Moving Tips To Make Your LIfe Easier

(Not Just the Cats!)

By Eugene M. Smith

Moving has got to be one of the most stressful times I have ever experienced. Packing, cleaning, trying to remember everything. Moving is definitely not something I enjoyed doing, but the end result was well worth it. Moving into our first home was a proud moment.

One of the most tedious things to do is moving to another place. We must use all our efforts to relocate flawlessly: moving our stuffs, the cars, and arranging everything to the place of our destinations.

.

Yet, it would have been more burdensome if we did not use the help of a moving company.

.

Whether you are moving across the country, or just around the corner, there are some things you could do to make the job less stressful. And let us face it, the less stress and hassle, the happier you will be when you finally get to your destination.

.

It very stressful time, watching people walk around with boxes of your stuff and trampling through your home, dismantling everything that you have collected and crafted over the years. It can be a really sad time, but we are looking at this as a great opportunity and the next big chapter of our lives starting to unfold.

Here are some tips to help you make the move.

1. Make a list

You will be glad you did! Use a spiral notebook to keep track of all the boxes. Assign each box a letter that corresponds with the letter in your notebook. Then list contents in each box. Label each box clearly and precisely. Make your inscriptions clear and use big characters, so that not only you would be able to read what the box contains. The inscription: Red dishes is better than Miscellaneous Kitchen. Believe me this will undoubtedly help you to unpack your belongings when you reach your new house.

2. Have plenty of supplies

You will need lots of boxes, tape, markers, packing material, etc. Get more than you think you will need. This surely helps you to save your time, because you will not need to go and purchase missing supplies. If you run out of something in the middle of packing, you would not be happy, and you will waste time running around trying to buy more supplies. You can always take back, or get rid of, extra supplies after the move.

3. Utilize wardrobe boxes

Moving Services are happy to deliver boxes ahead of moving day. Find out how big the wardrobe boxes are and measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) and find out how many boxes you will need. You can also use wardrobe boxes to pack bulky items like comforters, blankets, and pillows. Do not pack them too heavy, though.

4. Colour coordinate

Assign a color for each room of the house and put a sticker beside each box letter so you will know which room of the house the box goes at a glance. This will help you to save your time not only before moving, but after moving also.

5. Pack ahead

Toronto Movers, Miracle Movers, encourages you to do as much as possible before moving day. Even though your moving company may be a full service moving company, you can save yourself a lot of money and time by packing things ahead of time and being organized.

Toronto Movers

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Mohandas Gandhi

Magic Movers Salutes Bill Gates

Its only Friday afternoon in Seattle USA as we post this and its a big day for one employee over there at this moment!!! And some great charities worldwide stand to gain from it.

Gates Retires from Daily Role at Microsoft

by Wendy Kaufman

Friday marks Bill Gates' last day in his corner office at Microsoft, the company he built into a technology and profit-making powerhouse. While he will remain chairman of the board and will serve as adviser to the company, he now turns the bulk of his attention to his philanthropic foundation, the wealthiest in the world.

Gates, 52, is leaving with the legacy of having created and shaped one of the world's most influential corporations. While some of Microsoft's business practices have been sharply criticized, there is no denying that, as head of the company, Gates has done more than anyone else to bring computing to the masses.

Beginning of the Story

Forty years ago, while an eighth-grader at the private Lakeside School in Seattle, Gates was introduced to his first computer. He was immediately smitten, as was fellow student Paul Allen.
The two became fast friends, says Ed Lazowska, who holds the Bill and Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science at the University of Washington.

"They did the scheduling for Lakeside School — there are rumors they and their friends got into the classes of their choice," says Lazowska. "It was just a couple of brilliant guys who got captured by this cool field."

In 1975, Gates and Allen — both college dropouts — started a tiny software firm.

Lazowska produces a copy of a posed portrait taken in 1978 of the 11 original Microsoft employees. The group is young. A few wear tinted glasses with heavy rims, and there is a lot of facial hair. The joke caption frequently seen with this now-famous photo is: "Would you invest with these guys?"

No company has ever minted millionaires or billionaires like Microsoft.

A PC in Every Home

Though the company certainly did not invent the personal computer, Microsoft's founders had a vision of a PC on every desk and in every home.

"In the mid-1980s, that was still kind of a crazy thing," says former Microsoft executive Nathan Myhrvold in a company video. "It went — in a very short period of time — from insane that everyone would have a computer to, of course, everyone will have a computer."

As far back as the late 1970s, Gates recognized the value of software. In a now famous "Open Letter to Hobbyists," he argued that if computer users wanted to do more things with their computing machines, they would need better software and they would need to pay for it. It was a radical notion at the time.

While still in his 20s, Gates had another bold idea. He envisioned the possibilities if all computers could speak the same language, run the same operating system, and use the same software for writing documents and spreadsheets.

Rob Horowitz is the CEO of Directions on Microsoft, a research firm dedicated to tracking Microsoft. He recalls the days before Gates and Microsoft revolutionized computing.

"It was like a little railroad here, a little railroad there. They had different ... tracks, different kinds of engines. Nothing worked with anything else," Horowitz says. "Vendors, if they wanted to produce something, had to do the whole kit and caboodle. They had to do the application; they had to do the hardware."

'The Evil Empire'

But Microsoft changed that. Its operating system, Windows, became ubiquitous. With computers everywhere, speaking the same language, people could communicate more quickly and efficiently.

While some viewed this monopoly as constructive, others, including antitrust regulators, saw Microsoft as a ruthless competitor, one that maintained its monopoly by illegal means.

In May 1998, the U.S. Justice Department charged Microsoft with engaging in anticompetitive and exclusionary practices designed to maintain its monopoly in personal computer operating systems and to extend that monopoly to Internet browsing software.

"The evidence presented in court today demonstrates that Microsoft used its massive monopoly power to harm competition and to harm consumers," said Joel Klein, head of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, outlining the government's case against the company in 1998.

In the wake of investigations, Microsoft acquired the not-so-flattering nickname of "the Evil Empire."

"They had gotten away with so much on the competitive front, I don't think they thought they could be brought down by the DOJ," says long-time Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley, author of Microsoft 2.0.

The epic battle between Microsoft and antitrust regulators raged for years before settlements were reached. Many critics contend the company got off much too easily.

But that was a long time ago, and Gates and company have moved on.

Pioneering in a New Field

While Gates is retiring from his daily role at Microsoft, he plans to spend about a day a week on company business. He will spend much of the rest of his time at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation focuses on poverty, education and global health. In a recent interview with NPR, Gates spoke about the importance of eradicating diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

"Once you improve health in a country, it really changes everything," Gates said. "Parents don't need to have this many children to be sure that someone will support them in their old age. And so population growth goes down. You can feed, you can educate, you can provide jobs."

As Gates moves to a full-time role at the foundation, he embarks on what may be described as his second life. His first life was at Microsoft, bringing computers to the masses. His second life is just beginning: as the world's leading philanthropist.

How to Deal With Loud Neighbours

By Adam Rosen
Anyone who has ever rented property has probably had to deal with neighbors on some level and the most common complaint amongst residents is dealing with noisy neighbors. We can all relate to having the family of four upstairs whose children seem to run marathons right above you, the drummer down below that only practices after 10 PM, or the habitual snorer who you share a bedroom wall with. Whatever the case, there are a lot of different ways to handle the situation.

Try the Kindness Approach

This is something that my mom always told me, and most times it works. A calm and friendly approach is the way to go especially if you just moved in. If you haven't addressed the noise, your neighbor probably doesn't even realize that there is an issue. Talking to them with out getting upset or having a bad attitude can take you a long way.

If your neighbor agrees to work on keeping the noise down, some positive reinforcement might help to keep them consistent with their efforts. Bake them some cookies at the end of the week if you have noticed a decrease in the noise level.

The Feng Sui Fix

If your neighbor shows no signs of letting up with the racket, or that he/she even cares that you are being affected by it, making some simple additions to your décor can help to alleviate your stress. If the downstairs neighbor is a part-time DJ and the constant bass is driving you crazy, you might want to consider laying down a rug or installing carpet if your floors are bare. Since sound waves bounce off flat surfaces, bare floors can cause the sound to resonate around your space. Spaces between the threads in the carpet reduce noise by absorbing sound waves so that they don't bounce back.

The shaggier the carpet the better it will work at reducing noise.

In the same way that carpet traps sound waves, fabric hung from the walls or the ceiling can drown out the noisy upstairs or next-door neighbors. Decorative tapestries can allow you to express yourself as well as drown out overly active neighbors. This can be a quick and inexpensive fix. Check out your local thrift stores for tapestries and colorful fabric. Curtains will also help if outside noise is a factor to your disturbance.

If the neighbors on either side are being loud and you aren't exactly excited about hanging tapestries, there is still hope. Your couch can actually absorb some of those sound waves if it is pulled away from the wall a couple of inches. Bookshelves or other storage furniture may be moved against the "problem wall" to reduce the noise. Lining the back of these items in cardboard will further help cut down on the sound.

Confront your Landlord

If you neighbor chooses to ignore your kind pleas for a quieter environment, it may be time to speak to your landlord. In your neighbor's eyes the landlord might be a little higher on the totem pole; thus he or she might be able to drive the point home. Moreover, your landlord is a neutral party and is looking out for the best interest of all tenants. You may choose to get him or her involved instead of potentially making enemies with your neighbor.

If you happen to have a landlord who doesn't seem to care much about your dilemma, informing him or her that you intend to withhold rent until the matter is resolved is another option. Just make sure you are prepared for the ramifications of these actions (i.e. being taken to house court, possibly losing the case, and still being stuck with loud neighbors).

Consider Soundproofing

If it becomes apparent that your complaints are falling on deaf ears, and the fabric tactics aren't enough to kill the noise, you may want to consider taking more extreme measures to soundproof your environment. While egg cartons may not be aesthetically pleasing, they are an economical way to approach soundproofing. Likewise, just like carpet catches sound in the space between carpet threads, the grooves of egg cartons absorb sound waves and prevent them from traveling into your sanctuary. Soundproofing foam also works this way. Finally, you can also try soundproofing drywall, a special type of drywall designed to block sound, which can be added to you existing walls, ceilings, and floors.

Noise is a part of life. While at times it can be bothersome, sealing ourselves in a panic room to get some relaxation is impractical. The best we can do is research ways to achieve a peaceful abode while maintaining a friendly relationship with our neighbors.

Adam Rosen is a freelance writer and musician living in Los Angeles who recently soundproofed his own home studio. For more information on soundproofing materials, visit supressproducts.com.

Interstate Furniture Removals - A Little Overloaded in July!!!

Due to the success of our recent marketing (and references from our incredible corporate customers), we are fully booked for all interstate removals from 30th June to 26th July, 2008.

While all current clients have been notified, we would like to assure you that all excess requirements can be outsourced to our close associates.

So if you need assistance don't hesitate to let us know.

Magic Movers Removals

More Than a "Moving Quote" - The Girl Effect

The Girl Effect

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes up his mind to do. We are capable of greater things than we realize."

Norman Vincent Peale

Dealing with Stemware When Moving House

By Lou Ross

When moving house, certain items require special care to survive the trip. Stemware is expensive, delicate and very fragile.

When you've decided to move from one home to another, you've got many things to think about. You need to wonder if you're going to be happy in your new home, whether it's a house or apartment. Also important to think about is whether you're going to like your new neighbourhood, or if you are going to miss where you lived before.

Among all of these thoughts, you also have to decide how you're going to move all of your household goods from one place to another. Should you hire professional movers to do the job, or are you going to rent a van and do it on your own?

Another item that's important in your quest to move from one home to another is how you pack your items for shipping or moving.

Your household things are important – you don't want to get to your new house and find out that your favourite china was broken, or that an important piece of your electronic equipment has been dented or scratched. Just as necessary as doing research into how you're going to move your items from one place to another is deciding how you're going to get them there safely.

Luckily, many moving companies and moving van/truck rental companies offer items that can make your job of packing a lot easier. One of these items is specialized boxes. For instance, obtaining special moving boxes for stemware can make it so that you don't have to worry that your goblets, flutes and other stemware are going to make it to your new home in one piece.

These special boxes are designed so that you can place your glasses into them with a minimum of padding and wrapping, and they'll stay cushioned and away from each other in transit.

If your moving company doesn't offer specialized shipping options, it's entirely possible that you can order these boxes online. Several different large packing material companies make specialized boxes, and different Internet retailers offer these for sale. Be sure to order your boxes well in advance, so that you have them available when you start packing.

Avoiding breakage when you're moving is an important part of your moving experience. If you can get all of your items to your new home in one piece, it will make the transition between your old house and your new home much easier.

Lou Ross is with MovingCompaniesforYou.com in USA.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"The only mistake I ever made was not listening to my gut."

Lee Iacocca

Remove Rubbish Before Your Furniture Removal

www.1800GotJunk.com.au

.

Want to make your furniture removal cheaper and easier?

.

. . . . then remove absolutely everything you are not taking with you. Some of it will go to the tip . . . some of it to the recycle . . . some to the Op shop or to a charity.

.

These friendly guys will do it all in one!!

.

Magic Movers highly recommends 1800GotJunk. They are swift, professional, environmentally friendly and they do what we don't do . . remove junk!!
.

What Do 1800GotJunk Do?

.

They remove the things you don't need. That means they take away almost anything – from old furniture, appliances and electronics to yard waste and renovation debris.

You just point to what you want removed. They will then review their price list with you and give you a clear estimate on your job.

They do all the loading and cleanup, wherever the items are located. Also, they make every effort to recycle or donate the items they take away.

.

And they are nice guys too!!

.

Give them a call or check out their website at www.1800GotJunk.com.au

Tips For Moving House With Your Dogs (from Mudgee)

This one's for you Bryan and Lynne!!!

By Rebecca Prescott

Moving house is a stressful time for both humans and their canine friends. But there are things you can do to make life easier for them.

* You should first check out the new property for any potential problems, ahead of time. Are there any holes in the fence? Is the fence too low, so that your dog is likely to escape into an unfamiliar neighborhood? You don't want to arrive, with all your furniture and belongings packed up, only to have the added stress of finding your wandering dog.

* Find out whether the area you are moving to has problems with heartworm or paralysis ticks. This is particularly important if you are moving overseas or interstate.

* To be prepared for all possible contingencies, find out where the closest after-hours animal emergency center is. That way, if there's a serious problem, you'll be able to address it quickly, without searching the neighborhood. You could also see if your old vet has any recommendations for vets in the area. And its a good idea to get a copy of your dog's veterinary history before you go, particularly if he has ongoing problems.

* Will you be traveling by car? Has your dog traveled in the car before? Dogs can get carsick too. Don't feed your dog for 4 or so hours before you need to leave. If your dog salivates a lot in the car, be sure to take plenty of towels along. If he salivates a lot, you may want to consider crating him for the journey. If you have a grid that you can put in the bottom of the crate, he will remain dry.

* If your dog has never been in the car before, try taking him for short trips before you need to move. Some dogs can get nervous in cars, and this way, he'll have a chance to get used to the experience. Try avoiding trips in heavy traffic, however. The frequent stops and starts in traffic can make dogs feel nauseous.

* Don't let your dog put his head out the window! It can damage his eyes, and some dogs will jump out - even when the car is moving.

* If you're moving quite far away from your old home, you might want to take along some water, enough to last him a few days. Some dogs can get sick when getting used to new water, due to the different 'bugs' that can be in water. Whilst he will get used to the new water, it can be less stressful on him physically and emotionally if he is feeling well.

* In case your dog does escape after the move, it helps to have a recent photograph of him that isn't packed away.

* If you are traveling by car, make sure you stop regularly, so that he has a chance to have a drink, and go to the toilet. You don't want him getting dehydrated.

If you're thinking of building a dog house in your new home, check out this article on dog house blue prints. For more dog house and kennel articles, click here.

Planning for a House Move

By Joseph Kenny

If you have just bought or are considering buying a new home, then you will also need to plan the process of moving home. While there are many things that you have to remember, planning them in advance will make the whole move easier and less traumatic. So it is a good idea that, as soon as you know the completion date for your move, that you start planning.

There are certain things that take quite a bit of time and should be arranged at least a month in advance. You will want to inform your landlord or any flatmates, if you have any, of the date that you are leaving. This can mean the difference between getting your deposit back or not, if you are renting, so it’s a good idea to let everyone know your plans as soon as you know them yourself.

You should probably also inform the gas and electricity companies of your new property that you are the new owner. By doing this, it can avoid mix-ups later on. This would also include calling your telephone company and arranging to have your phone number transferred.

You can start packing up your things or getting boxes together. There are some things like books and photos that can be packed in advance and will save you hassle later on when the move gets closer. You may want to book some time of work, especially if you don’t think you’re going to be able to arrange the move in a weekend. Another good idea is to have a clearout and get rid of some old things that have been gathering dust. In fact, moving is the perfect chance to get rid of some of the belongings that accumulate over the years.

As the move gets closer you should book the removal company and arrange for transit insurance if you decide you need it. You can tell the post office to redirect your mail and you can also notify the local authority of the change in address for council tax purposes.

You should make sure that all your utility bills are paid up by the date of the move. You don’t want the new owners to be hounding you for unpaid bills once you’ve moved and now is the time to make sure they are accurate. If you have services like milk deliveries, newspaper deliveries and the like you should have these cancelled.

Before you leave, make sure all doors and windows are locked and appliances and utilities are turned off.

Joseph Kenny writes for the loan comparison sites Select Loans and also http://www.ukpersonalloanstore.co.uk/.

Office - moving experience

Oooooooooooooooops!!!

Hey . . . they were'nt our guys!!

Moving Rental Tips To Make Your Furniture Removal Easier

By Lee Dobbins

Moving out is not an easy thing to do and hiring the right moving rental truck or company can help ease the stress. Transferring from one house to another can surely be a stressful event. It is difficult because moving to a different place means adjusting to a different condition. Close friends and relatives are miles away. The neighbourhood is not familiar. The new place also needs a lot of setting up.

The best thing to do in situations like this is to make it easier by making the right decisions on the details of moving out. One aspect you must necessarily focus on is determining what things you should be bringing with you. There will surely be a lot of things in your old house that will be brought in to your new place.

For one, it is relatively cheaper to move in with your old furniture and appliances rather than purchase brand new ones. There are items in the household that are considered irreplaceable, like items that have sentimental value. This includes photographs, plaques, trophies and even documents and certificates.

Thus, it is really prudent and practical to bring along these important elements as you move out of your old house. The next thing to do is to find the right deal in moving out these things.
Renting a moving vehicle or a portable on demand moving crate can be your best and easiest option to make sure your stuff gets moved to the new place the way you want them to.

If you choose to rent a moving vehicle, you can rent it the day of the move or the day before. If you are able to rent it the day before, then you will have that whole day and evening to fill it up and then the next day to unload it at the new house. This way you can take your time and make sure your stuff gets moved carefully and not tossed around because you are in a hurry.

If you really want a lot of time to make sure you can arrange your furniture and household goods in your moving vehicle, then you might consider an on demand storage unit. These units get delivered to your driveway and you have as long as you need to fill it up. Then, when it is full, you call the company and they will come and pick the container up and deliver it to storage or to your new home.

No matter which moving rental option you choose, you will make things a lot easier on yourself if you weed out all the “stuff” that you haven’t used in a long time and donate it or throw it out. Start packing the items you want to keep but don’t use everyday away well before the moving day. This way you can do it gradually and it won’t be an overwhelming task.

Lee Dobbins writes for Moving and More where you can find more tips on moving, buying a house, selling a house and getting financing for your dream house.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."

Mark Twain