Frequently asked questions

MoveReady is a free moving toolkit with three tools that help you get ready for your move. Don’t Forget™ is a persistent Moving Command Center — not just a moving checklist, but an interactive tool with 128 tasks across 14 categories where you can compare internet providers, generate IRS forms, transfer utilities, and more without ever leaving the page. Heads Up™ lets you send beautiful moving announcement e-cards to everyone who needs your new address notification — friends, family, doctors, accountants — in under 5 minutes. Ready Set Save™ connects you with companies and service providers who want to help make your move easier, less stressful, and more affordable. All three tools are free. One account, no commitments, no hidden fees.

Genuinely free. No credit card, no trial, no hidden fees, no premium tier. Don’t Forget™ and Heads Up™ are free forever. Ready Set Save™ connects you with trusted partner offers from companies who pay us a referral fee — you never pay extra. We may occasionally send you notices about relevant offers and deals for your move, but you can opt out anytime with one click. There are no commitments of any kind.

MoveReady is built and operated by A Little Help Here Media, LLC, based in Boulder, Colorado. We’ve helped over 250,000 movers get organized and stay connected during their moves. Our mission is simple: make moving less stressful with free tools that actually work.

Creating a free account takes about 30 seconds. Enter your email, name, and move date — that’s it. No credit card, no phone number required (though adding a phone lets you get text reminders). One account gives you instant access to all three tools: the Don’t Forget™ moving checklist command center, Heads Up™ moving announcements, and Ready Set Save™ partner deals. You can log in anytime from any device and pick up right where you left off.

Don’t Forget™ is your Moving Command Center — it tracks 128 tasks across 14 categories of things to do when moving, from 8 weeks out to move-in day, with built-in tools to complete tasks right inside the checklist. Heads Up™ handles moving announcements — import contacts from Gmail or Outlook and send personalized e-cards to everyone who needs your new address. Ready Set Save™ connects you with companies and service providers offering deals on home security, internet, utilities, insurance, and more to help you save money on your move. All three are free with one MoveReady account.

Yes. Everything is persistent. Your Don’t Forget™ checklist progress, your Heads Up™ announcement history, and your Ready Set Save™ preferences are all saved to your account. Log in from any device — phone, tablet, or computer — and pick up exactly where you left off. Your data syncs automatically across all devices.

Most moving checklists are static PDFs you print, fold, and forget in a drawer. Don’t Forget™ is a persistent, interactive moving command center that you log into and use throughout your entire move. It tracks 128 tasks across 14 categories, syncs progress across all your devices, sends timed reminders, and — critically — includes 5 built-in tools that let you complete tasks like comparing internet providers, generating IRS change of address forms, looking up utility providers, setting up trash service, and sending moving announcements directly inside the checklist. No other free moving checklist does this.

Don’t Forget™ tracks 128 tasks across 14 categories covering everything from USPS mail forwarding and utility transfers to insurance updates, government notifications, healthcare, schools, employers, subscriptions, and more. Tasks are organized by your actual move date — 8 weeks before through move-in day and beyond — so you always know what to do when. It’s the most comprehensive free moving to-do list available.

Every task you check off is saved instantly to your MoveReady account. Log in from your phone on the bus, your laptop at work, or your tablet on the couch — your progress syncs automatically. You’ll never lose track of what you’ve done or what’s left. This is what makes Don’t Forget™ a moving command center, not a disposable checklist.

When you create your account, you enter your move date. Don’t Forget™ then sends timed reminders starting 8 weeks before your move, nudging you about tasks that need attention that week. You choose how you want to be reminded — email, text, or both — and you can adjust or turn off reminders anytime. It’s like having a moving assistant who knows your timeline and never forgets what’s next.

Yes. Even though Don’t Forget™ is designed as an interactive command center, you can download the full 128-task checklist as a printable PDF anytime from your dashboard. Many people use both — the interactive version for daily tracking and the PDF as a fridge-door reference. Searching for a free moving checklist you can actually use? This is it.

A static PDF is a one-time printout. Don’t Forget™ is a living tool. It saves your progress, syncs across devices, sends timed reminders, organizes tasks by your actual move date, and includes built-in tools that let you complete tasks — like comparing ISPs or filling out IRS Form 8822 — without ever leaving the checklist. It’s the difference between a sticky note and a mission control dashboard.

15 tasks across 5 built-in tools can be completed right inside the checklist without navigating away. These tools cover internet and ISP comparison, utility provider lookup and transfer tracking, trash service auto-detection, IRS Form 8822 generation, and moving announcements via Heads Up™. Every other moving to-do list tells you what to do — Don’t Forget™ actually lets you do it.

When you reach the “set up internet at new address” task in your checklist, a side panel shows every internet provider available at your new zip code — fiber, cable, and 5G home internet — with speeds, monthly prices, contract terms, and equipment fees displayed side by side. Choose a provider and the checklist guides you through setup. It also tracks cancellation of your old service as a paired task, so you never end up paying two internet bills or moving in with no connection.

Gas, electric, and water tasks are paired in Don’t Forget™: disconnect at your old address and connect at your new address. When you open a utility task, the tool looks up the specific provider serving your zip code and gives you the direct phone number or website to schedule service. If you cancel your old gas service but haven’t set up new gas yet, you’ll see an amber prompt reminding you — so you never move into a home with no heat or hot water. This paired tracking covers all 6 utility tasks automatically.

Trash collection varies wildly by address — some areas use municipal pickup, others require private haulers. When you reach the trash task, the tool auto-detects how trash and recycling are handled at your new address and walks you through setup. It handles both cancellation at your old address and new service enrollment.

The IRS requires Form 8822 (Change of Address) to update your records. Inside Don’t Forget™, the Form 8822 tool pre-fills your name, old address, new address, and move date from your MoveReady profile. You add your SSN — which stays in your browser and is never stored on or transmitted to our servers. The tool generates a downloadable PDF with a cover page showing the correct IRS mailing address for your state. Print, sign, mail. The task marks itself complete. This is one of the most commonly forgotten change of address tasks, and we make it take 2 minutes.

Yes. Moving changes your auto insurance rate because your new zip code, state minimums, and commute all affect pricing. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance also varies dramatically by location. When you reach the insurance tasks in Don’t Forget™, the built-in tool helps you compare quotes from top insurers so you’re not overpaying at your new address. It also tracks cancellation of your old policy to prevent coverage gaps — a common and expensive mistake when moving.

Yes. When you reach the “notify friends and family” task in Don’t Forget™, the Heads Up™ tool opens as a side panel. You can import contacts from Gmail or Outlook, choose from 5 designed e-card themes, personalize with your new address and a message, and send — all without leaving the checklist. The task marks itself complete when your announcements are sent. It’s the only moving checklist that includes a built-in moving announcement tool.

Paired task tracking is a feature unique to Don’t Forget™. When two tasks are logically linked — like canceling gas at your old address and connecting gas at your new address — the checklist watches both. If you complete one but not the other, you’ll see an amber prompt alerting you that the paired task is still open. This prevents the most common moving mistakes: paying double for services, or moving into a home with no utilities connected. Paired tracking covers utilities (gas, electric, water), internet, trash service, and insurance.

Heads Up™ makes sending a moving announcement effortless. Sign up for a free MoveReady account, import contacts from Gmail, Outlook, or add them manually, choose from 5 professionally designed e-card themes, add your new address and a personal message, and hit send. The whole process takes about 5 minutes. Every recipient gets a personalized e-card in their inbox with your new address, your message, and a button to save your new address to their contacts.

Most people who ask “how to announce you’re moving” end up sending a mass text or posting on social media — both of which get lost or buried. Heads Up™ is the better answer: it sends a personalized, beautifully designed new address notification directly to each person’s inbox. You pick who to notify, choose a design, and send. Everyone gets their own e-card that feels personal, not spammy. You can send to 10 people or 200 — no limits, no per-email fees.

Heads Up™ currently supports one-click contact import from Gmail, Google Contacts, and Microsoft Outlook. You can also add contacts manually. Your address book loads in seconds — no spreadsheets, no CSV files. More integrations are coming soon.

Yes. Your MoveReady dashboard shows real-time delivery and open tracking for every announcement sent. You can see who opened your e-card, who saved your new address, who hasn’t seen it yet, and whether any deliveries bounced. This is something no social media post, group text, or phone call can provide.

No. We never store your contacts permanently and never share them with anyone. Your contacts are imported temporarily so you can select who to notify. Once your announcements are sent, contact data is not retained. MoveReady is fully CCPA compliant with transparent privacy practices.

Social media posts get buried in feeds within hours — most of your 50 to 200 contacts will never see them. Group texts are impersonal and don’t include a save button for your new address. Heads Up™ delivers a personalized, professionally designed e-card directly to each person’s inbox with your new address, a personal message, and a one-click save button. It’s intentional, not incidental. And you get real-time open tracking to see who’s been notified.

Ready Set Save™ connects you with companies and service providers who want to help you during your move. These are trusted partners offering deals on home security, internet, utilities, home insurance, moving services, and home essentials. Every offer is curated — we only partner with providers we’d recommend to our own families. It’s free to browse, free to claim deals, and designed to help make your move easier, less stressful, and more affordable.

Yes. All deals are free to browse and claim as a MoveReady member. We earn a referral fee from our partners — you never pay extra. There are no commitments, no hidden fees, no premium tier. You can also opt out of offer notifications anytime with one click.

We may occasionally send you notices about relevant offers and deals that match your move timeline and needs. But we respect your inbox: you can opt out of all offer communications anytime with one click, and we will never sell or share your email with third parties. There are no commitments of any kind. Our goal is to help you save money on things you’re already going to need for your new home, not to flood your inbox.

Our Custom Offer Concierge matches you with personalized deals based on your move date, new location, and what your home needs. Tell us what you’re looking for — home security, internet service, insurance quotes — and we’ll deliver curated offers to your inbox within 24 hours. Think of it as a personal shopper for your move. Free for every MoveReady member.

We vet every partner for service quality, pricing transparency, and customer satisfaction. If we wouldn’t recommend it to our own families, it’s not on our platform. Partners include providers in home security, internet and cable, utilities, home insurance, moving services, and home essentials. We prioritize companies who genuinely want to help movers save money and reduce stress — not just anyone willing to pay a referral fee.

When moving, you need to notify a wide range of organizations and people. The complete list of companies to notify when moving includes: USPS (mail forwarding), all banks and credit card companies, auto/home/health/life insurance providers, utility companies (gas, electric, water, internet, trash), the DMV (driver’s license and vehicle registration), the IRS (Form 8822), Social Security Administration, voter registration, healthcare providers, schools, your employer’s HR/payroll department, subscription services, and 50 to 200 personal contacts. Don’t Forget™ by MoveReady tracks all 128 notification tasks across 14 categories as a free interactive change of address checklist.

Permanent USPS mail forwarding lasts up to 12 months for first-class and priority mail. Temporary forwarding lasts 185 days and can be extended to 12 months. Important: magazines and periodicals only forward for 60 days, and packages have varying forwarding rules. After forwarding expires, undeliverable mail is returned to sender. This is why USPS forwarding alone isn’t enough — you need to actually update your address with every company, bank, and institution individually.

USPS mail forwarding redirects physical mail from your old address to your new address for up to 12 months. But it does not notify any organization that you’ve moved. Your bank, insurance company, the DMV, the IRS, your employer — they all still have your old address on file. After forwarding expires, critical documents like tax refunds, insurance notices, and bank statements go to your old home. You need to update each organization separately. Don’t Forget™ by MoveReady is a free change of address checklist that tracks every notification you need to make across 14 categories so nothing falls through the cracks.

Failing to update your address when moving can lead to serious consequences: missed bills and late fees, insurance coverage gaps that leave you unprotected, lost tax refunds sent to your old address, identity theft from sensitive mail delivered to your former home, expired vehicle registration, inability to vote in local elections, and lost medical records. Most states legally require you to update your driver’s license within 30 days of moving. This is exactly why we built Don’t Forget™ — a free moving checklist that tracks 128 tasks so you don’t forget when moving.

Moving to a new state adds tasks that in-state movers don’t face. You’ll need to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration at the new state’s DMV (required within 30 days in most states), register to vote at your new address, verify that your healthcare providers are in-network at your new location, update auto and home insurance (rates vary dramatically by state and zip code), and file IRS Form 8822 to update your address. Don’t Forget™ includes a built-in IRS Form 8822 tool that pre-fills your information and generates a ready-to-mail PDF. The checklist covers all interstate moving tasks automatically based on your move details.

Yes. Don’t Forget™ by MoveReady is a free moving checklist with 128 tasks across 14 categories — and it goes far beyond a printable PDF. It’s an interactive Moving Command Center that saves your progress, syncs across all your devices, sends timed reminders, and includes built-in tools to complete tasks like comparing internet providers and generating IRS forms. You can also download the full checklist as a printable PDF anytime. No credit card, no trial, no hidden fees. It’s the most comprehensive free moving to-do list available.

No. The USPS change of address only sets up mail forwarding — it doesn’t tell your friends, family, doctors, accountants, or anyone else that you’ve moved. There is no government service that notifies your personal contacts. On average, movers need to send a new address notification to 50 to 200 people, and most never do. That’s what Heads Up™ by MoveReady is for — it lets you send personalized moving announcement e-cards to everyone who matters in under 5 minutes, free.

When you create your free account, we collect your name, email address, and move date. You can optionally add a phone number for text reminders. For Heads Up™, contacts are imported temporarily to send your moving announcements and are not stored permanently. For Ready Set Save™, we use your move date and zip code to match you with relevant offers. We never sell your data to third parties.

No. Never. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties. Ready Set Save™ partner offers are presented to you within MoveReady — we never hand your information to partners unless you explicitly click through to claim an offer. You can opt out of all offer communications anytime.

No. When you use the IRS Form 8822 change of address tool inside Don’t Forget™, your Social Security number stays entirely in your browser. It is never transmitted to our servers, never stored in our database, and never logged. The tool generates the PDF locally in your browser using your profile information plus the SSN you enter, then you download it directly. We designed it this way specifically for your security.

Yes. MoveReady is fully compliant with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). You can request deletion of your data, opt out of any communications, and exercise your privacy rights at any time. See our Privacy Policy for full details.