I can only get the smaller pack but I think those are about $5. Double Deckers are around $1.65 each...most Cadbury's bars are around that price ie Flake, Fry's Chocolate Cream. Too bloody affordable for my waistline though!

Your shop dose seem to be a bit pricey.

Oddles of copies of things that'll be a pain in the arse to get once your here like birth certs, bank details like the iban...and errr...spare cheque books...

can and bottle opener, and some basic cutlery in suit case, if your shipping the rest as it'll be a mare not having anything when you first get here and have to buy it till it arrives etc.

Get the forms to change your UK driving license address - take them with you to the US and then send your UK license back to change the address to that of parents/friend/relative when you have a US one.

Tell the Inland Revenue you are leaving the country (can't remember the form number).

Get your mail redirected

Teabags, plenty of boxes of them, they keep for ages so you won't have to worry about them going off...

Also, spending loads of times with your loved ones, family and friends, cos it's so hard to say bye and get on that plane....

Mother's Day cards with Mum written on them, although there's prob none on the shelves there now....I always buy a few when I'm home and they're out, so I can send my Mum one with her proper name on of 'Mum] rather than 'Mom'

All the best to you

go to the dentist and get any work done, then visit your doc and ask for a print out of all vac and jabs etc for your whole family as if and when you apply for a green card this will make it easier and cheaper.

Bring plenty of bedding, it's much cheaper in the UK and also much nicer.

Have you backed up all your computer files before that gets shipped? Seperated a pile of stuff out that you don't want the packers to take? Prepared a list of upcoming birthdays and maybe even bought the presents/cards ready because you know you won't have time to hunt for the calendar/a card shop when you first arrive (even less so hunt through the terrible selection of cards liekly to be available...). I'm sure there's loads more....

...show all your friends and rellies how to use the web cams you bouht them as good bye pressies coz otherwise 9 months ater they will just be starting to ask yo how to hook the damn thing up!

All depending on how long you have had your HSBC account, try and get them to open a premier account.

We did this and they opened out US account before we left UK, within a week or so, they also arranged for us to get a US Credit Card (with a $20,000 limit on it no less)and believe me you will need all the help you can to get one of these. One of the biggest problems you are faced with is having no credit score, and that means everything out here, you can't fart without one, the higher it is the louder you can fart .

I have to say the US HSBC were a lifeline for us. We live in AZ but our branch is in NY, our premier account manager there was a godsend, she helped us out with so much stuff.

We do all our banking online, we have never had a problem with them and to top it, they refund all atm withdrawal charges (most banks charge you if you don't use there atms).

Anyway good lunch with everything. Where are you moving to??

Thank you for all the replies! I think I'm almost on track now!
I actually did pack a giant bar of Cadburys - I'm now starting to think I should pack more!
I had intended to bring my computer with me. Would I be better perhaps to just bring the hard disk and have that put into a new computer over there rather than ship this lot? Any ideas?

It would mean I could keep online until the day we actually leave!!!

I've only had a basic account with them for a year - when I went in to see the local branch this week, they didn't think they'd be able to help me - said it would take a couple of months to open US account through them!
We're moving to Arizona - miles from anywhere, so online banking is going to be a must!
How difficult is it to open US account once I get over there? (Husband is US citizen but he let his bank account go when he was living here).

Hi,

My husband is a USC and we had no trouble opening a bank account when we got here, he had no open account after being overseas for 12 years, so I shouldn't think you'll have any problem.

Also, def. buy more Cadbury's fill a box if I were you And walker's crisps... they're the best

Where in AZ are you heading?

...and any other non perishable food that you will miss.

easiest thing in the world - dont even need a SSN at first - just take your pasport and visa and some POA and you will fine