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How To Live Your Life While Moving Without Going Insane

Posted on June 25, 2018 in Preparing for a move by Ninja Movers Leave a comment
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If you’re one of the lucky souls who’s able to move while between jobs, when the kids are at summer camp, and are generally able to put life on hold, you are part of a very exclusive and fortunate club. While preparing for a move is a lot of work for everyone, this post of for the rest of us; this is for the people who have to work 8+ hours a day, and generally manage our lives, while preparing to move. Here’s how to do it:

Image Public Domain via Pixnio

Make a To-Do List

Preparing for a move is almost easy when you break it up into small, manageable pieces. Say you have 100 boxes to pack (not uncommon), if you pack five boxes per evening, you’ll be done within 20 days. Involve the spouse and the children, and it will be less. Pack books and knick-knacks first. It’s doubtful you’ll be needing them before the move. Pack off-season clothing next. Pack in-season clothing, the kitchen, and linens last. Here is an excellent moving timeline. We all know how satisfying it is to check items off your to-do list.

Purge

Preparing for a move is the time to clean out, to get rid of what you no longer need. Go through your closet and your drawers. If you haven’t worn something for two years, donate it. If you are waiting to fit into an outfit again, you can store it, or get rid of it. Don’t you want new clothes when you reach your goal? I would advise keeping one item to keep you motivated, though.

Plan Relaxation Time

Even you can’t be all work all the time. Plan some relaxation, whether that means a hike with the dog or a day at the spa. You’ll be even more energized to work afterwards.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

You might be Superwoman or Superman, but that’s on a normal day. Preparing for moving is not normal, at least not for most people. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Leave the kids with the in-laws. Hire a housekeeper. Do takeout or a meal delivery service. Take a day or two (or five) off from work. Or, hire a mover to do all the packing for you.

Make it Fun

No one says moving has to be all work. Crank up the music. Have a dance-off. Make it a competition; whoever can pack the most boxes, wins. Of course, always pick them up and do a quick shake to make sure everything is packed tightly.

What To Watch Out For When Moving Your Refrigerator

Posted on February 16, 2018 in Preparing for a move by Ninja Movers Leave a comment
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When most people think about moving, they think about packing loose goods and moving furniture. They don’t typically give a lot of thought to moving their appliances because, well, people don’t typically give a lot of thought to appliances anyway. That’s changing, especially when it comes to moving your refrigerator.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Parker, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, uses a hand cart to remove a personal refrigerator from his office Oct. 24, 2014, on RAF Mildenhall, England. Parker saw an opportunity to save energy by removing his refrigerator from his office and using the communal one in the kitchen area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gina Randall/Released)

Today’s appliances are more expensive and more intricate than ever. From stainless steel to nickel, from six burner stoves to refrigerators that tell you when you’re out of milk, appliances do more than ever before and more and more people want to take them to their new homes.

Here’s what to watch out for when moving your refrigerator

Moving appliances can be a bit tricky. If you have a gas range and a gas dryer, you’ll want to have a plumber disconnect them before you do anything.

Empty it

This piece of advice sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people don’t empty their refrigerators before the move. Even the tiniest plastic bottle of mustard rattling around on the inside can cause serious damage. You also want to remove any magnets from the outside.

Secure it

Remove all the shelves and drawers and wrap them in packing blankets. Be sure to label everything.

Unplug it

That’s self explanatory.

Unplug the water line and drain it

If your refrigerator has an ice maker or a water dispenser, there is a thin copper pipe at the back. Unscrew it and drain the contents into a bucket. You may need to remove the door to get to the ice maker, but that will also need to be drained.

Defrost the freezer

If you have the type of freezer that collects frost, defrost it before the move.

Secure the doors

Wrap blankets around the entire refrigerator and then tape around the blanket. Taping around the blanket will save you the nightmare of having to remove tape from the refrigerator itself.

If your refrigerator is big or your doorway are narrow, you may need to remove the doors.

Grab a friend and a dolly

Refrigerator moving is a job for at least two. Secure it to the dolly and roll it to the truck. Make sure you have a ramp because lifting it will be very difficult.

Let the refrigerator sit for a few days after the move

Refrigerators take a few days for all of the fluids to settle down and for the temperature to adjust. It could take up to three days.

Featured image via Milden Hall Air Force Base.

Six Things You Can Do To Make Sure Your Move Goes As Smoothly As Possible

Posted on December 19, 2017 in Advice, Preparing for a move by Ninja Movers Leave a comment
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The vast majority of complaints against movers are about delays, broken items and extra charges. In fact, you might hear so much about that sort of thing that you almost think the complaints are unavoidable. They aren’t.

Featured image via Pixabay

These six steps will make your move go as smoothly as possible

1. Get at least three estimates

Even if a friend insists you have to use their mover, remember that even the worst movers have some happy customers. Do your homework. Check their online reviews. Verify that each mover you’re considering is licensed — their licensing information should be on their websites. After you do all of that, invite at least three movers to give you estimates. Don’t just go by the cheapest, though. Examine each estimate and make sure they are comparing apples to apples. If one mover says they can do the job in 10 hours and another in four, there’s something wrong. Look closely at the inventory lists to make sure nothing is left off.

2. Ask your mover for packing advice

Many customers want the movers to pack for them, but for those who don’t, ask for packing advice. Ask how many boxes you need, and what kind. Ask how to pack certain items, especially breakables. If your mover isn’t willing to offer you advice for free, choose a different mover.

3. Ask about weird things that might need to be packed

I always like to tell people that if it isn’t furniture, it needs to be in a box. That includes pictures and mirrors, lamps, electronics and in many cases, even mattresses. If you aren’t prepared, your mover will pack these items, but you will pay.

4. Take pictures of the place you are moving into

In most cases, movers don’t see the place you’re moving into until they arrive with a full truck. There may be situations, though, where the destination address can add to the cost of the move. Take your phone or tablet on a virtual tour, including from the place the truck would park to the front door. Send the video to your moving estimator.

5. Tell your property manager you’re moving

Many buildings, especially elevator buildings, require people to reserve specific slots for moving. If your mover shows up and your building won’t let you move, you will still pay in most cases.

6. Reserve parking spaces

In many cities, like San Francisco, if your moving truck needs to park on the street, you may need to reserve the space.

5 Simple Alternatives To Living On Pizza While Preparing For Your Move

Posted on December 4, 2017 in Preparing for a move by Ninja Movers Leave a comment
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One of the biggest struggles during the moving process is balancing real life against the temporary but very disruptive packing/moving stage. The kitchen, as we all know, is the most time consuming room to pack, but it’s also the most necessary for day-to-day life. Thankfully, there’s takeout, but unless you live in a major city, you’re pretty much limited to pizza and Chinese food — and then there’s the cost and the calories.

Featured image via Pizza Queen/Flickr.

The good news, though, is that you don’t have to live on pizza and Chinese food. You can keep eating normal (and healthy) food right up until moving day.

Pack everything but the microwave

Before you start packing, prepare some of your own microwavable dishes. Pasta dishes heat well, as do soups and casseroles. Freeze them in single use serving sizes (or refrigerate them if we’re talking days instead of weeks) and microwave them when you’re ready. A pre-made salad mix from the supermarket will make it a well-rounded meal.

Make sandwiches

Nearly everyone loves a good sandwich, and they can be surprisingly nutritious. If your sandwich repertoire includes the basics like turkey, tuna and PB&J and would like a little more variety, a quick Google search will give you thousands. Real Simple has several that I’ve tried and definitely get my seal of approval.

Barbecue

Who says you can only barbecue during the summer? People who aren’t in the process of moving, that’s who. While cleaning the grill can be a pain, it’s nothing compared to cleaning pots and pans, the stove (or oven) and counters.

Buy and instant pot

Instant pots are the newest hot things in cooking tools and for very good reasons. In minutes, you can whip up a meal that would otherwise take hours. Not only that, the cleanup is simple. Here are several recipes to get you started.

Ask for help

Odds are you’re past the age of enlisting your friends for the backbreaking work, but if a kind friend offers to help, take them up on it. Ask them to bring you some leftovers.

Five Ways To Help Your Friends Move Without Destroying Your Back

Posted on November 28, 2017 in Advice, Preparing for a move by Ninja Movers Leave a comment
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Back in the day, moving meant wrangling all your closest friends (and hopefully someone with a pickup truck), springing for pizza and beer and hoping everything and everyone ends the day in the same condition as they started.

A few years have passed. Now we hire pros to help us move. That doesn’t mean we stop needing our friends. If you have friends who are moving, you don’t have to feel helpless and you don’t have to sacrifice your back. Here are ___ ways you can help your friends move:

1. Cook something

Even if your friends haven’t yet packed the kitchen, the last thing they want to think about is cooking and who wants to eat pizza or Chinese food every single meal? Your friends might not have time to accept a dinner invitation, but if you bring the dinner to them… Just don’t forget plates and utensils.

2. Help sort

Packing and purging can be difficult and time-consuming. Even useless items might have memories attached. A neutral party might be just the help your friend needs. Sure, that old stuffed animal might remind her of when her daughter was young, but wouldn’t a digital picture of the ragged toy work just as well? Does your friend really need to hang on to that chip from the charity casino? Perhaps you can gently remind your friends what really matters and help them save money and time.

3. Help pack

Packing can be a little back breaking, but no where near as bad as moving furniture. Offer to help pack a box or two. Any little bit will be appreciated.

4. Shop

Even when people are trying to eliminate stuff, they are using stuff. Your friends might find themselves short on some necessities, or perhaps they need packing and cleaning supplies. Odds are you’re going to the store anyway, so why not offer to pick things up for your friends?

5. Babysit kid or walk dogs

Pets and young children can get in the way or even freak out during moves. Help your friends out by offering to care for their loved ones, even for just a few hours.

Featured image via PublicDomainPictures.net.

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