No time to organize the whole house? Here are some tips to keep things in place in just 15 minutes:

• In the kitchen, have a bag holder handy so you can put all the extra shopping bags in as you unload the groceries.
• Throw away any storing containers you can’t find the lids for. You’ll never use them and they will just be around taking counter or cabinet space.
• Resist the temptation of piling up magazines on top of the coffee table.
• Take 15 minutes each week to throw away expired foods from your pantry and leftover that have been in the refrigerator for more than seven days.
• Create a play zone, so toys don’t get dumped all over the house. Place a large chest or 1 or 2 empty cardboard boxes at a corner so all toys can be thrown in at the end of the day. 
• Stick to one or two collections, so you can not only contain the clutter but also have a chance to expand them to the max.

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Don’t have the money to completely redo your living room or bedroom? No need to despair. There are some simple single items that will completely change the way a room feels and looks.

1. Paint the walls. Choose a contrasting color to whatever was there before. Stay away from whites and creams (the typical “safe” color for rentals) and instead go with something that provides character.

2. Get a large rug and place it under the table, near the bed or in front of the sofa to change the look of the floors and the texture of the room.

3. Hang art on the walls. Either a grouping of small framed print or a large painting, depending on the look you’re going for.

4. Change the curtains. From airy sheers to elegant voluptous drapes, your choice will change not only the atmosphere but also influence the theme of the room (elegant, country, eclectic).

5. Change the blinds. Go for wood or cloth if you prefer not to have curtains but still want privacy and darkness.

6. Add some greenery. Large potted plants are best for balconies and living rooms, while a collection of small potted herbs will probably add character to the kitchen.

7. Modify the lighting. Add some table lamps or a dimmer for mood lighting. Or use colored bulbs to alter the way a room looks and feels: red for parties and intimate dinners, blue to help you relax.

8. Hang a mirror in the room. Placed strategically, it can increase light, reflect the greenery from outside, and make a room appear larger.

9. Add a single piece of furniture. Make it extra tall so it draws the eyes up or choose something that is colorful, has some added decoration or features or includes a mirror.

10. Rearrange the furniture. It creates a completely different look even if you don’t add anything new to the room.

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Once you start packing boxes, it’s easy to get carried away and end up with no pots and pans around. When it comes to packing away the kitchen, you basically have two options: you either leave some basic stuff around so you can continue to cook, or you rely on delivery and your microwave to get you through. In both cases, you will still need to keep at least a bowl or plate and some cutlery out.

Another good option is to keep some take-out menus around and simply order in for every meal. This may turn out to be quite expensive if you’re packing for a week, but should be fine if it’s something you need to do for just a couple of days. This is also the best option for right after the move, when things are still packed away in moving boxes and you don’t have the time or energy to look for them.

Finally, you can also plan in advance and make sure you have enough stuff in the freezer to get you through. If you cook, double your recipes and freeze the excess, so you can just pop it in the microwave when needed. If not, buy packaged meals (anything from pizza to veggie burgers to Lean Cuisine dinners) that can be done in just a few minutes without any extra ingredients.

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While there’s no certain science behind the packing of books and magazines, there are ways in which you can box things up to make the most of space and your moving supplies, while also ensuring that your books will arrive to their destination in perfect shape.

Hardbacks may seem more resistant than other books, but they can be easily bent out of shape if stored in moving boxes with their spines up. For better protection, either box them standing up, vertically stacked against the sides of the packing boxes, or with their spines to the bottom of the boxes (horizontally). The first option allows for a second row on top, while the second option is best on smaller cardboard boxes. Packing hardbacks completely horizontal, with their front covers facing up, is the best option, but it usually wastes a lot of space.

Paperbacks can be stacked up in almost any form and position, although you’re unlikely to be able to safely make a second row if you’re packing the books vertically. Magazines are better off packed with the front covers facing up or down, as they will bend and lose shape if packed vertically. Do keep in mind that magazines are heavy and you should only be taking along copies that you absolutely love.

If you own any books that are particularly valuable or have special meanings, wrap them up in packing paper or bubble wrap before packing, so they do get damaged during shipping.

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If you’re doing all the packing and moving yourself, you will need to find a way to protect your back when picking up heavy cardboard boxes.

The first step will be to find a thick belt that wraps around your lower back and prevents your muscles from taking on the impact of the pick up. If you have a hard time finding a medical belt designed specifically for this purpose, try sport stores or gyms for belts used by bodybuilders.

Another tip, which you might have heard many times before, is to always lift with your legs, rather than your back. Simply bend your knees so you’re closer to the floor, put your hands under the box, making sure the weight is somewhat balanced on both sides and then lift the box as you straighten your legs to come up.

If possible, consider carrying heavy objects and moving boxes on wheels (such as a cart) or using small foot pads that can be placed under furniture to help it slide down the floor and towards the door. In most cases, it’s better to push than pull, as pushing involved the use of your whole body, while pulling puts added pressure on the arms and back.

Finally, enlist the help of a friend if at all possible and don’t feel bad about leaving things behind for the moving company to pick up on its own. This is a lot better than risking a pulled muscle because you’re trying to play superhero.

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Is the cost of moving leaving your wallet empty? Here are three easy and quick strategies to save some money in the process.

1. Packing boxes yourself. Companies that offer full-service box packing and moving are a lot more expensive. If you have a small apartment and just general stuff, rather than expensive fragile heirlooms, you could pack it yourself into moving boxes and pay for the pick up and delivery only.

2. Declutter. Move only the things you love. Don’t take along duplicates of anything and always estimate whether is would be cheaper to move it or to buy it new once you arrive at your destination.

3. Sell what you don’t love. Websites like Craigslist are great for making some quick money selling furniture, electronics and sport equipment you don’t want to take along. Not only will you save money because you’re taking less stuff, but you will actually earn some as well.

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Whether you were married for 10 years or lived together for six months, packing boxes up and leaving a failed relationship can be one of the most difficult things to do. While the emotional turmoil cannot really be avoided, there are probably some things you can do to make the transition easier on both yourself and your possessions.

– Be clear on what you are entitled to take. If the divorce was amicable, then make the time to discuss who keeps what. Don’t feel obligated to take anything you don’t really love just because your partner doesn’t want it either. This may be the perfect time to get rid of stuff you don’t love or need. If the relationship ended in turmoil, you may need to agree on things in writing or have somebody present while you’re packing boxes, just to avoid later conflict.

– Resist the temptation of throwing away photos, heirlooms or presents given by your significant other, especially if they’re things you love. Rather than doing so in a moment of rage and regretting it later, grab a large cardboard box and throw in anything that is directly connected to your ex. Once the box is full, close it, seal it with packing tape and put it away. You can always come back to it later.

– Don’t pack in a moment of rage. Go away for a few hours (or a few days) and then come back to pack with a clear head. Don’t dwell on things, though. Just get it done as quickly as possible and leave the place.

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Both the front and the back yard can greatly improve the selling price of your home. Because open green spaces are scarce, especially in the big cities, making the most of what you have can entice a uncertain seller into making the final jump. To greatly improve the selling power of your home, try these tips:

– Plant a garden in the front yard. You don’t need a green thumb to do this, as many flower shops now sell ready-to-plant greenery that just needs to be transplanted from a pot to the ground. Choose brightly colored flowers that are in bloom for more than just a few weeks a year.

– Use potted plants if you don’t have enough space for a garden in the front yard. Go for large terracotta pots for the best effect.

– Put a table and chairs (brought iron or weathered wood are both great) in the backyard. It feels inviting and allows potential buyers to imagine themselves enjoying the place.

– Clear away clutter, garden supplies and accessories. Put garbage cans away so they’re not the first thing buyers see when they open the door to the backyard.

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If you don’t have the space, fake it. Even small rooms can seem spacious if you know some tricks of the trade when it comes to organizing and decorating your home. 

– Avoid oversized furniture, which will take too much space and overwhelm the room. Instead, stick to a few pieces that impress because of their design and color, rather than their size.

– No knick-knacks everywhere. Souvenirs, small decorative objects with no useful purpose and clutter all make a room feel smaller. To fight that, clear the room of anything that serves no purpose and then choose high-impact details, such as a nice framed picture and a porcelain vase, to personalize the space.

– Repaint the walls if you can. Lighter colors create the illusion of space (a white ceiling, for example, would seem higher than a dark one). If you can’t repaint because you’re renting, replace the curtains and rug for a new, lighter version and then other touches of soft colors, as a throw placed on the sofa or a new comforter in pastel tones. 

– Move the furniture away from the walls. Even a few inches of separation will create the illusion of air and space. 

– Think vertical. Tall furniture and storage spaces give the impression of a more open room. Rather than a low, chunky dresser, choose a tall, thin wardrobe. This will open up more floor space and make the place feel less cramped.

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If your FICO score is 680 or less, you may have some trouble convincing a bank that is safe for them to loan you money for a house. If that’s the case, don’t despair –It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re out of luck when it comes to fulfilling your dream of home ownership. It may take just a little bit longer and require a little more work, but here are some ideas that will get you on your way. 

1. Obtain a major credit card and work on bettering your credit score. This will take a while, so patience is essential. Make a couple of big purchases a month and then pay them off in full at the end of the month, when the bill comes in. Slowly, this will start showing up in your credit report and encourage lenders to see you as a responsible person. If you give it enough time, it will eventually start to also increase your FICO score.

2. Save up a larger down payment. The more money you are able to put down as a cash payment at the time of signing, the less will be left for financing. Coming up with $20,000 may seem impossible at first, but look into small loans, credit card advances and even the possibility of selling your car or jewelry to amass that amount. 

3. Obtain seller financing. Rather than getting a bank to pay for the house, work out an agreement with the seller in which you pay a certain amount per month (as you would if you were renting) towards the price of the house. You will probably still need to come up with a down payment, but it’s still easier than having to save up the whole amount.

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