Packing Supplies and Solutions

So you’ve finally done it. You made it through your big move and now you’re into your new home. But, much to your chagrin the work is still far from over. Now you have to settle into this whole new life that you’ve created for yourself. And while this can seem daunting at times, it really doesn’t have to be. In fact, in this article we will provide you with a list of 10 must do’s to help you settle into your new home. By following this list you will be able to simplify your post-moving saga.

1. Get Reorganized

Remember when you created that huge to do list before you moved into this new home? Well, it’s time to do something similar. Now that you’ve arrived in a new place, the work here has just begun. So, do your best to get organized as quickly as possible. Create a brand-new to do lists that contain all of the tasks that you will need to complete now that you have moved. This can be anything from figuring out where the closest grocery store is, to finding your favorite pizza place. Your time is valuable, so make the most of it.

2. Unpack Those Cardboard Boxes

So you know that mountain of cardboard boxes that’s staring at you right now? Well, it’s time to unpack them. And unpacking after a move is very time-consuming as well as important. So, focus on getting the most necessary and essential cardboard boxes unpacked first. However, unlike when you had to scramble to pack up your house, you can take a little bit more of your time in unpacking. In fact, this is a perfect opportunity to go through and get rid of those things that you didn’t have a chance to during the packing phase.

3. Learn the Ins & Outs of Your New Home

Now that you’re in a new home, it’s time to learn all of its little quirks and tricks. After all, this is unknown territory for you, so put on put on the hat of an adventurer and learn your home’s secrets. This would be a good time to look for any signs of pre-existing damage, bug infestations, or leaky pipes. Also, you’ll want to locate things such as the main water valve, the fuse box, and your water and electricity meters. In addition, you can learn all of the safety features, or the lack thereof, of your new home. All this information is important to know should there be an emergency in the future.

4. Change Your Postal Address

This is pretty simple and self-explanatory. It’s important to change a postal address as soon as you can so you’re able to get your mail. Go see your new local post office, and let them know that you’re a new resident had have a new address. While you’re at it, try to make friends with the postal men and women to help make your postal needs a little bit easier in the future.

5. Register Your Child For School

If you’ve moved to a location where child now has to attend a new school, now is the time to register them as quickly as possible. After all, education is probably the most important thing you can do for your child, aside from loving them, so make this a priority as soon as you move.

6. Find A New Hospital/Doctor

A doctor or hospital is something that you hope you never have to use, but you want to make sure that you have a good one just in case. So, do some research and visit some local doctors offices to find a good fit for you and your family. Once you have found a hospital and doctor of your choice, register your family and your insurance with them so you are prepared for any emergency that may arise.

7. Register Your Car

If you have moved out of state, you’re going to have to reregister your car. As well as maybe even get a new drivers license. So, avoid any fees or legal trouble and get this done as quickly as possible.

8. Help Your Pets Acclimate

If you have brought some four-legged furry friends with you, you also want to make sure that you help them acclimate as well. After all a brand new setting can sometimes stress animals to the point where they start having health issues. So, do your best and try to help make them comfortable as soon as you can. Make sure you keep them close in the coming weeks, and find a veterinarian to have on standby in case things were to go awry.

9. Make New Friends

Friends are an important aspect of your life. So, put yourself out there with your new neighbors and coworkers and try to start building new friendships. Making new friends can help you feel more at home, and that this new location is where you belong.

10. Get To Know Your City

You’ll also want to do your best to get to know your city as quickly as possible. You want to learn its ins and outs, as well as the go to places in town. Search out restaurants that you will enjoy eating at, as well as a dry cleaner if you should need one, grocery stores, hardware stores, and other different types of places that you and your family will need to settle into your brand-new life.

The time has come. You finally got that amazing job promotion and your company is moving you across the country. There’s so much to do and so much to think about as you pack up the life that you’ve known for years to move to an unknown location. While this holds an alluring adventure and mystery, the whole process can still seem overwhelming. For instance, what are you supposed to expect when you get where you’re going? Or, how are you going to get there? Is your company going to help you, or are you on your own? While you may not be aware of it at this present time, a lot of companies actually have moving or relocation packages that can help you smoothly the transition from one location to the other. Granted these packages aren’t guaranteed, however a lot of them are quite common. In this article we will unveil to you the different packages that a lot of companies will offer their employees who are transferring cross-country.

One of the most common features in a relocation package that a company may offer is the family relocation assistance. In this feature it includes childcare assistance, which includes a list of day care providers and possible reimbursement for special situations. Eldercare assistance is also provided. Like with childcare assistance, you will also receive a list of different nursing homes or care centers that could be provided for you. The same will go for a spouse, with the spousal job support. Often times a company will offer employment assistance for the accompanying spouse or partner of the employee.

Another feature in a relocation package could include are transportation services. More often than not, your company will help get you to your new destination by plane, train, or automobile. Or, if you’re on a short unaccompanied assignment or your family is scheduled to move out at a later time, airfare back home may be paid for every so often.

Moving assistance is also often included. This could include, the transfer of vehicles to your new location. Or simply a full pack and unpack of all your possessions from your current home to your new home. Often times they will include all Cheap Moving Boxes costs in this as well.

Housing assistance is another potential feature in a relocation package. This can include but is not limited to home sales services, lease break coverage, storage, a home finding trip, lodging, temporary housing, home buying services, and property management.

If you happen to be moving out of the country sometimes relocation services could include cultural training and other classes on what to expect in the new culture. Also other miscellaneous expenses could be included such as out-of-pocket expenses like carpet cleaning, drapery installation, utility hookups, vehicle registration, packing supplies, and many other things.

If you are a part of a decent company they often times will feel responsible to make sure you are all but settled before making your move. So, if you are about ready to move cross-country for your employer, take the time to stop by HR and ask about their relocation packages. More than likely your company will do whatever it can to help you feel at home before you even get there. Happy travels!

Let’s be honest for a second. No one loves the idea of moving. Sure, moving to a new place can be an exciting adventure. But, the process of moving? Not so much. It requires time, money, and oh so much effort. Not to mention all of the cheap moving boxes that lay strewn around your house. Of course then the question that begs to be asked is, “Do I hire a moving company? Or, do I just rent a moving truck? Neither are bad options, but the trick is figuring out which one is best for you. So, how do you do that?

Start by looking at your situation, and then add in some key factors to help formulate your decision. Those key factors are as follows.

1. Costs

On the surface it seems that renting a moving truck would be cheaper. In some instances you’d be right. However, often times you fail to calculate in all the costs that go into renting a moving truck. First, you have the cost of the truck itself. Then you have gas, potential tolls, sleeping accommodations if you have to drive for more than a day, hidden fees, taxes, etc. Plus, don’t forget the cost of packing supplies. Even if you use cheap moving boxes and things like newspapers to protect items, packing supplies can get expensive. The best way to truly compare and contrast the cost between a moving company and a rental is by checking out one of those cost comparison tools online. They can help you break down the different expenses you could incur from either choice.

2. Help

When planning a move, help is crucial. It literally can be the difference between you staying sane or going insane. Moving is hard work and takes a lot of time and effort. Which means calling in those favors you’ve been waiting to cash in with your friends. But, now you need to ask yourself the question, “Do I really want Butterfingers Bob to help me carry my prized TV to and from the van?” This is a legitimate question. If you go with a moving company, you’ll be dealing with professionals who do this sort of thing on a daily basis. Plus, they have insurance, so if they damage your items, they’ll replace them or reimburse you their value. Now, if you don’t’ have a lot of valuable items, and just a few items packed in cheap moving boxes. Then maybe going with a moving service would be an added expense that isn’t necessary. Again, it comes down to accessing your particular situation.

3. Safety

Driving a moving truck can be scary if it’s not something you’re used too. They are bigger, it’s harder to see traffic beside and behind you, and braking is much different than in a normal vehicle. Plus, add in the factor of being exhausted from packing and loading the truck, and the task of driving even a state away can seem daunting. So, unless you’re just moving across town or a couple hours away, a moving company could save you a lot of stress and help ensure the safety of yourself and your items.

Ultimately, the choice is yours on weather or not you’ll hire a moving company or rent a truck. Both have pros and cons, and neither is a bad choice. The key to making this decision is bringing in all the factors before you decide. Costs, help, safety, moving location, and the amount of items you have all play in a role in what ultimately will help you make the perfect decision for you.

One of the first questions you are probably going to ask yourself when you find out that you are going to be moving is, “How many boxes will I need?”  To which I will respond, “A lot!  More than you think, even.”  In fact, it’s a really good idea to hop on the internet and use a moving calculator to help you figure it out.  Then, add an extra ten percent for good measure.  After that, I suggest you go through each room in your house and get rid of everything you haven’t touched in the last six months (unless it’s seasonal of course.  That would just be silly.).

You can have a yard sale to sell all of that old stuff and hopefully make enough cash to fund those moving boxes.  But wait!  You want cheap moving boxes?  Of course you do!  Unfortunately, there’s no such thing, really, as cheap moving boxes.  Cheaper, perhaps, but not really cheap, when it’s all said and done.  After your yard sale, check these three places for the best deals:

• Craigslist is the king of cheap moving boxes.  Anyone else that has just moved knows how expensive the boxes can be, and so they are selling theirs to get some money back.  This is good for both of you.  Don’t forget to look in the FREE section, either.  Some people are just giving them away.
• Behind local businesses. I once saw an enormous stack of boxes out behind a Cracker Barrel, and I kind of started to itch a little bit.  I was really hoping that someone who went there to eat that morning was going to be moving, so that they could see the veritable gold mine and bring it home.  Most retail stores and liquor stores are more than willing to hand over their stash.
• The internet. Nowadays, what with all the hype about going green and recycling (and rightfully so!), there are entire websites devoted to matching up potential movers with used moving boxes.  You can also sell them back your boxes, depending on what condition they are in.  Finally, you can get a lot of boxes from online retailers at wholesale prices.  These are brand new, for a good price, which is pretty hard to come by.  You can also select from moving “kits”, that offer extra supplies like bubble wrap and packaging tape.

The most important thing to remember, no matter where you find your cheap moving boxes, is to get more than you think you will need, because you will definitely wind up needing them!

Does anybody remember that show from PBS, back in the day, with the guy that did the home improvement projects?  Actually, I think he might still have his show, but his name is Bob Vila.  I certainly wouldn’t nominate him for an Oscar, but he made wood-working look as easy as spreading butter on a piece of bread.  And I admit that I’ve even gone to his website and watched tutorials on how to put up drywall- even better, I think they actually helped!  Leave it to Bob, though, to honor the merits of cardboard boxes, be them ever so humble.  What am I talking about?  I mean, come on, there are posts all over the internet about how to upcycle, recycle, and transform cardboard boxes, and Bob Vila is probably the master of them all.  Here are a couple of his awesome suggestions, which you know are going to be good:

Gift cards and Postcards

This is probably one of my favorite ideas.  Use thin cardboard to make home-made cards and then stenciling something on the front.  Or even make a cardboard postcard that can be sent just like a regular postcard.

Napkin Rings    

Toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls can be cut into lengths and covered with fabric, and then used as napkin rings.  I make these for themed parties that I host at my house, and then I throw them away when I’m done with them.  They add a nice element to the table and I don’t have to worry about spending money on them and feeling like I need to keep them.

Plant Box/Plants

It’s become super popular to find creative ways to recycle cardboard boxes, instead of just throwing them out.  One of those ways is to use them as plant boxes.  They are also really great for gardens and composting.

Drink Coasters

Who knew that cardboard could be so helpful when it comes to hosting a party?  When I’m throwing a themed party I cut some circles out of cardboard and cover them to match the napkin rings.  Again, after the party I can just throw them out.

For the Cat

Cardboard makes amazing cat scratching material.  You can even by cardboard cat scratchers directly from the pet store.  I, for one, like to make my own by cutting strips of cardboard and rolling them into a large, thick disk.  It lasts for an extended period of time and then I just make another one when I need to.

Here’s the thing: when it comes time to move it’s not recommended that you get your hand on any cheap moving boxes and start stuffing them with your belongings.  It turns out that there’s kind of a science to the whole thing, which is why people wind up hiring someone else to do it for them.  That’s all fine and good, but it’s also ridiculously expensive.  Thankfully, with the help of the internet, anyone can have access to the best information about moving boxes and packaging tips.  Here you will find which type of box to use for which move.  Now don’t be alarmed.  You were excited about your healthy stack of cheap moving boxes, and that’s great! You will definitely be able to use those.  But you should really take into consideration the following suggestions:

Starting with the hardest room of the house, anyone who has ever packed up a kitchen knows just how weird it is.  What to do with enormous mixing bowls that weigh nothing, tiny jars of spices, and dishes galore?  If in no other room, in this room cheap moving boxes are simply not going to cut it.  You need the reinforced, double-wall, corrugated boxes, to include the dish and glass dividers.  You can find these dish-packing kits for cheap online, or even at some local department stores.

If packing kitchens is weird, so is packing up a closet.  You’ve got some grubby clothes and you’ve got some clothes that you absolutely don’t want getting wrinkled and smashed.  You’ve got tennis shoes and dress shoes, ties, belts, purses… It’s all just really awkward stuff to pack.  Don’t even sweat it: use wardrobe boxes.  Pack the bottom with your shoes and then hang your clothes.  It reduces the headache of moving by about forty percent.

Living rooms and family rooms don’t have very many challenging aspects to them aside from artwork hanging from the walls and a lot of electronics.  Both of these pose significant issues when it comes to packing.  Boxes specific for wall-hangings is a must.  You should also probably invest in a TV box.  Now you don’t have to worry about what the bumps and jolts are doing to your precious items.

Use plastic bins and totes when it comes to packing up your bedrooms.  This is a super efficient way of keeping seasonal clothes together, and also keeping other items organized.  The bins make it easy to stack in the garage or basement to pull out gradually.

File, or bankers, boxes are the best ones to use for packing up the home office.  They are small enough so that you can’t overpack and make them too heavy, and heavy duty enough to support all of your books and papers.  The handles and lids make these exceptionally useful.