Moving Tips:

Once you've decided to make a life-changing move, you don't have to do it all at once - or all alone. When you're feeling stuck about what you want, find a friend who can listen-really listen - not judge, not jump in with advice, but simply listen and then tells you what she hears you saying.

Below is a nine step plan of action to share with cheerful volunteers:

1. Inventory and tag, room by room, what you want to keep, sell, store, or give away.

2. Apartment or house hunt.

3. Research and compare three mover's estimates.

4. Study the fine print of the insurance options offered by the movers to make the best selection for your particular needs.

5. Arrange for change of address and utilities.

6. Pack and hand-carry small valuables.

7. Prepare a "first box off" including bed linens, cleaning supplies, toilet plunger, shower curtain, bath mat for easy set-up on your first night.

8. Supervise movers. Make sure each box and piece of furniture leaving your home has a numbered sticker and is listed on the mover's inventory for accounting upon arrival in the new place.

9. Unpack with the goal of having all the boxes empty by the end of the first week.