College Move-In Checklist + Budget Planner | Editable Google Sheets & Excel

The College Move-In Command Center is a shared workspace for the family that wants this transition done right - not just done fast.

You get two things: a 48-page printable planner, and an editable Google Sheets & Excel spreadsheet with 8 connected tabs. Enter your move-in date and budget once on the Start Here tab, and everything else - packing progress, budget remaining, task countdowns. It updates itself. No formulas to learn.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Start Here Dashboard: move-in countdown, budget remaining, and packing progress at a glance

- Packing & Shopping List: 51 pre-loaded items across 7 categories, each tagged Essential, Recommended, Optional, Depends on College, or Depends on Housing

- Budget Summary: budgeted vs. actual vs. difference, calculated by category automatically

- Timeline & Tasks: 23 tasks with due dates that count down from your move-in date

- Contacts: Residence Life, campus police, health services, and family emergency numbers in one card

- Documents Checklist: photo ID, housing contract, immunization records, insurance, financial aid

- Roommate Planner: who's bringing what, plus a preferences page (sleep schedule, noise, guests, cleanliness) to prevent friction before it starts

- 48-Page Printable Planner: the full system in print form, with a Move-In Day hour-by-hour timeline and a Parent Admin section (FAFSA, insurance, tuition plans)

WHY IT'S DIFFERENT

Most dorm checklists are generic guesses. This one flags what's actually uncertain: items that depend on university-wide policy (like calculator/program requirements) are tagged "Depends on College," and items that depend on your specific hall or room assignment (like mini-fridge wattage or wall-hook rules) are tagged "Depends on Housing" — both are reminders to confirm with your housing office before you buy. The budget reference point comes from the National Retail Federation's annual back-to-college survey, not a made-up number — check nrf.com for the current year's figures, since they shift annually.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Open the workbook and enter your move-in date and total budget on the Start Here tab.

2. Work through Packing & Shopping — every item already has a category and priority filled in. Use the dropdowns for Status and Assigned To as you shop.

3. Share the sheet with your student or co-parent (File > Share in Google Sheets, or just email the file) so everyone's working off the same list.

FORMAT & COMPATIBILITY

- Delivered as an instant digital download: 1 PDF + 1 XLSX file

- The spreadsheet opens in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel

- The planner prints at US Letter size

- No login, subscription, or app required. It's yours to keep and reuse for a sibling later

This is a digital product. No physical item will be shipped, and because files are delivered instantly, all sales are final.