|
MOVING
TIPS
MOVING TIP
1
Save money by buying your boxes and supplies from www.SOUTHJERSEYBOXES.com (yes this is a shameless plug).
MOVING TIP 2 If you meet certain requirements, you can write off all of your moving expenses on your tax return. Common moving expenses that are overlooked are mileage on your personal vehicle(s), transportation and storage, lodging, your time packing and boxes and supplies. Keep all your moving related receipts together and come tax time use IRS form 3903. Check out this IRS link for more info: http://www.irs.gov/publications/p521/
MOVING TIP
3 If you use a mover, do your homework and make sure they are a reputable company. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau, do a Google search on them and actually call there references. Everybody has some skeletons in there closet (make sure you use the right box for yours ), so if you find a few complaints but a lot of positive feedback they are probably ok.
Get a copy of the movers insurance policy and CONFIRM it is valid and up to date!
MOVING TIP
4 If you are using a
moving company make sure you put your items in the correct
boxes. Small boxes are
used for heavy items like books and tools. If you were to fill one of
our large boxes with books and tools even Ryan Howard couldn’t pick
them up. Yes the mover’s have dollies, but they still may refuse or
charge you extra for boxes that are too heavy (this is the
“extra” charges they talk about in the small print
).
MOVING TIP
5 Take valuable items with
you in a suitcase or small box. It is not worth packing your
gold bricks in a box and trying to trust strangers with it.
MOVING TIP
6 If you have fragile items that you are packing yourself use EXCESSIVE packing material and the right box. Thank you to MasterCard for our example: Box
$1.25-$1.75 Bubble Wrap
about
$.10 a foot Excessive Bubble
Wrap
still $.10 a foot
Not dealing with the
moving company’s insurance carrier …
PRICELESS!
MOVING TIP
7 Before packing your
fragile items use a black marker to write on the box FRAGILE
(easier to write on the box while it is still flat ). Use
EXCESSIVE packing material, but DO NOT tape the box.
Keep all of your fragile boxes separated from your other boxes. On the day of your move grab a supervisor and have that person confirm that your fragile items are packed appropriately (appropriately = the only way something would break is if the box was handled negligently). Have the supervisor signoff on the number of boxes and the excessive packing material you used. Then tape the boxes and hold on to the paper the supervisor signed. Do not count on the mover’s terms and conditions to protect you. Having your own paper trail NEVER hurts and can speed the process up with an insurance carrier if your items arrive damaged.
Keep in mind
@$%@ happens, so if the items are irreplaceable
they may be better off in your hands.
MOVING TIP
8 Moving is a great time
to get rid of all the stuff you don’t need. Donate any items that
you can and recycle or trash everything else. If you donate the
items make sure you get a receipt, so you write it off come tax
time.
Now you will have more room in your new place to fill up with other stuff you don’t really need.
MOVING TIP
9 If you think the move is
tough on you, imagine how tough it is on your kid(s). Make sure you talk about
your move with them and keep there favorite toys or items accessible
throughout the packing and moving process.
MOVING TIP
10 Make sure you backup all
your files on your computer prior to your move. Have the data burned
onto CD’s or DVD’s and keep them in a secure, accessible
location. If you have
saved your computer boxes, you are ahead of the game.
If you do not have the
boxes find a box that is about twice the size of the computer. DO NOT USE BUBBLE WRAP OR
PACKING PEANUTS as filler. These products cause static electricity
and can damage your computer. Use unprinted newspaper. Wad up the
paper and make a layer on the bottom of the box. Place the computer
inside and then continue to wad up newsprint all around the sides
and over the top. Seal the box with tape.
Computers are another
one of those items that you may want to move
yourself.
MOVING TIP
11 Make sure you drain oil
and gas from your lawn mower and snow blower. DO NOT pack anything
flammable, combustible or corrosive (paint cans, turpentine,
etc.. .) . It is against the law for movers to transport these
items.
Were these MOVING TIPS helpful? Do you have any great tips? If so, send us an email at customercare@southjerseyboxes.com .
|
