The Moving Planner Blog

There are a multitude of reasons why you may need to put your belongings in storage. Maybe your lease is up but you have not found the perfect house yet, or perhaps you are making a cross country move and plan on living in a hotel until you explore the area. Maybe you are even downsizing to a new place and need a storage unit for camping gear, a kayak, or sporting equipment. Whatever the case is, it is important that you choose the right facility, but it is even more important that you understand your rights as a temporary storage renter.

Get Familiar with Terminology

You will probably look at the contract and assume that it is so basic that you do not need to read it. After all, surely every person renting a unit at the facility does not take the time to read the entire thing, right? Well, you should read it, but you should also understand the terminology used. You probably know the basics like that you are the “occupant” and the items inside your unit are your “personal property.” However, there are many more terms to become familiar with. A few key ones include administrative fee, climate control, self-storage insurance, transfer fee, perishable materials, and pro-rated rent.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that your storage agreement is anything like your apartment lease. It is very different. First of all, if you default on your rent, your landlord cannot just come in and have a sale to clear your stuff out. They have to follow procedure, go through the courts, and give you proper notice. However, if you do not pay your storage unit bill, your belongings can be sold. Of course, depending on your agreement, there may still be stipulations and procedures. In many cases, the owner of the facility simply needs to notify you of intent to remove or sell your items in a specified amount of time. This notice is typically sent by certified letter so they have proof that you received it. Read more…

Most people put a lot of care into packing their computer, DVD player, gaming console, and other electronics, but completely neglect their small appliances. Are they deemed unimportant? Do they assume they are not easily damaged? These items are costly and can be easily ruined through excessive shaking or dropping. Now, if you have an expensive Vitamix that is the key appliances in your kitchen, then you probably naturally will make every effort to baby it throughout the move, but what about the other appliances? They all deserve a little personal attention.

Clean the Appliances

It does not matter if you are packing your microwave, an electric can opener, or the food processor, you should clean the appliance thoroughly first. There is no point moving dried up food or dust to your new home, and the last thing you will feel like doing is scrubbing appliances after a long day of unpacking. Take the time to clean and dry them completely, so when you dig them out of their box they simply need to be put away.

Disassemble

Anything that can be removed should be. This includes the glass platter in the microwave and blade in the blender. All of these individual pieces need to be packed separately. If you have several appliances with blades, racks, etc., label each one so you know at a glance what it belongs to.

If you are not sure you will remember how an appliance gets assembled, take a picture, write down instructions or label with removable stickers. Sure, you would probably figure it out eventually if you fuss with it long enough, but there is no point turning your stress level up a notch during your move. Plus, this is valuable time you will be wasting. Read more…

It does not matter where you move, chances are pretty good that you will have a nice selection of apartments available to choose from. Of course, if you are planning a move to New York City then you may just need to jump on whatever you find available in your desired location. With the few rare exceptions like NYC, you will be able to choose from low-rise, high-rise, loft, or gated community options. Before you sign a lease on the first one you see with a closet big enough to house your shoe collection or a living room big enough to have all your buddies over to watch the big game, make sure you are choosing an apartment that suits you.

High-rise

There are a lot of pros and cons to high-rise buildings. They are typically downtown, which means you will be close to the action and public transportation. Unfortunately, the price may reflect this convenience. That being said, if you are able to park your car or get rid of it altogether, it could be worth the higher rent. A high-rise gives you the opportunity to meet a lot of people, and many will have a fitness center and pool. The heating bill in the winter is typically low because there are so many units packed together in one space.

On the downside, there is always the fear of fire. If someone on the 11^th floor starts a fire and you are above them, getting out of the building becomes a challenge. For this reason, renters insurance is generally higher. Also, if you have a car full of groceries, plan on making two long trips. A high-rise typically gives you no outdoor space unless you are fortunate enough to have a balcony. Read more…

If you only have a bottle of wine in your fridge and a half bottle of Crown Royal on your counter then the only logical thing to do is have a few friends over and finish it off. There is no point in wasting valuable box space packing it, right? However, if you have a nice collection of wine and liquor then a little extra care needs to go into packing and moving. Liquor is a little less temperamental, but as you likely already know, wine does not appreciate drastic changes in temperature. Not to mention, the last thing you need is a broken bottle of Chteau Latour Pauillac 1990 on your hands.

Evaluate Your Inventory

There is a good chance that your collection may consist of bottles that need to be stored at different temperatures. In this case, you are going to need a game plan. White selections will likely be okay placed in a cooler gently with ice, but red varieties are a little fussier. Most varieties do best around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you may need to find a moving company with temperature-controlled trucks.

If wine gets hot, it will age prematurely and become flat. However, if it is exposed to super cold temperatures, the lack of moisture will dry the cork and allow oxygen into the bottle. In some cases, the use of dry ice may need to be considered. Read more…

One of the smartest things you can do before a move is downsize. Most people end up donating or giving a lot of stuff away, but if you have time for a garage sale, you might as well have one. Some people assume they are way too much work, or they don’t think it will be worth their time, but you may be pleasantly surprised at what you can make in one day. Depending on what you have to sell, you could easily earn enough to cover the cost of your movers and buy groceries in your new place. Worst case scenario, you do well enough to cover a couple cases of beer for a housewarming party or to bribe your friends to help you move or unpack. A little careful planning and making use of these helpful tips can mean the difference between a successful garage sale and a lazy afternoon.

Gather Belongings

If you are going to spend your day bartering with people you might as well make it worth your while. Go through and gather everything that you do not want, need, or have a use for. Keep in mind that the more stuff you sell, the less boxes you will have to move, and this will reflect the cost of your move. Do not assume no one will want the things you have no need for anymore. It is true what “they” say about one man’s trash being another man’s treasure. You may look at those old, stained stuffed animals in your child’s room and see garbage, but the Husky owner down the street sees them as cheap chew toys that can be destroyed in less than one minute flat. Read more…

For many parents, the school district will dictate where they begin looking for a home. If you didn’t have kids you would simply start house shopping until you find one you love. However, when you have kids, your priorities tend to change a little. Choosing a house that is in a top school district may be more important to you than the light coming through the beautiful bay window in the house in an undesirable district. This is true even if you do not have children yet. If you intend on starting a family soon, the closest school will likely play a role in where you grow roots.

Choosing a school is not all that easy. Even a top recommendation from someone you know does not mean that the qualities you look for are the same as what they deem important. Whenever possible, you will want to visit the school. If you are moving cross country and cannot make several trips back and forth, schedule a phone call with the principal so you can ask all the questions you need answers to. You will also want to reference the Nation’s Report Card ahead of time, so you can view school and district performance compared to the state and nation. Below are some questions to ask when interviewing schools.

• How many classes are in the school?
• What is the average number of students per class?
• Do larger classes have a helper?
• Is a copy of the school’s curriculum provided to parents?
• How structured is the curriculum? Read more…

Whether you are moving across the country or just a few hours away, the last thing you want to deal with is your car breaking down. As you know, car repairs seem to come up at the most inconvenient time, and if Murphy’s Law applies, this will be the time when you will end up stranded on the side of the road, car full of boxes and low on cash. Make sure that having your car ready to make the move is on your to-do list and figured into the budget.

Do a Walk Around Inspection

The first thing you want to look at is your tires. How is the tire pressure? Is there uneven or excessive wear? Tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold. Since they heat as they drive, always give them about a half hour after they are parked to check them. Under-inflated tires result in vague handling and poor gas mileage, and can cause the tire to prematurely wear on the outside. Not to mention, this can cause an accident. Over-inflation will cause premature wear to the center of the tire. It can also make the vehicle more prone to skidding in wet conditions. When in doubt have a professional check them. Having a tire blow out while you are on the highway is not a desirable way to start the next chapter in your life.

You also need to check the lights, including your break lights and indicators. It is important that they be changed if any are out. Lastly, inspect the wiper blades for cracks or separation. The material should be soft and pliable to make sure your window stays clear while driving. Read more…

If you are moving into your first apartment, you probably have a few people suggesting that you should get renters insurance but you may be wondering if you really need it. The last thing you want to do is shell out more money if you really don’t need to, right? After all, a chunk of your income goes to car insurance every month and you have probably never needed to file a claim. Plus, you may assume that the landlord insurance will cover your belongings, or you might think that if you do not have expensive jewelry or electronics then you do not need it. Bottom line is that renters insurance is one thing you absolutely want to pencil into your budget.

Surprisingly Affordable

Most expect this to be a huge monthly bill, but renters insurance is surprisingly affordable. In fact, the average policy is right around $12 per month. This is $3 per week. Surely you can skip one morning latte per week to protect your assets. You may even find a cheaper rate if you opt for a higher deductible or bundle the policy with one you already have for your car, boat, motorcycle, etc.

You May Need Extras

For a little extra money every month, you can add on flood insurance. You might be thinking you do not need this because you do not live somewhere that sees excessive rain or hurricanes, but floods can be caused by broken pipes too. Some policies allow you to add on coverage for earthquakes and other natural disasters too. Read more…

If you have played it safe your entire life, then maybe you are never going to be one of those people who packs their bags, hits the road, and decides along the way where their final destination will be. However, that does not mean you are too reserved to take a chance. Sometimes, the most amazing things happen when you step out of your comfort zone and have to work under pressure. In other words, if you are longing to move to a specific city, but you are nervous that you won’t find a job, maybe you are not giving yourself enough credit. 

Be Prepared for a Demotion 

The one thing you will need to make sure you are comfortable with is the fact that there is a good chance you will take a pay cut and start with a lower position. Of course, if you are a bartender, laborer, etc., then you might see an increase in pay, if you move somewhere with a lot of potential.  Read more…

If you are relocating to a new area, but won’t have a place of your own right away, you will need to put your stuff in storage. Some people choose to simply sell everything, but if you are really attached to your belongings then this may not be an option for you. Fortunately, you can find storage facilities practically everywhere and they are a lot cheaper than you probably think.

The first decision you need to make is whether you should get a storage space in your current city or in the one you are moving to. There is no right or wrong answer; this will be based on your personal situation, but there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Current City

Getting a local storage unit means you do not have to deal with paying movers to transport everything long-distance right away. This could be ideal if you are trying to make the move on a budget, but you know you have a good job lined up. This could also be your best option if you are not 100 percent sure your move will be long-term. For example, if you are moving to Hollywood to break into acting or heading to Nashville to be the next big country star, you may end up back where you started if you get discouraged or find that you miss your family and friends. In this case, your belongings are still where you left them, waiting for you to come home. Read more…