Moving Soon? Save Money With Moving Coupons that Really Work

Moving is a stressful time. It is not only stressful, but it can also be expensive. Finding companies to move you, or a company that you can trust with your precious belongings without breaking the bank can be a long process.

Whether you are moving across country or just across town the prospect of moving can be daunting to say the least. To help you on your way I have rounded up some of the best deals around, as well as a few moving tips to help your move go a little bit smoother. Since I recently moved myself I can tell you that these coupons really work.

Moving Companies

If you are looking for a total move, you will want to look for a company that is bonded and well insured. Companies like Bekins Van Lines and United Van Lines have been trusted with people’s belongings for years and have built a reputation of trust and reliability. These services offer packing and unpacking services, provide materials for a do it yourself pack, and even offer moving tips to help your change go smoothly.

Bekins Van Lines: Currently offering a “Middle of the School Year” offer of $150 off your move. Go to their website to cash in on their offer at www.bekins.com.

United Van Lines: United Van Lines has a “Special Offers” page that helps you with savings on a variety of services you may need for your move. They have coupons and offers from major retailers who have teamed together to make your move easier. You can find deals on appliance disposal from Lowes, new T.V. services from Direct TV, home security services from ADT, and specials from home décor companies like Bed, Bath & Beyond just to name a few.  You can access this page at http://www.unitedvanlines.com/moving-services/offers.

Do-It-Yourself Moving

If you plan on moving yourself you will need a moving truck and supplies. Popular moving truck companies that are known for their quality of service are Penske, Ryder, U-Haul, and Budget. These companies often offer one way options and a variety of special offers to help discount the prices of their trucks.

Penske: Penske has a discount page with a variety of offers, much like the full-service Van Line companies. Their current offer is unlimited miles or 20% off one-way moves. You can access these savings at  http://www.pensketruckrental.com/discounts/.

Ryder: With Ryder you can save 25% with an online truck rental or get 100 free miles by using the following coupon codes:

Save 25% use code: YPFPC

100 free miles use code: ESAT

U-Haul: U-Haul Is currently offering a weekend special. Pick up on certain days and save when booking online.

Coupon code: MVG12
for 15% off Fri - Sat pick-ups
Coupon code: MVG13
for 20% off Sun - Thu pick-ups

Budget: Budget Rentals is by far the score on coupons for moving truck rentals this month.

Coupon code: 56000163859
25% off Truck Rental

Coupon Code: 56000058459
AARP Members Save 20%

Coupon Code: ADV20
20% off base rate for one way and local moves

Deal of the day! 40% off of selected one-way moves go to: budgetpromotioncode.com to see if your move qualifies.

Portable Self Storage

Pods units are becoming more popular all the time as a way to move across town or across the country. The portable buildings you see sitting in parking lots and people’s driveways are great because you can pack and unpack on your own schedule. Just call one of the many companies offering these units and they’ll deliver a Pod to your driveway or wherever you need one. Then you can pack it when you get a chance and call them when you’re done. Then the company delivers it to your new location and you unpack it at your leisure.

There are a few Pods coupons available online but the best one is at easystoragesearch.com. Use the promo code to save 5% off renting a Pods storage unit.

Coupon Code: R101
5% off base rate for one way and local moves

Supplies

Finally, many of the trucking companies mentioned here offer supplies for sale for your move. But in addition to going to their websites, here are a few more offers to help you get the most for your moving dollar!

www.CheapMovingBoxes.com has everything you will need to move from blankets to tape. They offer free shipping on orders above $35 and most orders are delivered in 1-2 days.  They also offer buy back on all unused boxes, as well as, a 90 day no hassle return policy.

www.UBoxes.com is offer a break on dinner. With all orders of $50.00 or more you will receive a $25.00 restaurant gift card. Simply use promo code REST12. Other u Boxes savings:

Coupon Code: HEAVY
15% off orders $75.00 or more

Coupon Code: CLICK HERE TO CLAIM
15% off instantly of moving boxes and kits

www.EcoSmartBoxes.Com offers free shipping on all orders with a delivery time of 1 to 2 days. They also offer no tax in most states. Other offers from eco smart are:

Coupon Code: BOXKIT
15% off Bargain Hunting Moving Boxes Kit #1

Coupon Code: BOXKIT3
$26.95 off Bedroom Frugal Moving Boxes Kit #3

Movers vs. Brokers

Know who you’re dealing with: Movers vs. Brokers

It’s important that when you choose your mover, you understand who you’re dealing with.  Is the company that you’re working with the actual mover?  Are they the people who are going to load your goods and move them, or are they front men for a series of companies that do that? There are a lot of middle men involved in the business, and when you have middle men involved, there’s often an additional charge.  There’s also another layer of distance between you and the ultimate service provider, so that can get a little bit tricky. I would recommend that you go direct to the mover. Make sure that you know who you’re doing business with.

What is a moving broker?

A moving broker is definitely not a mover. Brokers do not have the operational and logistic capabilities moving companies have. They do not have moving trucks, professional movers, proper moving equipment, and in a lot of cases not much moving experience. Moving brokers are sales teams that book your move and sell it to an actual moving company.

Sometimes the broker is not able to sell the job for various reasons - low estimates, availability, resources and the list goes on - in this case you can get stuck without a mover on the day of your move. Many moving brokers operate from call centers located anywhere in the country.

When you book your move make sure to ask the company to conduct the move whether they are an actual moving company or broker. For example, ABC Moving is a local moving company with an office (and supervisors) close to you that can assist with any problems or concerns that may arise during t

To ensure this, confirm that the company uses their own crews and trucks to pick up your shipment.

What could go wrong with using a Broker?

There are several things that could go wrong with using a Broker:

• They may book a mover for you who is not licensed.
• They may give you a low estimate only to have the actual moving company charge you something higher.
• They may not have much actual moving experience and may not be able to answer your moving related questions.
• They may not be able to find a mover for you and won’t tell you this, letting you think you have a mover booked for your move.

If you opt for moving broker follow this checklist 

https://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/protect/broker-vs-mover.aspx

What You Need To Know When Renting a Storage Unit

At some point in our lives or another, many of us need the use of a self-storage unit.  Whether it is for general storage, moving, downsizing, or even college, using a self-storage unit remains a viable alternative for those of us with basically too many things.

Though, if you have never used a self-storage unit before, the process of finding one may become overwhelming.  For example: What is Climate Control, and why would you need it?  What should you bring with you on the day that you plan to store your belongings?  Will your storage unit end up on the TV show Storage Wars? If these types of questions have crossed your mind when you thought about renting a storage unit – here are a few tips that will guide you through the processes of renting that self-storage unit.

Where to Start?
If you do not already have a Self-Storage Company in mind, you can start by using websites such as Google, SpareFoot, or even the Yellow Pages.  Many of your local Self-Storage Companies offer promotions, deals, as well as many discounts on their storage units.  So do some research on the various storage companies in your area, in the long run it will save you money.

What is Climate Control?
There are many Self-Storage Companies that now offer Climate Control Units; it is becoming very important to understand exactly what Climate Control is and just how it may help you.  The most basic form of climate control guarantees that the unit that you rent will stay with a certain temperature range.  The temperature range is often between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.   There are many self-storage companies that offer humidity control as well as climate control, make sure to ask if you are still unsure if they offer either of these benefits.

If you are planning on storing things such as wood, wine, leather furniture, art work which are temperature sensitive items. Extreme highs or lows in temperature changes can affect the quality of these possessions.

Security
Before you commit to a self-storage company, walk around the premises and ask about their electronic security measures.  Check to see if there are security cameras and gate access.

Locks
In most cases, Self-Storage Companies require you to purchase and use your own lock.  So ensure that you have one when you are ready to move your belongings in.  Keep in mind that standard or combination locks can be easily picked and broken into, stick with the closed shackled padlock, cylinder lock or disc lock.  

Storage Pods - How They Work and What They Cost

Stuff. We all have it – in fact, most of us have far too much – and from time to time, many of us need for our stuff to be somewhere other than where it currently resides.

When we’re getting a new home, we need to move it permanently, perhaps from one corner of the country to the opposite one or maybe only a few blocks from where we live now. Sometimes we just want to shove it aside temporarily while we complete home repairs or renovations, and sometimes we simply have no space to house belongings that we’re not quite ready to part with. Whatever the circumstances, when the need arises to displace or transport a fair amount of stuff, portable storage containers, often called pods, might be the right solution.

The difference between portable storage units and traditional self-storage facilities can be found in the name – they’re portable. Rather than putting your possessions into a unit at a fixed-site storage facility and securing them inside, a storage pod is delivered to your home or business and left there. Once you have finished loading your belongings into the unit, it can be left on your property until you no longer need it or picked up again and either stored at the company’s facility or moved to the location of your choice.

Storage pods are particularly useful for people who need to clear a room or two while they are doing major home renovations such as putting in new flooring or doing structural work. Rather than crowding furniture and household items into other rooms where they will be in the way for perhaps weeks or months, they can be temporarily stored in a pod placed on the homeowner’s property. This is especially convenient if there are items you might want to access during the renovation period; simply keep that possibility in mind when you pack the unit and make sure those items are within arm’s reach. Of course you’ll want to secure the unit with a good lock even though it is on your own property.

If you don’t want a portable pod in your driveway for an extended period, some companies offer the option of off-site facilities where your unit can be stored for an additional monthly fee. Look for an indoor, climate-controlled warehouse, preferably with a good surveillance system and the ability to access your unit if you want to retrieve something or add more items.

Pods can also be a handy way to transport your belongings when you’re moving to a new home. They are less expensive than a full-service moving company, and you can rent only the number of units you need, which is especially advantageous for those with fewer possessions. Again, the pods are delivered to your home and left there, and since they typically are rented by the month, you can pack them at your leisure rather than being confined to the several-hour window imposed by professional movers or rental trucks that you drive yourself. Because the units are placed at ground level, there’s no need to haul heavy furniture up and down a sometimes-precarious ramp, and you don’t have to maneuver a large truck because when you’re ready to move, the storage company picks up the units and transports them to your new location. And if you plan and pack carefully, when you reach your new home, you can unload and organize one room at a time, again taking several days or even weeks to complete the process.

One advantage professional movers hold over portable units is that they provide muscle – a team of experienced people who have the brawn, equipment and know-how to get your furniture and even breakables from one location to another efficiently and usually intact. While your pod provider will take care of the transportation, you’ll be responsible for loading and unloading your furniture and other belongings.

If a temporary storage unit sounds right for you, here are a few things to consider:

·         Size. Containers typically are available in 7-foot, 12-foot and 16-foot sizes, said to be appropriate for one room, two to three rooms, and three to four rooms respectively.

·         Material. Units might be constructed of steel, wood, aluminum, vinyl or a combination.

·         Cost. While companies attempt to be competitive, costs do vary, so check around before you make a selection.

·         Extra charges. If you are considering using a storage pod for a few weeks while doing home renovations, you’ll pay a monthly rental fee as well as a fee for initial delivery of the unit, but be aware that there is an additional charge for final pick-up when you are finished with the pod. If you’re moving to a new home, there probably will be extra transportation or fuel charges, so be sure you know exactly how much you’ll be paying – and for what – before you pull the trigger.

·         One more caveat: before you call or go online to rent a pod or two, check the zoning regulations for your city and neighborhood. Some impose restrictions on where portable storage units can be placed and how long they can remain on your property. If you’re moving, of course you should check regulations at both your current location and your new home.

To provide an idea of what’s available, we comparison-shopped the leading national companies using the example of one 16x8x8-foot container leased for one month in a mid-sized community in the Northeastern United States. Based on information available at the time of this writing, here is a little of what we learned:

PODS (use promo code to save 5%)

·         For home use only:

o   Rental fee of $159.95 per month

o   Initial delivery fee of $87.95

o   Final pick-up fee of $87.95

·         For storage at one of the company’s secure facilities:

o   Rental fee of $179.95 per month

o   Initial delivery fee of $109.95

o   Redelivery and final pick-up fee of $109.95

o   On-site access to unit available with 24-hours advance notice

PACK-RAT

·         For home use only:

o   Rental fee of $154.95 per month

o   Initial delivery fee of $79.95 per month

o   Final pick-up fee of $79.95 per month

·         For storage at one of the company’s secure facilities:

o   Rental fee of $174.95 per month

o   Initial delivery fee of $79.95

o   Move-in fee of $60

o   Redelivery fee of $60

o   Final pick-up fee of $79.95

o   On-site access to unit available with 48-hours advance notice

Other companies operate on a more limited basis. For example, Door to Door offers services in fewer than 25 markets and on-site storage in only four California cities plus Seattle. In addition, larger units are not available, nor are immediate online quotes. U-Pack specializes in long distance moving and has limited storage capabilities to help customers as they are transitioning to a new home, but offers similar services in terms of delivering, retrieving and transporting smaller portable units that customers pack themselves.

The bottom line? Portable storage units are a cost-effective option for temporarily storing belongings during home renovations, for longer-term, off-site storage of seldom-needed items, and for moving a couple of rooms of furniture from one home to another. However, if you’re moving the contents of a four-bedroom house from Connecticut to California, the time commitment and physical labor involved might outweigh any cost savings. 

5 Tips for FSBO Homeowners Still Trying to Sell Their Homes

Selling your home by yourself can be a difficult endeavor to undertake, and it isn't one that many people opt to do the majority of the time. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) only 13% of homeowners opt to go the FSBO route annually in the U.S. By cutting out the realtor you can save a lot of money, but selling your home by yourself will have a lot of work involved! The following tips really can make a huge difference in selling your home by yourself. 

1. Hold Open Houses with Refreshments 

Selling your home by yourself always involves interacting with lots of strangers, so you might as well try to consolidate the social expenditure by holding open houses frequently. Offering beverages (preferably clear liquids) and small snacks like cookies, help people associate a positive memory with your home.   

2. Let Everyone Know Your are Selling Your Home by Yourself 

According the NAR around 45% of FSBO sales were between two parties that knew each other. If you are selling your home let everyone around you know. Put up statuses on social media, post fliers at work, and tell everyone you run into to make sure if anyone is in the market for home, they may consider buying your home.  

3. De-clutter the House with Self Storage 

One of the best things you can do is keep your house as empty and clean as possible when you are selling your home by yourself. This allows the buyers to envision what they could do with the space. You can utilize self storage to stow away anything you don't need at the moment. Also, throw away, donate or sell any items that you don't plan on moving to your next home before potential buyers start seeing your home. 

4. Professional Photos 

If you look at online home listing sites like realtor.com, you'll notice that a lot of pictures are of low quality, if there is even a picture at all. Modern media has made it so people are very used to accessing images to what they want to see, when they want to see it. Even in the olden days of real estate, it was common to at least have on picture of homes for sale. 

Hiring a professional photographer to get high quality images to put on our fliers and online listings really can make a huge difference when it comes to selling your home by yourself. A picture taken with an iPhone looks a lot less appealing than a picture taken by a professional photographer. Usually this service will run for only around 50-100 dollars, so consider making the investment for your FSBO process. 

5. Make all Minor Repairs 

Loose knobs, hanging cabinets, broken screens, burnt out light bulbs and tiny little repairs really can be an eye sore. What is worse is that they can knock off thousands of dollars when your buyer makes an offer. Make sure that before you show your home you make any minor repairs that you can. People tend to remember more readily what was wrong with a place rather than what they like about it, so make sure they don't remember your home for something like the light bulb being burnt out in the basement.  

Calling all renters! Manage your bills with these 3 apps

Remembering to pay your bills is a thing of the past with new smart phone apps. Using these three apps (that are available for Android and Apple) you'll never have to worry about managing your bills again. Budget, pay bills and pay rent automatically all from your smart phone.

1) Budgeting App

The Level Money is a simple app that allows you track your income and bills, so you know how much spending money you have available. You can track how much you spend every week, so you can know when you are going over or under budget.

• Level Money for Apple 
• Level Money for Android 

2) Rent Payment App

This simple app lets you automatically pay rent to your landlord. All you have to do is sync it to your bank account, and it will pay your rent on the same day every month.

• RentPayment Mobile for Apple and Android 

3) Automated Bill Payer

These two apps allow you to set up your bank account to pay all of your bills. Utilities, cell, rent, student loans, credit cards, etc., can all be easily paid using these apps.

• Pay Any Bill from Apple 
• Pay Bills from Android

Do you have any apps you use to manage paying your bills? Let us know with a comment below! 

10 Quotes about Moving

Moving is a time when we experience a wide variety of emotions ranging from excitement to fear to indifference. We chose a wide variety of quotes to cover the many emotions of quotes that most people experience when setting out to move. If you find yourself feeling down about moving, re-visit these quotes to inspire you about your move. Ultimately moving is a wonderful (if stressful) part of life that opens up a whole new realm of possibilities, so let yourself get caught up in the excitement of a new beginning. Without further ado, here are our quotes about moving! 

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

-Walt Disney

“When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, but I always found them.” 

-Rodney Dangerfield

"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." 

-Martin Luther King Junior 

"Here's to the future, because i'm done with the past." 

-Unknown 

 "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." 

-Albert Einstein 

Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.

-Conrad Hilton

Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is freedom.

-Marilyn Ferguson

Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears.

-Arthur Koestler

The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings.

 -Dave Weinbaum

The beginning is the most important part of the work. 

-Plato

5 Tips for Moving During the Spring

Spring isn't the most popular time of year to move, but sometimes due to jobs, families, lifestyle changes, etc., we are forced to move when we don't want to. The following are some tips that will help you make the best out of your springtime move. 

1. Watch the Weather 

In some parts of the world spring weather varies widely, especially in the early days of spring. One day it will be rainy and miserable then the next it will be sunny and warm. Make sure to watch the weather forecast closely for moving day. Be ready to get extra supplies that may be needed to handle a damp, snowy or hot day during the spring. 

2. Bargain with Movers 

Moving companies have lots of open dates during the spring and every other seasons besides summer, so you can possibly talk down the price of some movers who are desperate for business. This is especially true during the first two months of spring when the weather still can be bad. By pricing and bargaining with different moving companies you can save some big dollars.     

3. Free Labor from the Kids 

Teacher workdays, spring break and other spring school holidays give you time to utilize free labor from your children. Or if you just want them out of the way during moving day, you can utilize the free babysitting from public schools for at least part of the day.

 4. Spring is a great time for selling homes 

During nice days during the spring it makes everyone feel a little more optimistic. Springtime is all about new beginning, so you might as well utilize people's optimism to sell your home. Open up the windows and shades to emphasize the beautiful weather and lighting that spring provides to help your home appeal even more attractive to buyers.  

5. Take allergy medications 

Pollen season can be a huge problem for some people. Moving requires a lot of going indoor and outdoors, so you will inevitably be exposed to pollen. Make sure to medicate accordingly, so that the  worst of your symptoms are kept at bay during the move. Also, if you are moving into a new area, you may want to figure out if you are allergic to anything in particular in that area. That way you can get the allergy medication before you are going through the stresses of a move. Here is a chart to pollen seasons in different parts of the US.

Moving Safety: How to Avoid Theft When you are Moving

When it comes time to move, theft is probably the last thing on your mind. You have endless to-do lists, and you just don't have time to worry about the worst. Unfortunately, due to the upheaval of a move, it leaves us quite vulnerable to theft. Here are some ways you can ensure the safety of your items when it comes time to move. 

1. Keep Door Locked 

When we move strangers (movers, repair men, etc) come in and out of our houses continuously. We also may have friends, family, etc coming in and out as well. The traffic increases the likelihood that your door will be left unlocked, or perhaps you will forget to lock your doors. The best way to avoid an easy theft is to keep all of your doors and windows locked at all times. It may also be a good idea to change all of the locks when you move into a new home just to make sure there isn't a stray key into your home out there. 

2. Valuable Items 

Jewelry, cash, weapons, etc. should all be stored safely away where strangers cannot easily access them. As soon as you move in you or trusted family member should put these items somewhere safely tucked away. A safe is ideal for such items, but a locked room or hidden storage area can work just as well. Many people will suggest hiding valuable items in closets, so that is an area many thieves will look first when they break into homes. That is why I urge you all to be a little more creative than that. Just don't be careless by leaving these items out in plain view or where they can easily be found by any unwelcome visitors in your home. 

3. Paperwork 

Another major problem these days is identity theft. Tax returns, bills, etc. should all be tucked away in a locked cabinet or somewhere safe. The valuable information on random pieces of paperwork can give a stranger all the room they need to create a huge nightmare for you down the line. Also remember to shred and throw away any unneeded paperwork that has your personal information on it. 

4.  Medications

Any important medications or toiletries should be moved on your person. Pack them in a purse, glove box, carry-on or whatever, to avoid them being swiped during a move or after. If you do not want to bother with this precaution, I suggest packing them in with clothes, book or some other box where no one would suspect to look for such an item. There is nothing worse than not only not having an important medication available when you need it, but now having to go to a doctor in your new area to get a new prescription. 

5. Alarm System 

I suggest installing and activating an alarm system, like ADT, to protect your home from intruders. Installing it before you even move in is ideal. Moving to a new place can be scary, and this extra precaution gives you a little more peace of mind when settling into your new home. 

6. Make Friends with Neighbors

Being friendly with the neighbor isn't a thing everyone wants to do, but it is a good way to protect your home. In the long run it gives you another set of your eyes on your home. This will serve you the whole time you live in this house

Declutter the Garage: Garage Floor Edition

Even the most clean and stylish homeowners often view garages as storage spaces. Considering it is a part of the house most people visit every time they leave their home in their vehicle, it shouldn't be left as an eye sore. Even if you don't mind the clutter, a cluttered garage can result in a lot of time wasted sifting through everything to find a certain item.

If you really want to give your garage an effective makeover- the best way to go is from the bottom up. Most junk and clutter will be addressed when you start on the floor. If you are looking for a quick fix, this may may not be a great place to start. Without further ado here is how you can get started giving your garage a much needed face lift.

Paint the Garage Floor 

Oil spills, dirt, mouse droppings and lord knows what else, all cake on a garage floor over the years making the garage look like scenes from a horror movie rather than an integral part of your home. One way to really spruce up your garage, as well as ensure the long-term integrity of the garage floor, is to treat and paint the floor of your garage. Here is a website from DIY Network that takes you through the process of re-painting a garage floor.

To upgrade your floor even further when you do this, I recommend going for a more non-traditional color. We are all too familiar with the ugly grey of garages, and it has a negative connotation in our minds. Instead browse for colors like rose, sunset or any number of tan-hued garage floor paint colors to give your garage a more warm look. Here is one option for garage floor paint from Home Depot.

Clean the Garage Floor 

If re-painting the garage floor is just not in the household budget right now, considering using a pressure washer or hosing out your garage floor. This will get out oil, dust, nests and all the other gunk that accumulates on the garage floor. Even just a quick sweep will make all the difference in the appearance of your garage. You'll be surprised how much your garage will shine after preforming any of these relatively low budget steps.

Remove Junk off the Floor 

Like any room in a house, all items should have a place in your garage. Items that sit on the floor take up more space than they need to. It also makes things appear a lot more cluttered than they actually are in reality. Invest in shelves, organizers, hangers, bins, buckets or whatever else you need to get all the random items off of the floor. Make sure after you or a family member uses an item, that the item goes back where it belongs afterwards.

Avoid Using Cardboard Boxes as Storage in Garages 

Cardboard boxes are cheap, versatile and great for moving, but when it comes to permanent storage they are not ideal. Cardboard can absorb moisture, smells, dust and can attract mice, so it is best to avoid them as storage items in your home. Not to mention that ugly shade of brown reminds many of us of the horrible process of moving, so it makes look as if you are transit rather than trying to settle in your home.

Instead of cardboard boxes opt for plastic, metal or just about any other material, because these material will last longer than most cardboard boxes will in the elements. You can find great sales on storage shelves and plastic bins a couple weeks after holidays (mainly Christmas and Halloween) when stores are trying to sell off extra bins they have on stock. Also, IKEA often has bargains on these type of items, as well as plenty of attractive options.

Handy Moving Infographic: 7 Insane Stats about Moving in 2013

The two main things a person who is in the process of moving should take away from this infographic:

1. You are just one of 40 million people in the United States whom decide to move every year, so you aren't completely bonkers for wanting/needing to re-locate.
2. When you can schedule your move, so you movers are not overly busy/tired when they move all your precious belongings. Scheduling moves during the winter and early in the week is is a great way to ensure your movers are not harried, but it also gives you some bargaining power when you are negotiating with movers.

Moving Industry Infographic by MyMovingReviews.

9 Movies about Moving!

Want to get into the spirit of moving with movies about moving? You've come to the right place! Here are some of my all time favorite movies about moving. 

The Amityville Horror (2005) 

The Amityville Horror may not make you in the mood to move into a new house, but it is still a fun movie. In this film a family moves into a home to discover it is haunted by the ghosts of those killed in a mass-murder in the house. I like the 2005 version with Ryan Reynolds (who is incidentally easy on the eyes ladies) starring as the main character, but there are about a dozen different versions of this movie from different time periods. 

Homeward Bound 

This is a really fun movie where a cat and two dogs are left behind at an aunt's rancher by a family who move to the city. The family promises to come back and get the pets once the family can find a big enough space for three pets in San Francisco. The three pets escape the rancher to find their family in San Francisco making an incredible journey. The animals do talk to one another in the movie, but their mouths do not move with any creepy high-tech effects. 

Footloose 

A young Kevin Bacon moves to a town where dancing is illegal! He soon has the whole town dancing to realize that a little bit of harmless fun never hurt anyone. This fun film is filled with a fun 80's soundtrack, lots of dancing and love story to boot.

Moving 

This is a classic Richard Pryor film that is filled with great laughs. As you can imagine Pryor is up to his typical shenanigans, and he hires a terrible moving company. This may make you afraid to hire any movers to help you with your move, but remember it is just a movie. Not all moving companies are that bad. This is a great film maybe to watch after the move, so you can remind yourself the move could have been worse! 

Beetlejuice 

A young couple moves into a home, but they don't realize they are dead! They try to haunt the house to make the current owners move out, but the new residents are not impressed by this young couple's spookiness. The couple decides to employ the haunting specialist Beetlejuice to scare the residents away. Michael Keaton plays a very memorable Beetlejuice. Also, young Winona Ryder plays a goth teenager. This is a cult classic film that you will never forget. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 

Harry Potter gets a whole new life when he moves from under the stairs of his mean aunt and uncle's to the school of Hogwarts. A great movie to inspire kids that moving can in fact improve life by giving everyone new opportunities in a new home. The book is even better than the movie for all my book worms out there. 

Karate Kid

This a movie that focuses on how difficult moving can be for a teenager. The main character, Daniel, moves in his senior year to a whole different state. He finds it difficult to fit in, but he soon meets new friends that will change his life forever including the famous Mr. Miyagi. Spoiler alert: You will be practicing a lot of wax-ons and wax-offs yourself with all the cleaning and painting that is usually involved in moving.

The Beverly Hillbillies (The Movie) 

This old television series was made into a hilarious movie in the 1990's that is just hilarious, but it also has its tear-jerker moments.In this film a family of hillbillies strikes it rich than moves to the big city, and you get to laugh at the expense of the hill billies as they learn the ropes of urban living. Jim Varney (the actor that played Ernest P. Worrel in so many movies) does a fantastic job playing the job Jed Clampett.

Twilight 

A great movie for tweens who just love romantic movies. In this movie a teenage girl moves to Washington where she meets a cute vampire and major troublemaker. Adventures, romance and such ensue. Teenage girls (and some of their moms) just can't seem to get enough of these books and movies.

5 Tips on Moving your Stuff from the Suburbs to the City

Moving to the city from the suburbs can be really exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be a lot of work. Here are 6 basic things you'll need to get done before moving to the city.

1. Condense

Moving to the city almost always means down-sizing. You are going to need to sell, donate and throw away a lot of your stuff that just won't fit into an urban living space. For those not ready to depart with some of their belongings, self storage units are a great way to keep some of that extra stuff you own. Fortunately, self storage unit ares very common even in cities, so you can get a self storage unit close by if you need to.

2. Car or No Car?

Depending on the public transportation of the city, you may just decide to just get rid of car. It is also a great way to save money to help pay for the higher cost of living that runs rampant in most cities. And with companies like Zip Car that let you rent a car for a small amount of money, so you can access a car when you really need it.

3. Closet Space

The worst thing about moving to a smaller space is the lack of closet space. You don't realize how much you enjoy the extra closets in your home until they are gone. You may want to consider a trip to Ikea or ordering a wardrobe or clothing storage device of some sort to help deal with the loss of closet space.

4. Divide up Space in Apartment

If you are moving into a an apartment or smaller home with your partner and/or family, it is a good idea to set some boundaries before you move in. Setting up dividers to separate his or her office spaces can be one way to create the illusion of privacy. How you are going to manage living in such a small space together is definitely a topic that deserves a discussion among all members of the household. It will still be a bumpy adjustment for most at first, but a little communication will help smooth the transition along.

5. Pets

Don't forget to consider the feelings of your furry friends. Moving to the city is a huge adjustment for all critters. Planning on giving them space to play and run around is important. Also, considering practical things like where the litter box, kennel, food bowls, etc. will help your pet adjust to being a city critter.

Find Self Storage Rates Online

Are you curious about the price of self storage, but you don't have the time to call all the different self storage services in your area? Many people run into this problem when they are considering whether to invest in self storage or not. Unlike most goods, the average person just does not know the cost of self storage units.

Luckily, we have an easy solution for you that requires absolutely no tiresome phone calls. At this self storage website, you can browse through most of the self storage units available in your area. All you have to do is enter your city, state or zip code to see a ton of different self storage options. What is even better is that the self storage cost is listed on the website. Also, you can even reserve the self storage unit without having to make phone call! Although for the record, we do recommend seeing the unit in person before reserving it, but we understand that not everyone has the time to spend on such precautions- especially when you are in the midst of a move.

We preferred the above site, because many of the popular self storage websites similar to this one, like Public Storage, for example, promote their chain of self storage locations instead of offering viewers all the available options. This does not allow for you to see the local competition, so it prevents many people from shopping around for the best self storage unit for their particular budget. However, if you had a particular brand of self storage recommended to you by a friend, the chances are you can find out how much it costs by Googling that brand. Don't you just love Google?

Anyways, one of the easiest tips I can ever give you as far as finding cheap self storage goes, is just research the variety of self storage units that are available in your area. Spending just 15 minutes looking at the different options can save you a lot of money, especially if you plan on using the self storage unit for any significant amount of time.

Good luck finding cheap self storage that works for you!    

10 Things to Do When You Move Into Your New Home

I was inspired by a recent post from houzz.com that asked readers "what do you wish you knew when you moved into your first home?" Loving all the comments from the readers, I decided to create a post based on top things to do when you move into your first home, or third, fourth or fifth for that matter.

1. Consider hiring move in cleaners. These miracle workers will come in and clean your house before you move everything in it. This is especially a good idea if you are buying a used home that may have had a messy owner. It will save you a lot of time and trouble, so that you can focus on moving instead of cleaning right off the bat.

2. Invest in Window Coverings. Before you even move into your new home, purchase or create the window covering you need for your home. Even being prepared to hang up just a sheet over a window for privacy is better than scrounging around for whatever you can find to cover that window.

3. Know Your New Terrain. It is a lot easier now with Google maps available, but it can be helpful to know where all the basic stores and restaurants are in your new area. Do a little research before moving day via Google maps, or even drive around the area yourself if at all possible.

4. Create an Emergency List. The address and phone number of the hospital, police, emergency service, pizza delivery, whatever may be needed, you never know. Create a contact list online or offline to make sure you can easily access these numbers in your new area.

5. Re-Do Things. If you plan on redoing the floors, painting or any of that jazz, it is a lot easier to do it before you've moved all your stuff in the house. You can even consider temporarily moving most of your stuff into self storage while these projects are underway.

6. Set Aside Emergency Funds. You never know when an emergency is going to pop up, so if at all possible it is imperative to set aside at least a little money. This can be really hard to do after a down payment, but try to tighten the belt to make it happen.

7. Be Prepared for Buyer's Remorse. It is not uncommon to move into a place and regret the decision. It is a little too late now to back out of your decision, so don't spend time dwelling on all the negatives of your home. Instead start making plans on all the cool things you are going to fix and renovate in your home to make it really nice.

8. Groceries. Get some basic groceries that do not need much preparation. It can be tempting to just eat out the first couple weeks of unpacking and organizing, but this bill will quickly add up. Keeping around simple food supplies will supply you with meals and snacks that won't cost too much.

9. Set up somewhere to sleep. Have sheets, blankets, pillows, bedding all easily available. You are going to need a good nights rest after moving day.

10. Celebrate. Moving into a new home allows a new beginning. Make sure to celebrate your new home with wine, pizza or whatever it is that makes you happy. Moving is a big pain in the butt, so you definitely deserve a treat after all that hard work.

Is it Worth It to Relocate for a New Job?

New employment opportunities uproot countless people to new homes all of the time, but do you ever wonder what exactly makes it worth it to do so? The New York Times recently chimed in on the topic of how to decide whether to relocate or not, and we thought they came up with some interesting points in their article. This blog is a summary of the main points in the article, plus a couple additional ones that'll help you deliberate on whether to make the move for that new job or not.

Salary

In order for a job to be worth the move financially, it should preferably offer more pay or more future opportunities. Ideally, it will offer enough compensation to pay to enhance your style of life and the mental and financial stresses of a move. Calculating how hard and how much it costs to move can be a bit tricky. This isn't the same as moving out of your dorm room into a new apartment, it is moving your adult self and perhaps a family to a new location. If you haven't moved recently, it may be a good idea to get a bid on how much it will cost to hire a mover. If you plan to do a move yourself, you will need to consider the cost of a moving van, storage, time, etc. will add up. Moving is a complicated and expensive process that should not be taken lightly.

Cost of Living at the New Location 

You may find your dream job with a great salary! Fantastic! What you may not know is that most of your new income may end up just being an adjustment for the expensive cost of living in that location. When you are considering a relocation, you are going to need to research the cost of living of the new area. How much is rent? How much are groceries and utilities? Will you need to consider sending your kids to private schools? Will there be a commute? How much will you spend visiting friends and relatives? All these considerations will help you decide if this new opportunity will actually bring you financial prosperity, because (financially speaking) there is no point in just moving if you do not gain anything out of it.

Contract for New Job 

Find out if your new employer would be willing to compensate for your move. If it hasn't been message, adding moving costs is a good thing to throw in at the negotiating table.  Certain employers will pay a certain amount for people to move. If this is the case, it is important to find out actually how much the  moving package includes, because sometimes companies will give you not nearly enough compensation to actually be able to afford to move. Instead you end up paying the excess yourself, or doing a large part of the move yourself to stay on the limited budget.

Employment for Spouse/Partner

If your partner or spouse cannot find a job in the new location, this can prove to be a huge financial loss for many couples. Every couple has a different financial and personal situation, but this is an issue that must be considered and discussed thoroughly before jumping ship to a new job. Without actually looking it is hard to scope out job opportunities in a new area, so do some research with job listings in the new area. Find out the general employment rate. The transition is sometimes a lot more difficult than one partner than the other, so be prepared for the fact they may be job hunting for a significant amount of time.

Intangible Considerations 

Not everything of course is about money. You will need to consider the pros and cons of moving that go beyond the pocket book. Have you also dreamed of moving to this location perhaps? What will it be like to be away from friends and family? How will this effect your children? There are lots of different factors that you can only consider for yourself. Taking the time to contemplate these and be honest with yourself will help you decide if it is time to move on or not. Many people avoid these topics until it is too late, and they end up regretting the big move. On the other hand, some people begin to think of their new home as the place they always belonged. Everyone is different. Just make sure you give yourself time to think about making such a huge change.

9 Tips for Moving Into an Apartment

Downsizing? Getting your first place? Either way, moving into an apartment has its unique logistical challenge. These tips will help you ensure that the challenge of moving into an apartment doesn't turn into a nightmare by offering guidance, warnings and advice on how to move your belongings into your new home.

1. Prepare to Downsize

Fitting everything you own into such a small place can prove to be quite difficult. It is even impossible for some people. Most people will need to consider donating, tossing or selling a lot of their beloved items. If you can't part with your stuff, you can always consider the option of a self storage unit. 

2. Renting self storage

If you are going to rent a self storage unit, make sure you do so in advanced. This gives you the time to shop around for different self storage units that have the price and quality that agrees with your needs. It also ensures that you don't end up moving items all the way up to your apartment only to have to move them to self storage later. 

3. Measure What will Fit

If you have a bunch of large furniture, you should measure the furniture to make sure you know that it will actually be able to fit into the elevator and through your apartment door. That huge couch from your old house may fit in your apartment, but that doesn't mean you'll be able to get it up the elevator. 

4. Measure Floor Space of the Apartment

It is important to measure out the floor space of an apartment, so you can see around how much can fit. Sketch out where you put things. This way you don't end up moving furniture and other items up to your apartment that just won't fit. 

5. Put Everything in Moving Boxes 

This is more of a safety tip that you can disregard, but many apartments get high traffic of mixed strangers. Do you want to be showing off all your fancy electronics, expensive paintings, etc. when you are moving in to whoever just happens to be walking by? By boxing as many items as possible you give yourself extra privacy, and you can perhaps prevent attracting random theft. You can find a variety of boxes and their prices here.

6. Label Moving Boxes Clearly 

Even in a small moving space, labeling the boxes will save you time. After moving who wants to spend time shuffling random boxes all over the place. Also, in an apartment there is less room to sprawl everything out, so you can figure out things like exactly where do you put that stupid spatula anyways!  

7. Reserve the Elevator 

In order to ensure you aren't waiting for the elevator every time you make a trip up to your apartment, it is important to talk with the front desk or manager about renting the elevator for the time and day you plan on moving into your apartment. This will also ensure you aren't competing with another tenet who just happens to moving in at the same time and day. 

8. Tell Your Movers about the Elevator Time

If you are hiring movers, make sure they know when you reserved the elevator. Or even ask them when the best time to rent the elevator would be on moving day. This will help things go over smoothly on moving day, but as usual, there still is always the chance movers will get stuck in traffic or be late.       

9. Be Prepared to End Up with Too Much Stuff

If you feel at the end of putting everything in its place that there is still a lot of stuff room for in your apartment, get rid of the extra stuff. Clutter in a small space such as apartment will get in your way every time you walk past it, and with apartments you spend a lot of time noticing extra clutter.

How to Get Rid of Christmas Presents You Don't Want

'Tis the season for giving and receiving, so get ready to get a bunch of junk you don't want. What a beautiful thing that we reserve a special time of year to come together to celebrate. I love presents, but sometimes the thought is a lot better than the actual gift. We've all received stuff we don't need or want during the holidays. Sometimes disposing of these gifts can be tricky for a variety of unique reasons, but I'm here to help you to get rid of the holiday crap.

Hoard It 

Are you the type of person who has to keep everything!? Fine, then put the useless item in a self storage unit or in your basement to gather dust and never be used again. Or even better yet, let it take up the limited counter space in your home, so every spring cleaning when you dust around it you can remember the poor taste of your dead Aunt Susie.

Make it Into a Toy for Your Pet 

Another set of ugly, seasonal dish towels? I have no idea why people think I need so many dish towels, but I've just started giving them to my dogs to chew on. Don't limit this idea to just dish towels, dogs and cats will play with anything. For cats rub a little cat nip on that ugly sweater, and you may have just received the world's cheapest cat bed.

Pretend to be Buddhist 

Or you can even become Buddhist if you want to go extreme. Say that you want to live with the least among of things possible, so you can truly appreciate the important things in life. Seems like a good excuse as any to get rid of all the bad gifts you received over the year, and not to mention all that other sentimental junk you've been storing in a hidden cardboard box. That is right, I'm the Santa of junk, and I SEE all the clutter you've been keeping around for no apparent reason. Taking up Buddhism is also a good way to get out of any future gift exchanges, secret Santas, etc.

Ask for a Receipt

Why not be the sane person in your family, friend, co-workers to suggest giving the receipts with the gift. Then of course you know who is cheap and who is excessive, but honestly most of us can guess who that is without knowing how much a gift costs. Or you can continue the passive-aggressive pattern of gift-giving where everyone owns excessive amounts of junk they don't want in their homes, because guess what, those who receive your gifts probably don't like them half the time either.

Re-Gift It 

Give some other poor soul that scented candle that says Midnight Tangerine, but really just smells like a retirement home. It will save you some money and clutter.

Donate It 

Some people actually need the sweaters, candles, CDs, etc. that us fortunate folk take for granted. Stop by Good Will or wherever, and your unwanted items will make someone's day. After exploiting the holiday bar tab at the company Christmas party, you are need all the good karma you can get.

Sell It on E-Bay or Craigslist 

Who couldn't use a little extra doe? I recommend waiting a little while after Christmas, because everyone will be on there trying to sell the gifts they don't want the day after Christmas. By spring though people will be desperate again for your second-hand goods for great prices.

Throw It Away 

If the item is old, gross, well-used or just useless, just throw it away. Or maybe you just feel no good will towards man kind, and would rather contribute to the world's land fill than do anything good for society. No shame in that, we've all been there- especially after having to hear your drunk, republican uncle rant over the annual family Christmas gathering.

Happy Holidays!

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell without Spending a Dime

Putting your house on the market can be a nerve wrecking experience. It seems like the list of things that need to be done is endless, and it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some of the things that should be done before your sell that don't cost any money, but really can make all the difference on the appearance of the property. Not everyone has the money or time to dedicate to making a home like brand new before moving out of it, so don't feel bad if these are all the things you can afford to do right now. Instead take joy in the fact these little, free steps will indeed help you sell your homes. 


Make Your Yard Sparkle

• Keep the lawn mowed, edged and cut on a regular basis. Also, water any brown spots if needed. 
• Prune branches of trees and shrubs that make the yard appear in disarray. 
• Remove all weeds from flowerbeds and the lawn. 
• Clear any fallen branches, small sticks and ugly rocks off the lawn. 
• If there is snow and ice, make sure to clear it from your driveway, sidewalks and walkways. Do a thorough job, because a half-cleared walkway is ugly and dangerous. If you have a walkout porch, it is probably a good idea to at least partially clear it off in case the buyer wants to check it out. 
• If you have a shed or any other outdoor storage space, make sure to organize everything in it. Buyers do peek in storage spaces, and finding a messy one can be alarming. This includes trying to clear out any critters or spiders that may be hanging out in there.  
• Make sure your welcome mat looks welcoming. Clean it by beating it or rinsing it.
• Sweep decks, porches and all other surfaces. Make sure to dispose of the leaves, lawn trimmings, etc. 
• If you have a bird feeder and/or bird bath, make sure they are kept fresh and clean. 
• Make sure any children's toys are neatly put away and organized. If there are old, unused children's toys in the yard consider disposing or donating them. 

Make the Inside Seem as Vacant as Possible 

• De-clutter everything. The more empty a house seems, the easier it is for buyers to envision themselves living inside of it in the future. 
• Pack-up anything you do not need like knickknacks, books, toys, small kitchen appliances, etc. 
• Thoroughly clean everything. Make sure you dust, scrub, vacuum everywhere physically possible. 
• Regularly re-clean areas that are high traffic. 
• Keep bathrooms extremely clean. If you know someone is going to come view the house, it is a good idea to give each bathroom a quick scrub before they come. No one wants to look at a stinky and/or dirty bathroom.
• If the weather is nice, air out the house whenever possible. This keeps the house fresh smelling.  
• Make sure all your window curtains and blinds are neatly arranged.
• Bleach everything. Well, not everything, but all tiles, sinks, bathrooms, etc. This will help things have an extra shiny appearance, and it helps get rid of odors. 
• Shine all water fixtures. A little extra elbow grease to make metal faucets shine really can make a bathroom look like new. 
• Organize closets, shelves, drawers, cabinets, etc. People looking at your home will more than likely take a peak in your private storage spaces. Make sure that when they look where they have no business looking  that they will be pleasantly surprised how organized you can be. 

Don't Forget the Unfinished Attic, Basement and/or Garage 

• Do not neglect cleaning, organizing and primping unfinished spaces. 
• For the garage, empty everything out then hose down the floor. 
• When you put everything back in the garage organize and condense as much as possible. 
• Make sure to clean off any dirty shelves. 
• Throw away anything you don't need in the garage, attic and basement. 
• Clean and dust everything thoroughly. 
• If you find any mice nests or droppings, dispose of the evidence. 
• Consider parking your car out in the street if you have a garage if at all possible. This lets the buy more thoroughly view how much space the garage offers. 
• If you store any boxes, furniture, etc in the basement or attic, try to make sure this storage is condensed all into one area. 

Consider Renting a Cheap Self Storage Unit 

• Alright, we know that renting a storage unit is not free, but you can get self storage units cheap if you shop around. 
• The great thing about renting self storage during a move is that you can store all of your extra stuff in the unit, so that buyers can view your home more effectively. 
• It will also save you time when it comes time for moving day, because most extra items will already be packed and ready to move. 
• Temporary self storage is actually quite cheap for how much it contributes to the move, so make sure to price around before counting  it out as a viable option.