... obtain estimates and quotes
WEEK SIX
Arrange for the yard care and property check on regular basis
Arrange off-site storage
Arrange with post office for change of address
Receive quotes for final house cleaning after personal property has been shipped
WEEK SEVEN
safe deposit box for docs and valuables
final dentist appointments
final doctor appointments
Arrange for temporary housing
WEEK EIGHT
research clubs, memberships, sporting events and investigate membership rqeuirements for new location
cancel magazine/newspaper subscriptions
Cancel water delivery, bulk store memberships, etc.
drain machines of gas
inventory off-site storage
notify family/friends of address change
Surface clean furniture
Wash all bedding
WEEK NINE
Utilities notification
purchase converters
schedule haircuts
WEEK TEN
pack sea shipment
WEEK ELEVEN
deplete alcohol
deplete cleaning supplies
deplete food storage
dispose of houseplants
WEEK TWELVE
defrost fridge/freezer
pack carryons (passport, visa, tickets, $, jewelry, valuables, vacc records, drivers license, meds, address book, change of clothes)
pack kids' carryons
Pack the suitcases we are taking as luggage
WEEK THIRTEEN
Final house cleaning
Final walkthrough with realtors
