Treat Your Movers Right

If you have hired movers to do the heavy lifting for you, then you will want to reward them for their hard work, assuming that they did the job well. Tipping is customary for good service, so you should add that into your moving budget. Here are some suggestions for tipping your movers:

• Refresh and refuel: If it's a hot day, make sure you have plenty of cold drinks on hand for your movers, as well as coffee and snacks. If your move takes up most of the day, you should provide lunch such as pizza or another quick bite to keep your movers in a good mood.


• If there are just one or two movers helping you, be generous with your tip since they will probably be working hard. Take into account the weather, stairs, heavy items, etc. A $40 tip for one mover or $60 (to split by two) is considered appropriate.


• If you have several movers handling your move, a $20 per mover tip is the norm. Hand over all of the tip money to the lead mover so that he can divide it at the end of the move.

When it Rains, It Pours: Moving in Bad Weather

Moving is usually a hassle even when the sun is shining, so if you find a dark cloud over your home on moving day, you may feel extra stressed. Whether you are dealing with pouring rain, high winds, sleet, snow, or other forms of messy weather, unless it's a hurricane or a tornado, chances are moving in a storm is worth the effort. Here are some tips for moving during bad weather:

• If rain is in the forecast, cover furniture (such as items made from fabric, wood, and other untreated materials) with plastic sheets or tarps. This will ensure that your furniture is protected from moisture and dirt.


• Make a walkway out of your old home and into your new home by taping down either rugs or cardboard. Do not put plastic sheeting on the floor as this is very slippery when wet.


• Make your movers comfortable. If there is heavy rain, offer your movers clean towels to dry off. If the weather is especially cold, try to have the heat on in your new home. Hot drinks such as coffee and tea are a nice gesture too.


• Avoid getting cardboard boxes wet, as water disintegrates the cardboard. Carry boxes from the bottom and watch out for unexpected tears.

Smaller Houses on the Rise

For the first time in 15 years, the median square footage of new homes shrunk this year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homes built in the first three months of this year were 7 percent smaller than in the same period last year. Could this be a sign that America's affinity for McMansions is on the decline? Perhaps due to a desire to be more eco-friendly and reduce carbon footprints, or simply because the recession is causing homeowners to cut costs, this trend could result in a shift in attitude of quality over quantity. This means more homeowners may find themselves making better use of the space that they do have, such as converting basements into entertainment rooms and attics into home offices. Smaller homes also have lower energy costs and are selling quicker in the current housing market. Is a smaller home the right fit for you? Here are some things to look for if you are in the market for a smaller home:

• A flexible, open floor plan--combining the kitchen, living room, and family room into one great room is a growing trend.


• Lots of windows will boost your mood and make the house feel bigger.


• High ceilings--adding just an extra foot will make a standard 8-foot ceiling feel taller.


• Outdoor living space--making use of patios, porches, and other exterior spaces will give you more room to gather or escape.


• Smart storage--clutter looks worse in smaller homes, so be sure to have clever built-ins and other ways of organizing and hiding your stuff.

Are You Ready for Your First Place? Costs to Consider

As spring graduates (hopefully) secure employment, one of the next major steps on the road to adulthood is to acquire a place of one's own. Are you ready to handle the responsibilities of renting an apartment or house, or should you stay in Mom and Dad's basement for a few more months? Here are some costs to consider before you sign a lease:

• Move-in deposit: Most landlords require first and last month's rent (and/or a security deposit), and if you found the place through a broker, a broker's fee (usually equal to one month's rent) will probably apply as well. This means you may need at least three times the rent just to move in. To be safe, you will also want to have three months' rent in your savings in case you lose your job or in case of any sort of emergency.


• Hook-up fees: If you have never had an account with a utility company before, they may require initial fees for setting up your service. Ask whether or not the apartments you are considering include utilities with the rent or not, as this can be a cost-saver for apartments in colder climates.


• Parking: If you are planning on bringing a car with you, you will want to ask if parking is free or not. In dense cities, parking rules may apply, and in some cases, you may need to pay for a parking permit.


• The bare necessities: Even if you are moving into a furnished apartment, there will be many items you will need to make your house a home. Pots and pans, dishes, flatware, appliances, shelving, fixtures, towels, bedding, garbage cans--the list goes on and on. If you can't afford to buy new, utilize friends and family who may have perfectly useful items collecting dust in storage, check out free listings on sites such as Craigslist.org, or shop at second-hand stores and flea markets for bargain deals.