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Moving house is a very busy time for even the most organized family. With all of the things that need to be done it's easier than you may think to forget something. Here are some common things that people forget to do before they move.

Gather All Your Records: We don't often think about how many records and documents we have until we are moving and have to get them all together in one place. School and work records, medical and dental records, vet records for your pets, and personal papers such as insurance policies, wedding and birth certificates and adoption paperwork all need to be organized and kept in a safe and easily accessible location while you move.

Know Your New Address: You may be surprised, but forgetting your new address or accidentally packing away the paperwork that has your new address on it is pretty common. Be sure to make a note of your new address in a few different places just in case something is misplaced.

Cancel Clubs, Lessons and Membership Cards: Don't forget to cancel health club memberships, library cards and return movie rentals. Be sure to ask if your memberships may be transferable to a location near your new home.

Return and Collect Borrowed Items: Items that have been borrowed from friends and neighbors are easy to forget about when packing up your home. Before you begin packing, go through your home and put anything you've borrowed in a designated area so that you will remember to return them to their owners. Also ask your friends and neighbors to return items they have borrowed from you so that they can be packed with the rest of your belongings.

Designate a Contact Person: Now that most people have cell phones, this can be overlooked sometimes, but it is still a good idea, especially if you are moving a long distance away. Your contact person will be the phone number that someone can call if they need to get in touch with you, but your cell phone isn't working. Be sure to give your removalist company this phone number, as well as your friends and family. Then call your contact person on a regular basis to make sure any messages are collected.

Leave Your Garage Door Opener and Spare Keys: Many times people move all the way to their new home before they realize that they still have their old garage door opener and the spare keys for their old home. Having to send these items back to the new owners of your old house can be a little embarrassing for you, and can be inconvenient for the new owners. Also be sure to collect any spare keys you've given to neighbors or friends.

Don't Forget Your Pets: Usually this complication isn't that you've forgotten your pets, but that when you're ready to load the last kid into the car and drive away, your pet has suddenly disappeared. Cats, of course, are notorious for disappearing at the worst moments. If your pet has run off and you just can't wait any longer, ask your neighbors to keep an eye out for him and make sure he's taken care of when he shows up again.