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.

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.

Moving with Kids: Breaking the News

It's the end of the school year, and many families choose this time to move to a new home, giving children the chance to close out the year before moving on to a new school. If you are planning a move with school-age children, here are some tips for breaking the news:

• Talk to your kids about each phase of the moving process. They will be less likely to feel anxious about the move if they are informed and know that you care about their feelings too.


• Get them excited about the details of the new home that will matter to them. Will they be getting their own room, or a new backyard? Will there be fun things to do nearby? Remember, if parents are anxious, kids will pick up on that and feel anxious too.


• Have them create an address book and/or a scrapbook to help them keep in touch with their old friends.


• Let them host a farewell party. This will help them accept that the move is really happening and leave them with warm memories.


• Read children's books about moving.


• On moving day, let children know it's ok to feel sad, but also reassure them that you are going through the transition as a family.

12 Tips to Make Moving Day Easier

After packing some initial boxes and lifting a few heavy items, you may be thinking to yourself, 'This move is a drag.' Well wipe off that sour expression and put some pep in your step. Got kids? Get them involved too to prevent anxiety. Here's some tips for making moving day as easy as possible:

• Hire movers. This might sound obvious, but professional movers can make all the difference in a stress-free move. Getting moving insurance will give you even more peace of mind.
• Make an upbeat playlist. Blast your favorite songs on a portable stereo to keep you in constant motion.
• Eat a big breakfast. You'll be burning a lot of calories today, so here's your excuse to load up on carbs! Pick up pastry and coffee from your local bakery--don't bother cooking.
• If your kids are old enough to pack their own things, let them do it--this will help give them closure and feel involved. One easy activity to make children feel useful is to give them color-coded stickers that they can put on boxes for each room. If they are too young to help, make sure you have someone to look after them while the work gets underway.
• Also, let the kids pack their favorite toys and games in backpacks for the trip to the new house.
• Have lunch and snacks prepared--such as pizza, sandwiches, and munchies for the kids. Don't forget to pack a cooler full of water, juice, and sports drinks--the last thing you need on moving day is an energy meltdown. Save the bulk of the beer for celebrating at the end of the move.
• At your new place, let children decide where they want to put their furniture. Even if you change it later, this will give them some feeling of control on moving day. Depending on their age, let them pick paint colors too.
• Tape floor plans where you want your furniture set up so that your movers can unload quicker.
• Have cash on hand to tip your movers before they leave.
• Have bedding readily accessible so that you are not spending your first night in your new home in a sleeping bag.
• Before you crash into bed in exhaustion, break out the beer, champagne, and other treats--it's time to toast a new beginning!
• Once you are settled, explore your new neighborhood. Start introducing yourself (and your little ones) to your new surroundings. Plan a housewarming party and celebrate all of your hard work.