Recycling is easy!

As you move, you probably have a ton of things that you would like to get rid of.  Crusty old bread, wrinkled pillows, and scandalous leg lamps are probably at the top of your list.  But what about the bubble wrap and boxes you use during your move–and what if you want to be eco-friendly, too?

You can recycle packing supplies that you don’t plan on selling or reusing instead of simply throwing them away.  Here is a list of some of the most recyclable supplies:

• Corrugated cardboard boxes
• Newspaper
• Mixed papers
• Plastic bags and boxes
• Non-standard packing materials:
  clothing and magazines

You should contact your local waste management facility or township office to inquire about recycling services offered in your area.  You may have the option of leaving your recyclable items curbside for pick-up or dropping them off at a recycling center at your convenience.

If you do recycle your packing materials, make sure that you are following the specific instructions for recycling those particular items.  Most recyclable packing materials will need to be cleaned, separated, or tied and stacked together before they can be recycled.  Also, don’t mix items of different materials as this contamination can lead to the entire lot being thrown out.

Learn more about recycling your packing materials here, and best wishes for a successful move!

Have you been able to recycle any other packing materials?  Tell us with a comment below!

Image by ww5.komen.org

Here at Movers.com, we again had something fun to celebrate this week. Pradeep had a birthday on Monday, and thanks to Alex P. and Alex S., we all had delicious Subway sandwiches and cookies-and-cream angel food cake!

On an unrelated note, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Many people I know have participated in marathons and walks to raise awareness.  As a Susan G. Komen advocate, I appreciate and support any effort geared toward finding a cure for the disease and educating women on early prevention and the importance of getting a mammogram.  (And with just over a week left in the month, it’s not too late to do something to participate!)  Of course, I am not the only supporter out there.  Have you seen the NFL lately? Nothing says that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month like a bunch of linebackers wearing pink athletic shoes!

Photo by i.usatoday.net

This weekend, I’ll definitely be watching some football!  I hope that everyone else also gets some much-deserved enjoyment out of their own weekend!

Photo by DontbBlue, sxc.hu

Fortunately, you have options on how to transport your wine collection safely to your new home.  Make sure to tell your mover that you have a wine collection, and then ask the following questions:

Do you have climate-controlled vans? Moving your wine collection in a climate-controlled van is ideal for maintaining your wine’s flavor and appearance.  The recommended temperature for most wines is fifty-five degrees, but you should check with an expert before you request a specific temperature.

What kinds of boxes do you use to transport wine collections? There are special boxes designed for transporting wine bottles.  Make  sure to give the mover information about the quantity and size of your wine collection. These details will help your mover confirm that they not only have the right-sized box, but have enough boxes to assist you with your special move.

Do you know of the restrictions in my destination area regarding the transport of alcoholic beverages? The mover should be aware that restrictions regarding the amount of alcohol that can be brought in for personal use may apply to your move.  You or the mover should contact alcohol beverage control authorities in your destination area before you move.

Do you have any coverage plans that would apply to my wine collection in the even that any bottles are damaged, stolen, or lost? You may want coverage for your wine collection during the transportation process.  If so, ask your moving specialist if this is a service they provide, under what circumstances would your items receive coverage, and the definition of any terms.  Most likely, the specialist would send you their insurance policy before you commit to any agreement.

To further assess the value of your wine collection, you might want to consider having your collection appraised.  Many local wine merchants offer this service.

You do have the option of transporting the wine by car, which will give you or another passenger full control over the climate.  You’ll also be able to monitor the condition of your wine during the move.  Some commercial airlines do offer wine transport services, but this can be a very expensive option.

The best time of year to move your wine collection is when temperatures are most mild, like early spring or late fall.   Luckily, a climate-controlled vehicle will give you year-round flexibility and ensures that your wine collection arrives safely to its destination.

Have you ever transported your wine collection?  Tell us about it with a quick comment below!

You can reduce some of the time spent on finding a truck by sticking to a handful of ways to locate a moving truck:

Photo by joanie, sxc.hu

1. Hire a full-service mover. You may need a mover to assist you in packing all of your belongings. Once you’ve located a mover, you’ll have the added convenience of being provided with a truck for your relocation.
2. Rent a truck. You could consider renting a moving truck to assist you with your move. You could drive the truck or hire someone to drive the truck for you!
3. Borrow a friend’s truck. Maybe you know of a friend with a truck who is willing to let you borrow it for your move.  Finding a truck through a friend can make the process smoother.  Make sure to inquire if your friend’s insurance coverage will be extended to you as the driver.
4. Drive multiple trips in your sedan. Find a moving truck in your own sedan! If you’re willing, why not transport your belongings with the car you already have? This does not have to be done in one day, but if you can transport your items over a period of time, then this might be the best option for you.
5. Check local newspapers or online resources for private truck rentals. Certain sites like Craigslist.com have ads for renting their private truck.  Make sure that you agree to see the truck in person and sign an agreement before giving anyone money.  You want to use their truck, but not get used by a scam artist.
6. Buy a used-truck. Moving trucks are sold just like other vehicles.  If you can find a used-truck in good condition, then it might be more affordable option than paying for a truck or renting a truck.
7. “Truck-pool.” Consider moving with others if you need to find a moving truck.  If you don’t have a car, but don’t want to rent or pay for a truck that you aren’t using to capacity, then check online or in newspapers to see if anyone local is moving close to where you’re moving.
8. Repair an abandoned truck. People sometimes abandon trucks, believing that they are no longer functional, but this may not be the case.  If you find an abandoned truck behind a building or on a road, then you may be able to fix the vehicle or get a professional to repair the truck.
9. Attend an auction. Car auction shows are held in many cities throughout the U.S.  Check online to see if an auction is being held in or near your area.  You could just find a moving truck to purchase!
10. Word of mouth. A good way to find a truck is to ask someone who has moved how they found a moving truck.  It never hurts to find out how someone else discovered their mover.

How have you found your moving trucks in the past?  Tell us about it with a comment!

The easiest way to move your home office files is to use one or more of the following items:

• File folders
• Manila envelopes
• Safes

Photo by www.lowes.com

The built-in tabs on many file folders make them ideal for filing documents that you need to easily identify and have access to when moving.  The documents contained in your folders might include photocopies of a mover’s contract, any rental confirmations, or a floor plan.  You can keep a few of these with you at all times during the move to organize the many documents you’ll have to carry.

Manila envelopes are great for storing more private information, like a copy of your last rent payment or bills.  Since many manila envelopes have a clasp and adhesive seal, you’ll have some control over how easily accessible the contents will be.  Once you have the documents sealed in the envelopes, you can move them as a group in a large box or in a safe, which we’ll talk about next.

Safes provide an extra layer of security and organization for your office files. Many safes come with spacious, flat interiors that allow you to stack documents, file folders, and manila envelopes on top of one another with ease. The safe can be transferred on the moving truck or be one of the items you choose to move on your own.  You can find secure safes of various sizes to move your items at stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Home office files tend to be a mix of essential and non-essential documents.  If you don’t have enough time to sort through each file or don’t want to throw anything away yet, then neatly and securely filing them before you move may be your best option.  Know the different transportation options available, and pick the ones that work best for you!

What are some ways that you’ve kept your office files together during a move?  Tell us about them with a comment below!

Sean loved the cupcakes!

It’s Friday at Movers.com and most of the office has recuperated from being sick last week.

The Movers.com Team did feel a bit pushed around this week, not by illness but by the strong gusts of wind! Luckily, everyone (and their cars) managed to keep both feet and wheels on the ground.  Besides, we didn’t have time to think about the wind with the new camera around! We all got the chance to see the enhanced videos our high-quality camera is producing, and we can’t wait to share more videos with you soon.  We’ve also been holding auditions for our Movers.com videos, so keep an eye out for new faces in the future!

We didn’t eat pizza together this week, but still shared in a couple of teammates’ feats. First, Alex climbed Pyramid Mountain, located in Kinnelon, NJ.  Adam went to his fifth Bruce Springsteen concert, and Sean celebrated his twenty-first birthday on Thursday!  It’s remarkable that so much can happen within a week.

We actually surprised Sean with Halloween-themed birthday cupcakes today and we all got to enjoy this delicious treat. Fridays are easier when you work in a cupcake-friendly office!

I hope that everyone pushed through the wind safely, and have a re-energizing weekend ahead!

]]> http://blog.movers.com/index.php/2009/10/09/at-moverscom-%e2%80%93-friday-october-09-2009/feed/ http://blog.movers.com/index.php/2009/10/09/top-10-reuses-for-bubble-wrap/ http://blog.movers.com/index.php/2009/10/09/top-10-reuses-for-bubble-wrap/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:30:25 +0000 Movers Team-2 http://blog.movers.com/?p=1209

Image by www.vsstv.com

Today, bloggers Adam M. and Rebecca P. took the bubble wrap challenge and came up with the top eighteen ways to reuse the plastic air cushioning system we all love.  We hope you’ll enjoy their “snappy” list!

Many people still get a bit excited when a package arrives in bubble wrap. This plastic, flexible, air pocket is used to protect your valuables, but can also be used for a bit of entertainment.  Bubble wrap has a variety of uses and here are just a few ideas to spark your imagination:

Photo by Onatos, sxc.hu

The United States Air Force is a branch of the U.S. armed forces.  As the aerial warfare arm of the military, the U.S. Air Force has been crucial to and an invaluable component of U.S. security.

I always wondered what it would be like to be in the Air Force and live in a military family.  How many times would I move and discover new places? To satisfy my curiosity, I started watching a few episodes of Army Wives, but wanted to explore military moving dynamics a bit more directly and personally.

I decided to interview my cousin Natosha, who grew up in a household with Air Force officers and could give me the insider scoop on moving and the military family.

Movers.com (M): What are some common misconceptions about military families?

Natosha (N): Well, since both of my parents were in the military, I think people thought they woke me up to do sit-ups and workout all the time. I also think people assume that all military families live on a base. We never lived on a base.

M: Both of your parents were officers?

N: Yes, my parents were both officers, now they are retired. My mom was a Colonel in the United States Air Force and my dad was a Major in the United States Air Force.

M: Did you have to move around a lot?

N: Not as much as I have heard from other kids who grew up in the military. I was born in Michigan, but moved to the Philippines, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia, California, and New Mexico. I decided to move to Delaware on my own to attend college.

M: Wow! I’m impressed!  If you’re looking at the Movers.com site, can you tell me which moving services match the ones you used?

N: We used long distance movers for the domestic moves, like the service offered on the Movers.com page. The truck was huge and we had full-service movers, so they packed everything up for us and moved it to our new location. When you’re moving as a family, it makes such a difference for someone to come and pack up your stuff. It’s hard for parents to pack their stuff, their kids’ stuff, and everything else all by themselves. Too bad we didn’t have this site when we moved!

M: What is a good tip for people who move a lot and across long distances?

N: Watch out for moving scams! Also, make sure your large appliances have some insurance if broken or stolen. Sometimes, people are just waiting to take advantage of the fact that you’re moving and not there to watch over your things.

M:  What is the best part of moving?

N: I love that I met a lot of different people and had experiences that made me more in-tune with others.

Did you grow up in a military family that moved around a lot? If so, what kind of packing and moving tips do you have?  Tell us with a comment below!

During a move, it is essential to keep your instruments protected and intact.  To keep you and your instrument in perfect moving harmony, you can hire a special mover or choose a case that will best secure your instrument.

Musical instruments can typically be moved in three different types of cases:

Photo by kbramblet, sxc.hu

• Soft
• Lightweight
• Hard

Soft and lightweight cases are usually made out of woven nylon and abrasion-resistant material. If you are carrying an instrument like a guitar or violin during a short move, a lightweight case may be preferable. Keep in mind that the interior padding and external handles or straps will influence the weight of your case.

Hard cases have a sturdy shell which will protect your instruments from damage in a moving truck. Many of the hard cases will also come equipped with interior padding, which provides additional protection. A flight case can be used for plane transport, but these hard cases are known to be heavy, cumbersome, and very expensive!

Also, try to anticipate the temperatures your instrument might be exposed to during a move. In a vehicle, your instrument case could be near a hot window or next to a chilly cooler.  If you have a polyethylene instrument case, be especially cautious of hot temperatures, since this material can melt.  A good case should offer a cushion for your instrument but be able to moderate the internal temperature.  To be on the safe side, wait until you reach room temperature areas before opening your instrument case.

You can move your instruments with extra care by placing a tag with your contact information on the handle and inside the case. For my trombone case, I even placed a contact tag in the mouthpiece compartment.  In the event that your instrument is misplaced or lost during your move, the tag will hopefully get it back to you safe and sound.

Have you ever moved a non-piano musical instrument before?  Tell us about it with a comment below!

Billowing beacons

As an ex-upstate New Yorker, Manhattanite, and Brooklynite, September 11th, still has a deep impact on me and millions of others around the country and world.  I know that many of us can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard that a plane had hit the Twin Towers.  You probably remember the events that surreally followed after hearing the tragic news.  We called loved ones, only to discover busy signals and unavailable networks at first, relieved when we finally got through. Hopefully, at the end of your day, the people you were partially acquainted with, close friends and family, and your significant others, were unharmed, but we know that sadly, this wasn’t everyone’s experience.

The events of September 11th touched people in different ways. Whether you were in New York City at the time or not, many were affected by the tragic event. I have friends and family who moved out of the city and its boroughs after the event, but also many more that stayed.  I was in Boston, Massachusetts at the time,  wondering if I could make the move to the “Big Apple.” It was a real possibility for me after witnessing the unbroken spirit and fortitude that has always been unique to New York City.   Like several other cities around the globe, the location of tragedy, grief, and violence can also be the shared location of joy, celebration, family, love, and most importantly, home.  Now that I am in New Jersey, I feel fortunate to reflect on this historical day with a different perspective. Not only do I still truly appreciate my loved ones, but I have renewed pride in the places that have been a home to me.

Home should provide you with a sense of stability, and when events occur that disrupts your sense of security, it’s important to seek those things familiar and safe.  It’s a sentiment that I not only sought personally, but professionally.  I believe that to a certain degree, where I work should be an extension of my home security. It’s not surprising that the events of 9/11 have compelled me and others to candidly discuss safety at the workplace.  Some of the safety measures that your company makes could include the following:

• Making employees aware of all exits and exit strategies during an emergency.
• Ensuring that employees know how to use fire extinguishers and where they are located.
• Providing workers with phone numbers for the local police and fire department.
• Planning an evacuation route.
• Having monthly fire drills.
• Making sure that first aid kits are stocked and easily accessible.
• Having emergency supplies, such as flashlights, dual-communication devices (walkie talkies), and batteries readily available.

Your company may appoint a fire warden, or designate a person to evacuate people from bathrooms and backrooms during an emergency.  Planning ahead for the unexpected can be challenging, but will be a source of stability when you need it most.