Monthly Archives: April 2016

Moving is a stressful experience, and it’s even more so if you’re on a budget. Here are six essential tricks for moving while also saving money.

1. Pack Wisely

A smart move starts months before the physical moving. Start collecting packing materials long before you leave. You can collect boxes from presents, online purchases, or office orders at work.

When you finally do start packing, use clothes, towels, and other soft materials you already have to protect your fragile belongings. Make sure that the things you’ll need sooner are easy to find and retrieve. Doing so will help you avoid frantic, last-minute searches.

2. Sell Old Belongings

A move is the perfect opportunity to declutter your life. Get rid of what you can to help you start fresh. Additionally, moving with a lighter load can save you money. Weight is a common way for professional movers to determine the cost.

So why not take it a step further and sell your old belongings? Whether you use online listings or hold a garage sale, make a few extra bucks by selling everything from old t-shirts to unneeded furniture. At the end of the sale, take the leftovers to the thrift store and donate them. Ask for a receipt and get a break on next year’s taxes.

3. Budget for Restocking

If your new home is close by, you can probably move the milk from one place to another without any problem. However, if your move is a long distance move, you’ll have to restock perishables when you arrive.

Depending on the size and nature of your move, as well as how much stuff you get rid of, you may have some larger items you need to replace as well. Plan and budget for these replacements so that you’re not stuck looking at a new couch only to realize you don’t have the money for it. For some items, like that couch, make a stop at your local thrift store and buy a couch that’s already broken in.

4. Use Professional Movers

Many people’s first instinct when trying to save money on a move is to steer clear of professional movers. However, hiring professional movers may actually be cheaper than trying to move on your own. Not only will the move be faster and more efficient, but your belongings will also be better taken care of so you don’t have to spend money on repairs or replacements.

When you move yourself, you have to get help from friends and family, which might require paying to feed them. You also need to rent a truck to drive, which presents its own set of potential problems. You have to pay for the gas, and you may stress over driving a vehicle much larger than you’re used to. Additionally, the chances of needed maintenance on the road increase the longer the trip.

5. Plan Utility Costs

When you’re working on shutting off your old home’s utilities and turning them on for your new home, plan for the costs. Some utilities may require a deposit, depending on your credit score (which you’ll want to budget for).

Some utility companies also won’t prorate your bill, so consider shutting utilities off early to eliminate the extra cost. You won’t be able to do this for water or electric, but you can go a week or two without cable.

6. Schedule the Move Wisely

We all know the saying, “time is money.” Plan your move wisely so that you don’t have to take too much time off work. If at all possible, move on a student’s schedule. Various rent, cable, and internet deals may coincide with the start of the school year.

Professional movers will also have more tips to help you save even more money, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Tagged in: budget, moving, Save money, tips

In the Disney/Pixar movie “Inside Out,” an eleven-year-old girl named Riley moves across the country with her parents. At first, she sees the move as an exciting adventure, but she soon realizes how much she misses her friends and her life back home. While she’s normally happy and bubbly, she starts to feel depressed and angry.

Moving is hard for anyone, no matter their age. But moving can be especially difficult for children. As an adult, you’ve likely moved a few times before and you have a better idea of what to expect. Children may have never experienced a move before. They’re used to a certain routine, and moving disrupts this routine and may throw their emotions for a loop. Fortunately, there are ways to make moving easier emotionally on your kids. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Keep Communication Open

Your kids want to know what to expect, so you need to tell them. Don’t leave them in the dark; talk to them about the following:

• How they can prepare their belongings for the move
• How long it takes to get to your new place
• What your new area is like
• How they can keep in touch with friends

When you talk to your child about your new place, show them pictures of it. If you’re not moving too far away, take a trip with them to your new city.

Talk to your kids about the potential emotional impacts of moving as well. You can share your past experiences with moving and how you felt. Assure them that while they might feel sad at first, they will feel better once they meet people and get used to their new area.

But don’t just talk to your kids once and let it go. Leave the lines of communication open. Ask your kids every few days how they’re feeling.

Make yourself available to answer any of their questions. Don’t get so overwhelmed with moving tasks that you aren’t sensitive to their feelings.

2. Let Them Help Make Decisions

If you involve your kids in the moving process, they’ll feel like a part of the decision. This will make the transition easier for them.

If possible, bring your children house shopping and ask for their input. When you decide on a house, let each child choose which bedroom he or she wants. Let him or her take ownership in decorating and setting up his or her new room.

As you pack, have your kids pack their own bedrooms. Let them decide what to give away and what to keep.

Even little choices can help your children feel more comfortable and independent. Even the youngest children can decide what entertainment to bring for the move.

3. Watch Books and Movies About Moving

Your kids may warm up to the idea of moving if they watch movies or read books about the concept. Some movies about moving include:

• “The Karate Kid”
• “Toy Story”
• “Cheaper By the Dozen”

Books about moving include:

• “Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move” by Judith Viorst
• “Goodbye House” by Frank Asch
• “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day” by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Watch or read with your kids and talk to them about their feelings afterwards.

4. Stay Positive

You probably feel unsettled about moving too. But if you let your kids hear you complain about the upcoming move, they’ll likely adopt the same feelings.

Instead, talk positively about the move. Tell your kids about all the things they can look forward to, such as the fun things to do and see in the new city.

Like Riley in “Inside Out,” your kids might have a hard time moving at first. But like Riley does in the end, your kids can learn to love their new place. Follow these tips and make the move easier for both you and your kids.

Tagged in: children, communication, moving

When you move from one city to another, you experience a lot of changes. You need to learn how to get around, where the closest grocery stores are, and what your neighbors are like.

But to change not only cities but speeds of life adds new complexities to the stresses of moving. Rural life and city life move at different paces. Everything from transportation norms to recreational activities shifts with the change of environment.

If you are leaving a quiet town and moving into the big city, consider these ways to adjust to your new lifestyle.

Learn to use public transportation.

Public transportation is the key that unlocks the city. If you don’t learn the metro and bus systems, you’ll feel like an outsider forever. As soon as you get a handle on getting around using public transportation, the city will fall wide open to you.

First, get a public transport map of the city. Below are some of the websites for major U.S. cities:

To become familiar with these maps, identify the closest subway or bus stop to your home. Then, locate a few key places and how to get to them using your map. For example, find the closest stops to popular parks, tourist sites, and the public library.

Subscribe to an events calendar.

One of the most exciting things about living in a big city is its vast array of cultural events and entertainment. Many of these events are free. Most cities have some kind of online events calendar for residents to explore. These calendars list all kinds of local events, including:

• Concerts
• Art exhibits
• Sporting events
• Comedy
• Lectures
• Shopping highlights
• Restaurant recommendations
• Poetry readings
• Dance recitals
• Hobby enthusiasts’ meetings

No matter what kind of entertainment you enjoy, you can find it happening in your city.

You might also buy a traveler’s guide to the city. Though you might be anxious to feel like a resident and not a tourist, it can be fun to visit recommended sites and restaurants. Then you can move on to finding the real local gems.

Make connections.

A big place starts to feel like home when it is full of friends. Make connections and get to know people to feel at ease in your new environment. You might get involved in a local chapter of your church. You could sign up to volunteer with a service organization. Sign up for an exercise class.

When you do things you already love, you’ll soon meet those who also enjoy your hobbies. This makes for an easy first conversation. These new friends will help you feel less far from home and will help show you the ropes of your new city.

Spend plenty of time exploring.

True, the city may not have hills, rivers, and open space as readily available as the countryside does. But that doesn’t mean you need to hide indoors. Cities provide the chance to explore different kinds of landscapes. These landscapes include skyscrapers and art museums, vast parks and locals-only cafes. Get your feet wet by having your own first-hand experiences with these places and you’ll soon come to love the city as your own.

And if you do start to ache for the countryside, visit the parks and gardens in the city. Reconnecting with nature, even amid skyscrapers, will help you recognize that you don’t need to be alone in nature to reap many of its benefits.

There are many ways to adjust to life in the big city. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to be patient with yourself and your new environment. Try these tips to make your adjustment even smoother.

Tagged in: City, moving

Hopefully, when you move to a new area, you experience an outpouring of attention from your neighbors, coworkers, and other peers. This outpouring may help you quickly get on your feet and adjust to your move.

But what if your neighbors and other friends shower you with so many parties and gifts you start to feel like the community project? Or what if you spend so much time socializing that you don’t have a spare moment to fully unpack or take a deep breath and relax?

This blog will help you learn how to respectfully say no so you don’t alienate your neighbors. You deserve to have a little alone time if you need it.

1. Give Yourself Time to Reply before Giving Your RSVP-Show Serious Consideration

When someone first extends an invitation, say you’ll check your calendar. Give yourself an hour or so to think things over before you say no. That hour can give you enough time to come up with a kind and understanding response.

Taking some extra time to think can also show your friend or neighbor that you didn’t just turn them down out of hand. You demonstrate that your peers’ invitations matter enough to you that you give them serious thought.

2. Explain What You’ve Already Said Yes to Before Giving Your No

You don’t always need to give someone an explanation for saying no. However, if you have a previous commitment, you can simply say that you and your spouse designated a particular night as a date night. Or you could explain that a certain night every week is for family activities, yoga classes, and other commitments.

If you’ve already been to several parties going and need preparation time (a.k.a. recharge time) between each one, you can use that as an excuse as well.

However, you shouldn’t lie to your friends and colleagues. They will probably notice the hesitation or lie in your response and feel hurt afterward. Be as truthful as possible, even if you have to be blunt about how exhausted you feel with the number of parties.

3. Have a “Bunbury” in Place for Emergencies

Sometimes, even if you kindly explain your reasons for saying no, you might get an upset response. However, you should not let the other person’s emotions overwhelm your decision. Remember-you deserve to have a break if you really need one. It’s okay to have some way to escape the situation.

In the play “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde, the titular character has an unruly made-up brother named Bunbury that he uses as an excuse to escape London when he gets into trouble. You can have a “Bunbury” of your own that you use to escape when the situation gets uncomfortable.

This isn’t to say you should lie and make up a troublesome brother who needs your rescue. But you can use your spouse’s, your children’s, or your boss’s needs as an excuse if someone gets upset with you for turning down their offer. Just make sure you use the other steps on this list too so you don’t offend your friend or coworker.

4. Do Not Say No to Every Invitation From the Same Person

If a neighbor whose friendship you want to cultivate extends an invitation multiple times, then you probably shouldn’t refuse him or her every time. Try to go to the first party if possible, then decide how often you want to see this person after that. If you can only see him or her once a month, pace yourself accordingly. But don’t say no every time if you value the relationship.

5. Let People Know How Much You Would Like to Attend Under Normal Circumstances

After you give your excuse for not going, make sure you explain how much you would like to attend future functions. Emphasize that you would attend this party if you could, and clearly express how you would like to spend time with this person when you feel less overwhelmed. Your neighbor or coworker should take you seriously, especially if you suggest an alternative date.

You don’t have to attend every party that people invite you to. Use the tips above to say no. For more advice on managing life after a move, check out the rest of our blog posts.

Tagged in: Neighborhood, Neighbors, Party