Books are an item that can be damaged very easily when your moving. Try some of the below tips to  make sure they have a safe move to there new home.

1) Pack in small to medium size moving boxes. 1 book is light but when you put a bunch in a box it can get heavy really fast. If you have a large book collection like i do, its best to stick with medium moving boxes. Medium boxes hold more books then small boxes and are still easy to lift.

2) Group books by size. Put all your smaller soft cover books in one box and your large hard covers in another, this will help you fill the box more complete.

3) Fill empty space with moving supplies. Since books come is all shapes and sizes you will have some empty space in the box. Simply take moving supplies such as packing paper, bubble wrap or newspaper and crumble it up and fill in empty spaces. Doing this will help prevent your items from shifting around during the move.

4) Label the moving boxes with the word “Books”.

Optional
5) Weather proof the box. Sometimes it rains during your move and sometimes it doesn’t but why take a chance. Simply wrap the packed boxes with some stretch wrap. Make sure to wrap the top and bottom of the box for a complete seal.

Follow the above quick tips to you keep your books safe when moving. If you have have books you don’t want anymore, give them to a friend or donating them to your local library.

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Packing can be time consuming and lets face it time is money. If your not prepared, you will waste a lot of time and get the wrong amount of moving supplies and boxes. So before you start packing, simple follow the below quick tips to help you get those moving boxes packed faster.

Tips that will help you pack moving boxes faster

1) Divide your home into sections such as, bedrooms, kitchen, garage, bathroom, etc.

2) Next, do inventory of each section or room such as, closets, furniture, accessories and items in each room that need packing.

3) After that, group the inventory items that you listed above, that will be placed together in the same box. Example, movie DVD’s & music CD’s same box.

4) Then after everything is grouped together, simple count up all the estimated boxes you will need. Example, 1 medium box for movie DVD’s & music CD’s.

Following the above quick packing tip will help you be more organized which will lead you to pack faster and more efficiently. Also doing this packing list will guide you to better estimate the amount of moving boxes you will need to purchase for your move.

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No need to spend money on pink flamingos or other tacky decorations, even if it seems that’s all you can afford. The truth is that you can completely change the look of your yard for under $100.

• Yard figurines can be found at Home Depot, flower shops and sometimes at places like the Dollar Store. Choose items that would fit well with a garden theme, such as garden animals or fairies and place them under plants, so they appear to be peeking out, or next to potted plants.
• Plant flowers or trees alongside the edges of the garden. Or create smaller areas within a large yard by planting bushes to create sections. Potted plants also have a place in the yard. Simply set them up in a group in a corner. They’re a good option to create a feeling of lushness and will work in areas where there’s no soil, like near the front steps of the house or under the porch.
• Move some furniture outside. If you have an old table or a couple of chairs that you no longer want inside the house, move them to the yard and create a small breakfast area. Furniture left outside will be exposed to the elements and probably get ruined, so make sure you only use things you don’t mind losing.

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If you’re renting a place, chances are you’re not allowed to repaint it or make major changes to the structure or look of the place. This doesn’t mean you have to live with the impersonal, dull beige paint that is standard in most rented places. After you finish unpacking your moving boxes try some of the below changes you can make without altering the structure of the place:

• Use a piece of furniture or a folding screen to create a cozy area within a room or to divide a large room into two. The back of a sofa can create a division between the living and dining room, or you can use a bookcase to achieve the same result.
• Change the hardware in your kitchen cabinets. Choose something bright and bold, or something large and ornamental. Make them shine and make an impact.
• Hang large rugs on the wall to change the color without painting it. You might need to ask permission to put nails on the wall, though. Or use Velcro and something lighter, like sheets.
• Floors are easy: just buy a large area rug.
• Just because you can’t hang paintings on the wall doesn’t mean you should give up on the idea. Get an easel to display the pictures or place them on a table, leaning against the wall.

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Throw away, donate, recycle. The three commandments of decluttering can save you lots of headaches when trying to get your home organized. If you’re having a hard time parting with things, follow these easy steps.

1. The Rule of 10. Organizers swear by the Rule of 10, which states that every 10 days, you should get rid of 10 items. You can choose anything from knickknacks to old clothes to expired food or old leftovers. Things can be donated or trashed, depending on what they are and their condition.

2. Designate homes for your things. Get large plastic containers, moving boxes, or an extra set of drawers and put everything away. This includes bills, paperwork, seasonal decorations or sport items. Create a rule that whatever gets into the house has to be put in its proper place within five hours (or within a day if you’re on the go).

3. Attack one room at a time. If the room is overflowing with things, attack one box or a drawer at a time. Go through it quickly, keeping only the things that you absolutely love or need. If you can’t decide within 10 seconds, let it go.

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Moving is usually an emotional time and chances are you won’t be in the mood (or even have the energy) to make big decisions about anything. The truth, however, is that in the rush of packing boxes and getting ready to leave, you’ll probably end up taking things that you don’t want, need or even remember owning.

If you can plan your move in advance, a good way to make things easier on you (and save you money in the process) is to go through your belongings and get rid of everything you don’t consider essential. If you haven’t used it in a while, it’s broken or has no sentimental value, there’s no reason to cart it along to your next destination.

The process of discarding things should be quick. If you dwell too long on your decision, you’ll have a harder time letting go. Give yourself five seconds to decide whether you want to keep an item or not. If you hesitate, chances are you don’t really want it.

Have a few cardboard moving boxes set up and mark them with the words Trash, Recycle, Donate, Keep. As you go through your closet, kitchen cupboards or storage bags in the garage, quickly put items in specific moving boxes and then keep moving on to the next item. Once a box is full, resist the temptation of looking inside and instead just close it and put it away.

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When shopping for a moving company, stay away from these three types:

The company that won’t budge on price or offer some kind of discount. Companies might have a starting price, but most offer some cheaper alternative as well. They should also be willing to work with your budget and look for ways to cut costs (even if it means eliminating some perks) in order for you to be able to afford the price. If a moving and shipping company is not willing to match a competitor’s price, you should also consider walking away.

A company without a track record. Mom-and-pop establishments are fine if you can verify they’re the real deal. Always check with the Better Business Bureau and do a quick Google search for the name of the company. You’d be surprised at the things that come up.

A company that doesn’t provide the services you need. If you need a full service pickup, don’t settle for a company that requires you to pack your own moving boxes. And if you need to save money by packing yourself, don’t let a company pressure you into paying for extra services.

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If you thought time management was just for work or your social life, think again. Many of the activities we have to do at home can eat away at your time if you don’t plan them well. Lack of planning can also cost you money, as you might end up buying duplicate items or misplacing a bill and forgetting to pay it, resulting in a late fee. While getting organized is important, these time-management tips will also help you improve your home life:

Have a designated place for everything. If all the bills to pay go into a specific folder and all dirty clothes go into the hamper, you won’t lose time searching for them when you need them.

Plan your meals in advance or cook in batches. Instead of making a single lasagna, make two. It won’t take much more time and you can freeze it to use when you don’t have time to cook. Or spend a few hours on Sunday cooking and freezing meals so you don’t have to cook the rest of the week.

Buy in bulk. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll spend less time driving back and forth to the stores to replace things. Try to find a single store (or maybe a couple) that offer everything you need, so you don’t have to drive all over the city to replenish your pantry.

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Before you sign a contract with a moving company, it’s important that you do your homework. This means a lot more than just picking up the phone and asking how much they charge. In fact, the quote you get on the phone can mean nothing depending on what the service includes and whether there are hidden extras.

Your first two questions should be how much do you charge and for what? Some full-service companies will pack your belongings but ask you to provide the packing boxes and other moving supplies. Other companies will simply show up and bring the moving boxes to the van. Even there you can find differences, as some companies will charge extra if you live on the second floor or away from the street.

Next, ask about insurance. What does it cover and what’s excluded? Can you buy additional insurance if you choose to? Is the insurance price based on the number of moving boxes you have or the size of the truck used? Does it depend on the declared value of your items? What about the billing? Is the price quoted an estimate or the final cost?

The more questions you ask at the beginning, the less chances you’ll make a mistake when it comes time to sign the final contract.

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1. Plan it well. Know what you need done and when do you want it. If you want to completely remodel your kitchen, you will need more than just a few days to get it all done. Don’t rush the job or you might end up with something disappointing or halfway finished.
2. Look for a contractor you feel comfortable with. Talk to a few, get a feeling for how they work, what their experience is and what they offer for the money. If possible, find a contractor that specializes in what you need done, rather than a general one.
3. Set up a budget. Tell the contractor upfront what your budget is and let him figure out how to deal with it. Discuss options and set up a payment schedule so you know what to expect.
4. Put it in writing. No hand shaking. Make the contract detailed and very clear.
5. Make sure you understand what you’re getting for the money and who pays for what. Will the contractor pay for things out of the total budget or do you have to pay for additional fixtures. If he’s the one paying, do you have a say in style and models or are you stuck with whatever the contractor chooses?

Follow these tips clearly and you’ll end up with a successful experience and a beautiful finished room to boost.

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