What to Donate When You Move

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Moved

As we’ve said many times on this blog, moving is the perfect time to purge your life and home of unwanted, unneeded clutter. Donating things is a win-win situation, where you benefit from a lighter load to move and less clutter in your new home, and others benefit from access to items they truly need.

Here’s a of things you can donate:

Clothes — If you haven’t worn a piece of clothing in the last couple months (or years!), and you can’t sell it for a profit, donate it! Goodwill and The Salvation Army were built for times like these. Most likely there is someone out there who could benefit more from that old sweater hanging in the closet than you currently do. Baby clothes are also perfect to donate.

Socks — Socks are often the most needed but least donated piece of clothing in donation centers and homeless shelters. Of course, if they’re full of holes and falling apart, throw them away. But if they’re still in good condition, you just don’t ever wear them, definitely donate them!

Books — Use the same rules for books as for clothes: if you haven’t touched it for months, or for years, then get rid of it. The smiles you’ll get from librarians and bookstore owners when you walk in with a box of books will make it all worth it.

Blankets — Blankets are extremely valuable items to people out there with no access to heating. If you’re looking for a valuable donation, consider parting ways with some of your blankets.

School Supplies — There are many schools in dire need of pencils, erasers, pens, notebooks and backpacks, especially in the middle of the school year.

Cellphones — Most old phones you won’t be able to sell anyway, so why not donate them? Folks are always in need of working phones for emergencies and day-to-day life.

Grocery Bags — Sturdy, reusable bags make buying groceries much easier for families that rely on public transportation to get around. Donate unused bags that could be used to carry food to your local food pantry.

Toilet Paper — Toilet paper and other basic hygiene items are almost always out of stock at donation centers. Consider donating your extra rolls and buying new ones in your new hometown.

Toys — If they’re still in workable condition, there are always families in need of new toys for their children to play with. Complete board games are a favorite at donation centers.

Furniture — Many people think thrift stores and places like Goodwill only want clothes and other small items. Not so! They will happily accept donated tables, chairs, couches, bed frames and clean mattresses as well.

Appliances — As always, only if they’re in working condition! Large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers are in especially high demand, though smaller items like coffee makers, toasters, and vacuums will also be quickly adopted by someone in need.

Food — Many people have extra food in their kitchen when they move. Support the Move for Hunger cause and put that food to good use!

For more help getting rid of your unwanted and unneeded items when moving, check out our guides on What to Sell and What to Throw Away.

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5 Tips to Crush a Move All by Yourself

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Moved

So you’ve taken the leap and decided to tackle your move by yourself, huh?

Well, we applaud your courage and can-do attitude, as we know all too well the craziness of a moving on your own. To keep you sane, organized and moving forward, here are 5 tips to keep in mind:

1. Write Everything Down

One of the most difficult parts of moving yourself is keeping things organized. Not only do you have to keep track of all your stuff, but you have to remember all the little tasks that moving brings along with it, such as updating your address with the government, setting up utilities, and getting rid of extra stuff (a Moved concierge can do all of this 😉).

So help yourself out and create a massive to-do list early on in the moving process. Start with all the questions you need to ask (who can help me move?, where will I stay on my way to my new house?, what do I want to bring?, etc.) and all the tasks you can think of that you will need to complete.

Keep this in a notebook, on your computer, or in the Moved app so you can update it and cross things off throughout the processs.

2. Purge

We’ve said it many times before on this blog, and we’ll say it again: the less stuff you have, the less you have to move! Check out our other guides for help on what to get rid of and how to properly sell, donate, or throw away your stuff.

3. Use What You Have

Why buy moving pads when you have a house full of linens, blankets and towels? Save some money and use what you’ve got lying around to protect your things while moving. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll be setting yourself up for a ton of laundry to do on the other end.

You can also use all the boxes, trunks, laundry baskets, etc. you already own to move your things. Keeping your clothes in dresser drawers will save you a lot of packing time! Just take out the drawers, tape a blanket or towel on top to keep everything inside, and you’re good to go!

4. Get the Right Tools

Rent a dolly from U-Haul or a moving company, and you (and your back) will be thankful later, I promise! Box dollies are two wheeled, stand upright and are great for moving multiple boxes at once. Flat furniture dollies are basically wooden rectangles with four wheels on them. These babies can hold up to 900lbs and are essential for moving heavy items like large screen TVs and dressers.

Make your life easier and rent reusable boxes from a company like Gorilla Bins or Bin-It. The boxes will be delivered to you and picked up when you’re done with them, saving you the hassle of buying boxes, hunting for used ones or figuring out what to do with them when you’re done.

5. Pack and Load Smart

Don’t leave yourself a mammoth packing job to finish at the last minute or you’ll be overwhelmed and nearly crazy by the end of the day. Plan ahead, slowly packing everything you own over the weeks leading up to the move. Starting with what you rarely use and finish with the daily essentials.

Finally, when loading your truck, remember that heavier items go in first, and on the bottom. Strap everything down and don’t exceed your truck’s weight capacity.

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Do It Yourself Interior Design

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Moved

Moving into a new home is the perfect time to experiment with some DIY interior design. Everything is already in flux, so you might as well tackle those design projects you never got around to in your last home! The phrase “interior design” may conjure up thoughts of expensive home makeovers, but fortunately, there are many ways to spruce up your new home on a budget.

Here are a few fun ideas to get you started!

Removing popcorn ceiling.

Getting rid of the spackle on your ceilings is not as hard as you might think. If you want a smooth ceiling, use a soaked roller to saturate the popcorn with water, then simply scrape it away with a spackle knife. You can also skip this step entirely and just cover up your ceiling with thin tongue-and-groove wood planks or faux-tin Styrofoam tiles.

Custom design with Sharpies.

Take out the inserts of pillows and use a ruler and some Sharpies to add custom graphic designs to your couch pillows. No need to go overboard here — simple lines or grids can go a long way.

Easy-install wall molding.

Adding trim molding to your walls is an easy way to add character to your home. Head to Lowes or Home Depot for some pre-primed trim-board. Use wood-glue to fix it to the wall, secure with nails, add some caulk and paint and you’re done!

The illusion of extra space.

Hanging mirrors is an age-old trick to make hallways and small rooms seem larger than they actually are. Another way to make a small room appear larger is to decorate with low-slung furniture that stands on legs, so you can see the floor underneath. Certain paint colors can also help, such as PPG Paints Swirling Smoke, Benjamin Moore Cloud White, and Farrow & Ball Skylight.

Open up cabinets.

Add some character and space to your kitchen by removing cabinet doors. You can also now add a piece of art to the back wall to pretty up the space!

Paint, paint, paint.

Paint is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to transform your home. Experiment with different hues for the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. With a few coats of paint, you can also spruce up dingy items found at estate sales or thrift shops, such as old dressers, vases or frames.

Bring in the nature.

Scattering plants around the house is a wonderful way to breathe some life into the room… literally! Succulents are super easy to take care of, and some plants will purify the air in your home, such as spider plants, snake plants, golden pothos, and aloe vera.

Use the rule of three.

Interior design experts have known for years this simple styling secret for surfaces like coffee tables, mantels, and hallway dressers. Use three objects, of different sizes and shapes: something tall and vertical, something wide and horizontal, and something curvy and sculptural to tie it all together.

Hang artwork right.

Hang artwork so that the center of the piece is around 57 inches from the floor; this is the average sightline for most people.

For more tips on making your new house or apartment feel like home, make sure to check out our guide on the topic, here.

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7 Tips for a Successful International Move

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Moved

Moving is usually stressful and complicated, but moving internationally is a different beast altogether! After all, you’re dealing with a whole new country, with a different set of laws and regulations, governing everything from banking practices and medical insurance to traffic laws and school systems.

To help you with your upcoming international move, we’ve put together the following list of 7 tips. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it’ll certainly get you started.

Plan, and budget, far in advance: This is a good tip for any move, but it is especially prudent advice for those moving internationally. The costs of flights and shipping alone call for extreme budgetary measures, and the bureaucratic complications of passports and visas can take months to deal with.
Lock down cheap airfare: Sign up for travel alerts on budget travel sites to receive emails letting you know when your flight is selling for an especially low price. Our favorite sites to use for this are Kayak and Skyscanner. Skyscanner is particularly helpful, as it can find you the cheapest flight in an entire month. Splitting up your travel can save you a lot of money as well.
Stock up on your favorite brands: No need to go overboard here, as you do have to carry all this stuff with you! But if you’re attached to a particular brand of shampoo, peanut butter, candy, face wash, etc., you may want to bring some along.
Stay aware of baggage-weight limits: While you may get lucky and find a nice staff member who will waive your overweight baggage fees, I wouldn’t count on it. Airlines typically charge $50–200 for overweight bags, so plan ahead and pack your bags using one of these handy tools.
Storage or shipping?: While price is an obvious factor in this decision, it also depends on how long you’re moving abroad for, and where you’re moving. For example, if you’re moving to Europe for multiple years, it might be worth it to ship your vehicles and all your furniture abroad. But if you’re moving to Canada for a year-long stint at a new job, you might be better off leaving your stuff in storage.
Pack smart: Certain things you’ll want to keep with you in your carry-on bags, just in case your checked bags are sent to the wrong place!
Carry–on bags: Essential items to bring with you on board include: laptops, phones, chargers, medicines and prescriptions, important documents (birth/marriage certificates, medical records, school records, insurance documents, etc.), jewelry and other small valuables.
Checked bags: If you’re freight shipping the bulk of your stuff, your checked bags should include everything you’ll need to live comfortably until the freight arrives. That means clothes, shoes, toiletries, books, toys and schools supplies, etc. If you’re not shipping anything, then your checked bags will include everything else you own!
Research the culture: There are many small cultural quirks you won’t experience or fully understand until you’re actually living abroad, but there is plenty you can learn before you arrive to ease the transition. Ask friends who have lived or traveled there, and scour the internet for helpful blogs and guides. And if they speak another language where you’re moving, 5–10 minutes a day on Duolingo or Memrise can work wonders in just a few short weeks!

For more help with your international move, most of the other guides on this site will still apply to you, so check them out!

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How to Properly Load a Pick-Up Truck for a Move

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Moved

Moving with a pick-up truck is not quite as simple as tossing your stuff in the back and riding off into the sunset. To avoid damaging your vehicle or losing your items on the road and causing accidents, you need to prepare adequately and load your things safely and correctly.

Here’s how to do so:

Don’t overload your truck. Check the edge of your driver’s side door panel for a factory sticker that will list your vehicle’s load capacity, or GVWR. This number will be the vehicle’s weight plus the maximum weight it can carry. So, if your Toyota Tundra has a GVWR of 6200 lbs, and weighs 4100 pounds, then its load capacity is 2100 lbs, including the driver and passengers. If there is no sticker on your door, check the owner’s manual or look online. Whatever the load capacity is, don’t exceed it! You could seriously damage your vehicle otherwise.
Add air pressure to your tires to compensate for the extra weight. Too much weight and your tires will start to bulge, decreasing their handling and steering capacity at high speeds. Estimate how much weight you’ll be adding to the truck and check your owner’s manual for details on the appropriate amount of air pressure to add.
Load the heaviest items, like refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, etc., first, and try to keep the weight evenly balanced on each side. Put lighter boxes in the back and on top, but don’t stack things too high, or they will blow off on the road. Keeping the heavy items up front will keep the front of the vehicle weighted down, which helps steering and handling stay effective. I don’t know about you, but I find steering to be pretty important when driving!
Disassemble bed-frames, furniture, etc. and tape or tie them together before loading them up.
Strap everything down so it does not move around (or fly away!) during the drive, using the holes/hooks in the interior bed. For local moves, simple rope and bungee cords will do fine, but for longer moves, it’s best to invest in some high-quality ratchet straps. You can rest assured your stuff will not move an inch when using these, even if you have to swerve or screech to a halt.
Tape all boxes shut, even plastic containers, and avoid packing the truck with lots of random, small items. Small items are more prone to being picked up by the airstream and flying out of your vehicle. Even if you are sure this won’t happen, act on the safe side and keep things securely packed in boxes or inside your vehicle. If anything flies out and causes an accident, it will be your responsibility. If you have no other option, at least use a sturdy cargo net or tarp to keep everything secured.
Ideally electronics and valuables should be packed inside your vehicle, so that you can keep them safe if/when you stop for a meal or stay in a hotel overnight. If you can’t fit everything inside, load boxes so that the labels are hidden. You don’t want would-be thieves to be tempted by boxes clearly advertising “Electronics”.
Finally, don’t be this guy!

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What to Sell Before You Move

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Moved

There is something extremely satisfying about purging yourself of clutter. It’s one of the best parts of the moving process. Making money in the process is just icing on the cake!

Because it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to figure out not only what you want to sell but what you can sell, we’ve put together the following guidelines. Read on, and make some money!

Electronics

Electronics are some of the easiest things to make a profit from selling. Depending on their age and condition, old computers, TVs and phones are great for some quick cash. Kitchen appliances, like blenders, juicers, and microwaves, are also in high demand.

Use eBay, Craigslist or Amazon for any small electronics, and Craigslist for larger items. In general, you’ll have an easier time selling electronics in their original packaging, and selling phones and computers with any accessories you picked up for them along the way is a good way to increase their value in the eyes of potential buyers.

Video Games

There are many sites dedicated to selling and trading-in video games, and there are always plenty of gamers looking for a cheap new game to try out. Amazon, Craigslist, eBay and Glyde are all great places to sell your old games, either individually or in bundles (best for old games).

Books

Books are a bit harder to sell, but if they’re in demand and in good condition, Amazon makes it easy for you to set up a listing. You’ll have better luck with textbooks, using sites like Chegg.

Clothes

Vintage and unique clothes sell quite well on sites like Etsy, ThredUp and Poshmark. A simple trick with hangers can help you decide which clothes to sell. Reverse all the hangers in your closet, and each time you wear something, flip the hanger around. After a few months, you’ll be able to clearly see what clothes you never wear! Sell these.

Children’s Toys

Games and puzzles still in their boxes are easiest to sell, on eBay and Amazon. Otherwise you could package toys together and sell them as a lot — yard-sales/garage-sales work especially well for this.

Furniture

There are always people moving and looking for couches, beds, dressers, dining room chairs, and the like — you might be one of them! For these sales, stick to local sales on Craigslist or at garage-/yard-sales. Unless you’re selling a highly valuable antique, in most cases the shipping costs of selling a piece of furniture online would offset any money you made from the sale.

Valuables

Antiques and jewelry are tricky. On the one hand, they are obviously worth money, and thus you can be fairly sure someone will want to buy them. On the other hand, correctly valuing used valuables is difficult. Unless you remember exactly what you paid for these items, consider going to a professional to have them valued. Sites like Craigslist and eBay work well for valuable items, though exercise caution when using Craigslist. Meet with potential buyers in public places, during the day, and bring a friend with you if possible. You can also sell valuables at local auctions.

For more pre-move selling tips, make sure to check out How to Sell Things When You Move!

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Moving by Yourself? How to Ask Your Friends for Help

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Moved

Just because you’re not using a moving company doesn’t mean you have to move all by yourself! What else are friends and family for, if not to help you move?

Follow these guidelines to ensure that the friends who help you move continue to be your friends when the move is done!

Ask Early

When asking your friends for help, don’t wait until the last minute — ask well in advance of the move. Give them a timeframe of when you want to move, and ask when would be convenient for them. If you absolutely need help with heavy items, you’re going to need to be flexible and work around their schedules.

Give Them Choices

Make a list of what you need help with and ask them what they’d like to do. Different friends and family could help with planning, organizing, packing, moving heavy items, or driving. Giving them the freedom to choose is a powerful move, even in small scenarios like this. It gives them some space to do what they want to do, and what they’re best at.

Just be honest when you tell them what you need help with. They’re already doing you a favor by helping out — don’t give them a nasty surprise when they show up!

Be Prepared

Once you’ve told friends what you need help with, and you’ve all settled on a moving date, make sure you’re ready for them. Get up early, have supplies ready and boxes organized, and make sure everything you can pack yourself (clothes, silverware, dishes, small items, etc.) is packed. Unless people have agreed to help you pack, get everything done so that basically all that’s left when they show up is to load the truck.

Keep Them Fed and Hydrated

Keep your friends well-fed and hydrated throughout the day, especially if the weather is extreme. Nothing keeps up spirits like hot coffee on a freezing cold day or an ice-cold lemonade during a brutal summer. Snacks will keep everyone happy and energized so that the move keeps moving.

Make sure to keep your speakers unpacked and the music blasting as well! The whole moving process will go by quicker and will be more enjoyable with some good music. Invite your friends to play DJ throughout the day so that everyone’s favorite tunes are included.

Reward Them Afterward

Finally, consider giving everyone a nice reward after a job well-done. Pizza and beer is fine for college buddies, but if you’re a bit older, or perhaps all your friends are gluten-free, then you need to step it up a notch.

A meal at an established restaurant is always a good idea, or you can personalize your gifts, asking each friend what they’d like (within reason!). Some good ideas: Starbucks gift card, a new book, borrow the Xbox for a week, 2 rounds of drinks, etc.

Remember…

Moving is a long, difficult process, and dragging friends into the mix can be a touchy business. Above all else, remember that they are taking time out of their lives to help you out. Show your gratitude, and be ready to help them move when the time comes!

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How to Move Safely in Extreme Weather

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Moved

In most cases of extreme weather, we recommend biting the bullet and postponing your move. The hassle of waiting a day or two is not worth the risk of seriously injuring yourself or damaging some of your precious items.

Moving companies may or may not be flexible, so make sure to talk to them about your rescheduling options should a major storm hit on your scheduled moving day.

If they refuse to change the date, or for whatever reason you simply must stick to your planned moving day, we’ve put together the following guidelines to help you execute your move safely.

First Things First

Extreme weather makes routine moving steps, thing you should be doing anyway, even more essential to check off your list. Whether you’ll be dealing with extreme heat or cold, you’ll want to do the following:

Keep track of weather reports in the week leading up to the move and check them frequently the day before and day of the move. Keep an eye on where big storms are headed and plan your route accordingly, going out of your way to avoid the worst of it if possible.
Wear proper foot-wear in rainy/snowy weather.
Lay down cardboard, old carpet, blankets, etc. to protect your floors and carpets from mud and water. You can also set up an assembly line, so that clean shoes stay inside and dirty shoes outside.
Keep temperature-sensitive electronics, artwork, and furniture in climate-controlled areas (i.e. not the back of a moving truck) whenever possible to avoid damages.
Make sure the utilities are on and working in your new home. Water, electricity, AC, and heating!

Moving in the Snow

Make sure all walkways are clear of snow or ice, and spread with sand/salt if necessary to prevent slips and falls.
Keep hot drinks on hand for everyone helping you move.
Service your car before the move, and make sure you have car insurance with roadside assistance.
Have a safety kit for the drive: rock salt, kitty litter, shovels, flares, tire-chains, extra gas, an emergency blanket, jumper cables, pocket warmers, a flashlight, extra batteries, cell phone chargers, food, extra clothing and a first-aid kit.

Moving in the Rain

If it’s especially wet outside, consider plastic wrapping your furniture, mattress, and cardboard boxes to protect them from water damage.
You can buy large rolls of plastic at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s for much cheaper than what moving companies will charge for the service, or you can rent reusable plastic moving bins from companies like Gorilla Bins and Bin-It!
Have towels on hand to dry off yourself and your belongings.
If your cardboard boxes end up getting wet, unpack them as soon as possible to avoid mold buildup.

Moving in Hot Weather

Start your move as early as possible to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures.
Have water and other cold drinks on hand to stay hydrated and avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Avoid sunburns by covering up, using sunblock and taking regular breaks in the shade.
Have a change of clothes, towels and toiletries ready for a shower at the end of the day, because you’re going to get sweaty!

It’s easy to get caught up in the energy of a move, and lose yourself in the desire to finish everything as quickly as possible. This is dangerous behavior during extreme weather.

Follow these guidelines, and above all else, be smart, take breaks when you need to, and be safe!

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10 Easy Steps to Increase Home Value on a Budget

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Moved

There are many dramatic steps you can take to boost your home’s value. Most people recognize their house would be worth more after giving the kitchen and bathrooms a full makeover or repainting/residing the outside of the house.

But not everyone can afford such drastic projects! If you’re on a budget, there are still plenty of steps you can take to increase your home’s value before selling it.

Here is a list of 10 steps you can start with today:

Hire an inspector — While you can easily complete the following projects yourself, a professional home-inspector can clue you in to the problems you didn’t even know existed. Some problems may not look like much now but could become a serious problem later on, crippling your home’s value. Best to nip them in the bud now, while they’re still manageable.
Spruce up the yard — It doesn’t matter how nice your home is, if it’s surrounded by a dense jungle of weeds, it’s not going to look very inviting! Don’t worry about a full landscaping makeover quite yet; just start by cutting the grass, trimming the hedges, and cleaning up any trash or clutter.
Is your entryway inviting? — You want it to be, as first impressions are important to potential buyers. Clean the place up, add some plants or flowers, and consider upgrading to a more-energy efficient front door, or at least giving the old one a new coat of paint.
Clean, clean, clean — Pretend you’re a college student frantically trying to get your security deposit back and get down to the nitty-gritty. Clean windows in and out, remove the dust from light fixtures and fan blades, scrub bathroom tile grout, de-stain tubs/showers, rent a carpet cleaner, etc. You can always hire a professional cleaning service, but where’s the fun in that?
Declutter and Organize — A home full of clutter looks cramped. Get started on the packing process by purging your home of old stuff you don’t need anymore, and organizing what’s left to make rooms appear larger and more open.
Add storage — Buyers want storage space, and since you’ll soon be following step 5 to declutter and organize your home, now is the perfect time to accommodate them! Add a wardrobe to a living room or a simple wire-rack storage to a closet for an easy home-value boost.
Light things up — Replace heavy drapes with blinds or shutters to make your home brighter and seem larger and more open. Add mirrors to spread light around and make small cramped rooms and hallways seem larger than they really are. Head to a local estate sale and grab one for cheap! Upgrade to brighter, more energy-efficient light fixtures, and install dimmer switches.
Update your kitchen — The kitchen is the single best room to upgrade to maximize a home’s value. Some simple upgrades can go a long way here, like shiny new knobs/handles for your cabinets, drawers and faucets and eco-friendlier parts for your faucets. Check out Danco.com for water-saving plumbing parts and DIY plumbing tutorials.
Update your bathroom — After the kitchen, bathrooms will get you the most bang for your buck in terms of increasing your home’s value. The same upgrades as in the kitchen will attract potential buyers: new handles, new faucet parts, and new light fixtures. You can also install a more powerful, energy-efficient shower head, or replace the entire bathroom vanity without spending too much money.
Kill squeaky doors/cabinets — Spray hinges with WD40 and get rid of that creepy door sound once and for all!

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How to Make a New House Feel Like Home

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Moved

You did it! You pulled off your big move, without forgetting or damaging anything, and you’re fully unpacked. And yet, in some ways, successfully moving into a new place is only the beginning.

Read on for some tips and guidelines for the next big item on your moving checklist: making your new house/apartment feel like home.

Check Off the Official Stuff

Make sure important papers are organized. This means everything related to the move (insurance contracts, bill of lading, moving contracts, leases, etc.), as well as all your personal documents (medical, dental, school records, etc.)
Complete your change of address with everyone you need to: insurance companies, banks, the DMV, employers, etc.
Register to vote!

Ensure Your Safety

Install new locks and security systems. If you’re renting, talk with your landlord before doing so.
Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and you have a full fire-extinguisher.
Locate your water shutoff valve and circuit breaker board.

Get Your Bearings

Locate the nearest hospital, police station, fire station, pet hospital, gas station, grocery store, bank and post office.
Find a new doctor, dentist, pediatrician and veterinarian.
Find out the trash/recycling pickup times.
A great way to start feeling like a local is to act like one! That means going to the best places to eat, relaxing in the most beautiful spots, hiking the best trails, etc. You can talk to your neighbors, chat up the locals (use the always well-received “I just moved here” line) or use the wonders of the internet. Try sites like Yelp or Zomato for great food, seek advice on Facebook/Twitter, or check local blogs for the inside scoop.

Get Your Kids and Pets Settled

Organize Skype calls with friends, family and favorite babysitters from your prior hometown.
If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to find new schools for your kids! Definitely include older children in the selection process.
Volunteer at schools, go to parks to find friends and setup playdates for your pets and young ones.
Moving is stressful for everyone, so expect some level of regression and difficult behavior.
Give both your kids and pets time and space to adjust. Accept that it could be weeks or months until they feel fully settled and at home.

Connect with Your Community

Throw a house-warming party to get to know your new neighbors, who could one day become your future babysitters, friends, pet-sitters and even fellow survivors in the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse!
Check with your local Home Owner’s Association to see if there are any rules you should know about (such as what you can or cannot add to your home).
Join clubs/activities organized by the community. Check out the community board at the local library and sign up for local magazines and newspapers. Meetup is also great for both keeping up old hobbies and starting new ones.

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The Best Way to Unpack for a Stress-Free Move

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Moved

Moving into a new home is certainly an accomplishment, one to be acknowledged and appreciated. But the moving process doesn’t stop there! Unfortunately, you are only halfway done — now you have to un-pack.

Just like packing, there’s a smart way to unpack, and plenty of not-so-smart ways! Follow these guidelines for the smart way to unpack:

Upon Arriving

Explore — Take some time to look around and feel the space out before you dive into the unpacking frenzy, especially if you have kids. Appreciate the calm before the storm.
Check utilities — Make sure the utilities are all on and working.
Clean — Consider cleaning before you bring anything inside and start the unpacking process. Yes, your landlord or the last tenants or owners most likely did so already, but this way, you know it’s clean!
Check for damages — As you or movers bring your things inside, be on the lookout for any obviously damaged boxes. Check major appliances like dryers, washing machines, etc. for damages as well.

Unpacking

To avoid overwhelm and minor breakdowns, break the unpacking process down into manageable chunks.

Start with your essentials box(es) — (you packed one of those, right?) Open it up and divvy up its contents into various rooms. I like to set things up in the following order:

Beds — Decorations and clothes can wait, but at the very least make sure you have a bed to crash into at the end of the day!
Food — Once your beds are ready for later, it’s time to make sure you can eat. Again, leave the bulk of your kitchen-ware for later, and for now, just unpack enough for basic meals for the next day or two.
Bathrooms — Next on the essentials list is the bathroom. Get at least one bathroom in working order so that everyone can shower, brush their teeth, etc.
Living Room — For many, a couch and working TV is close behind sleep, food and showers in terms of essentials! A well-deserved family movie is a great way to unwind after a long day of unpacking, as well as a good incentive for kids to help you out during the day.
Decorations — Before you dive into the thick of the unpacking, take some time to set up a few family photos, children’s artwork and homey knick-knacks around the house, to help you feel more at home.
Tackle the rest of the house — Now that you have a functional kitchen, living room, and bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone, it’s time to dive in!

Move from the ground up: rugs, furniture, things to fill cabinets, drawers, etc., and then decorations (artwork, posters, etc.). Leave closet and storage space-items for last.

Common areas like the kitchen, living room, dining room, hallways are best to tackle during the day, when everyone is energized. Leave individual rooms for the evening/night-time to give everyone a chance to unwind and settle into their personal space at the end of the day.

Follow these guidelines and you’ll find yourself unpacked and box-free in no time! For help with what to do next, check out our guide: Tips for Settling into Your New Home.

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The Big Question: Do I Need Cable?

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Moved

Moving is a chance at new beginnings. A new home, new circle of friends, new job, new city, and new favorite restaurants. And maybe, just maybe, a new way to watch TV?

More and more people are “cutting the cord” and freeing themselves of cable bills once and for all.

Should you do the same?

To decide, let’s take a look at what options are available to you these days, besides cable.

For Live Events

HD Antenna — For as low as $10, you can purchase a high-quality antenna to attach to your television, which will get you free access to most cable network channels, allowing you watch live events like the Super Bowl and the Oscars.

For Your Favorite Shows

Hulu Plus — For cable networks shows like The Voice and Modern Family, Hulu Plus lets you stream shows from channels like FOX, NBC, ABC, Comedy Central and FX for only $7.99/month. Add CBS shows for an additional $5.99/month.

Dish Network’s Sling TV — For $20/month, you’ll get access to most cable content, including shows from channels like AMC, TNT, TBS, A&E, ABC Family and more.

A La Carte — You can also buy seasons (and individual episodes… but who does that?) of most cable network shows on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video.

Streaming Services — It’s worth mentioning that streaming services like Netflix ($7.99/month) and Amazon Prime ($99/year) are producing more and more top-quality content. If you’re not attached to any cable network shows, but are generally hankering for quality television, either of these services would serve you well. House of Cards (Netflix) and Transparent (Amazon Prime) are great places to start!

Amazon Prime also provides add-on subscription options for Showtime and Starz ($8.99/month each), and for the Game of Thrones junkies out there, HBO provides a streaming service called HBO Now, which is $15/month.

For Movies

For pay-as-you-go movies on demand you can use Amazon Prime, iTunes, CinemaNow, Google Play and YouTube and Blockbuster OnDemand. Movies are usually around $10–15 to purchase and $2–6 to rent, depending on release date and whether or not they’re HD.

You can also rent DVDs at Redbox locations for around $2/day, and there are even a few Blockbuster locations still alive and kicking!

For Sports

Sports continues to be cable’s biggest claim to fame. If you’re a die-hard sports fan, it might be difficult for you to ditch cable and still be happy.

Network sports can be accessed with an antenna, and Sling TV can get you ESPN and ESPN 2, as well as other networks like ESPN U and the SEC Network (among others) for an extra $5/month. Sling TV has had connectivity problems during large events in the past, however.

To watch non-local teams play, you’ll need to get a specific league package, such as NBA League Pass, MLB.tv, MLS, NFL Game Rewind (no live games though) and NHL Gamecenter Live.

Takeaway

Depending on your preferences, it seems pretty clear to me that cable is slowly becoming obsolete. Mixing and matching the above options can get you pretty much everything cable does, for way less money.

Check out the The Verge and Slate for some helpful “calculators” to see how much money you could actually save if you bailed on your cable subscription.

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Tips for a Stress-Free Move with Kids

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Moved

Moving can be especially hard for families, no matter what age your kids are. Follow these tips and guidelines to make your upcoming move as easy and stress-free as possible for your kids.

Planning

When breaking the news to the family, explain the reasons for the move, and give space for everyone to react and share whatever feelings come up. Children are extremely sensitive and can easily pick up on your mood, so try to maintain as positive an outlook as you can. At the same time, be realistic — don’t oversell the move and set your kids up for disappointment.

It’s best to simply expect this process to be intense, and prepare accordingly. Younger children may be confused and scared at the thought of leaving the only home they’ve ever known. Older children, more invested in their social circles, will most likely hate the thought of leaving their friends.

Your best bet when moving with kids is to include them as much as possible. The level to which you include them in the planning and decision-making processes, as well as the move itself, will depend on how old they are.

If you have leeway in terms of when to move, talk to your kids about whether they’d rather move in the summer or winter. If you haven’t yet decided where you’ll be moving to, include your kids in the decision-making process. Share whatever research you’ve done this far and compare areas of the country, cities, and specific houses with them. If you’re moving locally, bring them along to visit different parts of town and any houses you’re already thinking of.

Respect how difficult this move may be for your children. Organizing some sort of goodbye party with friends is often helpful.

Packing

As covered in other Moved guides, moving is a perfect opportunity to purge your home of clutter.

Let your children pack their own rooms, or at the very least let them put together a special box of their most important items. Clearly mark these boxes so you can easily find them when you arrive.

If possible, bring your children’s bedroom furniture with you to your new home, as the familiarity will help calm them in your new place.

Depending on their age, assign kids moving tasks to both involve them in the packing process and keep them occupied. If you have young children, consider having a friend, sitter or family member take care of them on moving day.

Stick to your regular schedule as much as possible throughout the moving process. Moving will be stressful and kids benefit from set times for meals, sleeping and waking up.

Unpacking

When you arrive at your new home, take some time to explore the place as a family. Consider playing a game or going to see a movie to lighten things up before diving into the unpacking process.

Get your kids rooms situated as quickly as possible, unpacking their special boxes. As with the packing process, give your kids projects to keep them occupied and ease your own workload.

Give your children (and yourself!) plenty of space and time to fully settle in. Moving is a massive upheaval and it can take a while for life to feel normal again.

Finally, make sure to keep in touch with everyone you left behind!

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How to Move Awkward Things: Art and Aquariums

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Moved

Another post in our “How to Move Awkward Things” series!

Paintings

If the painting is covered in glass, start at step 1. If it’s not covered in glass, skip to step 3.

Tape a large “X” across the glass so that, if it breaks, it will stay in place.
Cover the glass fully with cardboard, carpet, foam or a drop-cloth.
Wrap the painting in bubble wrap, and tape it in place.
Place the painting in a box, and add packing materials (bubble wrap, paper, packing peanuts, etc.) until it is secure. Most moving and shipping companies will sell appropriately-sized boxes, or you create your own with some cardboard and strategically applied tape.
Write “Painting — FRAGILE” on the side of the box.

Aquariums

First and foremost, you want to minimize the amount of time your fish will spend outside of the aquarium. Moving is extremely stressful for your fish, so your aquarium should be one of the last things you take down, and one of the first things you put up in your new home.

If you’re moving locally, bring as much water from the tank with you as possible. Fish are highly sensitive to water chemistry, and reintroducing them to the same water environment will make the move much easier on them. Clean 5-gallon buckets are useful for this. If you’re moving long distance, however, you’ll most likely need to start over and set up your aquarium as if it was brand new.

For transport, fish and plants can be kept safely in sealed bags half-filled with water for 1–2 hours at most. For longer moves, go with a sealed bucket, and for moves of a few days or weeks, ask a local pet store if they can take your fish/plants while you move. Some will even air-ship your fish to you afterward.

Finally, make sure to have plenty of towels/rags on hand to deal with the inevitable spills!

Using a siphon hose, siphon off a sizeable portion of the tank water into prepared buckets.
Remove all the decorations, taking care that no fish are hiding in them.
Remove any live plants, placing them in bags or water-filled buckets for the trip.
Soak the fish-net in water for 10–15 minutes to soften it, then use it to gently transfer your fish to bags or buckets. Depending on the length of the move, consider aerating the buckets to make sure the fish have enough oxygen.
Remove pumps, filters and heaters.
Siphon off the rest of the water and remove all the gravel.
Move the tank.

When moving back in, simply reverse the process. Put the gravel back in, then the water, decorations plants and fish. Set up the filters/heaters, but let the water sit for 30 minutes or so before turning on the heater again.

Over the next few days, check the tank-water often to make sure it is the right temperature and pH balance.

For help moving other awkward things, check out our guides on Electronics and Expensive Clothes and China and Couches.

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How to Move Awkward Things: Electronics and Expensive Clothes

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Moved

Here’s another post in our “How to Move Awkward Things” series!

Electronics

Back up your computers! Beyond being an expensive hassle, a damaged computer can also mean lost documents, photos, music and movies. Invest in an external hard-drive or some online cloud storage (or both).
Remove batteries, CDs, DVDs, ink cartridges, etc.
Before disconnecting wires, use color-coded stickers to mark which wires go where, or take photos, for easy reinstallation in your new home.
Pack multi-part stereo systems and the like together, and keep wires, remotes, etc. with the things they go to.
The best way to pack electronics is to use the original boxes and padded foam inserts. Make sure to wrap the electronics in plastic bags first, or wrap in clean linens or packing paper, to keep out dust. If you have the manuals, check them for any specific instructions they have regarding moving the device.
You can sometimes buy replacement packaging from the manufacturer, including the foam inserts.
You can also find most manuals online these days.
If you don’t have the original boxes, follow the same dust-avoidance step as above, and then wrap each piece in bubble wrap, blankets or moving pads for extra protection. Don’t be afraid to go overboard here — the more protection the better!
Consider packing each piece of electronics in two boxes for extra protection. Pack the device in one box, using peanuts or padding to ensure a snug and secure fit, then put that box into a bigger box, with more padding or peanuts.
Pack speakers and screens standing right-side up.
Large flat-screen TVs may require special wooden crating. Be careful and don’t injure yourself while moving!
Write FRAGILE, and THIS WAY UP on at least two opposite sides of each box.
Electronics are extremely heat-sensitive, and should be kept in climate-controlled areas when moving. As the back of a moving truck is not climate-controlled, this means keeping electronics with you in your car whenever possible.
Finally, consider purchasing extra insurance coverage for all your electronics. As explained in our guide to moving insurance, most moving companies’ basic insurance coverage will not fully cover the cost of valuable items like electronics.

Expensive Clothes

First time movers may not know that there is such a thing as a wardrobe box! These helpful boxes come with a built in metal rod for you to hang clothes from. This is your best bet when you are moving expensive, designer clothes.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to ditch the wire-hangers and invest in some quality, wooden or padded hangers.
Fill shoes with balled up socks to help them keep their shape, and wrap them in tissue paper and bubble wrap or paper to avoid scratches.
If you know your clothes will be in long-term storage, you might want to use mothballs or natural alternatives such as sachets of lavender, cloves or cedar chips. Also, avoid plastic containers as clothes cannot breathe in them well and could end up damaged.

For help moving other awkward things, check out our guides on Art and Aquariums and China and Couches.

Thanks for reading! If you liked this post, please recommend or share it with others. 🙂

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