Most people remember to give their local post office their new address when they move, so mail can be forwarded. However, there are many other offices and companies that should be informed of your move and where indicating a change of address in advance can save you a lot of headaches.

Utilities. Let the electric, water and gas company know that you’re moving. Call and give them company a time and date to shut down the utilities in your old place and then do the same for your new location. Other utilities to keep in mind include phone (both landline and cell), cable, Internet and garbage pickup.

Personal Accounts. Inform your vet and your doctor that you’re moving. Ask for copies of medical files so you can pass on the information to your new doctor/vet. If they don’t want to share the files directly with you, give them the contact information for your health care providers and ask them to forward the information directly. Also, inform your insurance company and attorney.

Financial Accounts. Banks, credit card companies and loan institutions should be informed of your new address as soon as possible. Contact also your accountant if you have one, the IRS, government benefits offices (unemployment, social security, pension). You will eventually need to change your car registration address.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Packing up the garage can be a little intimidating. Not only do most people keep all sorts of mechanical equipment here, but the garage is usually where unused items, broken or discarded pieces and even off-season decorations end up. When you’re ready to start packing your garage, here are a few tips to make the process as painless as possible.

Decide what things you absolutely must bring with you. Get rid of anything that you use only occasionally or that has passed its useful timeline. Sell heavy or bulky items such as patio umbrellas or grills unless they’re one-of-a-kind and it would be too difficult or expensive to replace them.

Buy heavy-duty cardboard boxes that will stand the weight of equipment and metal parts. Secure them with packing tape all around before you start boxing things away, as the boxes might be too heavy to maneuver properly after the packing is finished.

Secure tools and small metal parts with plastic tabs or place them inside Taperware containers. Make sure you fill the containers to the top so there is no shifting. Place the full containers at the bottom of the cardboard boxes to avoid damaging other items.

Take apart any moving parts, blades or glass sections. Wrap everything individually using bubble wrap for fragile items. Pack everything in bags (so the parts don’t become separated) and then pack inside the same box. Dismantle patio furniture if possible.

Contact a car shipping company if you’re planning on taking your car along. If you’re not moving too far, consider driving the car yourself. Not only will this save you money, but you can also use the backseat and trunk to move extra items that are not allowed in moving trucks, such as plants, or items that are not protected by insurance, such as photo albums, jewelry and CDs or DVDs.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Whether you work from home, run your own business or simply want a place where you can sit down to sort your bills, a home office can turn into a welcome haven. While having a dedicated room for it would be ideal, even a small corner in the living room or kitchen can be turned into a home office if you’re willing to make some sacrifices in space and design. Here’s how to set up a home office in five simple steps:

1. Choose the location. Make sure it’s in a quiet area where you’ll be able to concentrate and out of the way from major family traffic. You can convert a spare bedroom into a home office if possible or have a room play both duties.
2. Buy furniture that fits the space. Don’t buy the furniture first and then choose the placement, or you might be stuck with a piece that doesn’t fit properly or wastes space. For small areas in the kitchen or living room, a small rectangular table with a drawer or a corner desk should be enough. If you can have your own room, consider an L-shaped desk, so you can maximize the surface space.
3. Make a list of the equipment you will need. If budget is tight, start with the basics and then add other pieces as money becomes available. Essential items include a computer, phone (with its own line if you’re running a business), printer (or invest in a 3-in-1 scanner, printer and fax machine) and answering machine. You will also need a hutch or a filing cabinet where you can store office supplies and paperwork.
4. Invest in a good lamp, so you can work without straining your eyes. Even if you have good overhead light, get a desk lamp.
5. Personalize the area. Make it inviting so you will want to spend time there. Add some picture frames with either personal photos or images you love. Make sure your chair is well padded, especially if you decide not to go with a standard office chair. Keep small baskets and penholders on the desk so it’s easy to organize everything at the end of the day.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Moving overseas is not something that happens every day, so chances are you will have extra time to prepare and organize the move. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t worry or put effort into the process. In fact, because of customs restrictions and costs, moving abroad presents its own set of problems you will need to deal with as early as possible.

If you’re moving to work with an international branch of your company, ask whether they will foot the bill for the move. Even if they don’t plan on paying for everything, you might be able to arrange for partial coverage, such as them paying for a few boxes or bags of essential or offering a partial payment towards the moving fee.

The next step should be to contact the embassy of the country you’re moving to and get a list of restrictions. Are there quarantine laws for pets? If you’re bring Fido along, what paperwork will you need? Are there limits on the type of items you can bring along (anything from guns to electronics to a knife collection)? What are the import and duties fees for different items? You might found out that is cheaper to replace some things than it would be to take them along.

Finally, research your destination. Humid climates may ruin works of art or photos, so might want to consider leaving them behind. If you’re going to be living in a small space or a hotel, it makes sense to take only the basics and sell large furniture or items.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Wood pellets stoves arte one of the most efficient heating sources you can have in a room. While they can’t warm up the whole house, they will keep a single room quite nicely and without a big expense. While wood pellet stoves burn wood, they don’t burn logs. You will need to buy special wood shavings or sawdust to burn in them.  They do have the advantage of costing less and taking less space to store than logs and larger-size wood pieces.

When it comes to choosing a wood pellet stove, keep in mind:

• Do you already have a fireplace? If so, you can install a special model of wood pellet stove right into it. If not, you can buy a freestanding model (more expensive).

• How much work do you want to do? Cheaper models are more manual-oriented, while more expensive options are completely automated. This means you don’t have to feed the pellets into the stove but only fill up the hopper (a special holding compartment) and the pellets will be released into the fire as needed.

• Check what the contract and service agreement provide and for how long. Because wood pellet stoves have moving parts, chances are you will to have it serviced at some point, which can be expensive if you have to pay out of pocket.

• Finally, choose a size that is big enough to heat the whole room, or you’ll end up wasting energy. You’ll need 25 to 30 BTU per each square foot of room.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

You probably won’t forget to finish packing your closet, but other important things might slip your mind.

1. Pack a lunch so you have something to eat at the last minute or in route. Don’t count on ordering in or cooking, as this can create more garbage and increase your work load.
2. Make sure everything in the house is locked, all lights are turned off and there is no electrical equipment left plugged in.
3. Check all cupboards for anything that could have been left behind.
4. Check the yard to make sure no toys or sports equipment is lying out there.
5. Make sure you have printed directions to your new home (or hotel or whatever it is you’re driving), as well as a list of important phone numbers.
6. Charge your cell phone to the max in case you get lost and need to call for directions or to ask for help.
7. If you’re a renter, take photos of any damage you see if you haven’t received your security deposit back, so there’s no chance for an inflated bill or for any discussions over charges.
8. Confirm with the person who is supposed to pick up the keys or call to make sure they will be there if you are supposed to drop them off. Is there more than one copy of the keys around? Make sure you don’t leave extra keys in hidden spaces outside the house or with friends or acquaintances.
9. Double check your purse to make sure you have all necessary documents with you. Pack some pain relievers (all the stress of moving can cause headaches), tissues and a small notebook and pen.
10. Take a moment to say goodbye to the place. Whether you have mostly good or bad memories of the house you’re living, it was an important part of your life and you should take the time to acknowledge and then move on to a new chapter.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Packing and moving doesn’t have to be wasteful.

• Only buy as much packing material as you will need to move. This is especially true of materials that can’t be recycled, such as bubble wrap. Try to estimate in advance how much you will need so you don’t buy in excess.
• Choose moving blankets in colors you like so you can reuse them in visible places, such as to cover a couch to protect it from dog hair. Large moving blankets can also be used as a secondary blanket for your guest room. Just use them in between the top sheet and a more elegant bedspread or blanket.
• Reuse your cardboard boxes to store things in your basement or attic. Wardrobe boxes can be used to store out-of-season clothes, and regular square boxes can make excellent containers for holiday decorations, sport equipment or items you plan to donate at some point.
• Use bubble wrap to secure presents or items you need to ship. This is cheaper than buying padded envelopes or paying for especial shipping.
• Donate your packing supplies to your local church or thrift store after you’re done unpacking. Blankets and boxes might be especially welcome.
• Ask your moving company in advance whether they have a recycling system in place. Some moving companies will pick up packing pellets or boxes from you after the move or they might be able to direct you to a place that will accept those items.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Moving doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. In fact, there are many little things you can do to save money and still have a successful move.

Don’t hire a moving company if you’re moving within the state. It will be cheaper to rent a truck and move yourself. You will also save money because you will be buying your own moving supplies and packing your cardboard boxes yourself.

Pack your moving boxes tightly. Not only will this save you money (you will need less boxes) but it will also protect your items from shifting and breaking during transportation.

Book the moving company or truck in advance. Waiting until the last minute will give you less room for bargaining and you run the risk of not finding an available slot in the cheapest company and having to settle for a more expensive one.

Buy packing supplies in bulk for better discounts. Buying complete sets is sometimes cheaper than buying all products separately, so look into that as well.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Mirrors can do a lot more than serve as a beauty aid. Placed in the right corner or area of your house, they can become a cheap and original way to change the look and feel of a room. Here are some good ideas on how to use mirrors:

• Place a mirror on top of a side table or coffee table and place a series of candles on top. The mirror will double the light and reflect it in unusual and fun ways, depending on what other lights you have on in the room.
• Hang a large mirror on the wall of a small room to make it appear larger.
• Hang a mirror next to window so the light from outside bounces on it and multiplies, making the room appear lighter and brighter. This is an ideal solution for rooms that are naturally dark or cave-like.
• Make a collective display using small mirrors as both decoration and as a trick to increase room size. Choose several mirrors of the same format but different sizes or mix and vice versa. Making sure all mirrors have something in common (size, form, frame or frameless, etc.) will create a more uniform display. This works well on bathroom or dining room wall or on the wall next to a staircase.
• Cover a plain wood tray with a mirror. You can use super glue or craft glue to secure it in place. You can then place the table on a dresser or a window ledge and use it to store perfumes, small knick knacks or jewelry.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

No matter how you look at it –Moving it’s expensive. While you can’t move for free, chances are you can save quite a bit of money if you plan the move with time and are willing to make some changes and sacrifices in order to reduce costs.

The first thing to do to get you started is to prepare a moving budget. Write down your expected expenses, including the truck fee, items like cardboard boxes and bubble wrap, insurance, extra services such as packing, equipment rental and lodging (if you are driving the moving truck yourself and need to stop along the way).

Add to the list a breakdown of expenses connected to your first few days in your new location. Think of connection fees for utilities, new cell phone contract, small fixes in your new place (anything from bulbs to an extra set of keys) and even take out for the first few days, when your kitchen is still unpacked.

Next, discuss fees with the moving company and see if you can save money by doing some things yourself. For example, offer to buy your own moving supplies, including your own cardboard boxes, for cheaper prices. You might also save money by buying the most basic insurance. This is an especially good idea if you already have home insurance, as this will most likely cover your items during the move.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites