5 ways to keep your sense of humor when moving:

Everyone agrees that moving isn't easy. Studies say moving is one of the hardest things we have to go through in life. And while some people seem to take it in stride and even shine at relocating, I've talked to more than a few people who seem to have barely survived a move.

I've moved so many times that I've mastered the art of the move, particularly the part where you hang onto your sense of humor and learn to laugh instead of cry at the moving madness.

Here are five tactics you can use and abuse during your next move, to keep a smile on your face and a laugh on your lips when the boxes and bubble wrap become too much.

1. Every move needs a jester. It may as well be you.

Your neighbors are draping your front porch in black, your kids are threatening to run away from home because you’re ruining their lives, and it’s up to you to convince everyone that moving is awesome! This is an adventure! “Lucky you!” I’d yell after my kids, ignoring the daggers coming from their eyes.

When things get tough, start laughing and your family will follow suit.

When the box with the entire contents of their bedroom closet would go MIA, when we’d unpack to discover that the 72-ounce bottle of conditioner had broken open and saturated nine sets of sheets, when the first day of school arrives and you don’t have any shoes, if you don’t lead the laughter, no one will.

2. The Law of Opposites: Because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry

During my most traumatic moves, I made up my own Law of Opposites. The more stressful my move got, the more goofy I’d get. Until, when Comcast tells me they need a 72-hour window to get us nine channels, instead of busting a vein, I’d make myself take a breath and just laugh. Forcing yourself to laugh through a tense moment will get you through the roughest spots and before you know it, you've come out on the other side - watching your favorite sitcom.

3. Hang with the happy people

Staying positive and keeping your sense of humor during a move requires a flat-out refusal to let others bring you down. When your move starts to get edgy, be careful who surrounds you. Avoid people with negative attitudes, neighbors who start to tear up every time you talk about your move date, and anyone who doesn't have a sense of humor.

Keep farewells and going-away parties positive affairs, and if anyone starts to drone on about all the things you’ll miss, pop his helium balloon.

4. Mantras and maxims

Moving is much like a competitive sport. So take a tip from athletes and others who need a jolt of inspiration and find cartoons, funny YouTube videos, quotes, and anything that will lift your spirits and improve your mood.

Keep a reminder on your desktop, put a sign on your nightstand or headboard, whatever it takes. However you choose to remind yourself that “this, too, shall pass” and “we’ll laugh about this someday,” keep reminding yourself that you’ll get through this move intact.

5. The old standby: Picture everyone naked

Not much explanation needed, here. It works for public speaking anxiety, it could work for moving stress. Note: Don’t tell your Realtor. We could get into trouble.

Moving Locally Tips & Local Moving Costs

Organizing a relocation could be very stressful, even if it is a short distance one. How does a local move differ from long distance relocation and what do you need to know to make it a smooth move? There are several factors that define the local moving prices and we will explain them to you plus all you need to know about having a smooth local relocation. To begin with, what is considered to be a local move is a relocation that is taking place at a distance of no more than 100 miles. The smaller distance of the move is an advantage in many ways – less travel for you (and your family), lower moving costs, no need for an overnight sleep for you or the moving truck driver, etc. Let’s see what preparation you need to have for an easy and successful local relocation.

Preparing Local Moving Supplies & Packing

If you want to organize your local moving yourself, you will need the right packing materials. Those are packing paper, bubble wrap, packing tape, moving or home blankets, boxes, markers and labels. You can use dishpack boxes for dishes and wardrobe boxes for clothes that come with hangers on the inside. Local moves take less time and travel than moving interstate and yet they shouldn’t be underestimated. Pack breakables carefully using packing paper. Be especially careful with electronics – it would be best to pack TV, computer, kitchen appliances, etc. in its original boxes. If you don’t have them, look for similar sized ones. For special items like a piano, it would be best to have professional movers pack them and move them.
If you will be moving your home on your own on a short distance, you could take some things in your car, use a trailer or hire a small van. For larger homes using a truck is very convenient – you fill it up with your household goods and just move them at one time. Make a floor plan so that you could easily arrange the furniture in your new home. In all cases, using a full service moving company is very convenient as it leaves just a bit of the work to be done on you (switch utilities, cancel subscriptions, find a new home to rent/ purchase and so on). Consider enough time for everything – packing, finding yourself a new home, looking for a job, etc. It is better to have ample time than get stressed in the last minute cause the movers you want to hire are already busy on your desired moving date. We have detailed instructions on changing your address when moving.

Approximate Local Moving Costs

Make your short distance move even easier by planning where to place furniture.

The local moving rates will vary based on the size of your home (number of rooms), type of items that are to be transported and the distance of the move. As for the cost per hour, you can expect to pay about $30 for a man and a truck. For two men and a truck the price could go up to about $120 an hour, for 3 men and a truck it will be $135 on average, and for 4 movers and a truck – up to about $160 – $170. If you want packing as well, add up another $30 an hour for the work approximately. The standard valuation is $0.60 per pound. Moving a studio apartment with 2 men would take no more than 3 to 4 hours and would cost you around $300 to $500 totally. A large home with 4 or more bedrooms and more than 5 moving men working on it would take about a day and a half work and a total cost of around $2,000 – $2,500. The expected tip rate for movers is about 10% of the total moving cost. Look forward to higher prices for moving during weekends and in peak periods like summer. If you want to know a more precise cost for moving short distance, you can get local moving quotes online here and find out.
But besides the moving estimate, you will also have other moving costs. Have in mind that whatever your moving quote states, you better separate about 10% of it extra for unexpected costs and such occur almost for every move. Spare money for your rent, daily expenses, utility bills, travel expenses to your new residence, and deposits you have to make. It is good to have enough savings before your move so that you can cover any extra expenses that will come up.

Moving Short Distance Tips

Do some research of the area if you don’t know it. Look for where the local shops are, hospital, doctor, auto repair shop, etc. No doubt you’ll find this info useful if you need it. Organize the cleaning after movers as well. It would be useful to prepare an open-first box as well. A last tip – try to make your move stress free as this would help you and everyone close to you relax and be more confident about the upcoming change rather than worry. Relax, focus on the positive side of moving and try to make the best of the situation.

Movers F.A.Q. – Frequently Asked Questions when Moving:

Moving is one of the most difficult things in life and lots of people get stressed by it because they have little or no knowledge about the process. The key to success, so to speak, comes with information and understanding of the relocation process. In the midst of preparing your move, there are plenty of questions you may wish to ask the movers. The most common ones provide the basic information that everyone should know before a move. We’ve selected the top movers FAQ that will come to your mind when relocating. What are they and what are their answers?

Moving Companies FAQ

1. How much will my move cost?
2. What is a quote and how do I get it?
3. How do I know if I have hired reliable movers?
4. Can I get a moving discount?
5. What is the best time to organize my relocation?
6. When should I book the movers?

How much will my move cost?

How do you estimate moving costs? Check out this article for the answer!

This is perhaps the most common ones of all moving company FAQ. Determining the budget you set for your moving will define when you will move (when you will have sufficient funds to do it), what you will move (the more things you want to take, the higher the cost for the relocation), what moving crew you will hire (the more the moving men, the higher the moving cost), etc. That is why understanding what forms the cost of your relocation is so important. There are several factors that mainly determine the cost of your move: the distance (locally or long distance), the amount and type of things to take (for example, moving larger furniture may be more costly), the services you want to use removals for and the prices of the moving company. This is what you need in order to be able to estimate moving costs.

What is a quote and how do I get it?

A quote is an approximation of your moving costs. It is based on the factors explained in the previous paragraph. Once you give this information to the movers, they will answer back with information about the price of your move. The more precise and accurate you are when providing information to the removals, the more precise the estimate will be. If you want to get a quote, you can find here the form to fill in. The more detailed information you ask for, the better.

How do I know if I have hired reliable movers?

There are several details that you should be aware of before hiring removals: what is their moving experience, what reviews do they have (you can check that up in our database with removal firms), what is their policy on losses or damages, and are they members of the American Moving and Storage Association, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Knowledge is the key to avoiding moving scam. All these will surely help you get the best moving company. All you have to do is keep yourself well informed.

Can I get a moving discount?

There are different discounts like coupons you can get from the moving company website, discounts for students, elderly people, the military, etc. Plus, you can check how to deduct moving costs from taxes. You can find reliable movers and at the same time get a quality move on an average cost. Of course that paying the highest possible price for a move does not guarantee 100 % that you will get the best moving service. That is why look for a moving company that has reasonable prices.

What is the best time to organize my relocation?

The best time to move in terms of cost is the off peak season. The summer months, weekends and weekdays tend to be more expensive because they are busier for the industry itself.

The best time to organize your move depends of course on the first place on your own needs. When it comes to moving cost, if you want to save on expenses you should avoid the peak times for moving when most people relocate. These are the summer in general, holidays, weekends, and beginning/ end of the month. This is the time when the movers are busier and they may place higher price for hiring. Always be informed on the movers’ tariffs for the day when you want to move so that you won’t get to pay more than you have expected.

When should I book the movers?

Begin your moving organization as soon as you know you will be moving. Book movers as soon as you can so that you have ample time to do it all. If you contact a moving company in the last minute, they may be already busy or charge you extra and you don’t want any of that, do you? So, the sooner, the better. Especially if you want to hire a more renowned company, you will have to contact it sooner. With some movers a week before your moving date could be a late notice; that is why try to arrange your moving company at least 2 weeks before your desired moving day.

What else do you need to know?

Besides the moving companies FAQ, stay aware of all the details of the move. Learn which are the question to ask movers as they will also assist you in defining which company to hire for your move. Asking questions is very important as no single article can cover all the important topics of moving and give you complete information. That is why use this article with packers and movers FAQ as a guide to a good start in your moving search.

Palo Alto movers companies for natural and soft removal

Moving one spot to another is extremely great and traumatic. If things are your own individual, stress is really much. There is a lot related to regards to moving. You must package, set up, complete and then after attaining your preferred place, you need to get remove all of your valuables again. You might be assuming to get rid of and reassemble everything.
   
Guidelines:

Sometimes, individuals consider choosing moving companies. Before utilizing you need to consider some details. Such as, if you are choosing Movers Palo Alto CA, you need to seek the services of fully covered and qualified moving companies. Be careful about choosing a Palo Alto going companies because they may demand insanely high but rest. Just discover some company with less expensive prices and quality solutions.

Try to discover out such a Palo Alto Shifting service company, which requirements following your finished goes and prices are stored to one per hour basis. But, if need is placed first, create sure you validate about company reputation. In case a first down payment is needed, create sure you validate that the business has a strong reputation understanding that the initial down payment just isn't a lot of. Examine reviews left by previous customers and discover what they experienced then.

Plan to move the off-season, it would help spending less. The wonderful period for stepping into Palo Alto  is May to Sept because so many individuals want to move during summer holidays. Another advantage of planning your change in the off period is that you could get selection of solutions from moving companies since they remain less active during this time frame. Prior to buying a Palo Alto  moving service company, determine whether you will discover any invisible costs or expenses associated to moving. In the event the company is, offering appearance solutions and it has brilliant staff to package it away all your valuables. Be certain about choosing that they totally adhere to local guidelines and you then may have recognizing that your residence and valuables are properly secured.

An uncertified company cannot be employed for the transport your individual residence safely and properly. The electronics such as fridge, LCD television, pcs, etc should be shifted by covering bedding around these to avoid scrapes. Before moving, create sure everything are already loaded wisely when you choose efficient Palo Alto Shifting service company, you've got no must give trouble to yourself.

How to Protect Floors when Moving:

In order to protect your floors when moving place a doormat in front of the doorstep of every room. In this way when the moving begins they can catch most of the dirt that comes in from people’s shoes like sand, mud or dust. If you have hardwood floors you can protect them by putting pieces of carpet with the size of a doormat or a bit larger. This will keep eventual scratches or other types of damages on the floors away on moving day.

Lay the wooden floor in living room and children’s room with paper. In order to protect floors when moving put the paper with tape on all of the way in your house on which you will carry furniture. You can find special paper for that purpose at hardware and home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Ace Hardware Stores for example.

Use plywood to protect floors when moving appliances and electronics that are larger like a freezer, refrigerator and washing machine. You can put that in the kitchen. The plywood sheets will also protect floors when moving being damaged since paper is going to be too think to rely on when it comes to appliances because they have sharp edges unlike the soft couches and the mattresses from the living room or bedroom, for example.

Before moving any furniture that has legs, wrap them up with towels or pieces of clothing that you won’t need. In this way you can protect floors when moving in the case that someone accidentally drops down the kitchen table or you need to put down the chair you are carrying for whatever reason.

4 Pro Tips for Unpacking After Your Move

1. Take a break

Most people move in the summer. This means you’ve probably just finished a long hot day and you’re completely beat. Treat yourself by finding your first favorite restaurant in your new town. If it’s meal time, have a quick meal out of the house, or if not, have a coffee or a treat. The boxes will be there when you get back and taking an hour to relax a bit will make all the difference as you start to tackle them.

2. Don’t obsess

It isn’t hard to get caught up in the details. “If I put the coffee pot here that doesn’t leave me any room for the blender.” The goal is to get your stuff out of the boxes and get the boxes out of the house. Not to spend hours agonizing over whether this should be the silverware drawer or the dish towel drawer. Give yourself a week actually using your rooms, learning the feel of the place and your new preferences. Then decide on the final spots for your gadgets and knick knacks.

3. Arrange Furniture First

It’s easy to clear a room of boxes, or at least most of the boxes, so that you can visualize the space and what you want to put where. This also gives you the freedom to try out several options in a room before making a final decision. If you need to purchase furniture for a room, try to unpack as little as possible in that room until the new furniture has arrived.

4. Essentials First

Most people will tell you to have an essentials box. It’s the box of stuff that gets packed and loaded last and then unloaded and unpacked first. Be sure to keep your eye on this box and head for it first. You’ll instantly feel better with your toothbrush set out and clothes for the next few days put away. But there are more essentials than just the essentials box. Don’t leave your bed until right before you’re ready to crash for the day. Put it together early in the process and get the linens put out. Then, getting to sleep doesn’t mean one more thing you have to do. The kitchen and bathrooms are also essential rooms. Have an “essentials” box for each room so that breakfast is easy in the morning and you’re not scrambling for towels the next day.
Just like you did with packing, you can set yourself daily goals. Try to unpack a few boxes every day. If you find that some boxes are sitting around after a few weeks, consider whether you really need whatever is in them. Have patience with yourself as well. Moving day is the big day, but the work doesn't end there. No need to stress out about the amount of work, remember to enjoy your new surroundings a little as well!mo

10 Things To Do After You Move:

1. Call the utility companies

Gas/propane, electric, cable, telephone, garbage service, and any other providers for your home must be called to ensure service is in your name. Double check what day your garbage will be picked up(order cans if you need to) and when your bills will be due.

2. Don’t put your home inspection away

If you just bought a house, hopefully you had a home inspection. You may not have the time, energy or money to deal with all or any of the items on your list right away, but don’t forget about the big repairs you may need to make, especially before winter comes your way.

3. Find your main circuit breaker

Take the time to locate the main breaker box for your home and label each breaker correctly if not labeled already.

4. Find the off switch

Locate the main water shut-off and make sure all household members know where this is located. It is also not a bad idea to purchase a water cut-off wrench in case it ever is necessary to turn off your water supply from the meter.

5. Obtain a subscription to the local newspaper

I did not do this right away when we moved to Bainbridge Island, and I regret it. Print media may be dead in many ways, but the local paper, small as it might be, is a good way to find out about local politics and the inner-working of your new city/town.

6. Spread the word about your new address

Don’t forget to inform creditors and magazine subscriptions of your new address. In most areas, you can now change your address online through the Post Office. Make sure your old post office is forwarding your mail correctly.

• Change your address with the DMV
• Change your address with your employer
• Order new checks with your new addresss
• Register to vote
• Let your friends know too, email is great for that

7. What’s your number?

Make sure your street number is identified and easily visible from the road. Reflecting house numbers on your mailbox work well. Many streets on our island do not have street lights.  You may want to make sure your street numbers light up.

8. Organize your files

Files that are related to your move such as receipts, manuals, warranties, etc. I give my clients a hard copy of the real estate transaction and I burn all the files onto a CD too.

9. Check out the area to locate new physicians, dentist, vet., etc.

Ask your new neighbors kid’s teachers, the clerk at the store, get local references.

10. Write it down

After you meet your new neighbors write down their names and phone numbers.  Put the info in your phone contacts.   Helpful to have in a pinch.

On Moving Day

Your Move

• Put together a moving day survival kit with items you will need for the trip and immediately when you arrive at your new home. These items include toilet paper, snacks, bottled water, dishes, toiletries, towels, a few days’ worth of clothes. Be sure to plan for the contingency that your household items may arrive a day or even a few days late if you are doing a long distance move.
• Doublecheck any arrangements you might have made to transport your pet. Do you have proper travel gear?
• Write out a list for your movers of things they’ll need: phone numbers; exact moving address and maps.
• Check the inventory list and sign it. Put your copy in your moving folder.
• Read the Bill of Lading carefully and sign it, if it is correct.
• Make sure you have the moving companies contact information with you in your moving folder.
• In your new home, tape names to doors to assist movers; map out the floor layout so movers know what’s going where; finally, prepare your new home for moving to prevent any damage.
• If you don’t have professional cleaners coming in, make sure you clean your home before leaving.
• Pack a moving day box of things you’ll be moving yourself so you have access to them right away. Cell phone, light bulbs, tool kit, scissors, flashlight, trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper, aspirin and bed linens. Make sure you have extra packing material on hand for things that arise last minute.
• Pack pet food and pet litter.
• Be sure you have cash on hand for the move. Find out if you’ll owe money after the move and find out what form of payment they accept.
• Double check to be sure you’re on target for your utilities to be hooked up.
• Do the walkthrough with your real estate agent. Make sure everything’s where it should be. Also ask for appliance manuals and such

5 Tips to Saving Money When Renting a Truck

 1. To start with, you should become familiar with the weight and capacity of your moving truck and take note of the weight o1. Anytime families pack upwards their belongings and venture to the other city to initiate a new lifetime, that they almost constantly use a moving truck. Loading these shifting trucks is not as easy because tossing your belongings into the right back. actually, you will find ways to properly and efficiently load one moving truck. If you’re looking for advice on how to move a piano, visit our home page.You need to follow certain safety guidelines that are important when moving over since some loads may perhaps body weight tons and when they may not be properly secured, it may change dangerously as the truck is moving. In addition there are some laws concerning moving trucks that require to feel adopted to be able to avoid being fined.

2 .Different important thing in order to consider prior to loading your moving vehicle is actually to have the tires checked. Tires are considered to be among the most ignored areas concerning auto protection also should definitely get included during all of the safety  inspections prior to loading. The tires are rated for a specific weight and yet most people are not aware of this. The best way for you to know about the tire’s weight rating is to look at the sidewall of the tire; and if you could not read it, then it is most probably time for you to change your vehicle’s tires. Heavy-duty tires which are sold by tire distributors and dealers are mostly available with many a variety of weight carrying capabilities, a person may additionally ask towards help inside determining the tire’s loading capacity.

3. The going truck rentals must also be contrasted with going trailer rentals in case you need the quantity concerning trucks. while the carrying capacity concerning an average trailer is greater then just that concerning an average vehicle, one vehicle rental might prove in order to be a great deal costlier to a person. Moving vehicle rentals tend to be really high if you want in order to deliver a package across international borders.

4. An example, if a person is renting a finances rental vehicle off Atlanta to New York (approx 1,100 miles) on a Wednesday and dropping off on the coming Monday that is towards 5 days. that it will roughly expense £650 for the best 10-feet truck, £680 concerning your 16-feet truck also £830 for your 24-feet vehicle. a vehicle carrier cost are going to be £50 extra. away of above revealed rates £150 is going to be refunded as deposit.

5.See if the rental company has branches in the same city you are moving to. This way you will only have to pay for a one way move. Many companies do accommodate that, but they ask for upfront payment, so this way you end up paying the company for the return journey as well. You may not be aware of this, as you may assume that you are paying extra for the service charge in case they do not have a branch there. Make inquiries before you book.