Monthly Archives: January 2017

How To Help Move A Pack Rat

Moving is never fun. Especially, when it’s not even you moving and instead is a friend that you’re helping. Often times you wind up eating up an entire Saturday, or even an entire weekend in order to help your buddy move. But, of course you do it because it’s all in the name of friendship right? While this is true, if your friend is a packrat things may not only be not fun, but can get downright difficult very quickly. So, whether your friend is a hobbyist collector, an indecisive type who seems to keep everything, or borderline hoarder. We’re here to help you strategize how to help make their move just a little bit easier.

Step #1: Allow Enough Time For Sorting

Chances are if your buddy is a packrat, it’s going to take far more than an afternoon to sort through all their junk. So, plan ahead and make sure that you’re giving yourselves plenty of time to sort through all of their staff and organize it before you even start the moving process. Also, because of their hoarding tendencies, you’re going to need far more packaging supplies than you otherwise would have. So, make sure that before you start, you have more than enough packaging supplies to help get your friend through their move.

Step #2: Consider Their Emotions

Even though you may become extremely frustrated when you see the amount of work that needs to be done, don’t forget that this is hard for everyone. And, you did say that you were going to help. Therefore, take their feelings and emotions into consideration and try to be as patient as you can. And even though all of their stuff may seem like garbage to you, more than likely they are treasures to them. So as you go through each room work slowly and listen to what they’re telling you about each item. And try your best to see things from their point of view.

Step #3: Set A Plan To Declutter

This step will probably be the most difficult during the entire process. After all the definition of the packrat is someone who doesn’t throw anything away. So, odds are there will be a lot of stuff in their home that isn’t truly needed, but will be very difficult for the owner to want to get rid of. So, do your best to make the owner feel better about the process of decluttering by keeping the memory alive and donating some of their items. Suggest that you even donate them to their favorite charity. This may help make the process go a little bit more smoothly, and hopefully will also allow you to get rid of more junk.

Step 4# Have A Battle Plan

This step is probably the most important part in helping a packrat move. This is because having a plan can dramatically cut down on time, as well as emotional and physical strain. Make sure that you clearing areas so you can store your items into different piles such as keep, giveaway, and trash. Once you have your designated drop points, start in one room and don’t move on to the next until that room is complete. We also suggest to carry a durable laundry basket or large plastic bin with you so you can quickly move items to the right spot. Don’t expect this step to be easy, but with proper planning you can make it far less of a headache.

Step #5: Keep Deadlines

More than likely your packrat friend is probably not the most organized person in the world. And when you combine that with the fact that they’re probably already emotional because of the move, you’ll want to make sure that you help then to keep on track with their deadlines. You can do this by incorporating creative methods such as scheduling a charity donation pick up. This makes it so you and your friend are forced to hit your deadline in the proper amount of time.

No matter which way you look at it, moving isn’t fun. But, it’s one of the many reasons why you have friends. And you, being the good friend that you are, you’ll want to do your best in order to help your friend’s moving process goes smoothly as possible. So, give yourself plenty of time in advance, stay focused, make a plan, be patient, and you can better help your friend start their new adventure.

8 Valuable Tips for Moving Your Valuables

Moving day is fast approaching and you’ve already started to pack away all your worldly belongings into convenient shipping boxes. However, you’ve come across several items that are far too valuable to just be shoved in an ordinary box. You ponder what to do, wishing you would have thought more ahead. If this scenario sounds like something you would like to avoid, then this article will show you 8 valuable tips that will keep your valuables safe during a move.

Create an Inventory

While documenting your every item may not be worth your time, taking notes and photographs of your most meaningful and valuable possessions can help, should anything go wrong. For starters, it’s easier to make a claim against your homeowners insurance, or the moving companies, if you have documentation of the original state. If you plan ahead enough in advance this should fit in easily with your pre-move organizing.

Get Insurance

You may think that your items are covered under your moving companies insurance. However, often times this is not the case. So, either talk to your moving carrier about purchasing additional coverage, or individually insure your most valuable items through a third-party insurance company.

Big Stuff Needs Help

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can move a giant grand piano or a 500-pound gun safe by yourself. These items often need special dollies and wooden crates. And sometimes movers will contract that work out to specialists. So, don’t try to save a buck by doing it yourself. Instead, allow the professionals to do the work for you to ensure the safety of your items.

Small Stuff Goes With You

What better way to make sure your items stay safe, then by keeping them with you? So, when it comes to small items such as jewelry or important paperwork, just pack it and take it with you in your vehicle.

Invest In the Right Boxes

There is a time and place for cheap shipping boxes, but when it comes to your valuable items, this is neither the time nor place. Yeah a $20 box may seem expensive, but it’s a whole lot cheaper than $1,000 for a new TV. Same goes for things like crystal stemware or china plates.

Dishes Side-by-Side

When you pack your dishes, pack them in several layers of paper. But, don’t lay them flat-side down. Instead fit them in the box on the edge. This way, they’re less likely to shatter of something bumps the edge.

Tape Paintings

By putting a big X with masking tape on anything under glass, you can help keep the glass from shattering.

Box It Up Right

Once you’ve finished boxing up your fragile items, gently shake the box. If nothing moves then you’re good to go. However, if it does, open the box back up and add additional padding to help make it more secure. Also, be sure to fill the box, so the top doesn’t cave in. And don’t just fold the flaps tape them.

Packing up and moving your valuables doesn’t have to be stressful. With the proper planning and following these 8 tips, you can keep your valuables safe from harm as you transition into your new phase of life.

How To Make A Gift Box Out of Scrapbook Paper

You’ve heard the saying that the best gifts come in small packages. Well this is a saying for a reason. Often times the most expensive, or sentimental gifts do come in small packages. But, what if you could package that small package in a beautiful package? Before we confuse you too much, what we are talking about is creating your own small box to wrap your special gift in, to give to the person you love. After all what better way to tell someone you love them, then by putting in the effort to make them something beautiful?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzhaJl4nrik

When making these beautiful boxes you’ll need to gather different sorts of materials together. For this project you will need things such as:

Velvety scrapbook paper
Paper cutter
Mod Podge
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Tissue paper
Pretty ribbon

Once you have your various materials together, you can go onto several forums to help you find do-it-yourself ways to make these types of boxes. While it may seem tedious to create your own box, it actually is quite simple. Often times there may seem to be several steps involved, but they are actually simple steps that are easy to follow. Plus, pictures will often be included with the steps so you can visually see your box come together before you even assembled. All you have to do is follow the step-by-step instructions, and you’ll walk away with a beautiful box when you are finished.

So, what else can you use these boxes for besides just your precious little gifts? Well, they can be used as candy boxes for one. Which are perfect during the holiday season when you want to give away small gifts, but don’t want to seem cheap. So, by creating your own box and putting in candy, thus making them candy boxes. You can impress your friends or coworkers with these little beautiful treats.

Other things you can use these boxes for are, pretty little jewelry boxes. These are also perfect gifts to give away to your friends or your friend’s daughters, or your daughters if you have any. By using a variety of beautiful different types of scrapbook paper, you can create unique designs that cater to any one of your friend’s styles or tastes.

Regardless of what you decided to do with these boxes. These little crafts can make a huge difference and incite a huge wow factor when giving away gifts inside of them. And they virtually take no time at all to make. They are simple, easy, and yet beautiful. Plus, you can show the person you’re giving them to how much you care. Because if you’re willing to go the extra mile to create a custom box that’s made just for them, how much more are they going to know that you’ll be there for them in the big things?

After all, the best gifts really do come in the smallest of packages. And when your small package is especially beautiful, how much more value is it going to add to the gift that you are giving. So, the next time you decide to give away small gifts. Take a few minutes to make a gift box that will knock the socks off anyone of your friends, family members, or coworkers. Happy Crafting!

3 Moving Scams To Watch Out For

Moving is already a difficult task, and it doesn’t need to be made more difficult by unethical people or companies trying to come along and take advantage of you. Yet, sadly, it happens. In order to protect yourself from these scams, it’s important to become aware of them, and follow a few tips in order to avoid being taken it by these “lowlifes”.

First let’s familiarize you with 3 common moving scams people try to get away with. The first is A Change In Charges. If you’re being offered a sweetheart of a deal, beware. A lot of times these movers will try to lure you in with a insanely low estimate, only later to turn around and double or triple charges after your shipping boxes are loaded and in their possession. They then will hold your things “hostage” until you pay their new bill.

The second scam is Invented Charges. This is when new clauses are added to the contract after you’ve already agreed to the terms. These clauses could include new driver fees, or for extra time required, or a number of any other things. Anytime this occurs, when things are added into your contract, after you’ve already agreed to the original terms, you’re probably dealing with a scam.

The third scam is The Bait and Switch. This is when the original estimate is based on one measurement or inventory of your belongings, but when the bill actually arrives you’re informed that your shipping boxes and other goods somehow exceed the original estimate. Even though, it was never part of the original estimate. Again, your belongings are help, until you agree to pay the new terms.

So, now the question is how do you protect yourself from these scams? Well, here are four tips that can help.

Don’t Sign a partial or “skinny” contract

Never sign a blank or incomplete contract with assurance that they’ll “fill out the details later”. Everything should be spelled our ahead of time. From the guaranteed price, to the delivery date, to the necessary supplies needed on your end, to a complete list of your shipping list, no stone should be left unturned nor should there be any questions in the contract.

Never put your furniture in an unmarked truck

If the moving company is on the up and up, they’ll have their trucks clearly marked. Their paperwork will have the company logo, and the movers themselves will either be in uniform or can clearly identify with the company you hired. Every part of your move should be traceable, including the truck.

Don’t pay cash

In fact, the only cash that should ever exchange hands during your moving process is when you tip the movers. Otherwise you have no way to track or prove if you’ve paid. When you pay cash, you increase the risk of your items of being held “hostage” or disappearing altogether.

Do your background research

As basic and simple as this seems, this step is incredibly important. It’s here where you can read reviews, find actual physical locations, and find a truly reputable moving company. Make sure as you search, they are recognized online, have positive reviews, and are in good standing.

Bad things happen to the best of us. But by taking these precautions and becoming aware of the scams out there, you can protect you, your family, and your shipping boxes from falling victim to yet another scam.