Five ways to take the stress out of moving

While moving to a new home can be an exciting time, it's no secret that relocating can also be a very stressful life event.

Here are five ways to make your move as stress-free as possible.

1. Move highly sentimental items and small items of extreme value yourself. It can relieve a huge amount of stress to know that these items are safe and sound at all times. Family heirlooms and unique artwork are good examples of items to move yourself. Basically, if it's irreplaceable and it fits in your car, move it yourself. For larger items such as art collections or grand pianos, hire specialty movers.
   



2. Choose movers whom you are comfortable with. Do your due diligence on moving companies before hiring one. Always get multiple quotes and base your decision not only on the estimate, but also on the level of professionalism the company presents. Ask for referrals, and try and talk with people who have used the company before. On move day, get to know the crew members, and maybe offer them a cold drink. Getting on the movers' good side will ensure that they take extra special care of your things, thus relieving a ton of stress on your end.
   



3. Ask questions. Wondering how the movers are going to protect that flat-screen T.V.? Just ask! So much of our stress comes from the unknown. If you're concerned about how specific items will be handled, your crew's leader would be happy to explain the process.
   



4. Let the pros do the packing. Are you worried that you just won't have the time to pack up all your things before moving day? For many, a great deal of stress can be relieved by knowing a professional team will have all the packing done on time. This kind of relief can be worth the extra cost
   



5. Insure your move! Remember, your movers are human and accidents can happen. Movers typically offer minimum liability coverage (often $0.30 or $0.60 per pound) which still leaves you at a loss in the case of an unfortunate accident. Choosing a third-party insurer for full coverage is a good way to achieve full peace-of-mind. Read more reasons why moving insurance is a must.
   

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.

Tips for Moving Your Child to a New School

If you have moved your family to a new location this summer, chances are you also have the double duty of introducing your child to a new school. The transition can put stress on your child's temperament, but with some understanding and careful planning, you can encourage your child to embrace the change. Here are some tips:

• Practice the route to school: Children will be reassured to know the exact trip that they will be taking by schoolbus, car, or on foot ahead of time. Point out attractions along the way to help your child get familiar with the area.


• Visit the school before the first day: Most schools are open during the late summer for teacher preparation, so call the school in advance to see if a visit is possible. Be sure to check out the areas that your kids will be most interested in, such as classrooms, the gym, cafeteria, and playground/sports fields.


• If possible, introduce your child to his/her new teacher: Even a simple hello will help your child feel more comfortable about starting a new school.


• Meet other school-aged children in the neighborhood: Encouraging your kids to meet new peers at places such as the local park or community center will increase their chances of making friends that will also be attending their new school. Talk to other parents about getting the neighborhood kids together at your home or the local play area.

To Pack or Not to Pack? Here Are Some Answers

If you have chosen to hire a moving company to handle your move, there are some things that are typically not allowed to be loaded onto a moving company's truck. Here are a few categories of items that are usually not good to go:

• Irreplacable items: If you are moving jewelry, family heirlooms, or valuable documents, you will want to keep these things on your person during your move. If you are not sure, ask your moving insurance provider if any of these items can be covered in transit.


• Perishables: Most moving companies will not permit food and other perishables onto the truck, so you'll probably want eat or give away whatever's sitting in your freezer.


• Flammables: Hazardous materials, gasoline, and lighter fluid are probably not okay to put on the moving truck. If you aren't sure, pack questionable items such as paint, aerosol cans, or ammunition in a separate box and be prepared to take the box with you if the movers refuse to pack it.


• Living things: Plants, animals, and people are usually not allowed to go into the moving truck.


• Essentials: Anything you might need during your personal move such as your cellphone, wallet, medication, eyeglasses, or keys should not be loaded onto the moving truck. This might seem obvious but with so many of your belongings going into boxes, you'll want to make sure you don't lose anything important.

A Checklist for the Week Before You Move

The week before your moving day is likely going to be a very stressful week. Organize your priorities and create a checklist to make your move as smooth as possible:

• If you are doing the packing yourself (as opposed to a moving company) label boxes according to which room they will go to in your new home. Also, mark boxes such as "fragile," "load last," or "do not load."


• If you have hired a moving company, call and confirm the dates of your move. Make sure you have notified them of any extraordinary items, such as heavy appliances or a piano.


• Ensure you have money to cover the cost of your move, including cash tips for the movers.


• Back up your computer files and gather all of your software start-up discs. Be sure that your computer and electronic equipment is not exposed to extreme temperatures or moisture during your move.


• Properly dispose of hazardous waste such as paint, oil, and pesticides.


• Make sure your utility companies have been notified of your move, as well as your doctors, pharmacists, banks, schools, friends and family.


• Make sure your subsciptions (newspapers, magazines) have been notified of your move.


• Return any items you have borrowed from friends and neighbors.


• If you have children, prepare them for moving day by engaging them in the process. If possible, let them have a going-away party with their friends.


• Try to either eat or give away food in your fridge and freezer.


• Pack valuables that may not be covered by moving insurance such as jewlery and heirlooms separately. You will want to carry these items with you on moving day.


• Thoroughly clean areas that have been cleared.

You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til You Move It

Once you start packing, you'll probably realize that your belongings have somehow multiplied like rabbits. You might be wondering how you will fit all of your stuff onto the moving truck on moving day. Hopefully you've found arrangements for the things you no longer need, such as selling them at a yard sale or online, donating items to charities and friends, or simply throwing them away. Even if you have a huge garage or attic awaiting you at your new home, you will probably want to purge many items that you don't use anymore because the more things you move, the more expensive your move will be. If you are still stuck with too many things you can't bear to part with, you may want to consider renting a storage space. Whichever solution you choose, starting the packing process earlier than later is going to help you organize your belongings for the easiest move possible.

Is Your Move Tax Deductible?

If you are moving because of a job opportunity, you may be able to get some help from Uncle Sam in recovering your moving expenses. There are strict time and distance requirements and you will need to fill out the 1040 long form, but if you think you apply, hang onto all of your receipts and seek an accountant during next year's tax season. Here's a rundown of the requirements:

• Your move must have occured within one year of your start date at your new job, unless you have a valid reason for moving more than a year after you started your new job.


• The location of your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your previous home than your last workplace was. So if you lived three miles from your old job, your new job must be at least 53 miles from your old home.


• You need to have worked full-time for at least 39 weeks within a year after moving to your new location. The worked weeks don't have to be consecutive or even with the same employer, but if you are self-employed, you need to have worked full-time for 78 weeks during the first 24 months after your move.

If you are confused about whether or not your move is tax-deductible, see this flow chart here, or read more at http://www.irs.gov/publications/p521/index.html.

Uprooting: Tips for Moving Plants

When planning your move, your houseplants and garden plants are probably the least of your concerns, but depending on how far you are relocating, you may want to take some of your greenery with you. Since plants are delicate living things and require special care when moving, you will want to plan ahead to make sure your plants survive the trip. Keep in mind that moving insurance typically does not cover plants because they are perishables. Also, many moving companies will not move plants for long distances, especially overseas. Contact your moving company at least a couple weeks before your move to find out if they'll take your plants. If you are planning on moving your plants yourself, here are some tips:

• If you are moving internationally, you may not be able to bring certain plants, such as fruit trees. Contact customs in advance of your move.


• Decide which plants you will want to move, and get them in peak condition prior to moving day. Keep them watered, remove pests, and prune them.


• Plants in breakable pots, such as clay, should be re-potted in plastic pots. Pack the breakable pots separately, wrapped in packing paper or bubble wrap.


• One or two nights before your move, water your plants normally. Be careful not to overwater them--if they are too moist, fungus can grow during the move.


• Line sturdy boxes with plastic to move your plants in. Pack plants in snugly--but not too tightly--and fill gaps with packing paper to prevent shifting.


• Punch holes in the sides of your plant boxes for them to breathe and mark them "plants," with instructions to pack them last.


• Dig up any garden plants you want to move on moving day, and protect the root ball by wrapping it in plastic. Alternatively, if you must leave your plants behind, you can bring cuttings in small plastic bags with wet paper towels.


• Tall plants should be bagged or wrapped in plastic. Just make sure you poke some holes in the plastic to let your plants breathe.


• If possible, the best way to move plants is in the back seat of a car or van. This will give you some peace of mind knowing that you can keep an eye on them. If you have to spend a night in a hotel, make sure to check the weather. Cold temperatures can damage fragile plants, so to be safe, move them indoors with you.


• Try to unpack your plants as soon as you arrive at your new home. Remove the plastic immediately, water them, and try to gradually expose them to sunlight.