Pre Departure To-Do List

Being the overly organised person that I am, I can never seem to hold back from putting together a well-structured To-Do List. It’s such a simple way to make yourself feel productive, and you’re much less likely to find yourself chasing your own tail in the days leading up to your departure date.

I think there’s definitely a strong correlation between the length of this to-do list and my level of insanity.

I’ve was mentally assembling this list over several months, so putting it on “paper” and setting due dates made me feel much more organised and confident, and made the trip seem more ‘real’.

I was adjusting it on a weekly basis and kept adding to it as I went, to keep me motivated, on track and excited about the end goal

*TIPS:

• Add a ‘Completed’ column to tick off the items as you go, and a ‘Budget’ column to estimate how much each task is likely cost so that you can factor it into your budget.
• Catalogue your to-do list by week or month. This sets some realistic deadlines, and helps you feel more organised and in control.

T – 5 Months

• Book Flights (scary moment)
• Book market stalls to sell belongings
• Ensure phone is unlocked and will work in the UK
• Organise storage for essential personal belongings which can’t be sold (such as photos or letters)

T – 4 Months

• Purchase UK Text Book (to read up on my field of work in the UK & familiarise myself with the differences)
• Organise and prepare car for sale
• Get familiar with London suburbs & maps

T – 3 Months

• Advertise car for sale
• Start preparing Resume for the UK
• Create a Rental CV including written landlord’s reference
• Book transit accommodation (if making any stops along the way)

T – 2 Months

• Hold first market stall to sell non-essential belongings
• Purchase Bank AC & NIN Starter kit
• Sell car
• Unregister from Australian Electoral list
• Get storage quotes for placing big furniture items in long-term storage
• Notify landlord about ending rental contract
• Research transit location (e.g. Singapore) and gather a list of places to visit
• Start changing mailing address on all Australian accounts who send mail, and select ’email only’ where possible

T – 1 Month

• Send Luggage & Parcels to London via sea & air mail.
• Organise London Phone & Sim Card
• Get Tax Invoices for any ‘Duty Free’ purchases over $300 this month for a GST Refund
• Print resume copies with UK phone number on them
• Make copies of important doc’s (birth cert, passports, etc) and save online
• Book Storage & Budget truck for transport of furniture
• Cancel utilities & internet
• Cancel mobile phone contract and switch to pre-paid
• Organise Tax Return (if haven’t)
• Hold another market stall to sell remainder of belongings
• Close all but one bank accounts
• Get written work referrals
• Get written landlord referral

Some other to-do tasks that I haven’t included for myself, but may be relevant to you include:

• Book accommodation for arrival
• Check all passports to ensure they are still valid
• Organise Visa/Passport
• Arrange removalists for shipping of household items

We all lead different lives and have different needs, so my list will vary to yours. However, it’s a great way to get your mind ticking and thinking about what you need to do to get yourself organised.

Happy planning!