Conduct an inventory of the items in your house. A few weeks before the movers come, walk through your house and determine which items are essential and which are not. Pack only essential furniture and household goods to avoid frustration.
Identify any items you don't use regularly as well as items that have no sentimental value. Consider donating these to a charity. Many charities will come to your home and pick up donations. Plus, you may qualify for a nice tax break. Before you donate, though, invite friends to come over and "shop" your giveaway items. Remember, you usually can't ship things like cleaning products, paint, oil, plants, or perishable foodstuffs.
Sell or store large pieces of furniture before moving overseas. Large furniture is not as versatile as smaller pieces. When deciding which belongings to take with you, look for items that can do double duty, such as a storage trunk that serves as a coffee table or a dresser that can store linens and cutlery in the dining room.
Determine whether your new duty station provides government furniture. Many overseas bases supply furniture to incoming service members and their families. At American posts in Italy and Germany, for example, government furniture is issued and delivered once a service member occupies his quarters. Many families opt to keep some loaned pieces for the duration of their overseas assignment.
Consider the voltage requirements of your appliances. The standard voltage in most countries around the world is 220 volts. American appliances run on 110 volts.
If you do take some American appliances overseas, you will need to use a transformer to change the voltage for your appliance. You can purchase transformers at the Post Exchange, but they can be expensive and inconvenient to use. You can wait to buy any 220 volt appliances you need, such as a toaster, microwave or vacuum cleaner, once you arrive at your duty station. Also, keep an eye out for service members returning to the United States. They often sell unneeded appliances and transformers as they prepare for their move.
