Latest news with #movingtips
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
These hacks are ‘totes' the smart way to PCS
When planning a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), military families face the daunting task of transporting their belongings across the country or even overseas. Amid the stress of researching housing, vehicle transport, new schools, and all of the other things, finding practical and cost-effective ways to manage your luggage is crucial. While researching our own PCS from Virginia Beach to Honolulu, someone somewhere put storage totes on my radar. It turns out many military families have turned to using large totes—specifically 27, 55, or 60-gallon containers—as an efficient solution for packing and transporting their essentials. Airline policies offer generous baggage allowances for military personnel and dependents traveling on orders, making these oversized totes a game-changer. Here are a few benefits of using these totes during your PCS, along with a breakdown of baggage policies from major U.S. airlines to ensure a smooth and budget-friendly move. American Airlines: Active-duty military members and their dependents can check up to five bags free of charge when traveling on orders. Each bag can weigh up to 100 pounds. For personal travel, three bags can be checked for free. Delta Air Lines: Active-duty members can check up to five bags for free when on orders (four in economy class). These bags can weigh up to 100 pounds each. For personal travel, two bags up to 50 pounds each are allowed for free, with three bags allowed for those in first class. United Airlines: Active-duty personnel on orders can check up to five bags, each weighing up to 100 pounds, for free. For personal travel, three bags weighing up to 70 pounds each are allowed. Southwest Airlines: Southwest allows military members on orders to check an unlimited number of bags, provided no single bag exceeds 100 pounds or 80 inches in size. Alaska Airlines: Military members and dependents can check up to five bags for free, each weighing up to 70 pounds. There are no oversize fees for these bags, making large totes more practical. When using large totes for your PCS, it's a good idea to secure them with zip ties for added security. However, it's important not to attach the zip ties until after you've checked in your bags, as the TSA or airline staff may need to inspect the contents. During my most recent PCS, a friendly Delta employee once shared a handy tip: bring extra zip ties and tape them to the lid of your tote. This way, if TSA or an airline employee needs to open your tote while it's in transit, they can easily reseal it with the spare ties. One less thing to worry about during your move! When it comes to organizing and labeling your totes, creativity abounds. Prioritize everything you'll need upon arrival immediately (assuming you've also sent an Unaccompanied Baggage shipment). Spouse Facebook pages for your next duty station are invaluable resources. Simply search for 'totes,' and you'll find advice from families who've been in your shoes, helping you avoid last-minute scrambling. Add Contact Information: Use painter's tape to label each tote with your phone number and name in case it gets misplaced. Inventory Each Tote: Keep a list of items inside each tote, whether on paper or digitally. For a tech-savvy approach, try attaching a QR code with the contents list. 'Open Me First' Tote: Designate a tote with essentials like toiletries, pajamas, and other essentials for your first night. This is especially useful for evening arrivals. Create a Kid-Friendly 'Toy Tote': A toy-specific tote keeps kids entertained during the move and doubles as a toy box once you're settled. Optimize for Temporary Lodging: If space is limited at your temporary lodging, pack a tote with storage solutions, such as collapsible cubes or drawer organizers, to quickly make the space functional. Planning your PCS move with the help of totes can be a game-changer. From airline allowances to organizing hacks, these containers offer an efficient and budget-friendly way to transport your essentials while keeping everything organized and maximizing your DLA. With a bit of preparation and creativity, you'll have everything you need right at hand, making the transition to your new home a smoother experience for the whole family. Safe travels and happy moving! We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter. Solo meals with soul: How to make cooking for one feel like self-care 5 Reasons to attend your base town hall meetings PCSing with school-aged kids: Strategies to find the fun
CTV News
29-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Here are some tips as Montreal's moving day approaches on July 1
With moving day coming on July 1, those in the industry know there are tips that can make the day go much more smoothly. Montreal and Quebec's unofficial moving day is on Tuesday (July 1) and moving companies are working overtime. For those looking to ease the stress, there are ways to make the process smoother. Bust-a-Move owner Jonathan Painchaud said his staff are booked three months in advance, and moving is all about speed and efficiency. It all starts with how prepared clients are when the movers arrive. 'Come moving day, it's super important to, I would say, reserve parking for the truck, make sure that when the truck gets there, it can park, in front of your address,' said Painchaud. Inside the house, the prep work is just as important. 'It's important to get rid of stuff that you don't need, use or want anymore. It's nice to think of it like a fresh start,' said Sort It Out With Samara owner Samara Shapson. Shapson said the earlier you purge, the better, as it can save time, money, and stress down the line. 'You don't want to have to start going through stuff and purging stuff once you're in the new home, you want that done if possible before,' she said. Other tips include packing an essentials box, and clearly labelling each box with a list of what's inside. 'I also recommend that you unpack, starting with that kitchen bathrooms, and, if you have children, their bedroom so that they can feel settled as fast as possible,' said Shapson. Moving supplies Obtaining proper moving supplies well in advance of the move day is essential for a stress-free day. (CTV News) Preparing well in advance of the move can make all the difference. 'People always underestimate how long it's going to take to pack their home, so we always recommend buying moving materials well ahead of time and slowly chipping away at it just to get a jump on the process,' said Painchaud. 'It'll be more enjoyable that way. It'll be less stressful, than trying to do it all in two days.'
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Moving Day: Here are a few tips to help you save money
With July 1 fast approaching, many Quebecers are busy preparing to move homes – and that can mean expenses galore if you're not careful. Here are a few tips to help you save a little money on Moving Day: Roll up your sleeves If you're looking to save money on your move, you'll have to commit to doing most of the work yourself. One way to alleviate the workload? Do some major decluttering. 'The first step would probably be to get rid of anything you no longer need or that no longer has value to you,' Shawn Filion, a financial advisor at Desjardins, tells Noovo Info. Hiring a moving company takes away a lot of the stress, but it is significantly more expensive than renting a U-Haul truck and bribing a few friends with beer and pizza (unless you're moving long-distance, of course, then that might be out of the question). The final decision on whether or not to hire a moving company often depends on what you ultimately decide to keep, explains Janet Gray, a financial planner with Money Coaches Canada. 'It's personal. It may depend on what you've accumulated,' she notes. 'It also depends on the value of certain items, whether financial or sentimental.' You may reconsider some of your choices after getting a quote from a moving company, she says, and be motivated to get rid of any belongings you don't need. Plus, some items, like pianos, cost more and may require a special service. Gray points out that reducing your total number of boxes can represent significant savings, especially for a long-distance move, where costs can increase with the number of kilometres. moving A family prepares to move homes. (cottonbro studio/ Buyers: negotiate your home insurance Sometimes, savings cost time, and one thing you shouldn't overlook is buying home insurance. But rather than going with the first quote you get, pick up the phone and shop around. Carlos Melo, technical affairs and information centre manager with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, advises bundling your car and home insurance policies, if possible. 'This could save you some money and entitle you to certain discounts,' he said. It's also important to identify your insurance needs ahead of time so you're well covered. 'Am I willing to accept, for example, a higher deductible?' Melo asks. 'A deductible is what you'll have to pay in the event of a claim, so it can have an impact on your premium.' Over time, you can also control certain factors that will save you money long-term. 'It boils down to maintaining your home well, so avoiding damage as much as possible will save you money over the years, given that you have had few or no claims,' he explains. You can also install certain water damage, theft or fire detection systems to lower your insurance payments. moving A person overwhelmed during a move. (cottonbro studio/ Tenants: You should buy insurance Even though it's not mandatory, it is important to have home insurance even if you are a tenant, according to Melo. 'Generally, the tenant insurance market only covers 30 to 40 per cent of people,' he said. 'They sometimes think that the landlord's insurance will cover them, but that's not always the case.' He points out that a leaking washing machine that damages a home or building could cost several thousand dollars in repairs, and a tenant may be forced to pay out of pocket if they're not properly insured. Antoine Morneau-Sénéchal, a lawyer specializing in housing law, points out that there are two types of insurance for tenants: liability and property. Liability insurance covers events that the tenant is responsible for (like a leaky washing machine). 'The person who wants to hold you liable must prove it,' said Morneau-Sénéchal. 'In most common cases, such as a poorly connected washing machine, it is easy to prove that it is the tenant's fault; the point of origin will be easy to find.' However, if your apartment building's electrical system causes a fire, you will not be responsible for the repairs. Additionally, property insurance protects your furniture and personal belongings. 'If there is a fire or water damage, the landlord is never responsible for compensating us for our property (our belongings),' he notes. 'It is the insurer who will pay us, not the landlord, with some exceptions.'
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm a property expert, these 10 easy hacks add value to your home including one trick that costs just £3
JUNE is a popular time for people to move home, hopeful of being settled before the new school term. But making sure you get the most out of a move can be stressful. 5 However, property expert Liv Conlon - who stages homes for a living - has shared her essential 10 tips for boosting value. And some cost just pennies but can had hundreds to the asking price. Liv, 26, is the CEO of multi-award-winning which furnishes more than 400 homes a year, as well as a StagerBoss - a coaching business teaching other women how to do the same. The Scots mum, who was brought up in Glasgow and now lives in Marbella with son Cash and mum Ali, says: "From posh pillows to hotel-style bedding, the right styling can make buyers fall in love and nudge them above the asking price. "So before you stick up the For Sale sign, check out these smart, simple ways to get buyers battling to pay more than the asking price." FIRST IMPRESSIONS A buyer decides in 10 seconds whether they are going to buy your home or not - so your entrance and hallway need to make a good first impression. Make it warm and welcoming. Buy a new door mat that's only used for viewings, with no dirty shoe marks, and place two identical plants at either side of the door - which is either clean, new or given a lick of paint. Opt for colours such as black or navy blue so it looks 'classy', rather than something more 'out there'. Clear away the clutter, and lose the smelly shoes and dumped coats. LIVING ROOM VISION The living room is the heart of the home - and buyers know it. It's where they picture relaxing with a glass of wine, watching TV, or hosting friends. Teachers told me I was runing my life leaving school at 16, now I run a seven-figure business Get this room wrong and you risk turning off even the most interested buyer. Make it feel spacious but not sterile, styled but still homely. Pull sofas away from the walls to create cosy conversation zones, and use a large rug to anchor the space - this helps define it and adds warmth. Then ditch harsh overhead lights and go for soft lamps, layered lighting and oversized accessories to give a sense of luxury. Use neutral tones for your sofa and walls, then add depth with textured throws, scatter cushions and artwork. GO BIG Tiny trinkets and dinky lamps really don't cut it when you're trying to wow a buyer. One of the biggest styling mistakes sellers make is going too small with their accessories - it makes your home look underwhelming. 5 If you want to create that lux, showhome feel, size matters. Think big and bold. Oversized lamps on side tables make a dramatic statement, especially when paired with plush sofas or layered cushions. Chunky candlesticks, large framed art or statement vases add instant impact - and make the space feel styled, not stuffed. DON'T LOO-SE OUT Bathrooms are an important room but are often forgotten about when it comes to staging. The key to success with styling this room is to compliment not clutter. You can do this by adding simple styling accessories, layers and textures. Consider pops of colour in your accessories, such as a soap dispenser or a toothbrush holder, which you can pick up for as little as £3 in places like Home Bargains. This draws the eye and helps your images jump off the page. Add textures with towels and bath mats, but also through the type of glass or ceramic in your accessories. Small touches can have a big impact. RIGHT RUG Rugs are the unsung heroes of home staging - they define spaces, add texture and instantly warm up any room. In large, open-plan layouts, rugs create natural boundaries between living, dining and kitchen zones, making the space feel organised and inviting. Don't overlook the 'forgotten' spaces - utility rooms, hallways or entryways can be transformed with a well-chosen rug to feel cosy and purposeful. Rugs can tie together the design elements, especially through colour and texture, in a space while providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere. They can also significantly reduce noise levels by absorbing sound - a quieter home is always more appealing to buyers. ALL WHITE Five-star hotels use crisp, white bedding for a reason, as it exudes luxury and cleanliness, and it immediately puts a viewer at ease. Patterned or busy linens can feel cluttered and overly personal, turning off potential buyers. Investing in high-quality, bright white sheets creates a serene, spa-like oasis that invites buyers to imagine themselves unwinding there. The clean, neutral backdrop also lets you introduce pops of colour and texture with cushions and throws - easy updates that make the room feel stylish without overwhelming the senses. GET DRESSED Layering is the secret to making your home feel styled, warm and high-end - without overdoing it. In the bedroom, start with white sheets, then double up on duvets: one laid flat, the second folded neatly at the end for a boutique hotel look. Use feather insert cushions -not flat polyfills - and build texture with velvet throws, faux fur or quilted finishes. In the living room, mix cushion sizes and textures on your sofa - linen, boucle, chunky knit - to add depth. Coffee tables and sideboards should be styled too: think a stack of hardback books, a sculptural candle and one standout vase. Keep it intentional, not cluttered. STAR OF THE SHOW Not much beats getting ready at a dressing table. The feeling of space and time - rather than catching a quick glimpse in the closet mirror before rushing out the front door. Create that same feeling in your bedroom by setting up a designated space in your bedroom to put on make-up and style your hair. This can be a dual purpose area that could also double up as a work from home space too. To add real luxury, add a table standing mirror, and opt for a mirrored dressing table if your budget allows. CLEAR OFF Nothing puts buyers off faster than clutter. It makes rooms feel smaller and chaotic. When people view your home, they're not just looking at the space - they're imagining their life in it. That's hard to do if every surface is piled high with post, toys or toiletries. Start by stripping back. Clear kitchen worktops, bedside tables and bathroom counters. Invest in clever storage: ottomans with lift-up lids, under-bed boxes and baskets for toys or blankets. Hide away anything personal or bulky. Less stuff equals more space. MIRROR IMAGE Create symmetry in your rooms with matching bedside tables on either side of the bed. Not only does this add practicality and storage, but it instantly makes the room feel more polished. Then, top each table with oversized, identical lamps - these create drama and a high-end vibe without breaking the bank. Symmetry tricks the eye into seeing order and elegance, making your bedroom feel like a five-star retreat buyers won't forget.
The Verge
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
The best ways to digitize your documents
When you're preparing to move, you can find yourself faced with a lot of paper documents. Holiday cards, leases, letters, tax documents, notes, doodles – whatever – can really stack up over time. If your choices are only 'keep' or 'trash,' it can be hard to let go, even if you choose one of the more responsible ways to get rid of your stuff. Digitization makes these decisions easier by adding a third option: create a virtual version for safekeeping and say goodbye to the physical paper. These days, digitization only requires a smartphone or a tablet, but you'll want to optimize the process while reducing the risk of data loss. Decide what to do with your papers In my experience – and I've been digitizing boxes upon boxes of documents for the past six months – there are only a few types of records worth keeping on hand after creating a digital version. These are original government documents, legal agreements such as a will or a current lease, items that might lose their form or meaning when reduced to images on a screen, and anything you may want to display in your home. Of course, there will be exceptions. Maybe you decide to toss every birthday card but keep the one your grandmother sent before she died. Or maybe you just feel better retaining hard copies of every tax document, even though the IRS says it's generally okay to scrap them after three years. You do you. What you'll need to start After you've decided your documents' fate, you can get to work. At minimum, you'll need a mobile device and a flat, clean surface like a tabletop. While that's technically enough to do the job, I recommend also having a computer, a way to transfer files between your devices (like a cable, AirDrop, or cloud storage), image editing software, and at least one backup drive. If you have a truly overwhelming stack of papers, you may want to consider buying or borrowing a scanner to help. A scanner that comes with a feeder can quickly scan a bunch of documents at once rather than doing one at a time, and most scanners can save images directly to your computer or to your cloud storage. Home scanners that are meant mostly for documents can run about $100 to $500, depending on their features and capacity. Scanners that handle high-quality images may cost considerably more. Personally, having used scanners in domestic, professional, and academic settings, I think they're great for archival work, but are overkill for most people's digitization needs. I've used my phone for my own digitization project and have no regrets. Digitizing with your phone camera There are three easy ways to capture a digital image of any paper using your phone: with your camera app, a built-in scanning app, or a third-party scanning app. I use whatever is most appropriate, depending on what my plans are for the digitized copy. While you're likely most familiar with your camera app, it's not great for text documents and particularly cumbersome for multi-page ones. That said, I like to use my usual camera app for cards and art because it creates editable image files that I can organize with tags. Scanning apps, meanwhile, usually only output PDFs. I use this method for text-heavy documents like leases and financial records. Both iOS and Android include built-in scanning tools that are quite capable of turning any document into a PDF. On an Android phone, you use the Drive app; with an iPhone, you can use either the Files or the Notes app. All of these allow you to simply hold your phone over the paper and wait; the app outlines the page and automatically creates a file. There are also a number of third-party apps that offer additional features for capturing, editing, and storing PDFs. If you want more options than Drive, Notes, or Files can provide, it may be useful to check out what's out there. Best way to digitize images Lay your document flat in a well-lit space with no shadows. Weight it down if necessary, but try not to block anything important. An encyclopedic knowledge of camera angles won't matter here. Hold your phone flat and level over your document, without casting shadows onto the page. I also recommend cropping your pics immediately to save time and make the images easier to see in previews when you're organizing. If you're capturing cards, you can photograph the cover and interior separately, then use image editing software to combine them into a single file. Backup your files If you've built a repository of digitized documents on your phone and are thinking of leaving them there — don't. That's like stashing your birth certificate in a folder at an open window and trusting it won't blow away. To mitigate risk, transfer your digitized documents to a computer, a backup drive, and / or cloud storage. Despite advancements in storage technology, data loss still happens, and it's safer to keep your important files in at least two locations in case something happens to one of them. If you use Google Drive to scan your documents, you've already automatically backed them up to the cloud. To send those documents to another device that doesn't have access to your Google Drive, you can download them using Google Takeout. If you use Files or Notes on iOS, you can check to make sure that your files are being backed up to iCloud by going to Settings > [ your name ] > iCloud. If you're using Files and want to send those files elsewhere, tap the three dots in the top right, hit Select, pick the files you want to transfer, and touch the share icon in the bottom left (a box with an upward-pointing arrow). If you use Notes, tap the note you want to transfer and select Share Note. Then choose your preferred sharing method and ship 'em out. Organize your documents No matter where your files are — a computer, mobile device, or cloud storage — you really should organize them so you can find them later. If you have a system that works for you already, great. But if you need a strategy, I recommend creating top-level folders like 'cards' and 'records' that describe the broadest categories within your collection. Within these, make more specific folders, like 'leases' and 'identification.' When you get to the bottom-level folders where the actual files live, try to name them consistently. If you really want to go hard, you can add tags and other metadata to your files. It's important to understand that the goal here is not to completely eliminate anything that could be considered clutter — it's to find an efficient solution to managing the items we accumulate as we live our lives. It's okay to hold onto meaningful items and make a measured assessment of their value from time to time. After all, drowning in a sea of paperwork might be bad, but living a life devoid of meaning and mementos might be even worse.
