TSI's Moving Blog
Moving related articles and advice. Click here to post comments and suggestions. Click here to learn more about TSI shipping and moving services.
A New Industry Helps Older Americans Downsize (Posted April 2, 2008)
Many older Americans are moving into 55+ communities or assisted living facilities. What are they going to do with EVERYTHING they have accumulated over the last 30+ years? Adults who are now retiring are part of the "keep everything" generation, and it seems like my generation is the "buy cheap and throw it away" generation. We have less sentimentality than our parents and aren't interested in inheriting everything our parents have kept over the years (including the baby crib that is now unsafe, the High School yearbooks or the scary prom dresses). Older Americans are now left with an abundance of items and furniture and a lack of family to give them to. Many older adults are turning to a new industry, Senior Move Management, to help them sort through years of items. This task is better left to an unbiased senior move management team than to a family member who is tied to the memories. A senior move manager will help the person go through paperwork, kitchen cabinets, knick-knacks and everything else in the house and help the person make some tough decisions about what can be kept and what should be thrown out, donated or sent to family or friends. (If sending large items to family members out of state, check out TSI's senior move service). Not only do senior move managers help prepare and pack for the move, they will have the new location set up and ready to go. Downsizing from even an average sized home into a 1 or 2-bedroom apartment/home can seem impossible! To contact a Senior Move Manager in your area who can help with this transition, visit http://www.nasmm.org/. To read more about TSI and our senior moving services, visit http://www.transitsystems.com/pr/TSIandMovingSolutions
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Serial Movers (Posted March 26, 2008)
While most of us cringe at the thought of moving (sorting, packing, unpacking and trying to find room for all of our belongs), some people actually crave the excitement associated with moving. These people are called serial movers and they usually move every year or every other year. There are some serial movers who have moved 15 times in the last decade. Serial movers love the excitement of searching for new adventures and open houses. With the Internet, searching for new homes is even easier. Serial movers say they love to find new neighborhoods, meet new people and find new restaurants. Some people who move frequently (especially apartments) only have a few items so they are able to save some money on their move by using a small mover. If you would like to read more about Serial Movers, click here. Some people (including me) are total opposites of serial movers- we are very settled in our homes and will need to be dragged out of them kicking and screaming.
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One Man's Portable Storage Unit is Another Man's Eyesore (Posted March 21, 2008)
Let me start by saying that I am a big fan of portable storage containers. My parents rented one when they were selling their house (they had A LOT of clutter in their house). They were able to move the clutter into the portable storage unit and sell their home quickly because it looked clean and clutter-free. However, some people are keeping these portable units on their properties for a long period of time, and the neighbors are not happy about it. The owner may have the unit on their property for several months because the housing market is slow and their house is not selling. There are a few people who are not moving or remodeling and using these units as a shed for storage. This is causing a big problem in some towns and neighborhoods. Many areas are passing ordinances and regulations that require renters of portable storage units to have a permit and set a time limit on how long a portable storage unit can remain on a property. If you are renting a portable unit for storage purposes only (you are not moving or remodeling), maybe it's time to reassess how much stuff you actually have and get rid of some of it. Donate it, sell it or send it to a family member. To read move about this topic, click here.
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Moving Your Family Pet (posted February 2008)
People love their pets (sometimes more than people). Their pets are part of the family and there is no question if they will be making the move with them. Unfortunately, if you are not driving yourself to your new home, you have to find out how to move your pets. If moving a pet, you must plan ahead, do some research, and ask other people who you know that have moved with pets. If you are making an international pet move, you need to plan far in advance and make sure your animal has the proper shots and paperwork.
99.999% of all movers do not offer a pet moving service. They will not move anything that is alive, hazardous or perishable. Your first step should be contacting the airline directly and ask if you are able to bring your animal on board the plane in a carrier (if it's a small dog or cat) or if you are able to ship your animal in the cargo area. If you need someone else to handle all of the details for you, you can hire a specialized animal mover. I found one (http://www.airanimal.com/) with over 30 years experience and a no-tranquilizer rule. They don't just offer animal moving services, they also offer great advice on moving animals, both domestically and internationally and general advice on animal purchasing and care.
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A Nation of Hoarders -
A Clutter Too Deep for Mere Bins and Shelves (posted January 2008)
America's desire to have a clutter free household is apparent when one notices all of the companies and television shows dedicated to the art of de-cluttering. Researchers have found a correlation between mental and physical health and the cleanliness of one's house. Many people believe that their clutter problems can be solved by buying bins to organize their goods in. These people need to fundamentally change their behavior to solve their problems. In the most severe cases, the individuals find it impossible, and even painful to part with their possessions. Hoarders should seek professional help or read a self help book, however, recognizing that they have a problem is the first step to getting better. Clearing the clutter is necessary not just for a cleaner house, but for an overall better quality of life. To read the full article, Click here.
Once a person has agreed to part with some of their items, they need to figure out what to do with them. One way to get rid of items is by shipping some of the larger pieces to friends and family who live out of state and may actually use and enjoy the items. The rest can be donated, sold or even recycled. Let's start out 2008 clean and clutter-free.
http://www.boxquest.com/umb08/cheap-moving-supplies/moving-guide.htm
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When Good Moves Go Bad (posted November 2007)
As much as we would like to think it won't happen to us, some moves do not go as planned. I'm sure everyone has heard moving nightmare stories.
What could possibly go wrong? You booked the mover, paid a deposit and packed up your belongings. Three big guys came, carried your stuff into a large truck and drove it across town or across the country. WAIT! Did you purchase insurance?
This is one of the biggest mistakes that people make when they're moving: either they assume that the mover will pay for any damage or loss, or they assume that their homeowners insurance will pay. I can't say it enough - MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE PROPER INSURANCE.
First, do check what coverage the mover provides and what you can expect from your homeowners or renters policy. If it isn't enough, then consider moving insurance. Click here to access a link that will explain the different types of moving insurance you can purchase.
Next, make sure any claim you have to make will be paid. Before you let the movers take anything, do an inventory of what you are sending. Label boxes with the room they're destined for as well as the new address. Number the boxes too, and list the corresponding numbers on a sheet that describes the contents of each box. Also, list all furniture. This process may take a while but it will be WORTH it when the movers arrive.
Here comes the truck to your new home. As the movers unload the truck and carry the boxes and furniture to their rooms, check each item off your sheet. This way you will know if anything is missing. Note any damage to your items or damage to the property that may occur while they are moving the items into your residence. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS-REPORT ALL DAMAGED OR MISSING ITEMS IMMEDIATELY TO BOTH THE MOVER AND YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. Supply them with pictures and a copy of your inventory list.
Moving is stressful enough - you shouldn't have to worry about what will happen if your items are lost or damaged. CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE THE PROPER INSURANCE FOR YOUR MOVE! Most moves go as planned, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared in case your good move goes bad.
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The Fall is Here and That Can Only Mean One Thing- Christmas is Around the Corner (Posted October 2007)
While most people are thinking about pumpkins, ghosts and witches this time of year, others (including myself) are getting the itch to go Christmas shopping. I'm one of those people who hate the holiday crowds so I shop early. Also, I need to shop early to make sure I purchase a Wii for my kids (Mother of the Year Award here I come.) If you're like me and are looking for those special gifts but don't want to run around in December only to find out that they are out of stock...better start shopping soon!
I have to ship many present to my relatives and friends who live out of state. If you also need to ship presents to relatives or friends who live out of state, you know the importance of purchasing and shipping your presents early. Do you know the correct way to pack your presents so they arrive in one piece?
According to Pac-N-Seal, a national supplier of moving and packing supplies, "Not only are many of the packages we send out over the next two months destined to be gifts for your family and friends, but with the increase in shipping volume at this time of year the chances of your packages being handled more roughly than normal is virtually assured. The sheer volume the shipping companies are trying to move and deliver during this 'crunch time' is tremendous, and in that attempt to handle everything and get it where it needs to be, small corners are cut in an effort to save time and space." Visit this link to read more about how to properly pack your packages to ensure that they are delivered in one piece.
While you are enjoying dressing up, bobbing for apples and eating lots of candy, I will be out Christmas shopping!
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Moving before Halloween- Got Candy? (posted September 2007)
If you are moving around Halloween, here is one tip that movers don't share with you - make sure to purchase candy and hand it out to trick-or-treaters. Even if your house is a fright and your furniture looks like ghosts with the painting tarps, keep your front light on and hand out the candy. You deserve a break after all of your hard work - plus it's a great way to meet the neighbors. Don't forget to take your own little goblins around. They are probably trying to adjust to moving, so let them have some fun and introduce them to the neighbors. Plus, while they are gorging on candy, you can get some more unpacking done.If you want to make a good impression on the neighbors- even if you are drowning in boxes and splattered with paint - hand out the candy - and make sure it's the good kind! Good candy makes good neighbors.
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Moving from a Mover's Perspective (Posted September 2007)
Editor's Note: The following entry was slipped under our door sometime during the night, and is reproduce here with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
Everybody needs to move at some point. According to Time Magazine, American's move an average of 14 times in a lifetime. That's a lot times if you ask me, especially as you get older and collect more and more stuff in a lifetime. In America people collect so much stuff they need to rent storage to house their "stuff." If you are one of these people you are not alone. According the Self Storage Association, there are over 51,000 storage facilities in the U.S. That's a lot when you consider that worldwide there are only a combined 67,000. Visit here if you are looking for storage.
So now that you have all your stuff and you're ready to move, what do you do? Young people usually rent a truck and get some buddies to help. Everybody's done that at some point. Some say that that the proof of real friendship is somebody that will help you move. That's all fine and dandy until you have a 4-bedroom house, a wife and a bunch of tykes running around, as do all your friends. Or when you're that reclusive person with all the cats and the many shelves of books. (You know the type - very smart yet interestingly private.) Or when you're an up and coming business person in the big city with a 60" plasma TV and nothing more than a metro pass. What do you do in these cases? You call me! The mover.
I love all of you people with large amounts of stuff. You're the reason I get up in the morning. You're what keeps the lights on in my modest abode. You're the fuel in my truck and the ache in my back. I have a truck and people to move your stuff, and you don't. So let's come to an understanding, and we can both go home to our palaces or hovels, whichever the case may be.
Hear are the top four things you should understand when I get to your house and start the move. If you follow them we will both feel better after the move is done.
1. I promise I don't have your bicycle! You probably misplaced it, and I'll be glad to look for it with you, but I didn't take it. I mean, what am I going to do with a bicycle when I have a truck?
2. Please don't yell at me. I am bigger than you, but I'm sensitive, and besides, what is that really going to accomplish?
3. Yes, I'm a little late, and I'm sorry. The move before you forgot to tell us she was in a 3rd floor walkup.
4. Yes, I may take a break or two. After all, I'm human and I get awfully tired moving that 90" big screen TV that it took six of your closest friends to move last time.
If you keep these things in mind I promise to do my best to make your move go as swiftly and smoothly as possible. After all, we need each other don't we? Your friends were all suddenly "busy" when you told them you were moving, but not me - and the true sign of friendship is helping someone move.
So call me and I will move you! Oh bud, oh pal, oh friend of mine.
- THE Mover
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You're ready to move- What are you going to do with all of the stuff that you don't want to take with you? (Posted September 2007)
You're moving so that means a change in your life is happening- starting a new job, buying a new home, moving out of your apartment. You've hired the mover or the truck has been rented and you've asked your buddies to help you out. Now is the fun part- going through ALL of your stuff. Divide and conquer your stuff into 4 areas-Things you're taking, giving away, throwing away and selling.
The stuff you're taking is the easy pile- you HAVE to take these items and couldn't possibly live without them. The giving away pile is also pretty easy. There are many charities who desperately want your lightly used items- some will even come to your house - The Purple Heart is one of them (http://www.purpleheart.org/) You can also drop off items at your local Goodwill (http://www.goodwill.org/) or The Salvation Army (http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/).
The throwing away option is easy if you only have small items - just throw them away in your weekly trash. With large items it could be a little difficult. One great option for getting rid of large things that are no longer working or even the charities would turn down would be to contact 1-800-GOT-JUNK (http://www.1800gotjunk.com/). They will "remove almost anything - from old furniture and appliances to garden waste and renovation debris." Some trash companies do take large items so call first. Don't just leave it on the curb to get wet and soggy- then no one will take it!
Now is the hard part- you have a large pile of some nice things that you haven't used in the last couple of years and don't want to take them with you. You actually have a couple of options. Have a Yard Sale. It's hard work but may be worth it in the end if you can walk away a couple of hundred dollars richer. Visit http://www.yardsalequeen.com/ for yard sale advice. Another option is Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org) here you can anonymously post items in your local city- and it won't cost you a dime! You can make some money or just list it under Free Stuff. Another choice is Freecycle.org (http://www.freecycle.org/). They are "a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns." Always remember- one person's trash is another person's treasure.
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The Search for Lots of Boxes (posted August 2007)
One of my good friends who was getting ready to move called me last month and asked where I thought she could get boxes. Not just a couple from the local grocery or liquor store, but enough to pack up and move a 4 bedroom house (with A LOT of stuff in it). I was on a mission to find her boxes and find them cheap (I love a good bargain)!
I just found a great website with a very unique idea: Find and buy (locally) used moving boxes for sale and many other types of used boxes and packing supplies at super discount prices even FREE! Later, turn around to Sell -n- Recycle (locally) your used boxes and moving supplies for cash back and for a healthier planet. What a GREAT idea. My friend had what felt like a million boxes (when I was helping her unpack) and she sold them using this site and actually made some money. http://www.boxquest.com/umb08/discount-used-moving-boxes-for-sale/used-moving-boxes-for-sale.htm.
Don't forget there is always the Craigslist option http://www.craigslist.org/. Here you can find moving boxes for a very reasonable amount or even FREE. Unfortunately, when my friend moved there were no local box listings.Click here if you need to move or ship furniture, boxes and more.