Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency."

Arnold Glasgow (1908-1970)

Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time. "

Arnold Glasgow (1908-1970)

Where to Retire at 35

This has absolutely nothing to do with moving . . but what the heck . . .

If you could live anywhere, where would you live?

It's a question worth considering seriously, because the truth is, you could.

No matter your current circumstances--be you 30 or 70...single or married 40 years...with children or not, young or grown...active business interests or passive investments to manage...a million dollars worth of assets or nothing like it--I promise you: I know others with similar life stories who have taken the leap and who are, as you and I consider the possibilities right now, already living their dreams in their chosen Shangri-las.

To get from where you sit now to where you'd like to be, you've got to do two things.

First, get up.

Second, figure out where you'd like to be.

This is where the trouble starts. The more you open your mind to the possibilities, the more confused you're likely to become. How did Alex and Judith choose Panama over the dozens of other countries they considered carefully? Why did Jay Snyder and his wife decide to spend their time and their money in Granada? What's Paul Keppler doing in Istria?

I'll let each of them tell you their stories themselves, over time, in these dispatches. In each case, the reasons have something to do with business and investment...and something, as well, to do with fun and adventure. But, without exception, the common denominator is that they all wanted a change...a chance to start over, to try something else, to be someone new...to enjoy a richer, fuller quality of life.

It's cliché, on the one hand, but, on the other, it's the only point worth making...the only agenda worth remembering: You've got one shot. Make the most of it.

I'm preaching to the choir, of course, and you know as well as I do the fundamentals of this conversation. You've got to consider cost of living (and of real estate), health care, telecommunications and other infrastructure, ease of coming and going and of getting around once you're in the country, taxes, the local language, the safety of the cities, the stability of the government, and the weather...these are the boxes to check...or not.

And that's one approach to take when trying to answer the question I posed earlier. Assuming you could live anywhere, one way to find out where you should go would be to create a spreadsheet. Into the rows and columns, you could place checkmarks. No, Nicaragua does not have reliable infrastructure...yes, Mexico is easily accessible from the States.

Or you could create a ranking system. Panama is accessible (give it an 8 out of 10) but not as accessible as Mexico (10), while New Zealand is on the other side of the planet (2).

Then, when you've finished the exercise, toss your spreadsheet aside. You've got to allow for the things that can't be plugged into it. Unless you lack any adventuresome spirit or romantic soul whatsoever, this isn't a question that number-crunching can answer for you. At least not completely.

Take Waterford, Ireland, for example. It spreadsheeted much better a decade ago.

Back then, before "Rip-off Ireland," it was still affordable. Real estate values had been climbing for a decade already at that point, but they were still reasonable on a world scale. Foreign residency was possible in several straightforward ways, and it could lead to citizenship. And as foreign residents, we paid tax in Ireland only on the money we remitted to Ireland. Americans abroad, we mitigated our U.S. tax bill with the help of the foreign earned-income exclusion, then we brought into Ireland (and therefore paid Irish taxes on) only the money we needed to live on each year. Talk about tax-efficient.

Today, the cost of living on the Emerald Isle is absurdly high (even Waterford can be more expensive than Paris), and the country's real estate bubble is the stuff of urban legend. They've made it tougher for foreigners to take up residency (in an effort to curb the migration from Africa and Eastern Europe). And they've changed their tax laws so that foreign residents are today taxed on worldwide income. Yikes.

Ten years ago, Ireland would have come out tops in most anyone's rankings. Today its score would be less impressive. Especially when you remember the bad weather and the broken-down infrastructure.

Yet, my position on Ireland hasn't changed. I enjoyed our life in the country when we began it more than 10 years ago...and I'd consider returning today.

Lief wouldn't--the new tax laws are too much for him to take--but I maintain that one can't organize his entire life according to tax code.

For me, Ireland's appeal, 10 years ago and still today, has to do with its history, its pastoral landscapes, and its country charms...the castles, the gardens, the Georgian style...
Things that are hard to rate and rank.

Paris boasts the world's best health care (according to the World Health Organization), world-class infrastructure, four seasons, and more entertaining and pleasing ways to spend your time than any other place on earth. I appreciate those things, of course, but my reasons for considering Paris one of the best places in the world to call home are less quantifiable. I like being in Paris because it's beautiful and ever-changing in ways you've got to pay close attention to recognize. Paris is a city you can know well and still delight in discovering anew every morning.

On paper, Panama City is hard to beat. Affordable cost of living; good medical facilities (I can vouch for these from personal experience); good infrastructure, especially for the region; a tolerable tax system for foreign residents and reasonable options for becoming one in the first place.

Yet, Panama City isn't for everyone. It's hot, humid, and dirty. Its expanding population struggles morning, noon, and night to travel back and forth on the city's one main thoroughfare. Don't try to drive in this town if you can't control your temper. Remember, this is a developing nation...not a developed one. And, again, maybe that doesn't work for you.

I'm aware of all these things, and still I'm looking forward to our move to Panama City this summer, in part because the cost of living will allow me to have help around the house and a driver (almost a necessity)...in part because our tax life will become again very efficient...

Mostly, though, I'm as excited about this move as I have been about the others over the past decade because I appreciate the energy in Panama right now. This country is at a turning point in its history, pushing full steam ahead toward developed world status. Hard to be at rest and rotting in a place working this hard and moving this fast to make something of itself. I feel fortunate that I'll be able to be a part of it for a while.

Kathleen Peddicord

After more than 22 years as Editor and Publisher of International Living, Kathleen Peddicord is now Publisher of http://www.liveandinvestoverseas.com and Editor of the group's FREE weekly e-letter, the Overseas Opportunity Letter, detailing the best opportunities worldwide right now for living, retiring, investing, owning real estate, and doing business. Nobody covers this beat better.

The Simple Dollar's Moving Tips

Invite family and friends over a couple of days after you move.

We actually found that an invasion of family and friends after the move helped us a ton. They moved furniture into appropriate places, cleared out tons of empty boxes, put stuff in appropriate rooms, assembled a desk, and so on. We went from feeling like there was a ton left to do to feeling moved in - in just a few hours.

The Simple Dollar's Moving Tips

Keep a “vital stuff” box.

Put items in it that you’ll need to find quickly at the house, like prescription medication and highly important personal materials, and keep track of it yourself. My wife accidentally packed some prescription medication into the bottom of an unexpected box that morning and we wound up burning two hours just searching for the medication.

The Simple Dollar's Moving Tips

Follow that day with a party in the evening.

We had a nice little party out on our deck where we drank some champagne and beer, sat around, and shot the breeze for hours. It was a great end to the move and helped two tired people break in their house a little with love and friendship.

The Simple Dollar’s Moving Tips

Unless you have tons of help or are highly organized, get a moving service.

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Even if you do all the packing yourself, their efficiency can be utterly incredible. We packed all of our own materials, so our moving service just carried the boxes to the new house. It still took seven hours, but I estimated it would have taken me twenty or so by myself (my wife is pregnant and can’t help) and somewhat less with friends, but still not anywhere near that efficient.

The Simple Dollar’s Moving Tips

Label your boxes - the more detail, the better.

We wrote a target room on the top, along with a few words summarizing what was inside. The few seconds it took to do this for each box we packed was well worth the time when we moved in - we just put stuff in the target room and was ready to go.

House Moving - Here We Go Again

By Colin Jones

The stress levels are that of Divorce or becoming unemployed it's the dreaded Relocation. Oh boy 8 moves in 5 years proved just how good my marriage is and not a day would go by without the gentle reminder that I aged her with all that moving around. Relocating or moving house is a lottery what you must do is increase the odds for a positive outcome.

Firstly find a relocation expert.

Do this and consider your budget. Do this part right and life will be forever good. It took us 7 moves to work out the simple formulae for this. It is get 5 quotes and put them in the order of what you feel is going to be the better. Look for professionalism and tell tale signs that these people know what they are doing. Then put them in order from 1 - 5 of your preference excluding price quoted. Discard bottom 2 regardless of price.

Contact no1 if in price budget and ask about insurance , guaranteed time and if your precious goods will be handled a multiple of time.Oh one other thing make sure the people that quote actually move you and are not just brokers.

Then when happy book em danno. Remember it is a lottery. The old saying you get what you pay for is so true but when you are as tight as a fish's bottom (that's water tight) you can sometimes make some dreadful errors of judgment based on price. Look at my bargain camcorder the one I can't get a battery for or that Toyota Camry low km ex taxi with the Auto Trans awaiting parts in the front yard, Spend that little bit more for piece of mind.

I mentioned handling of goods, some relocation people load their truck at you door and then unload at the drop off point. Great, Some others load at your door in a pretty little truck usually nice and new then drive straight back to their depot and unload all your precious items into a corner of their large garage awaiting a huge interstate truck to come along and load your stuff up with 3 other loads.

Discourage double handling.

Stuff can breaks and usually its your great aunts civil war vase, given to her by uncle john in 1882. Even insurance will not cover this kind of loss. But guess what it's the stuff you find 3 months later broken that causes the grief. Usually multiple handling relocations are usually cheaper. House moving hints

Get a commitment to a delivery time. Here's another, move 5 I'm pretty smart now and know it all. Got quote good relocation people, packed date arranged Wife and two children happy and book on plane, cats loaded on plane and sent off and this time reptiles packed and flown to friends house things are going great. Wife still loves me and it's the night before the move..Phone rings Hello xxxxRemovalist here the quote we have given you is incorrect and we cannot uplift you tomorrow. (Silence). My world is collapsing and the blood has drained from my body. So what do I do I replied, in a sympathetic voice sorry Mr. Jones the quote should have been $800 more. I won't print here the next 15 minutes but ultimately I had to pay the extra so always get a firm quote.

So, Take you time Plan and try to avoid the pitfalls. Most relocation people are genuine and sometimes delays and damage is not directly associated with them.

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Colin Jones is the author of may web sites http://www.housemovinghints.com/ hints and others.

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Magic Movers says: Always check out your removalist before you move!!!

Moving House

By Colm Brady

Moving house is never an easy task to undertake and it is often the case that the magnitude of the task will only become apparent once the process has started. The process is always going to be difficult and stressful, and for many people even one of the most stressful things they will do during their lifetime. The task can be made easier by good planning and forward thinking, but the fact remains, moving house is stressful work.

For many people, the task will be outsourced to a moving company who will move your valuable possessions from A to B. There are several obvious benefits to going down this route, but disadvantages include losing control of your most valued possessions during the move and the possibility of simply ending up with a stack of unorganized boxes in your new home.

The growing trend at the moment is to either move house yourself, or combine some of the advantages of a removal company for moving larger items, and move the remaining items yourself. If you are going to undertake this task yourself, preparation is the key word. There is always going to be a certain expectation of disorder on the far side, but this disorganization can be minimized by following some simple steps including planning for the move four weeks in advance.

No matter what way you look at it, you are going to need lots of boxes, and the earlier you get these into your house the better. Boxes should be clearly numbered with these numbers being recorded on a clip board. Using this clip board you can assign a room destination in your new location for each box, so every box moved gets moved to the correct room in your new house.

As part of this organisation, it is important that you pick a date in the future for the move, and everything works up to that point. Book a van rental in advance to avoid disappointment's and having to plan without a van.

When loading a van it is best to load heavier items against the font wall of the van and pack items around this. Using this method the heavier items will be placed over the vans center of gravity and the risk of movement during transit will be greatly reduced.

Colm Brady is Director of Business Development for Thrifty Car Rental Ireland and has worked with Thrifty since 2000. Colm is continually developing the companies business through both the traditional and online channels. Among the websites that are currently under the Thrifty Umbrella are: Van Rental Ireland, and Van Rental Ireland

Moving House? Stressed?

By Suzy Copus
At first selling a house can be quite exciting - getting the house ready, having valuations, haggling to get the cheapest commission rate. Even the first few viewings can be exciting. The stress may start to kick in after you've had a few viewings and no one offers a penny, but they do offer suggestions on what's wrong with your property! This may not be encouraging and the first thoughts may be "who is going to buy THIS house?".

Do not even go there, you bought your house so someone will like it. It only takes one buyer - give each viewing your best shot and if it's a little untidy then remember that viewers often get a feel of the house as soon as they walk in. It doesn't need to look perfect but try to make it welcoming. Assume someone will like it eventually - afterall you can't force someone like it so being stressed about it won't help.

You might feel excited even when the phone rings - is this a viewing? Could this be the one? Can you accommodate the viewing and have time to sort the house enough or get your teenager out of bed, pack off young children, take the dog out. This is all a nuisance and time-consuming. Let's face it - more demands on ever precious time is stressful.

So AVOID it! If you can't make the viewing time, then say so. Make sure you look after yourself enough to be able to do what you need AND make the house presentable.

Another stress is likely to be from having seen your dream home and not being a position to make an offer on it. Some say, don't even look at other houses until you have an offer on yours, but this is unrealistic. You may need to look at other houses to know what is on offer and the more houses you view the more informed you are of what properties are on the market and for what price. Also your criteria of what you need is likely to change as you look at more properties. So LOOK and be informed. And if you find your dream house, well, cross your fingers.

Sometimes when a seller puts their house on the market, they start to see the flaws in the house and the reasons for wanting to move become more apparent - a negative feeling about your own home is not pleasant. Remember why you bought it and what you liked about it. Getting it ready to sell might work the other way - you might end up wanting to stay.

If your property ends up stuck on the market for months you then need to decide whether to drop the price - depressing and stressful especially if dropping the price is going to effect your options for your next property. However, on the up side, you're more likely to sell and get moving.

Let's go to the point where someone puts in an offer. Now it's serious. How much do you haggle? How much are you willing to come down? This can be stressful. But again avoid the stress. A good deal is where both parties are happy. Way up the pros and cons of what you want to accept and take time to make a decision. Take advice from your agent.

Now being under offer you've passed the first hurdle - congratulations and that's the first stressful episode over. Now the solicitors and surveyors are involved. Will anything come up in the survey - most surveys sound very negative and frightening yet in discussion with the surveyor it usually seems okay. Will your buyer pull out? Will someone in the chain pull out? Why does it all take so long? Yet more queries?

Ultimately the sheer uncertainty can be very stressful. The way to avoid the stress is to dissociate yourself as the majority of the work is now out of your hands. Keep in regular contact with your solicitor and know what is going on. Answer any queries promptly.

You get to exchange and you decide to go for it. Contracts are exchanged and you have a completion date. A major sigh of relief. You can now open your first bottle of champers.

Then comes the work of organising removals, packing and arranging redirections and change of address. To avoid stress take it slowly, write lists and take time over it. Start as soon as you have exchanged so that you keep your tasks under control and there's no last minute rush. Know where you want your furniture to go and make a plan or drawing so that you can easily direct the removal men.

On moving day, have help. Even if you have professional removals you may find it supportive to have a good friend with you. In your car, take a box with your favorite beverage, perhaps the kettle, tea bags, cups, milk and a packet of your favorite biscuits so that when the removal men go you can sit down and relax. You're in. Unpack as time permits and get to know your new house.

Susy Copus is a property commentator writing about all aspects of home moving, properties for sale, estate agent directories and house prices for the UK Property Search Engine, Wheres My Property. Susy also writes for Renovate Alerts who specialise in finding property to renovate and Property Money Maker.

How To Move House - Moving House Secrets

By Robert William Locke

The last time I moved house, the guy who came to turn off the gas looked at me pityingly and said that he shook in his shoes every time he remembered his move! Well, he was right! If I had known some of the moving secrets outlined in this article, I could have saved a mountain of money!

Moving house is reputed to be among the top three most stressful things the average human being goes through during life. A colleague once joked that moving house was worse than death! How did she know? I think she meant suffering the loss of a loved one, i.e. bereavement. Looking at the positive side, moving house is a chance for a fresh start in a new environment and so getting rid of the possessions that weren't needed in your old house and which only served to make a mess, reinforces this change.

The best way to reduce stress when moving house is to pack early. For many people, moving house is a major job undertaken with a degree of expected disorder at the other end. It is important to note that the amount and type of preparation in relation to moving house is itemised.

Choosing A Moving Company

Use a moving company and save your sanity. But how do you choose ? Many companies pride themselves on the high level of personalised service they give. Make sure you shop around for a company though as the prices charged can vary considerably. Decide on the pick up time, and date for the moving company to pick up. Work out distance to travel. As for a container, if done properly, it is probably a good method with a reputable moving company. A friend of mine though had to organize packers at the other end because this was not included in the mover’s fee! All these things need to be checked out beforehand.

How To Save Money

Whilst cleaning, organize any collections you might have into boxes so the things which are not urgently required when you get to your destination can be stored somewhere, in that way you can unpack them at leisure. It is a great chance to get rid of clutter!

Label everything clearly on the side and the top and instruct your packers or removal company that boxes or cartons must be stacked at destination with the label showing. Mark your boxes for whatever room you want them in at destination, such as dining Room, bedroom 2, kitchen etc.

If you are really efficient, go one step further and number the boxes according to the priority in which they will be needed. When you get to your new home, ask your husband to set up the television and DVD player straight away, so the children are amused and happy while you deal with the chaos of organizing boxes and setting up a working kitchen.

Some companies also provide packaging and boxes for you - make sure you ask when you request your quotation. The vision of having to search through endless boxes for a small item such as a can opener is not very appealing, and if you haven’t prepared correctly for the move, is a very real possibility. This means you have to plan ahead and pack ONE box of essentials which is clearly labelled ‘survival box’.

But there is so much more to think of and the guide below will help you through the jungle of how to move house. It will also reveal some moving secrets which will help you to make big savings on your move.

Robert Locke is an Internet Marketer specializing in Health, Wellness and Fitness. If you want to find out more about moving house and some of the moving secrets which many moving companies never reveal, click on the link below:- http://www.usfreeads.com/887221-cls.html

Moving With Kids

Moving with Kids:

Before the Move: they suggest such things as allowing your children to ask a lot of questions and taking them to their new home before the moving day so that they can get a chance to explore their new surroundings.

During the Move: make sure that you personally keep a positive attitude and stick to your usual routines. If you are calm and collected, that attitude will rub off on your child.

After the Move:allow your child to have an input on the decoration of the new house so that they can feel like its their home as well. Also, try to keep an eye out for any local kids that your child can befriend and invited them and their parents over for a pizza party so that you can get to know each other.

Moving and Your Pet

We all know that moving house is one of the most stressful times in life, but have you thought how demanding it is on your pets? It’s not just a case of considering how you and your children are going to fit into a new neighbourhood, have you thought about how your pet will adjust to new surroundings too? Follow these handy tips, to help ensure the move is as easy for your pets as it is for you.

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Before the move…

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Give your pet extra reassurance and attention whilst starting to pack and move, so that they feel as safe and secure as possible. Keep your pet quiet and out of the way when packing and moving furniture and boxes.

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Many animals, especially dogs, will become anxious and restless when they see boxes, suitcases and furniture being moved. When you pack leave out you pets bedding, toys and other equipment so that they are surrounded by familiar things. Prior to the actual day of moving, you should speak to your vet if your pet suffers from travel sickness or severe anxiety when in the car. There may be something available to make your pet feel more relaxed.

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The day of the move…

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Keep your pet restricted to one secure room to avoid them escaping or injuring themselves. Keep temperatures as constant where possible, especially with birds. Safe, secure transport for your pet is essential. Cats should be transported in cat carriers, which for long journeys should be large enough to hold water, bed and litter tray. Keep dogs behind a dog guard or attached to a special dog harness which fits into the seat belt of a car.

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After the move…

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Be patient and allow your pet time to adjust, try to be tolerant if they follow you around and make allowances for all accidents on the carpet should they occur! Cats need to be restricted to the house for two to three weeks. It is probably best to confine them to the room they were in on the day of the move for the first few days, whilst unpacking and moving of furniture is still going on.

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Make sure your pet is fitted with correct identification showing your new address. Ideally cats should wear reflective collars. Identity chips are also a good idea as they offer a permanent way to identify your pet and dogs should also wear collars. Ensure gardens are adequately fenced. If possible, take time off work and do not leave dogs alone for long periods of time if you can help it.

Contact your local authority for advice on the local dog walk areas. We all treat our pets like one of the family, so when moving house, this shouldn’t be any different.

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By following these handy tips we hope your beloved animals will have a stress free move too.

Happy New Year for 2007

A Healthy and Prosperous New Year from Magic Movers Removals!

Have a Merry Christmas

A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to everyone form Magic Movers

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important."

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.

George Bernard Shaw

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"A lot of people quit looking for work as soon as they find a job."

Zig Ziglar

Magic Movers "Moving Quote"

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

Henry David Thoreau