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8 Moving Hacks to Make Moving Easier

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It’s still days away from the move, but you’re already brimming with excitement. What will my new workplace feel like? Which attractions do I visit first? Will I be able to get along with my new neighbors? So many questions, so little time.

While moving brings a lot of hype, it can be quite daunting, too, especially for those who haven’t done it before. That’s why this article exists – to help you smooth out the bumps along the way.

Below are eight moving hacks that’ll guarantee you a better moving experience.

1. Hiring a Good Moving Company

Surprised? Nobody can blame you if you might not have been expecting this to top the list. However, there’s no denying that employing professional movers is the most convenient hack out there. With their expertise and familiarity with the process, you can expect the move to proceed quickly without compromising your safety or the integrity of your belongings.

2. Hold a Garage Sale

Admit it. You can’t and don’t want to bring everything with you. It makes little sense to move items that you seldom or never use. Some examples would be:

  • That rusty bike you rode as a kid.
  • The old fridge you dumped into the garage after getting a new one.
  • Your kids’ toys when they’re already teenagers.
  • Outdated or ill-fitting clothing.

Instead of throwing all of these away (which is a huge waste), why don’t you find them new homes? Besides, setting up a garage sale isn’t that hard. It’s also an excellent way to cover some of your expenses that come with the move.

3. Color Code Boxes

Labeling boxes are great but writing all those tags can be time-consuming. It’ll be better to stick a colored piece of paper (like sticky notes) to the box according to what room its content belongs to.

For example:

  • Boxes tagged with blue contain kitchen utensils that must be sent to the dining room.
  • Yellow boxes – bedroom
  • Green boxes – living room
  • Red boxes – FRAGILE and so on, so forth.

4. Tape Mirrors

Vibrations during transit can break a mirror. You can strengthen yours by forming an “X” with packing tape on the glass surface to help absorb shock.

5. Buy IKEA Bags

You can get Frakta bags from IKEA that can carry a lot of weight (up to 50 pounds) for a measly amount of $3. It’s pretty useful for packing things you missed or stuffing up extra laundry.

6. Load Your Things Properly

With DIY moving, you’ll want to utilize your space as much as possible. That means positioning and stacking your cargo wisely. Place large furniture and heavy appliances in the truck’s innermost part, then put the smaller boxes near the door to make it easier to unload.

7. Packing Tricks

Hacks truly come in handy when it comes to packing. There are many ways to save time, space, and energy by applying some basic tweaks, such as:

  • Don’t empty your dresser. Leave the clothes inside the drawer and wrap them as is. It’s more time-efficient instead of putting them in boxes.
  • Leave the clothes on hangers. Same principle as the one above. Folding your clothes and getting another box for them takes precious time and extra space.
  • Use old linen and blanket as a cushion. Pad the inside of moving boxes with used fabric to protect the contents from impact. Use blankets to wrap big furniture.
  • Secure the lids of bottles. Wrap the tops with packing tape. You don’t want sensitive objects and appliances to get spilled.
  • Pack plates vertically. Insert bubble wraps between each one. Arrange them like you would arrange a collection of DVDs. It helps distribute pressure and prevent breakage.

8. Unpacking Tips

Since you’ve already covered packing, it only makes sense to know how to put things back in place at your new home. Here are a few:

  • Work at your own pace. If you hired movers, unpacking should be easy, but if not, don’t force yourself to fix everything right away. Create and follow a realistic to-do list. One person can only do so much in a day.
  • Take the boxes to their respective rooms. Remember that color-coding you did earlier? Time to put that hack into good use. With the boxes already categorized, all you have to do is put them in the right place.

Wrapping Things Up

The best hack you can ever execute is to hire an affordable mover. Not only will you cut the cost in the long run, but it also saves you time and effort. Since many carriers offer a wide range of exceptional services, choosing a good moving company in Austin, TX, can be confusing. Make sure to do your research so you can select the best one. Happy moving!

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Movers’ Secrets to Packing a Garage When You Move

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At first, moving seems like a pretty straight forward process. You organize your belongings, pack them into boxes, and take them to your new property. What could go wrong? It’s not until you dive into the actual procedure that you realize it can be a little more complicated. The garage is an especially tricky portion due to all of the large, awkwardly-shaped, and random objects that you need to move. Let’s take a look at some secrets that professional movers implement when tackling the garage during a move.

1. Host a garage sale.

Let’s be honest. There’s a good chance you haven’t cleaned out your garage in a few years. When you finally get around to sorting through your belongings for the move, you’re bound to run into a lot of stuff you no longer want or need. It is an excellent opportunity to sort the “keepers” from the junk. Throw away whatever isn’t good enough to keep and host a garage sale for the rest of stuff that you don’t want anymore. 

2. Know what your movers won’t take.

It might sound surprising, but there are some items that professional movers will not take. It is essential to keep in mind since many of these items might be sitting around your garage. Soil, plants, hazardous items, flammables, corrosives, explosives, and equipment full of fuel are just a few of these no-go items. Ask your mover for a list of things they won’t move since the specifics might vary between companies. 

3. Break out the tape and marker.

Despite your best efforts, the garage never gets as clean as the inside of your home. For this reason, it’s best to label all of your garage belongings clearly during the move, so you don’t accidentally place a box full of gas canisters in your living room. Also, it’s helpful to keep all boxes with your garage items together rather than randomly throwing them into the moving truck. 

4. Organize your garage before the move.

Unless you want a recipe for stress and frustration, it’s not enough to thrust open your garage door on moving day with a handful of boxes. Your garage requires a little bit more organization and forethought than most other rooms in your home when it comes to organizing and packing everything for the move. You don’t have to have all of your things packed perfectly beforehand, but even a little bit of organization can go a long way in making your moving day a sinch. 

5. Take apart larger items.

There are many garage items such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers, and other larger pieces of equipment that you can’t pack like usual belongings. If you still have the original boxes in which these items came, this will be your best option. Anything too big to box individually can be taken apart into smaller pieces. Just be sure to keep track of all the individual parts during the moving process. 

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What to Know When Moving Into Your First Apartment

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Moving is always stressful, but getting your first apartment is an equally exciting experience. It marks a very important milestone in your life of leaving the nest and declaring your independence. However, when you move into your apartment for the first time, there are certain things you should know that can make the experience smoother overall.

1. Know Your Budget

You must determine and set your budget for the new apartment. Whether you are renting or buying, this is a must so that you can ensure that you have enough money set aside each month to pay rent or a maintenance fee. Additionally, you have to take into consideration your utilities, electricity, Internet, and other amenities if the building or landlord doesn’t cover them. Generally, these expenses should not be greater than 28 to 35 percent of your monthly salary. Of course, you will also want to be able to buy furniture and household items if you aren’t moving into a place that’s already furnished. Finally, make sure you budget for the actual moving costs. Movers note that most apartment moves take a few hours to complete. Most movers charge between $80-$120/hour depending on where you live, so you can anticipate spending between $300-$600 for your relocation.

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2. Know the Building Rules

It’s imperative to know the building’s rules. For instance, some apartment buildings don’t allow dogs or certain breeds of them. There may also be a specific time frame when you can move so as not to disturb the tenants. Speak to the landlord and get the lay of the land regarding building rules so that your move can be an easy one.

3. Know Your Lease

Your lease is a legal document that lays out the terms of living at your new apartment. Essentially, it’s a contract that also tells you how long you are signing to stay in the dwelling. A lease tells you whether only your rent or rent and utilities are your responsibility. It mentions late fees and where and to whom you pay the rent. The lease also mentions whether a security deposit is required for you to pay and whether it can be returned to you.

It’s also wise to be completely clear about what entails breaking the lease and what rules exist for doing so. You should know upfront if there is a cost just in case this happens. Leases can be made for one year or even less, such as six or nine months if you aren’t planning on living at the apartment long term.

4. Choose Your Amenities

Many apartments include a variety of amenities for their tenants. Be wise about choosing yours and only opt for those you need. For example, if you already have a gym membership through your workplace, you should skip one through your apartment. However, if you prefer to do your laundry on the premises instead of at a nearby laundromat, you should sign up for this amenity.

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These are all important things to know when you are moving into your first apartment. All these tips will help you to be more prepared and can help you to transition into your new living situation faster in a way that is pleasant and relaxing.

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7 Tips to Keep Your Moving Costs as Cheap as Possible

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Moving is one of the most stressful and exciting events in our lives. It’s wonderful to think of some new place, job, making new friends or being reunited with family. Still, it is a chore and expense no one looks forward to.

The cost of moving can be the hardest obstacle for many to tackle. Although there is certainly no way to avoid spending money, there are some definite ways to limit what you’re spending. Here are some tips for keeping control of the process and your moving budget.

1. Stay Organized With a Plan and Budget.

Your stress can be greatly minimized if you know what to expect and when especially when it comes to your moving budget.

  • Set a limit. Give yourself a little wiggle room for the unexpected and unavoidable (there’s always something), and stick to that budget as much as possible.
  • Make a to-do list. Make a schedule and list, so nothing important is forgotten and costs you later.
  • Truck size. To help determine what size truck you will need for moving, you may choose a space in a room, garage, or other location where you can mark off the actual size you must accommodate. This will make for fewer surprises or extra expenses on moving day.

2. Compare Truck Prices.

The price of rental trucks fluctuates greatly depending on where you are moving from and to and when. You should compare prices between rental truck companies, professional moving services, and portable storage. Some factors are how much you are moving, how far, and how much help you will need both loading and unloading. If you opt for professional movers, be sure to compare rates from several companies. Whether you’re looking for cheap moving companies in Houston or El Paso, remember to make sure they’re licensed through the TX DMV and insured before you hire.

3. Boxes

There are generally few reasons to purchase boxes. Many retail stores will save boxes for you if you ask. Smaller boxes mean less weight to carry. Liquor stores generally have strong boxes, but there are many sources. When you have finished with the boxes, check around for possible money-making recycling options.

4. Shut Off Unnecessary Utilities, Etc.

Make a list of all your monthly utility payments, club memberships, etc. Any bills such as cable or internet service that could be discontinued ahead of time should be closed as soon as possible, and arrangement made for other utilities so that you are not charged for additional months.

5. Minimize As Soon As Possible

It is never too soon to start sorting and cutting down on unneeded items. Larger items can be advertised in the local paper, on sites like Craigslist or sold with smaller items in a yard sale. If you donate items, make sure you get a receipt for possible tax deduction.

6. List All Moving Expenses

Are you making a job-related move? If so, will they reimburse your expenses? Even if the answer is no, it is a good idea to keep track of all moving expenses for possible tax deduction purposes.

With some planning, moving can be less stressful and expensive than you think. Having a positive mindset can make all the difference, and will cost you much less a peace of mind. Enjoy the adventure!

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