Packing Photos and Memorabilia for the Move

Preserving your family photos and other memorabilia is very important. These items are priceless. It is crucial that you take great care of your memories. Here are some tips to help you:

• For photographs, place a piece of paper in between each one to prevent sticking.
• Seal the photos in plastic bags so they are not exposed to the elements.
• Place pieces of cardboard in between group of photos and then pack them tightly in a box.
• Make sure you have albums that are high quality and are good for storage.
• Once you're done packing the photos, label the boxes by year or person or event so you can easily keep track of them

Similar practices can be followed to pack any type of collectibles or memorabilia. If you plan on keeping your items in a self storage unit, try to find a facility with climate-controlled units to be safe.

Spring Cleaning Time!

Springtime is the traditional time to do your spring cleaning. To be the most effective with your spring cleaning experience, you need to have an action plan. Here are some tips to make your spring cleaning fun and efficient:

• First - make a list of each room you want to clean
• Breakdown the individual items that you want to clean in each room
• Make a list of items that need to be cleaned that are not in a particular room (AC unit filters, gutters, etc.)
• Delegate responsibilities among your families and friends
• Schedule the cleaning day for a Saturday. Get pizza for everyone that helps. When you are finished, reward yourself with a nice dinner!

A lot of people like to get self storage units during the summer months to store their extra stuff. If that's something you want to do, make sure to do your research first to find a facility that fits your needs best.

Moving Your Plants Safely

If you're getting ready to move, and you're a plant person, there are some key steps you should take to make sure you move your plants safely.

• Prune or trim the plants a few weeks before you plan to move.
• A few days before you move, place each plant in a trash bag with some pesticide to get rid of all the bugs before you pack the plants. Make sure that you tightly seal the bag.
• The day before the move pack each plant into its own cardboard box. Use a couple boxes for each plant if necessary. Secure the plants by stuffing newspaper in the boxes.
• On the day of the move, close the boxes holding the plants that are small enough to fit all the way inside. Poke holes for air flow.
• If the plants are exposed to weather at all while they're being moved, make sure to park in the shade when you stop if its sunny and to park in the sun if its cold and cloudy.
• When you arrive to your new location, unpack the plants carefully so as not to damage the branches or leaves.
• Don't place the plants in sunlight right away. Do it gradually so the plants don't go into shock.

Be sure to handle the plants carefully and to check with local authorities if you are crossing state lines to make sure there are no rules prohibiting certain plants. Good luck!

Tax Deductions for Moving Expenses

Moving is a very expensive event. If you are not prepared to spend money - get prepared. It will cost you. Between the moving truck, the packing supplies, the self storage unit, gas, perished food, etc., it definitely adds up. But the silver lining is that many moving-related expenses are tax deductible. Below is a list of expenses that are tax deductible according to the IRS:

• Gas or mileage - traveling from your old home to your new home
• Parking fees and tolls
• The cost of packing, crating, and transporting your items/belongings
• The cost of connecting and disconnecting utilities
• The cost of shipping your vehicles or pets
• A self storage unit used to store your items for 30 days after they are moved out of your old home and before they are moved into your new home

Again, although moving can be expensive, it is comforting to know that many expenses are tax deductible which will help ease the pain.

Getting All Your Moving Supplies Together

Before starting the lengthy moving process it's a good idea to make sure that you have all the moving supplies you'll need. There are four primary categories of materials that you should have: boxes, tape, ropes/tie-downs, and odds and ends.

Moving Boxes:

There are several different types of moving boxes and several different sizes. Some boxes are specifically designed for certain purposes. There are boxes designed to carry kitchenware and glassware. There are special boxes that transport clothing while keeping their shape in tact. There are even boxes designed to carefully handle electronics. Figure out what you are moving and get the boxes accordingly. You can obviously purchase boxes from places like Home Depot, but you can also go to Walmart in the late hours and get many different kinds of boxes for free.

Tape:

Buying tape is not rocket science. But don't forget to do it. There's double-sided tape, packing tape, easy-tear tape, shipping tape, clear tape, and more. Most people naturally use packing tape for moving.

Ropes/Tie-downs:

If you're transporting items in a moving truck, pickup truck, or to a self storage unit, you definitely need to tie your stuff down. You can obviously do this with rope, or by buying actual tie-downs from any hardware store. Some heavy duty tie-downs can withstand almost 1000 pounds.

Odds and Ends:

Make sure to get some plastic or fabric sheets to cover your things. Get some markers to label your boxes. Thick blankets to pad in between breakable items. A dolly to move heavy items.

Good luck!

Some Tips on Loading Up Your Moving Truck

Before you start to move all your stuff into a moving truck, you should make a plan. There is only so much space in the truck and it's important to utilize it as much as possible. The better you utilize your truck, the more time you save. And with a moving truck, time is money.

The first thing you should do is protect your stuff. Do this by laying a sheet of plastic on the bottom of the truck. This will prevent scratching and damage to your items.

Load the heavy items first. Leave some space on top of the heavy items for lighter items. Make sure to stand the couches on end, this will save space.

Make sure your items are secure. Things like couches, refrigerators, desks, lamps, etc. should be strapped or tied to the walls or the ground so they don't fall.

Use blankets and sheets and clothing to pad your fragile items. Use things like pillows and stuffed animals to fill gaps in the truck.

Be extra careful with flat-screen televisions. Try to transport them in your vehicle if possible. Always store flat-screens standing up.

When you are finished packing the truck, lay a sheet of plastic over your items to keep them from gathering dust or dirt.

Although these tips are directed to packing moving trucks, they can also apply to packing self storage units.

Things to do Before Moving into a Self Storage Unit

Here are some great tips on what to do before moving your belongings into a self storage unit:

• First you must find the storage facility that you want to use. Take into account the location, hours, security, quality, and price of the unit.

• Figure out a rough estimate of what you want to keep in the unit. Contact the facility manager and discuss what size unit would be best suited for you. Another option is to use this self storage calculator to quickly estimate online.

• Make a list of the packing supplies you plan to use in the move. Things to consider are boxes, pens, bags, tape, bubble wrap, rope, and wood pallets.

• Read the lease on your self storage unit before signing it. Some leases are for 30 days, while other can be for up to one year. Also check with your storage facility to see if they offer insurance on your items.

• If you are renting a moving truck, make sure that the size is sufficient for your needs. This is particularly important if you are using a moving company

Hope this helps!