7 Tips on How to Pack for a DIY Move:

If you’re planning a do-it-yourself move, you’re probably overwhelmed by the thought of packing a houseful of stuff into a rental truck. In the end, though, the savings can make that labor worthwhile.

Do-it-yourself movers save between 50 percent and 75 percent compared with folks who hire full-service movers, according to Dave Baptisti, director of national consumer sales and programs at Penske Truck Rental. You don’t have to be a professional packer to get it right, either.

Here are seven packing tips that should ease your stress and lighten your (truck) load.

1. Start Early.

Packing in a rush is a huge mistake, said Becky Harris, a moving specialist with ABF U-Pack Moving. She recommends starting to pack at least four to six weeks ahead. Sloppy packing because you waited until the last week can result in lots of items being damaged during a bouncy truck ride.

Supplies you’ll need:

• Moving boxes.
• Packing paper.
• Packing tape made for moving (never Scotch or masking tape).
• Packing tape dispenser like the ones sold at office supply stores.
• Black marker.
• Sandwich bags to hold hardware for appliances and furniture.

2. Purge.

“Donate, throw away, have a garage sale,” Harris said.

Moving more items requires a bigger truck, extra gas and additional packing supplies. If you’re moving from Boston to Los Angeles, it may be less expensive to sell a few large items before you move and buy new furnishings once you get settled.

3. Consider the Boxes.

Skip grocery boxes, which crush easily, as well as plastic totes, which don’t hold up to stacking. Use boxes designed for moving, Baptisti said. He recommends boxes rated 32 ECT and up; they’re sold by storage facilities, truck rental companies, moving companies and hardware stores. It may seem faster to pack your belongings into big boxes, but small to midsize boxes are much easier to hoist onto trucks. Consult a chart like the one on Penske’s website to estimate how many boxes you’ll need.

4. Don’t Tackle Everything at Once.

Pack non-essential items early, Baptisti said. These could include off-season clothing, books, artwork or anything you won’t miss if it’s in a box. Penske advises beginning at least two weeks before moving day. Harris likes a “room to room” approach, starting with the room you use least. Pack things you don’t use, and pack similar items together. For example, put everything from one kitchen cabinet into one box.

Pack a couple boxes of essentials for your arrival. Mark them “open first” and place them near the rear of your truck. Suggested items include cleaning supplies, paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, some clothing, eating utensils, a coffeemaker, toiletries and cosmetics.

5. Don’t Skimp.

Movers who use the wrong packing materials risk damaging or breaking items, Baptisti said. Newspaper ink can bleed and stain your things, so use newsprint-white paper that’s thicker than newspaper-for packing. Tape all seams on boxes, Harris said, and be sure to use packing tape to keep dust out and boxes from being crushed.

Tip: Search for unused or barely used, moving boxes and supplies on Craigslist for a fraction of the retail cost. Just make sure the boxes being sold are actual moving boxes.

6. Track What You Pack.

Color-code boxes by room and label with general contents. For example, you can stick a yellow label on kitchen boxes and then list on each box what it contains: can opener, coffee bean grinder, skillets and so on. Use a notebook to list the contents of each box.

You’ll also need to keep track of what’s in all those boxes if you’ll be using a self-storage facility during your move. Download the Moving Van app on iTunes to list the contents of every box and search for certain items on your iPhone or iPad when you arrive. Or try One Simple Move, a free website with an interactive calendar, a moving checklist, packing tips and email reminders.

7. Load Like a Pro.

Bumping along a highway can be bad news for belongings if you don’t load them correctly. Use rope and straps to tie down items as you load, and pack “high and tight,” placing heavy things and large boxes on the bottom, Harris said. Baptisti recommends putting heavy items at the front of the truck to avoid load shifts during transit.

Why All the Work Is Worth It

Paying a full-service mover to pack up your home is one of the most expensive parts of moving. Pack yourself and-even after paying for moving boxes, tape and other supplies-you’ll still save thousand of dollars, according to Harris. Besides, she said, “people just like to pack their own stuff.”

Packing Survival Guide:

There is no shortage of advice on moving. There are books devoted to the subject, ideas on the Internet and most moving companies offer tips. But there's nothing like benefiting from the wisdom of those who have gone before you. That's right, people who have made moves and are still coherent enough to talk about it.

The following 10 tips were culled from everyday people who gave their best advice in chat rooms and Internet forums.

1. Start early. By far the top advice offered. Packing takes longer and is more difficult than most think. By starting to pack early, perhaps doing a room a day, there will not be the frantic rush at the end. You will also be more organized. When you run out of time or are burned out by doing everything at the end, you will throw the unpacked stuff in a box, tape it up and send it on its way.
2. Think thin. Go through your belongings and decide what you really need and want to keep. Get rid of anything that you haven’t used in a year or so, unless it has sentimental value. Movers charge by weight, so the lighter the load the more money you save. Plan to go through everything at least twice, with a week or more break between. You should find a lot to cull on your first pass. After getting used to the idea, do it again a couple weeks later.
3. Label everything. Don't just label each box with the room in which it belongs. Write down the contents. You will be glad you did when you try finding the hair dryer or a specific kitchen utensil. Bonus hint: Don't overuse the "miscellaneous" label. Otherwise you'll get to your new home and have a dozen boxes of miscellaneous and almost no idea what's in them.
4. One at a time. Stay organized and pack one room fully and then move on to the next. If you don't, you'll end up with boxes full of miscellaneous items from several rooms.
5. Gang box. Put smaller items in small boxes and put small boxes into a bigger box. Small boxes are more easily lost or damaged.
6. Take it with you. Any personal financial information and important papers should be taken with you or shipped to you by family or a friend after your move-in. Identity theft is one reason, but so is the difficulty in replacing important documents, recreating bank statements or losing passports.
7. Value valuables. Most moving companies would rather you not ship your highly valuable items, such as jewelry, artwork and collections. Many times expandedmoving insurance through the carrier or a third party will be needed.
8. Essential fact. Always have a box for essentials that you will want or need when everything is delivered to your new home. Remember: Last on, first off. So make sure the well-marked essentials box is the last one loaded onto the truck. Some recommendations: Towels, soap, toilet paper, sheets, coffee maker, drinking cups, eating utensils, pens and notepad.
9. Inventory. Make a list of every item/box that goes on the moving van and take it with you. Have a family member mark the boxes and items as they come off the truck. This is especially important if your belongings will be transferred from the truck to storage before being delivered. If a box is missing, lost or left behind it could be months before it's realized. The mover must do the inventory for an interstate move. Note any damage at the time of delivery.
10. Think outside the box. For items you think will be stored in the attic, garage or closet at your next home, consider getting inexpensive plastic storage bins. The home improvement and general merchandise stores usually carry them. This will save you on buying extra boxes and unpacking them when you get to your new home. Also, for stuffed animals, towels and other soft items, consider using large trash bags, they are much cheaper than moving boxes.

3 Reasons You’ll Love Moving to Nashville, TN

No matter what time of year you’re planning to relocate, Nashville can provide a lot of fun and enjoyment for you and your family. Tennessee is one of the best states to live in, since you can enjoy lots of good music, take in the natural scenery and experience some great culinary. If you’re planning on relocating to Nashville, Unpakt has a few reasons for moving that will help you finalize your relocation plans.

The Southern Atmosphere
Even though Nashville is technically a big city and has lots to offer in terms of live entertainment, food and shopping, you’ll find that the atmosphere is quite Southern. Strangers are likely to smile and say hello, and professionals are pleasant and personable. The city is proud if its innovative advances in the areas of technology and medical care, but people are still especially cordial. The moving company who help you get all your belongings will likely wish you well in the city and be very helpful.

The Live Music
After the local movers Nashville, TN has to offer have helped you get all your belongings into your new place, you may be motivated to head out for a little live music. The city is widely known for being the hub of country music, but you can easily hear Americana, R&B and pop music in the city at various venues as well. Whether you want to attend the latest open mic at a bar or want to purchase tickets to the Nashville Symphony, the city is sure to appeal to your musical tastes.

The Variety of Dining Options
The city is known for its traditional Southern flare, but you can also find a wealth of culinary options if you’re in search of a tasty adventure. Hattie B’s the home of Nashville Hot Chicken, is the place to be if you love dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, Mac and cheese and baked beans. If you’re in the mood for an innovative meal, restaurants like City House and Husk will likely satisfy your cravings.

These are just a few of the reasons Tennessee’s capital can prove to be a great move for you and your family. Now that you know some of the activities that are at your disposal, chances are it won’t take long for you to view the city as your new home.

How to Move Without Going Bankrupt:

Jupiter

Buying or renting a new home is expensive enough — between the security deposit or down payment, first and last month's rent, and the cost of movers, it's easy to wonder how anyone can afford it.

But everyone has to move at one time or another. So we asked for some budget-friendly moving tips from a few of the top financial experts at Manilla.com, the award-winning, free and secure service that lets you manage your bills and accounts in one place online and via mobile apps. Here's what they said.

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3 TOP TIPS IF YOU'RE PLANNING A MOVE

1. Lighten the load.

Get rid of stuff! Packing up and moving is so much easier when you have less stuff. The best part? You might be able to earn some extra cash in the process, said Linda Descano, women and money expert from Citibank's Women & Co.

"Take your upcoming move as an opportunity to make a little extra spending money when you're decluttering your home," Descano said. "As you start packing up, think about the usefulness of each item, whether it's a piece of clothing that's been hiding in the back of your closet, or a kitchen gadget that's been sitting in your garage since your wedding day."

If it's the latter, Descano said, it's time to toss it. Put it in the "sell" pile and, before you move, sell it at a garage sale or on an auction site, such as eBay.

2. Ask a professional.

A professional mover can quickly point out to you easy ways to save money on your moving endeavor, says Sam Burgoon of financial website CreditSeason.com. "Ask a local mover for tips on how to pack items more efficiently to avoid damage and save time," Sam said, adding that it's important to consider using shrink-wrap or even disassembling items to save space and money.

3. Don't break your existing lease.

If you're currently renting and your lease hasn't ended, avoid breaking it early, says Adrian Nazari, CEO of credit and loan website CreditSesame.com. "There are many financial consequences of breaking your lease," he said, "from losing your deposit, to having to pay rent for the months remaining on the lease after you move out. If you can wait to move until your lease is up, it can save you a lot of money."

4. Explore the tax benefits of your move.

If you're moving more than 50 miles away, save your receipts for a tax deduction, Nazari said, adding that there are a few restrictions to keep in mind. For starters, your reason for moving must be related to your job, and accepting that job would have had to increase your commute by more than 50 miles if you had decided not to move. Another requirement, Nazari said, is that you must be employed full-time for at least 39 weeks during the 12 months after you move, and it must be true that your employer is not covering your moving expenses.

5. Don't settle.

Shop around when you're moving, because you'll regret it if you don't, said Brandhyze Stanley, editor of frugal-living website Frugal-Nomics.com. "Moving is not the time to make yourself settle on a place you don't absolutely love," Stanley said. "Yes, we have to be realistic with our expectations, but you don't want to have to funnel tons of money into a place in an attempt to fix it up and make repairs to make it look like your ideal home."

You Just Moved. Now What?

The hardest part is over. You've packed up your entire house and had it delivered to your new place. But after the moving truck leaves and the dust settles, you’re left with an unfinished home-and a LOT of boxes. So what do you do first?

1.  You want your new place to be safe and secure—start with the locks. If the previous residents or owners did not change the locks, make sure to do this first. And if the garage has a code, don’t forget to reset that, too! You can rest easier knowing that no one has the keys to your new place except you.

2.  Next, tackle the most important boxes first. Unpacking every room of your house will take a huge amount of your time, so make sure that you start with the most important rooms first—namely, the kitchen, bathroom(s) and the bedroom essentials. That way, you have everything you absolutely need ready to go while you take time to unpack everything else.

3.  Once you have those set up, make sure that you have all of your utilities in place. Test out your internet, electric, heat, etc. to make sure that everything is ready to go.

4.  Don’t forget to register your vehicle(s) if you’ve moved states, provinces or countries! Taking care of this ASAP will help you avoid hassles later down the road.

5.  Enjoy your new home!

For all of your relocation needs, call the premiere household moving company in Seattle—Pacific Movers! We can help you with every step of the moving process to make it quick and stress-free. Give us a call to get started or fill out our easy online form for your FREE quote!

12 Terrific Moving Tips When You're Moving Your Home:

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Make a list.
Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. You'll place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents on your list. Don't put the list down unless it's in a place you'll call Packing Central. This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific -- "A-D files" is better than "files", and "Tulip dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen".

Have plenty of supplies.
Don't make me say this twice-- you'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more boxes than you think, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund.

If you got them free from the grocery, just toss any leftovers.) Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get extra so the packing can go smoothly. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed.

Utilize wardrobe boxes.
These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Call your mover to ask the width of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Then measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you'll need. You can also use them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes.

Don't make the boxes too heavy to lift, however. One mover told the story of someone who put a bowling ball in a wardrobe box! When the box was lifted off the truck the bottom gave way, sending the bowling ball on a wild ride down the ramp, across the street to the gutter, then down a hill where it finally came to rest in a roadside ditch. (Is that a strike or a spare?)

Strategize wardrobe box use.
Moving companies will be happy to deliver boxes ahead of your moving day. Or if you're doing the move yourself, get things organized as early as possible. A few days before your move, fill some sturdy handled shopping bags with bulky closet items such as shoes, sweaters, belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom of the wardrobe boxes with some of the shopping bags, then add your hanging clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won't move around and fall off of hangers. Finally, cover the shoulders of your clothes (a dry cleaning bag works well), then add a few purses or sweaters on top. You'll have fewer boxes, and closet items remain together. Also, the shopping bags will make it easier to retrieve your belongings from the bottoms of a tall wardrobe box.

Color coordinate.
Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow for kitchen, orange for dining room, etc. Apply colored stickers on the box near the box number. In your new home. Put a matching sticker on the door to each room. The movers will know where to put everything when they arrive at the destination. It's also helpful to post a big sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes stacked, ("Boxes here please") to keep them out of furniture and traffic areas.

Moving In With Your Boyfriend – Your Ultimate Checklist With Tips:

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A move is a great new experience that can be tough and stressful to handle but after it happens there’s a new page in our lives we are looking forward to turning, right? And relocating with your boyfriend is a step that makes the move even more exciting than it already is. You probably already imagine what life will be like after the move – spending time with someone special for you, supporting and helping each other out. But how to make moving in with your boyfriend easier and what to expect when you move in with your boyfriend? It will be difficult to predict everything, especially if you are relocating with a guy for the first time. Although every relationship is different and unique, there are a few things to know before moving in with your boyfriend that are universal. What are they? Here is the checklist that will help you take a decision about what you need to know before you move in with your boyfriend to your new home.

Tips On Moving In With Your Boyfriend

Work out your goals together. Before moving in with your boyfriend, talk with him about what both of you expect from your relationship. For example, what if one of you wants to have children and the other one doesn’t at all, can a compromise be made and who will be the one to make it? What is important for you in a relationship? Do you want to get married? What if you do and your boyfriend doesn’t? Discuss how both of you see the relationship because if after 6 months or one year of living together you find out you want totally different things in life, then you may both end up disappointed. Talk about what both of you want and if your vision about your future together matches, then proceed to our next tip!

Is he the one for you? Ask yourself the questions in this article.
Are you certain that this is exactly what you want? Do you really know enough about him to take this decision? If you’ve only had a few dates, how will you know that he really is the guy for you? Are you feeling comfortable with him? Do you get along generally? Ask yourself about how you feel about your boyfriend. Before taking the decision to move in with him, make sure that you know enough about him and you are ready to say “yes” when the moment comes. Knowing you have a common vision about your life together is great, but is that sufficient?
Take your time to get used to each other’s presence and your new life in general. It is one thing to be dating and visiting each other at home and a totally different thing to live together. Even though you are still his lady, you will be expected to take a certain amount of responsibility for the home, the chores to be done and your relationship. Living together could work out if both of you do your part for it.
Make an agreement about the chores to be done after moving in to your new apartment or house. Even though it may sound like something difficult to discuss, it shouldn’t stop you from bringing up the matter. It does not go without saying who does what in a common home, so talk it through. You could make a list and set the duties for each one of you like paying bills, taking the garbage out, cooking, cleaning, etc. You could distribute some tasks, share some things and take turns or agree to do some things together. It is all up to both of you.

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In order to organize your move together, get a few quotes and arrange to help each other, if you can.
Sharing responsibilities means taking decisions together so make an agreement what what is important for each one of you and communicate it with the other person. In this way you are giving each other an opportunity to get used to each other’s way of life, habits, interests, etc. and know what is really important for the other person. If, for instance, Thursday evening is your cocktail evening with your girlfriends and that is important for you to have and keep, or you go to sports classes Sunday afternoon and you want to keep up with them, let him know. And encourage him to do the same. Being open about your needs will give you the opportunity to continue doing the things you actually like. Suppressing yourself and what is important for you will not work out in the long run because in the end it will make you miserable and you will wish to change that or end the relationship. Avoiding this stepping stone from the beginning is a good start of your common life together.
Be ready to see that he is not perfect. Every person has their not so good sides and just like you, he’s not ideal. Be patient with him and encourage him to treat you the same way. We all have the right to be ourselves after all, don’t we? If there is something that you want, be upfront about it and say it, most guys don’t take hints and appreciate it if a girl is straightforward. When you say what you want, you give a chance to your boyfriend to make you happy, and he surely wants that for you, doesn’t he?
Organize the relocation. Choose a neighborhood and a place together, a home, that both of you like, and plan the move. You may hire one moving company to do the move and help each other with the relocation process. He can help you with heavy things like furniture and you can help him wrap things in packing paper, for example. Also, agree on what will each one of you bring. You don’t need two toasters and two coffee machines, right? Optimize your luggage before the relocation. Get a quote to find out about the cost of your move.

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Tips on Tipping Your Movers:

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Consumers put a lot of faith in professional movers, which is why good ones are as prized as a competent and fair mechanic. As a customer, you are entrusting all of your possessions, prized and otherwise, to people you may not even have been introduced to before they started taking your stuff and loading it into a truck.

Although movers are considered part of the service trade, there is usually a lot more riding on their job performance than, say, a waitress or someone who cuts your hair. If the waitress drops your rye toast, she can quickly get you a new order and, hey, your hair will grow out.

If a mover, however, does a poor job packing, drops your family heirloom or drags your furniture across the wood floor, there is a lot more at stake. Besides, there are few people in the service industry that work as hard as movers.

Perhaps because consumers rely so much on a mover doing a good job that they don't consider them as a service professional. But they are and proper etiquette requires that they be treated as such. This means it is proper to offer a tip, whether it is cash at the end of the day or you buying the crew lunch or even both.

As with any other service provider, you would base your "tip" on job performance – a bad attitude and indifferent work habits would hardly be considered tip worthy. If, however, you think your crew was attentive, helpful and professional, then give what you believe is fair.

Movers usually don't expect a tip but is appreciated when given. More than anything, it's a sign that you recognized their effort and thought it worthy. You may think you're paying a small fortune to the moving company, but what trickles down to the guys actually lugging your stuff won't have them driving home in a Beamer.

Moving is a stressful life event overloaded with thousands of small details that need attention. One of those is how to treat the crew moving your life's belongings, so here's a quick reference that should keep the guys happy and moving:

• Moving is hard, back-breaking work so it would only be common decency to have cold bottled water, soda or sport drinks on hand.
• Some people prefer to buy the crew lunch in lieu of a tip and this is perfectly fine. Some do both. It's whatever you are comfortable with. If you do offer to buy the crew lunch, make sure to ask if they have a preference as to food choice. Many people think, "Oh, we'll get some pizza," so you can imagine how much pizza these guys might have had that month.
• You will hear varying advice on how much to tip. Percentages don't really work as they do in restaurant work. The difference between a $2,000 full-truck move and a $20,000 full-truck move is likely the distance the moving van travels, not how much time it took to load the vehicle. Basically, if it's a half-day (4 hours) move, $10 per person is considered appropriate. If it's a full-day move (8 hours), then $20 is the consensus. If you have a lot of heavy furniture, narrow or winding stairs, a steep lot, etc., you should consider adding to the amount. If the crew works 12 hours to get your belongings packed, figure $40 as fair.
• A tip about tips from movers themselves: Don’t give the lump some to the foreman or driver. Give each worker their tip. First, it shows that you recognize and appreciate their individual efforts. Second, there are some unscrupulous foremen, who will keep the entire amount for themselves.
• Avoid giving the guys beer at the end of the day. It's a bit stereotypical and most legitimate moving companies have rules against drinking on the job. It also opens liability issues. Make the tip cash and the movers can spend it how they wish.
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