Five Android Apps That Will Help You Move

Moving Apps excited me with the new possibilities of easing the mayhem of moving, and I have closely gone over the different Apps to see what I found to be useful. There are lots Apps that can help you in all stages of your moving, but to be honest moving still isn't all that easy with the apps. While the smart phone cannot do all the hard work of wrapping, boxing and lifting, they do help in the organization department. 

MoveMatch  (Free)
Useful for people who plan on renting a moving van.

As you may know, moving truck companies often charge by the weight of all your items. Anyone who has ever tried to rent a moving van, know it can be a seemingly impossible task to guess exactly how much your stuff weighs.  

MoveMatch tries to take the guess work out of figuring out how much your stuff weighs by helping you calculate a pretty accurate guesstimate. To figure out the weight the phone will ask you to go through every room, and list the items that are in the room. Once you've entered all the data it will have a result that is pretty close to what the volume of all your belongings actually is. 

Moving Plan  ($.99) 
Great for organizing a move. 

Not all of us are list-makers, but list making is probably one of the most useful tools when you move.There are so many things going on during a move, that it is all to easy for one, two or more items to slip your mind. Moving Plan is essentially a digital checklist.  Although an old fashioned pen and paper list can-do, these digital lists actually come in pretty handy. 

There are pre-made lists on the Moving Plan already to help you organize a move, and you can customize your own lists. To share the lists it is easy to email/export the lists to others who need to know what needs to be done. 

Gas Buddy (Free)
Saving money for gas on a move (or any other time). 

This App will let you find the cheapest gas in an area by GPS location. The best way to use it during a move is planning certain points you want to stop for gas. You can plan ahead to choose gas stations with cheaper prices that are near the highway. While most folks will not to want to go too far out of their way for gas prices, it is nice to save even a couple pennies per gallon  when we can. 


My Move (Free)
Helps choosing a mover.


My move basically works as a database of different moving companies in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. There are some other international coverage, but it is very  limited. You can find reviews and licensing information for different moving companies to help you choose who is best. In addition, there are other fun features of notes, lists, tips and other features that can help you along your move. 

How to Pack Dishes for Moving

When it comes times to pack dishes, getting a little freaked out or confused is normal. You think that you may know how to do it, but you aren't entirely sure. The last thing you want is to break your dishes during a move. To avoid breaking dishes during a move, just follow our simple steps. 

1. For optimal dish packing, you will want to get newspapers, bubble wrap and/or  Styrofoam peanuts. You can get away with just newspaper usually, but if you want to be extra careful you'll need the other materials. 

You will also want to get a dish-pack box that will let anyone carrying the item know the inside items are fragile, and that the box should be placed in a certain manner. If you can't afford one of the boxes, just write it yourself in permanent marker. Here is a picture of one of those boxes: 

For all of the following steps if you are just using newspaper, replace newspaper as the material written. 

2. For each dish, glass and cup, you will want to wrap the outside of the dish with bubble wrap. Tape to secure the bubble wrap gently around the glass. 

3. Create a bed of peanuts and newspaper at the bottom of the box that will serve as extra cushion for the dishes. 

4. Put each dish in the box as if it were on the table. This means the bottom of the plates will face the bottom of the box.

5. Between each layer of dishes, make sure to add an extra layer of newspaper and peanuts. 

6. Remember it is best to pack dishes in the same boxes together. Packing them with other items will cause confusion in the unpacking boxes. It also increase the likelihood the dishes could break. 

7. When you are done packing dishes in the box add extra peanuts, newspaper or bubble wraps in any extra space on the sides and top of the inside of the box. 

8. Tape the bottom of the box and the top of the box very thoroughly to make sure the box doesn't come undone during the move. 

The Joy of Move Out and Move in Cleaners!

To get a bid on move out cleaners you only need to answer a couple of questions on this website. The tool will find move out cleaners in your area that will be able to accommodate all your cleaning needs.

Move out cleaners are a great way to save time and money on a move. They will do all the dirty work of cleaning up a place, so that you can focus on the actual elements of moving.

When I used move out cleaners for my last move, they were great. The came in to clean the bathroom, living room and kitchen while I moved out of my old apartment. Amazingly I managed to get my security deposit back! As a person with cats, I had doubts that I would ever see that security deposit cash again.

When the cleaners come in, they ask you to direct them to which rooms you want done. Then their team gets to work, really scrubbing everything down. I was sad to leave my really shiny old apartment, and glad it was all cleaned up for the new tenants.

Next time I want to use moving in cleaners before I move into a place. We've all moved into an apartment or house that the past owners definitely did not clean thoroughly before they left. The thought of cleaning up someone else's bathroom has always really grossed me out.

Move in cleaners help you skip the gross step of dealing with someone else's grime. So instead of focusing on scrubbing your new bathroom, you can begin the really hard work of packing all your belongings!

What To Know Before Renting A Storage POD

A storage POD is seen as one of the most convenient methods of reducing the level of clutter in a home and can also be used to temporarily store goods as a family moves house. There are almost 50,000 storage facilities located in the United States which makes up approximately 80% of the world’s units. The nature of storage PODs makes them very popular in the United States but it is unwise to simply pick the first one you see. After all, depending on where you live, it is likely that you have a range of choice so here are a few things to consider before choosing a company that provides storage PODs.

How Much Will You Store?: This is a pertinent question because the last thing you need is to choose a small storage POD only to find that you need to store more goods. Rent a storage unit large enough to cope with the demand of extra goods over the course of time.
Cost: The quality of storage PODs throughout the United States varies significantly and if you need a climate controlled and secure unit, expect to pay much more. You can opt for a cheap and cheerful option if your possessions are not of great value.
Insurance: A large proportion of storage POD companies will not offer independent property insurance so it is important to find out if your homeowner’s insurance covers any goods stored offsite.
Security: Unfortunately, there are a number of storage POD facilities that provide inadequate security. If you plan on storing valuable items, you will need a location that provides 24/7 security, CCTV coverage and requires specific ID to enter. In some cases, thieves will rent out a space to get into the compound. To deal with such situations, you will need a storage unit that allows you to double lock your unit for peace of mind. Additionally, try and find out if the company in question runs strict background checks on all their employees. A great deal of theft is perpetrated internally so you need to be sure that the company is doing its best to stop this from happening.
Gimmicks: Beware the storage POD facility that offers an unbelievably low introductory rate. It is common for such businesses to dramatically increase their fees within a few months. Carefully read the contract before you sign and pay particular attention to the small print. Many customers skip this step and pay dearly for it later.
Facilities: Aside from the security arrangements, you also need to know more about the standard of container. Ensure that it is waterproof and if you have expensive items to store, you may want a climate controlled facility. While this will cost extra, it will be worth it to protect your goods.

A storage POD is a low-cost solution to the problem of storing goods but you need to thoroughly research the company you are dealing with or else you could pay a high price later on. When the safety of your personal possessions is at stake, it is important to leave no stone unturned.

Be sure to use a pods promo code and you can save 5% off moving or storage costs.

10 Tips for a Self Move

Due to tight budgets, we are sometimes forced to self move. Moving can be very stressful with the help of professionals movers, but somehow us self movers manage to do it all. Here are some basic tips on how to make a self move a little bit easier.

1. Start boxing as soon as possible. Stuff that you don't need should be boxed a long time before moving day. If you do all the boxing and moving the boxes into the moving van in one day, you are going to be very tired.

2. De-clutter before moving. The less stuff you have to move, the easier it will be. You can sell, give away or even throw away stuff that you won't need in your new place.

3. Recruit friends, family and neighbors to help you move. Anyone you think that would be willing to help, ask them. The worst they can say is no or that they are busy.

4. If you are renting a moving van, do your research early as possible. Here is a guide that will tell you all you need to know about renting a moving truck.

5. Hire someone to do the move out cleaning for you. This is a cheap way to cut down on labor you have to do yourself. The last thing anyone wants to do after they have moved all their stuff into a truck is clean their whole house, but it is usually necessary.

6. Make sure you have moving insurance before you move. This can save you a lot of trouble if anything gets damaged.

7. Buy, save and search for all the boxes you will need to move long before moving day. It is better to have more than enough boxes than too few.

8. If you are doing a long-distance move, make sure to stop to rest. Try your best to budget for a motel or hotel that you can get a good night sleep in. Sleeping in the moving truck may save you some money, but you won't save money if you end up renting the truck longer because you were too tired to unload when you got there.

9. When you get there try to unload everything into the room it goes in. If you put everything in one place, you are just creating more work for later.

10. Before you arrive, plan for what you will eat at your new place. Either have the number of a delivery place or have food set aside for yourself.

De-Stressing from Moving During the Holiday Season

We would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Moving during the holiday season can be especially stressful, so it is good to take a break to laugh now and again. We decided to list some comics about moving that will hopefully put a smile on your face. One of our deals may put a smile on your face as well. 

What Not To Do When Using Moving Insurance

Investing in moving insurance is a wise precaution to take when using movers. Whether you get full value protection or just go with the included released value option, there are steps you can take to ensure that your moving insurance will work if items are broken, stolen, lost, etc. Your mover's liability is limited or eliminated if you act in what is considered to be an irresponsible and/or questionable fashion. Here are some steps to take to ensure your mover's insurance will be in full effect if need be.

Packing 

While packing our own boxes can save us money, in the event of a dispute it will cause difficulties within our claim. If the movers do not pack your items, they do not know if items are already damaged. You may be accused of committing insurance fraud if an item gets broken or lost while moving, and the movers did not pack the item in question
We recommend that you check-in with the movers to see exactly how much extra it costs for them to pack your items. If the cost is not that extra, you may want to consider saving yourself the work of packing and potential insurance nightmare later.

What Not to Pack 

You would be surprised at the silly thing people try to pack without thinking about the danger that could be caused by these items. Cleaning supplies, motor oil, gasoline and paint are notorious items that are accidentally packed. Most of the time movers will not move them, but there is always the chance these items may be packed either by you or by a careless mover.

Before a move make sure that you pack these types of items separately to take with you. You will probably want to use the cleaning supplies right away in your new home anyways. If you do not want to bother taking along paint or other items, take them to the dump before you move or ask your buyer if they want the supplies for future use. 

Is Your Stuff Worth More than 60 Cents Per Pound? 

If you choose released value coverage when your items are obviously worth a lot more than 60 cents per pound, you may be held liable for choosing this option. You really need to consider the value of your furniture, electronics, appliances before you move. If they are worth a lot, you need to consider upgrading the insurance to get more effective coverage. 

Notify Your Movers of Valuable Items

If you have items that are worth a lot, let the moving company know. We recommend documenting the notification, not just relying on verbal exchanges. This way if there are problems down the road you have paper to back-up the existence of items you may need to make a claim on. If at all possible, with smaller electronics and jewelry, we recommend just keeping them with you on the long move if at all possible. It is one less thing to worry about during this stressful process. 

5 Ways to Make Friends After A Move

Dealing with the stress of just physically moving a long-distance can be strenuous at best. Once you finally get all your stuff organized (or at least as good at is going to get for now) we may have tested every last nerve there is, and will be glad just to have some time to relax.
Thanks to social media and cell phones we do have better support systems even when have moved to an area where we know everybody. Phone time and computer time can only do so much, and you may find yourself wanting to make new friends after a while. This is not an easy task, so we have put together some tips to help you make new friends after a move.

1) Meet Your Neighbors- Some people may feel like they are acting grossly out of a sitcom by approaching their neighbors, but building relationships with your neighbors is important. Go knock on their door to go say hi, if they haven't already done so for you. Even if you do not find anyone in the same age range or gender, at least if something happens to your home they have a face and a name to make it more likely that they will act in case of an emergency.

2) Volunteer- Volunteering with local charities can be a great way to meet people while helping out your community. Think of a cause that you care about, and Google around to see if an organization that matches what you want to do for the community. If you fail to make friends while doing charity, at least your time wasn't completely wasted.

3) Bar Friends- Going to the local watering hole can be a good way to meet people in the area. Just be weary of some friends that may have too much of a drinking habit, and don't let drinking be your only social outlet.

4) Amateur Sports- Signing up for a rec league is a fun way to get exercise while meeting people with similar interests. Even if you aren't that great at a sport, most leagues are always looking for people just to show up so they can play.

5) Yard Sale- This is a great way to get rid of some stuff you don't need while meeting some people in your area. You can even think of things to say if people show interest in certain items to help start a conversation. For example, if you are selling an old CD collection maybe recommend one of the CD's to the person, and who there favorite groups are. If you hit it off with someone ask them to hang-out sometime since you are new to the area. If you can't sell all your extra stuff at the yard-sale you can hire a junk removal team to get it out of your new home.

10 Tips on How to Save on Long-Distance Moves

Moving long-distances is not only very draining physically and emotionally, it can be very expensive. There are ways to save some money here and there that can really make a difference. These tips will also help ease the burden of the move beyond cost. Here are the 10 cost saving tips that will save you a bunch on long-distance moves. 

1. Decluttering before a move can save your sanity and some money. This step is essential if you are moving into a smaller space. By getting rid of junk, you won't need to figure out where to put the junk in your new place. It also will save you time with hourly and weight costs if you hiring movers. You can either try donating items or selling items to get rid of the stuff you just don't need anymore. You can also try recycling or chucking items that do not have any use.  

2. Shop around for your movers, moving van, storage or any other services that you may be using for you long-distance move. Do not be afraid to call around and ask for quotes from as many places as you can. If a service is significantly cheaper, you may want to be cautious about using them. Moving scams are an unfortunately common occurrence in the moving industry, so it is better to err on the side of caution.   

3. Pick the right time to move! Most people move during the summer, the end of the month, holidays and on weekends. All of these times you are not going to get the best price on any moving services you may be using. The slowest time for moving companies is in the middle month, and you usually can save considerable money if you move during the time. If your moving dates are flexible, consider moving in an off-peak time. 

4. Choose your boxes appropriately. Some things we don't mind just throwing in any old box we found behind the grocery store, dumpster, etc., but some delicate items need special packaging. If you have items that are delicate make sure to use boxes that will not break, and add extra padding with newspapers and styrofoam. Also, if you are moving in extremely hot or cold weather, you may want to consider special packaging for electronics and other items that are sensitive to temperature.

5. Hire professional movers. Sometimes getting neighbors, friends, college students or whoever is cheap to pack our stuff up is great. In a long distance move to save your stuff from any serious damage, you may want to consider hiring professionals. With the right company any damage done to your items will be insured. Also, good movers know how to pack stuff so it won't get damaged.

6. Make sure you are insured or at least know what you are covered for. If you are using a moving company or moving van, make sure that you are insured in all ways possible. Specifics will be in your contract with the moving company and your homeowner's insurance. Now is the best time to figure out what you are or are not covered for. Even if you are not covered, it is good to know what you need to be extra careful with.

7. Read mover reviews! Moving scams are a problem in the moving industry. Fortunately, the internet has made reviews of movers readily available. Check individual reviews and reports on moving companies from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). More than likely you and your stuff will be fine, but it is good to try to avoid problems when you are moving.

8. Make sure the company is accredited by the BBB. Companies that are will be the least likely to give you any trouble during your long--distance move.

9. Look-up gas prices beforehand. With the high cost of gas, long-distance moves are expensive as ever. With the internet, you can look-up cheap stops to get gas. If you have a smart phone, you can look-up the cheapest gas to your location using GPS. If you do not have a smart phone you can plan gas stops in advance.

10. Get a tax write-off for you move. If you are moving for your job, moving is considered a business expense. In order to qualify you have to work for the same place for a year after a move, and move what is qualified to be a long-distance.

Moving Coupons That Actually Work

Moving coupons seem to be absolutely everywhere. If you have recently sold your home, expect to find a set of shiny new moving coupons in the mail. Your local newspaper will probably have them in the real estate section and you may even find them in the moving package received at the post office once you submit the change of address form. Most people believe that moving coupons are a waste of time and toss them in the garbage without a second thought.

However, this could be a tremendous mistake as the moving process is extremely difficult and expensive. Moving coupons which save you money could help make the process of choosing a company easy. It’s assumed that only low grade moving companies offer coupons. This is completely false. The industry is one of the most competitive in the United States with thousands of companies to choose from. With such stiff competition, moving coupons are used as a way to entice customers into using a company’s services.

Why Moving Coupons Are Worth Using

Simply put, they save you money. Some coupons offer 20% off the move while others actually give you FREE truck rental. What’s the catch? A customer usually needs to use another service offered by the company to get the free truck rental deal but if you’re already going to use the services offered, why not do so for free?

Moving Coupons worth Using

Uncle Bob’s Self-Storage offers free truck rental when you rent out one of their self-storage units. Caveats of this deal include the fact that truck availability dictates whether you receive the offer immediately and it must be redeemed within 14 days of renting out the storage space. You must also pay for the truck’s gas. Uncle Bob’s is the fifth largest self-storage company in the United States and has an excellent reputation. Their free truck rental moving coupon is well worth using.

Space Mart Self Storage also offers a moving coupon offer with free truck rental. Like with Uncle Bob’s, you receive the truck for free when you rent a storage space for the first time. There are fewer restrictions than with Uncle Bob’s as all you need is a driving license, credit card and insurance. You also need to be 21 years old to use this moving coupon.

If you just need a truck rental and not self storage, Budget Truck has a promo code to save you 20% off the cost of one of their rental trucks.

Portable storage units are a relatively new way to store and move your belongings. They have become quite popular because of the convenience they offer. A portable unit is dropped off at your house and you load it at your convenience. The company then picks up the unit and stores it or moves it and delivers it to your new home when you’re ready.  Pods and 1-800-Pack-Rat are the two biggest portable storage companies and both offer a coupon code to save 5% off storage costs.

Let’s face it, if you’re moving you’ll likely need either a self-storage space, truck rental, or a portable storage unit. Use the coupons mentioned here and the savings can be substantial.

Winter is Coming: Tips on Moving During the Winter

The last thing anyone wants to do during the winter is move! If anything, our bodies want to settle down and hibernate for the winter. Unfortunately, the modern world doesn't allow us time to take it easy, and sometime we find ourselves changing residences during the winter.

Important- If at all possible, we encourage you to keep an eye on the weather before a move. The weather can be unpredictable, but do not schedule a move during inclement weather. Even if it means moving a little early or a little late, ask the buyer, sellers and or realtors if accommodations on moving dates can be made during the inclement weather. Most people will be willing to delay if a major storm is on the way.

It is dangerous to move during bad weather on top of just being particularly traumatizing. Moving boxes and furniture is bad enough without thinking you should have invested in a pair of snow shoes for the move.

Switch Utilities Before You Move- Make absolutely sure that the heat will be functional when you get to your new home. If you can't check yourself, double or even triple check with the moving company. The worst thing is to arrive in a new home to it being freezing cold. Also, items left in cold temperatures can get damaged or broken.

Prepare for Power Outages- Snow, ice, sleet and even rain can cause major power outages in most areas. This means you should have your flashlights and candles ready to use, and not packed away in some mystery box. If they are already packed, try to find them before you start the move. Also, if you have a generator, you may want to make sure you have it somewhere you can access easily.

Consider Cold-Resistant Boxes- This may be necessary for long-distance moves when your items will be kept in a cold moving van. Damage to items, especially electronics and appliance, can happen if they are left out in really cold temperatures.

Insure Yourself- Insurance is always important, but especially important if you are moving during the winter. If you are using a moving truck company or renting one, make sure that you are covered on angles. Winter is the time with most moving-related accidents, so it is not the time to take any chances.

Warm-Up For Your Move- This means two things: dressing appropriately and stretching. Make sure that you have plenty of layers that you can shed on and off. You may get hot while you are moving, but cool down while you are preforming more light-weight tasks. Before you start moving anything make sure to stretch. Cold makes the muscles more tense, so they are more prone to injury.

Hire Someone- If you are renting a movie van, you may want to consider hiring on a driver. Driving a large moving truck during the winter can be extremely hazardous to you and all your belongings. Wrecks can be bad enough, but if you wreck in a moving van you can do some very serious damage to your items and other vehicles. If you can't afford to hire a professional, consider looking on Craigslist. Or ask around on Facebook to see if anyone knows someone who is competent at driving large vans. In the midst of a snow-storm is not a good time to experiment with how well you can handle an over-sized vehicle.

1-800-Pack-Rat Warehouses

Several different companies offer storage services, but few can claim to have the state of the art buildings that 1-800-Pack-Rat uses. Each building was created with storage in mind, resulting in some of the safest locations where your valued items can be kept. These storage facilities have some the best security measures to keep your belongings not only safe from intruders, but also from heat and other elements. 

For starters, all locations have 24/7 video surveillance to ensure the security of all units. There are no shared hallways, unloading ramps, elevators, or dollies, making these buildings some of the most secure. Each unit is locked with your own lock so that there is no possible chance of any unwanted guests in your portable unit. Automated sprinkler systems have also been added to prevent any fires from damaging any units.

At the same time, these buildings are kept between 55 and 80 degrees to keep all units safe from any type of heat damage. Humidity is also maintained below 65% so that all types of items are safe. 

No matter what you want to have stored with 1-800-Pack-Rat, it is bound to be safe and just the way you left in when you load it into the unit. Don’t risk having your possessions damaged with anyone else.

Use a PackRat coupon to save 5% off local storage or one-way moving costs.

Moving with 1-800-Pack-Rat

While 1-800-Pack-Rat provides people with a great way to store their items and personal belongings, it’s not the only service that they provide. Those that are considering moving should be aware of the fact that 1-800-Pack-Rat has moving services as well. Regardless of if you are moving in the city or across the country, they can help you with all of your moving needs.

Simply request a unit be brought to your home and fill it as you please. Once you are ready, have 1-800-Pack-Rat come and pick up the unit and transfer it where you need. After that, just move to your new home and have the unit delivered back to you. You don’t even have to move when the unit is in their possession, just let them know when you want the transfer to happen and they’ll take care of the rest. It’s that easy!

If you really want to get rid of the pains of moving 1-800-Pack-Rat also provides loading and unloading services at an additional cost. This is great for people that aren’t able to move on their own or have too much going on to properly pack their things. No matter what the reason for moving is, 1-800-Pack-Rat makes it as simple and painless as possible.

Save 5% off local storage and one-way moves by using a Pack Rat promo code.

Can I Have a Minute of Your Time? (Moving Deals Inside)

Currently our website is collecting data about our users and readers. We want to know how long our browsers are looking to use storage, so we can write more useful blog entries for you. The more we know about you, the better we can serve you through our blog.

If you could visit our homepage and fill out the poll on the right-hand side, you'd really be helping us out. All you have to do is answer how long you will be using self storage. No personal data required at all! Just one click of the mouse to say how long you need to use storage.

In exchange, you can take advantage of some of the great deals on the websites now or in the future. In fact, you can take advantage of these deals even if you don't feel like taking the poll. We just like you that much!

Following are some great deals to help you save money while you are moving or putting stuff in storage.

•  Pack-Rat Coupon for 5% off your monthly storage fees
• $10 Off Junk Removal Service
• 10% off Budget Truck Rental
• Pods: 5% Off Long-Distance Move or First Month Storage Rent
• Save 15% with Public Storage

As usual, we wish you a happy (or at least low-stress) move! 

Things to Do the Night Before You Move!

Moving day is approaching fast, the hours are ticking down. Chances are you are worried about one aspect of the move or tons of different things that could go wrong. When will the moving truck arrive? Did I forget something? Did they really turn the utilities on at my new place?

We wish you could tell you not to worry, but chances are at least one thing will go wrong in a move. The best you can do is prepare yourself for the worst.

To avoid disaster, we suggest creating a check-list that you can go over the night before you move. The more you plan and think ahead for anything, the more likely things will go smoothly. Here are some items you could put on a check-list to go over before you move. 

1. Call the movers and/or storage company. You will want to confirm that everything is all set tomorrow. Make sure that you have an understanding of arrival and departure times. 
2. Make sure you are ready for the movers. Have all of the payment and/or money ready to deal with the movers. If you are just renting a truck, it is important that you have payment for that. If you are paying your friends with food/beer to help you move, go ahead and get the items the night before. 
3. Check your fridge and freezer. If you are moving these two items you will need to defrost the freezer 24 hours in advance. If you haven't cleared out all your food already you can try saving it in a cooler or you could just prepare a pre-moving feast. 
4. Switch Utilities. If you have not done this already, you should do it now. If you already have then you should contact to double check that everything is in order. Here are guidelines that make it easy to switch utilities. 
5. Confirm any hotel or lodging reservations. If you are planning to stop on a long-distance move it is always good to double check reservations. The last thing you want to deal with after a long drive is a reservation gone wrong! 
6. Relax! By now you hopefully have most of the preparations done. Take some time to get good rest to prepare yourself for the remainder of the move. 

New PODS Promo Code

New PODS Promo Code: Save 5% off Local Storage or One-Way Moves

Have you ever come across the issue of not having enough space? Maybe you live somewhere that doesn’t have a lot of living space, or maybe you just realized how cluttered your home is. Regardless of the reason, Pods.com can give you the help you need to organize your life!

Pods specializes in providing storage units for you to use. Nothing could be easier: just request a unit, load it up, and then have it stored until you are ready to get everything back. Choose how long you want to keep the unit, and return it when you are done. You can have the unit stored at your home or request that it is transferred to a local storage location.

These PODS are large enough to hold even the biggest items, and loading them are a breeze. Whether you have some Christmas decorations that need to go away for the summer or just have items you can’t throw away, PODS will keep them safe and secure until you are ready to get them again. Don’t let your home be cluttered up any longer, find out how freeing it is to have extra space with the convenience of a PODS unit!

Call 866-767-PODS or visit Pods.com and mention Pods PROMO CODE R101 to get 5% OFF 1st Month storage rental or 5% Off long-distance moves.

How to Deal with High Gas Prices on a Move

We didn't think that moving could any worse, but then gas prices started to go up and up. No matter where you go gas is expensive, but some filling stations offer cheaper gas prices than others. If you plan ahead, you can save some money from going into your fuel tank by searching for the best gas prices.

If you have a smart phone you can search the cheapest gas prices while you are on your way to your destinations. We recommend looking for the best gas prices here. If you are using a smart phone you can install the Gas Buddy app. The app will take your GPS coordinates to determine the cheapest gas that is close to you.

Without a smart phone or wifi device you will need to plan a little ahead. Before you depart for your move you should choose to get gas at certain stops. Enter the address on gas buddy then plan out which stations you will stop on the way to your new home.

There is a way to avoid paying for high gas prices of moving all your stuff! You can hire movers who will take into account gas prices when you are paying. This way you don't have to worry about filling up the moving van, and you can have help moving all of your stuff.

Wait one second though! Some movers will charge extra depending on weight and distance. When you sign the contract you should ask if they have any extra surprise charges. Even if they say "no" you should read the contract you sign very closely. As usual when you are choosing a mover it is good to make sure they have no bad reports with the BBB.

New 1800 PackRat Promo Code

Portable storage has been growing in popularity for many years now. Now it's widely recognized as a great way to both move and store your belongings. Portable storage units have demonstrated how truly convenient they can be. PODS is certainly the best known company in the field, but other companies such as 1-800-PackRat offer a very similar service and are often less expensive. And by using a Pack Rat promo code you can save even more.

1-800-PACK-RAT Promo Code: V0111P2

Save 5% off monthly storage fees of a 1-800-PACK-RAT portable storage unit.

Features of Pack Rat storage units:

•    100% satisfaction guarantee
•    Storage units are secure, all-steel construction
•    24 hour guaranteed delivery at your convenience
•    Long distance moves includes a moving coordinator, content protection plan, blankets and a lock.


Many thousands of people have chosen to make their move easier by having an all steel, weather proof portable storage unit delivered to their home.  With 1-800-PACK-RAT portable storage units you can take your time and load the unit at your convenience.  When done loading, call the company and they'll pick it up and keep your unit level at all times.  You can either have it delivered right away to your new home or store it at the 1-800-PACK-RAT storage center, which is a secure and climate controlled warehouse.  If you are moving long distance, one of Pack Rat’s moving coordinators will help you through the process. Just be sure to redeem the Pack Rat coupon V0111P2 to save 5% off the cost.

Packrat Portable Storage and Moving

Packrat only uses steel storage units and a 24 hour delivery guarantee. Other companies have earned a bad reputation for not showing up when promised. They deliver either an 8×12 or 8×16 all steel, weatherproof, lockable storage container. Take your time and pack the unit at your own pace. When you’re ready, 1-800-PACK-RAT picks up the container and moves it to your new location or to their climate controlled secure warehouse.

Moving Day Checklist

The Most Important Things To Include On Your Moving Day Checklist

The kids are restless, boxes are still only half filled in the kitchen, and milk just spilled on the counter. The day has finally come for you to move, but you are far from ready and wish you were far away from this scene. Many people dread moving for the chaos that it brings and the tedious work that it involves. There is a simple solution to avoiding stress and making your moving day go a lot more smoothly. As unbelievable as it may seem, a moving day checklist is the key to keeping chaos from overtaking your moving experience. A checklist can help bring you peace of mind. It can prevent you from forgetting anything and help you to pace the tasks that need to be accomplished in the time frame required so that you are ready on moving day. There are some important things you might want to include on this checklist.

Eliminate

Packing, in itself, can be overwhelming, especially if you have accumulated a lot of things over the years. Some things are really no longer useful to you, and become burdensome clutter. A good solution is to get rid of the things you don’t need, a few weeks ahead of the move. The more you eliminate, the less you have to organize before and after you get to your new home. The following are a few ideas you can do to discard the extra stuff in your house:

•    Have a garage sale.
•    Donate unwanted household items and clothing to a charitable organization.
•    Give away plants to relatives or friends.
•    Use up frozen foods and pantry storage.
•    Properly discard propane tanks, excess cleaning fluids, and other substances that may be toxic or flammable.
•    Return library books and anything you have borrowed from neighbors or friends.

Plan Ahead

Some tasks require that you make reservations ahead of time. If you need to purchase airline tickets, or reserve a hotel room or a moving truck, you can do this at least six to eight weeks ahead of time to assure your arrangements are secure. Also, remember to contact the post office and fill out a Change of Address form. There are other businesses that should be notified at least two to four weeks before you move:

•    Utilities (arrange for shutoff dates)
•    Banks/Credit Card Companies
•    Newspapers/ Magazines
•    Doctor/Pharmacy/Dentist
•    Insurance Agency
•    Department of Motor Vehicles/City and County Tax Assessor

Packing

If you are working with professional packers, communicate with the company which items you do not want packed, and which items are fragile and need special attention. If you are doing the packing yourself, label boxes according to rooms, and have everything packed before moving day. Begin packing about a month before the move to give yourself time to pace the project. Pack a special box ahead of time with things to entertain the kids and keep them occupied when the big day arrives. Keep this box accessible so that it can be one of the first ones unloaded at the new house. 

Moving Day and Final Check

Supervise the move, making sure that that furniture is disassemble and everything gets on the moving truck. Fill out the bill of lading and take a final look around to make sure you have remembered everything. Check the cabinets and closets for anything you might have forgotten. Shut off all faucets, the furnace, and the air conditioner. Turn off light switches, and shut all windows and doors.

A moving day checklist can ease your mind so that you can avoid being overwhelmed and enjoy your new home in greater comfort.

How to Find a Storage Unit for Antiques

So the time has come to put antiques and/or family heirlooms in storage, and just thinking about the daunting task is enough to make you stressed. Beyond just getting the antique safely to storage, you need to find somewhere that it won't get damaged. These items can range from valuable to irreplaceable, so we do not want any harm to come to them.

Take a deep breath. This does not have to hard. We have three easy steps that will make finding storage for your antiques much easier.

1) Find a Storage Unit 
There are no shortage of storage facilities to choose your storage unit from, so you can be as picky as you want. If the manager of storage facility doesn't want to answer your questions then you can go find some place that will. To protect your antiques from damage while in storage, you will want to choose a storage unit that has climate control. Fluctuating environmental conditions can damage or even ruin antiques. There are not climate control systems in every storage unit, so it is imperative that you make sure you get a storage
unit with climate control.

2) Choose a Mover 
Antiques are extremely heavy and extremely easy to damage. This combination is not good for leaving it to the amateurs or yourself. For these reasons, we highly recommend carefully choosing a moving company. When you are selecting a mover you should call to ask about moving valuable items. Ask them about what packaging and safety precautions they take when moving valuable items. If they do not have an answer that pleases you, choose someone else. Also, make sure that the Better Business Bureau approves of the moving company to make sure they are a credible company to begin with.

Getting Antiques Out of the House Can be Half the Battle

3) Check Your Insurance
Do not rely on mover's insurance for antiques, because these free plans almost always depend on the weight of an object. Your antique is probably worth more than its weight, so if anything did get damaged it would be a major loss for you.
Also, you will probably need to provide proof of insurance before a good storage facility will agree to store valuable objects. If your plan does not cover your furniture, you may need to get insurance for the antiques from a third party.

Once you have done all three of the steps, you are done! Give yourself a pat on the back. Moving and storing precious items is a very stressful occurrence for everyone, so don't feel bad if the thought of storing your antiques is making you go bonkers. Happy moving!

No Internet After a Move? A List of Free Wifi Hotspots!

Switching utilities before a move can be quite a hassle, and just remembering to switch electric and water is enough to worry about for many of us. A lot of the times people forget about connecting the internet or do not want to bother with it right away. Here is a plan of approach that can help you with switching utilities. If you still don't get to it, I definitely understand.

Frequently, we don't realize how much we really need the internet until we don't have it during a move. Or don't realize the level of relaxation and enjoyment the internet can supply after a move. Here are some places with free wifi hotspots that we can take advantage of when we are in the transitional phase of moving.

Starbucks: They really are everywhere! Fortunately, most of them do provide free wifi access. Going there during the coffee rushes in the morning can be a headache, but it is quite quiet during the day and evening. Grab yourself a tasty treat or a cup of coffee while you relax in one of their couches or tables.
If you are not that into chain coffee shops, many small coffee shops have free wifi as well. Utilize your search engine to find some.

Parks: If you live in a dense urban area, the chances are some parks provide free wifi spots. Google search your city's name and "parks with wifi". It is really nice to sit outside (in a shaded spot) while surfing the web.

Restaurants: Many casual dining spots will have free wifi. A national chain that notably has free wifi is Panera. They also have tasty pastries, sandwiches and coffee you can enjoy while checking your emails.

Library: You would be hard press to find a library that does not provide free wifi. You may have to get a library card while you are it, but library cards are frequently free or have a very small one time fee.

Office Depot, Apple Stores and Staples: While these are not as cozy as most of the examples listed above, they do provide free wifi hotspots. You may find yourself standing in an aisle, but at least you can get access to the internet. If you have lots of things to do the level of discomfort will make sure that you budget your time wisely!

If all else fails, if you have one, you can use your smart phone for a couple of days until you are all set up. Moving is one of the times that I really find my Android's internet feature to come in handy. 

If you can't get access to the internet, try to stay calm. Somehow our species survived a long time without it, and I think we could survive without it again. Maybe...

Declutter Before a Move by Selling Your Stuff Online!

Yard Sales: Soon to be in the History Books

I hate yard sales! While I enjoy going to them in search of bargains, I hate hosting them. Before moving many people resort to yard sales. While this method of getting rid of junk before moving does work sometimes, it also takes up a lot of time and energy. You have to move everything out to the yard, pray that it doesn't rain, and barter with people all day (if said people come at all). What doesn't sell that day has to be moved back in, and hopefully there are a lot less items then you started with. Sometimes you'll be moving just about everything back in, and wishing that you had your weekend back. 

When the option to sell used items online became viable, I was ecstatic. I've sold old electronics, furniture, books and more. Thanks to selling used items online, I live a more declutter existence- as long as you don't look in the corner my basement. An alternative to the yard sale method is attempting to sell yourself online. Like yard sales, whether or not someone buys your stuff can be variable. By selling your secondhand goods online, they will have more than the time period of a  yard sale to sell. 

If you know you are going to move in a month, weeks or even a year, you can start to declutter before the move early on to increase the likelihood you'll ride yourself of unwanted items. Posting your items online early can help raise the prospects of someone buying them, and let you worry about moving related issues come moving day.    

We are going to go over some of the big name marketplaces that are available to direct you where to sell used items online. Our number one tips that goes with any of these marketplaces is to include a picture with your ad. Not including a picture will make potential buyers either not notice your item in the first place or be skeptical of the item's value. CAUTION: As always NEVER give anyone your banking information. Use a PayPal account if you will be doing business online. 

Different Marketplaces Online: Website to Sell Stuff (In No Particular Order)

1) Ebay 

One of the first popular sites to sell used items, Ebay has a very large customer base. Although Ebay started as just an auctioning site, now you can either sell your items auction style or fixed price. I recommend trying to sell bigger, more valuable items at fixed price. For smaller, less valuable items try selling them at auction. Sometimes just getting the stuff off your hands will be a relief, even if you do not make a profit. 

2) Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus) 

Almost everyone and there grandma seems to be connected to a social networking site, and utilizing it to declutter before moving can be a blessing. You can either opt to give stuff away to friends and family or ask for a small price. Frequently people may need furniture, free books or whatever goodies you may have. It never hurts to ask around. Post a status, tweet or note about the used items you have, and offer them to anyone who will come pick them up. 

3) Freecycle 

Freecycle is a non-profit born from the idea of keeping good items out of landfills. Using this sites means that you will essentially be giving away unwanted items in the name of recycling. While there are not programs available in all areas, there are in many. All you do is have to enter your city and state to see if there is a Freecycling program in your area. You may even acquire some items if you see something appealing. 

4) Craigslist 

Putting an ad on Craigslist can be an effective method of getting rid of stuff. You will have to deal with phone calls, email bartering and someone coming to your house. If you are trying to sell something on Craigslist make sure that you take precautions if you are showing someone the items in your home. Try to pick a time when someone else is home or agree to meet in a public area. 

5) Hire Someone to Sell Your Stuff for You 

There are many small specialized companies sell your stuff on Ebay or Amazon for a small fee. To read more about this option, see this article. This can take the time and stress out of dealing with selling used items online. Moving can be stressful enough without worry about selling old furniture. These companies job is to know how to sell second goods online, so they know the ropes of getting rid of stuff. 

6) If All Else Fails- How You Can Still Declutter Before Moving 

Even if you can't sell all or any of your items online or at a yard sale or even give them away to your friends, there is still hope to declutter before a move. You can hire someone to remove your junk for you. With these companies all you do is show them the stuff you want removed, and they will get rid of it for you. It is nice to have your home finally free of the clutter! 

Using Green Moving Boxes: Recycling, Reusing and Dumpster Diving

If you are moving, now is the time to make a positive change in your life.  Moving is a great chance to alter old habits into new greener ones. Just in the Untied States, 40 million people move every single year, so you can imagine the gathered damage we can do in the long term if we do not take small steps to try to make our moving greener. One very easy way to make moving greener is by investing in green moving boxes.

Moving boxes are a very important part of every move, and incidentally the costs can be expensive. Especially for some of green options (and non-green options for that matter). For that reason, I have included different green options that will work for any budget.

Rent a Green Box

Price Range: $100 to $250 

Renting reusable boxes has become a popular green option for moving. The link about is to a location in California, but there are locations all over the United States. If you wish to find one in your area, just Google "rent green boxes for moving in (your area)". Plenty of results will come up. 

The green boxes are usually offered in three different sizes. The boxes are delivered right to your home, and when you are done using them they pick up the boxes as well.

Between each move the boxes are cleaned, so you don't have to worry about receiving gross used boxes. These boxes are used around 400 times before they are recycled, so they are more durable then any cardboard option. 

Most Green Boxes You Rent Will Look Something Like the Picture Above

Buy Used Cardboard Boxes

Price Range: $38 for single room 

There are many companies that sell used cardboard boxes, and the hardest part can be choosing one. You can search through different sites to find the best price, but I have found this company is the best site to buy boxes.

The process of buying used cardboard boxes is pretty simple. When you order the boxes they are delivered to you via UPS or Fedex. After that the boxes are yours to use for the move. When you are done with boxes you can either recycle them or save the recycled boxes for another move. 

Old Fashion Dumpster Diving 

Price Range: Your Time, Energy and Personal Hygiene 

 Boxes from the dumpsters or back of stores are the cheapest moving boxes available. If you are familiar with a small business or two in your area, I recommend asking them if they will give you some of their used boxes. Asking beforehand means that you will probably have to visit less places in search of boxes. It also probably means less actually dumpster diving. 

Dumpster Diving: Not for Everyone