In an effort to save money, you may be tempted to pack your stuff using empty boxes and old blankets. The truth is, however, that moving supplies are usually a lot stronger and better suited for moving and packing than the average boxes you can snatch for free at the corner store.

A good example of this is packing tape, which often comes with its own dispenser to make it easier to tape the moving boxes shut using just one hand. Also, packing tape is water resistant and a lot stronger than most alternatives. This is especially important if you want to ensure moving boxes will not be tampered with or if you need to stamp or write on the tape itself (duct tape, as strong as it is, does not take to writing very well).

Finally, packing boxes are made of corrugated carton which is meant to be strong enough to support even pounds and pounds of books, while regular cardboard boxes may collapse under the weight. Wardrobe moving boxes can also offer better protection for delicate clothing than standard cardboard boxes would.

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Packing up the home office carries a few specific problems that should be addressed. In particular, printers and fax machines, as well as all-in-one machines like copy/printer/scanners, each have toner or ink cartridges. Improperly packing these items in a regular cardboard boxes can mean a thorough mess. The good news is that the aggravation of finding ink all over your precious files can be alleviated by removing these items from the machine and stowing them in individual plastic bags, preferably Ziplock bags.

Another concern is organization. When packing files, organize your papers beforehand so that after arrival all tax related information, for example, can be found in the same area. If books will be part of the move, choose moving boxes that are on the small side so you don’t throw your back out-books can be heavy. Also, go through your books before you pack -You might find that there are some you don’t need and these can be given away.

Basic office supplies like paperclips should be sealed in containers so they don’t spill all over the box. Likewise, pens and pencils can be wrapped in one big bundle with a rubber band.

Furniture that disassembles can be broken down, with small parts being stowed into small moving boxes and larger pieces left out for hand carrying.

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Moving Supplies for any move are here at Direct Moving Boxes

ADVANCED CHARGES: These are additional charges invoiced by other than the movers. They could be paid to insurance companies, storage units or craftsmen, to help ensure the safe shipping and delivery of your items. When the moving company arranges for these services, they are billed as Advanced Charges and must be paid for at the time of shipping.

CARRIER: International moving companies are officially known as carriers.

DECLARED VALUE: The value you assign to the items for insurance purposes. Most companies have a limit to which some objects can be insured, but it’s still up to you to come up with a value that you consider fair.

FULL SERVICE MOVE: Moving service in which the company is in charge of the actual packing, moving and delivery of all the items. You don’t need to pay for packing boxes or do any of the work yourself when you hire this type of service.

HIGH VALUE ARTICLE: Any item that you want to value at more than $100. Depending on the company, you may need to prove the value/price of such item by showing paperwork or an official appraisal.

PEAK SEASON RATES: Moving is usually more expensive in summer, especially if you don’t book well in advance.

SHUTTLE SERVICE: If your home is situated on a street large vehicles cannot reach, the company may need to use an additional, smaller van to move items from your home to the larger van. In this case, you will be charged an additional fee known as shuttle service fee.

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Packing boxes fast!

If you want to get your moving boxes packed fast you need to be a little organized.

Before you even buy moving boxes you should make a list of everything you need to pack. Your packing list should be broken down by room and or person. After you finish making the packing list of items from each room you should then group items that can be packed into cardboard boxes together. For example, Bedroom items such as pillows, blankets and bed sheets can be placed into extra large moving boxes.  Dresser draw items such as make-up, hair combs, perfumes, non valuable jewelry etc. can be placed into medium moving boxes. Make sure to fill in empty spaces in your moving boxes with have crumbled up packing paper so your items will not shift around.

Creating this list may seem like work but it is quick and easy to create. Having a moving list like this will help you be more exact when buying moving supplies and packing boxes. If you still need help on how many moving supplies and packing boxes you need, try one of our pre-made moving kits. Each moving kit we sell is broken down by room size and will help you with packing boxes fast.
Visit our home page and start shopping for your packing boxes and moving supplies.

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Direct Moving Boxes has great prices on boxes and moving supplies.

When it comes to moving, the earlier you start preparing your things, the less trouble you are likely to run into. Moving is more than just putting things away in packing boxes, which is why having a specific time line in mind will help you streamline the process and make the most out of every minute.

The best time to get started is about a month before you actually move. This is the time to research the basics, including finding out about your new neighborhood, how and when you will need to turn the utilities on in your new place and whether you should be looking into opening new bank accounts or renting a P.O.Box there. This is also the time to look into pet-friendly hotels, in case you need to sleep overnight somewhere before the movers get home. If you are hiring a full-service moving company, which will pack and move everything for you, you should also create a detailed inventory of everything you’re shipping. Taking pictures of your most valuable items would also help.

Two weeks before the move is the right time to make all needed reservations, confirm with the moving company and start packing boxes. Fifteen days may seem like a long time to spend putting moving boxes together, but you probably need that much time if you want organized cardboard boxes that will be easy to unpack once you get to your new home. This is also the right time to verify your insurance and see if you need any additional coverage for special collectibles or valuable objects.

Seven to five days before you move, make sure your moving boxes are all packed and ready to go. Start putting together a bag or smaller box to take along with you, packed with all the essentials you need to survive a few days in your new home (you probably won’t feel like unpacking as soon as you get there). Also, check with the electric and phone company and have your utilities turned on. Don’t wait until the day of the move to do this –If you run into a problem or something fails, you’ll be stuck in the dark.

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We have home moving kits that fit everyone's moving needs. They contain all of the moving supplies that you need to get your belongings packed right.

Bigger is not always better. When it comes to buying a home, especially a first home, choosing a small space can actually be the wisest choice.

Assuming a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and a low interest rate (8 percent or less), a small house will probably end up costing you the same per month than you would be paying for rent. This is a huge plus, as many people put off buying a home because they assume the costs would be astronomical. On the other hand, a large house that costs twice what you would normally pay in rent could end up being a huge financial burden.

Smaller houses are easier and quicker to fix, a big plus if you’re planning on selling early or are interested in an investment, rather than looking for a permanent place to live. Also, the smaller the home, the easier it would be to make at least part of the repairs yourself without feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re a first-time buyer who just spent all his money on the down payment, a smaller house could also benefit you because it’s easier to maintain: less electricity, less furniture to buy, less heat needed during the winter to keep the place cozy. While these may sound like small things, they add up over the course of a year.

Finally, buying a smaller home can mean having some money leftover every month to invest in other ventures. For example, you could contribute more to your IRA or 401(k) or buy stocks. You could probably also afford to repair your car without having to use your credit card in the process.

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Pack your belongings safely with the right moving supplies from Direct Moving Boxes.

Kids’ bedrooms are a lot more than just a place for them to sleep. Done right, they can also double as playrooms, study rooms and even hideouts. Aside from the obvious bed, what else do you need to make a kid’s room just perfect?

A couch or armchair. May sound a little pretentious if your kids is just five years old, but he will grow up, won’t he? Besides, armchairs are more comfortable for reading and lunging around. And the next time your child has a fever and you need to sleep in his room, you’ll definitively be happy to have a place to sit.

Entertainment options. TVs, DVD players or Playstations are usually at the top of the list when it comes to keeping kids busy, but don’t forget to create a small library (set it up in a corner, with a bean chair or a few comfy pillows nearby to encourage reading). Depending on the age and preferences of your kids, you can add some inflatable toys or building toys, as well as small musical instruments or make-believe toys, such as kitchen sets or basketball hoops.

Decoration. Don’t go overboard here. Sure, your kid may love cowboys today, but he may feel the same way about astronauts a month from now and you don’t want to be stuck with a room that looks like the Wild West when that happens. To personalize a room, opt for details, rather than a general theme. For example, you can indulge your kid’s love of sports by choosing a bedspread or curtains featuring sport topics, or by adding a few items around the room that support the decoration but are also practical (Does your kid play hockey? Strategically hang the hockey stick on the inside of the bedroom door as a nice decoration). You can always add a rug to match as well.

Whatever you decide to do with the room, always allow some room for spontaneity. You want your kids to add their personal touch to the place. Give them a few empty shelves or drawers so they can use them any way they please, and don’t get upset if furniture is moved around or toys suddenly find a new favorite spot. Letting your kid’s personality show through is what it’s all about.

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Plan your move and get the right packing supplies to get the job done.

1. Order internet and cable service for your new home. It usually takes several days (or even weeks) before things are up and running, so make sure you do this well in advance of your moving date.
2. Change your address. Let the post office know you want your mail forwarded to the new address.
3. Make sure your home will be ready on time. If you aren’t sure or if you need a place to stay in between homes, book a hotel in advance. Confirm that pets are allowed if you are taking them along and make sure your furniture doesn’t arrive to your new location before you do.
4. Let the companies know when to shut down the utilities. Phone, electricity and water/gas should be shut down either the day that you are moving or the morning after. You can usually specify the exact day you want things turned off and sometimes you may be able to request a time (evening, mid-day, etc.). This will allow you to check that everything is off by the time you leave the house for the last time.
5. Make sure you change the delivery address of anything you are subscribed to. This includes magazines and newspapers, but also other common services like food or dry cleaning.
6. Paint the new home as early as possible before your move. If you have access to the place, painting the walls (or doing anything that requires the use of strong chemicals) is best done in advance, so the place will have a chance to breathe before you get there.

And don’t forget to get your packing supplies!

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Special care needs to be taken when moving plants in moving boxes.

Moving plants is a difficult task, whether you do it yourself or you pay a moving company to do it. If you choose the second option, do keep in mind that some won’t transport plants at all, so ask in advance if there are limitations and rules. Next, consider whether it is worth it to transport your plants at all. If you just have a couple of potted plants you absolutely love, it may make sense to take them along, but a large collection will probably end up costing you a fortune to move without any guaranties that they will arrive to their destination in good condition.

Once you’ve decided which plants you want to move, your next step is to place the plants in cardboard boxes. This will prevent breakage and keep the plants protected from dust and excessive heat. If you need to close the boxes, remember to punch holes in them so the plants can breathe. Also wrapping your plant pot with stretch wrap will help prevent soil from spilling out.

When loading the moving boxes, make sure they are stacked against a flat surface so they won’t tilt and fall. If necessary, push some furniture against the moving boxes so there’s no moving during transportation.

Finally, make sure you unpack the plants as soon as you arrive to your destination. For the first few days, put them in a neutral space, away from heavy drafts and strong sunlight. Then slowly move them to their final spot.

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Move your belongings safely with quality Packing Boxes.

1. Not cleaning their old place. If you wait to finish packing and clearing the house until the last day, chances are you won’t have much time to get things straighten out. This means you will either have to pay somebody to do it for you or risk losing part of your security deposit if you’re renting.
2. Running out of moving supplies. Most people buy less moving boxes and packing tape that they need, which means they need to run for more in the middle of their packing frenzy.
3. Failing to get insurance and liability coverage from the movers. Some it’s included, but you need about extra coverage if you have valuable items.
4. Failing to get rid of junk. Don’t think you will do it once you get to your new home. Get rid of things now, before packing, so you don’t end up paying to transport things you don’t really want or need.
5. Trying to unpack all your moving boxes on the first day. Unpacking is as stressful and difficult as packing. If you marked your moving boxes carefully, you should know which ones contain essential items that need to be unpacked right now (cooking supplies) and which ones can wait a few days (off-season clothing).
6. Forgetting to take breaks. Packing is hard work, both physically and mentally. Give yourself a few minutes to breathe (10 minutes every hour or so) and you’ll end up being a lot more productive.
7. Failing to write down an inventory. You will need it in case something is missing or broken or you leave a box behind.

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