Moving Day Guide and Checklist

Image Courtesy of David Castillo Dominici via freedigitalphotos.net

Planning a move can be a difficult and stressful process, but the actual day of your move can be downright overwhelming. Knowing what you need to get done -- and in what order -- will help to put your mind at ease when the big moving day arrives.

To keep moving chaos at bay, here is a moving day checklist to guide you through the process. Many of the items can be done ahead, so do yourself a favor and get organized in advance. Come moving day, you will be ready to handle the whole ordeal, without worry or distraction.

1. Clearly Mark and Set Aside Items You Don't Want Loaded
This will remind you to tell the driver what not to load as you conduct your preload walk-through. Make sure your important paperwork pertaining to the move doesn't get packed and shipped with your household goods.

2. Prepare with Children
Have the kids pack a box of their "special" items, things they'll want to have nearby as soon as you arrive at your new home. You might also consider allowing your child to help fill the box of special items to make them feel like they are part of the move. Point this box out to the driver so that it's one of the first to be unloaded.

3. Dump Trash and Flammable Items
Eliminate as much trash as you can before moving day. Last-minute garbage will inevitably build up the day prior to and the day of loading. Try making a deal with a neighbor to use their trash container for your last-minute debris.

Your Guide to Finding the Best Apartment Rentals & Homes for Sale

Image Courtesy of Ambro via freedigitalphotos.net

Moving to a new home can be overwhelming - from searching for your ideal place and packing your stuff, to hiring reliable movers and relocating. HuffingtonPost outlined the best resources out there to make your move nice and smooth.

Finding A Rental Apartment:

Apartments.com: This one's a snap. Just type in the maximum rent you want to pay, and you're on your way to finding your next home.

ForRent: This site does it all and has special sections for those who are living off campus or relocating.

Rent Jungle: You can choose features you can't live without, like a fireplace or hardwood floors, from thousands of listings in the area of your choice.

Packing for College: 3 Essential Tips You Should Know

Image Courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Summer is almost over and you're moving back to college. As you pack for your move, planning ahead of time will make the whole process much easier.

Whether you are an incoming freshman or upperclassmen, packing for college can be stressful. But don't let it add to your anxiety. These tips will help you get back on campus filled with excitement while keeping in mind all the essentials you have to bring:

Create a packing list
To get started with your list, think of your typical day and write down everything you use from your laptop and headphones to your favorite pillow. Sort it by category: school supplies, kitchen supplies, toiletries, medicine, desk accessories, electronics, bathroom, clothing, and so on.

If you are a compulsive packer, you can use College Packing List, a webapp that generates a checklist for you so you won’t forget anything important.

Moving Tips and Tricks - Secrets to Packing and Moving Like a Pro

You can learn about the basics of moving in our guide to Insurance Tools and Tips When You're Moving, including a Moving Checklist, People to Contact Reminder, and Household Inventory Worksheet, but read on for our top 9 moving/relocation tips and tricks that are less commonly known.

TIP-1: PACKING YOUR PLACE

There's more to packing than hunting down used boxes online or at the grocery store. Packing moving boxes is a special art. The trick is to get specialized boxes for fragile or oddly shaped items. You can purchase these boxes from moving or storage companies. You may have to shell out a few extra dollars($$$$), but it will be worth it when your items arrive in one piece.

• For kitchen breakables, purchase "dish barrel" boxes to hold your dishes in place.
• Wall art & mirrors are better protected in long, flat boxes.
• They're not exactly boxes, but vacuum-sealing bags for coats and other clothing can help you save a lot of space.
• Cylindrical poster tubes are an ideal container for art that can be rolled up.
• Wardrobe boxes with a bar for hanging your clothes may seem decadent, but they're huge timesavers when it's time to unpack.

So how do you find the right agent for you? Here are some helpful tips.

TIP-2: DON'T RESIST LABELS

You really can't over-label when it comes to moving. Consider numbering your boxes and keeping a reference list. That way, if you need to find something, you'll know which box number to look for. Some movers will even color code each box to its appropriate room. Make your labels highly visible. Mark boxes on their tops and sides so you can read them even if they're vertically stacked.

Ten most forgotten items When you move

With more than 43 million Americans planning to move this year, odds are even the most organized may not remember every detail of a move -- or every item. Remembering the “out of sight, out of mind” objects increases your success in moving all of your belongings. Mayflower suggests adding the following 10 points to the top of your preparation list:      

1. For the record -- Obtain copies of your and your family's medical records, including any dental and vaccine/immunization information, as well as any veterinary records for the family pet. In some cases, a notarized letter is required to receive official documentation; you may need to contact the American Medical Records Association to determine your new state's needs. You might also consider transferring current prescriptions to a drugstore in your new town.
   
   Another record you'll want to be sure to have in hand is your child's permanent school record. School records are usually required when registering your child at his/her new school. Often, copies are not sufficient and require a raised seal
    
2. Buried treasure -- If you've hidden any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving. You should carry valuable items such as jewelry with you or keep them in a safe deposit box instead of packing them on the moving van.
       
    

Useful Packing tips for Musical Instruments

Here are some additional tips for assuring musical instruments, music and equipment are stored in optimal conditions:

Tips for Storing Musical Instruments :

• Properly prepare instruments for storage, cleaning and conditioning them with paste wax for wood, resin, etc. Never use an oil-based polish or alcohol on wood instruments. Disassemble parts, remove reeds, mouthpieces, mutes and straps, and relax strings
• Whenever possible, store instruments in cases designed for them. Cases should be in good condition – clean, with no fraying or powdering. If a case is not in great condition, line it with buffered acid-free paper (available for purchase at music stores). Inside the case, drape a clean cloth over strings. For additional protection against humidity, after placing the instrument in the case, place the case in a polyethylene bag.
• Cover a piano with a sheet or tarp to protect it from dust
• After storing musical instruments for a lengthy period, be sure to clean and tune them before playing
• In the storage unit, keep instruments away from vents and doors. Make sure they are stored off the floor, on a pallets or shelves
• If you're storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas, consider investing in covers, bags or sheeting for additional protection. Storage and moving facilities often sell large heavy-duty bags for this purpose.

Five tips for relocating for your job

1. Do less:  Anything that didn't get done before you were moving can wait until after you've arrived. Don’t stuff your time full of non-pressing overdue tasks that will surely stress you out. For me this means buying a car.  I will buy it after I get settled when my mind is clear and will rent in the meantime.

2. Ask for help: Reach out to anyone who may know your new area. The more sets of eyes looking for apartments, moving deals or even upcoming fun events, the better. I emailed over a dozen new people I met at the conference I went to in April and have gotten great website referrals and offers to meet up.

3. Estimate a budget: Deposits, gas, scouting trips, meals on the go…add up quick. Think ahead about what you want to spend during your transition and how you need to pay for things (credit card vs cash).