Moving can be exciting and stressful but here are some tips to help make your summer move easy.

1. 10 Steps to a Smoother Move This Summer

2. For most, there is an excitement of moving; the thrill of something new. But once the excitement wears off, you are left with the overwhelming realization of all the chores that lie ahead. So to help with this task, here are 10 steps to follow for a smoother move this summer.

3. 10 Step Process Notify businesses you’re moving ahead of time Disconnect your current utilities Home connections Find Moving Quotes Moving check list Get organized Color coordinate Pack a suitcase/box of essentials Move certain fragile/valuable items yourself Last minute details

4. Step #1: Notify businesses you’re moving ahead of time Notify key places such as government offices and places where you have a personal account that you’re moving. Here are some places to start from: Personal Accounts – Work, Gym, Bank, Credit card companies, Doctor(s)/Dentist Government Offices - Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, IRS

5. Step #2: Disconnect your current utilities Don’t pay for someone else’s utilities. Disconnect the utilities to your current home. Here are some utilities to disconnect: Electricity Gas Water/Sewer Trash Telephone Cable/Satellite Internet Service Providers Alarm company

6. Step #3: Home connections Better to connect utilities to your new home ahead of time that way you’ll have water, electricity, etc. the day you move in. Bounce Energy, a Texas electricity provider, has partnered with Digital Landing to make connecting utilities easy on you. You can set up new service, compare providers and more all at one website.

7. Step #4: Find Moving Quotes Compare multiple moving quotes from moving companies who are insured, licensed and committed to great customer service. Get these mover quotes on Bounce Energy’s website

8. Step #5: Moving check list A moving check list helps you stay organized and guides you through the move. Go to Bounce Energy’s Move Center for a moving list that is easy to download and print.

9. Step #6: Get organized The best way to get organized before packing is to create a record keeping list. For each box you pack, record the number for each box and the items inside. Also write the same number on the box as well. Track this information in a spiral notebook or on an Excel spreadsheet.

10. Step #7: Color coordinate Color coordinate your boxes according to the room to which it belongs. Designate a different color for each room or area in the new home (ex. all blue stickers belong in the kitchen). Put a matching sticker on the door to each room in the new house before the movers arrive. Tip: apply the stickers on the boxes while you are packing not after.

11. Step #8: Pack a suitcase/box of essentials Pack personal items that you use on a daily basis. For example, toiletries, medicines, undergarments, a change of clothes, towels and sheets. Pack the second with household items that you may need on day one such as toilet paper, a telephone (assuming it was connected beforehand), cell phone charger, paper plates, cups, paper towels, and cleaning supplies.

12. Step #9: Move certain fragile/valuable items yourself Consider valuable possessions such as: framed photos art silverware antiques Take any legal documents or important papers with you such as: birth certificates social security card school records recent bank records current bills anything with personal information on it

13. Step #10: Last minute details Leave your phone or cell phone plugged in all day during the move; you never know when you’ll need it. Once everything is moved, go through the house to check for anything left behind. Also check for: Furnace and A/C shut off All utilities arranged to be disconnected Windows shut and locked Light switches all turned off

14. Moving may not be the most fun thing to do, but with some planning, organization and the Bounce Energy Move Center (to view go to www.bouncenergy.com/moving) at your fingertips, your moving process should be more manageable and best of all less stressful.