Last week, I provided you tips about selling your items online when moving so you can have some pocket change moving forward. This week, I am going to discuss about items you should never put in storage when you move. Storage companies have rules that you need to abide by in order to ensure your belongings and others are kept safe and secure.

Items you should never store include:
• Live animals/pets – Yes, people have done this in the past thinking that their personal critters will be safe when putting them in a storage unit. This is against the law so please leave them with a relative or friend to ensure your pet is safe and receives the proper food.
• Food – It goes without saying but many people store foods in units every year. This is the most over-looked safety rules when using a storage unit. It attracts all sorts of insects, rodents and other bugs that will destroy your personal belongings.
• Plants – Just like pets, this includes plants as well. If you can’t take your plants when you move, please leave them with friends or someone you know or just donate them to a charity etc.
• Stolen items – Yes, another no brainer but people do this all the time. It’s a no brainer but think about it, it’s illegal and if authorities know, they will confiscate it and you will be arrested.
• Hazardous materials – Anything that can create substantial damage if open is prohibited. Don’t store aerosols, acids, gases, gasoline, pesticides, weed killers., propane tanks (most stored that shouldn’t be), paint thinners, cleaners, car batteries etc.
• Scents, wet items – The type of items can attract rodents and vermin. Make sure that all of your items stored are dry.
• Valuables – Storage units overall are pretty safe but don’t risk it with high-valued items.

Safe moving!

One of the best ways to make money and be able to lighten the load for your move is holding a garage sale that can turn your unwanted items into cash. If you’re trying to sell your home, a moving sale might even attract a potential buyer.

Here are some tips to getting the most out of a garage sale:
• Schedule your garage sale on weekends. Start on Friday and end on a Sunday. Post the hours of your sale on the neighborhoods blogs in your area, go online and promote the sale three weeks prior to your sale. Use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. to promote your event.
• When utilizing social media, mention some of the items you’ll be selling like electronics, furniture, appliances etc. Let them know about the prices and provide your email address so they can contact you if they want to know more about the items you are selling.
• Usually garage sales are at your home but if you don’t have plenty of parking and space for people to walk around, consider holding your moving sale at a nearby local school or community center. The fees are usually minimal and you have access to reach hundreds of parents through school or community bulletins.
• How much should you price and sell a particular item? Visit eBay and search for similar items to see what the asking prices are and go online to see how much you can reasonably expect to sell your things.
• Plan for bad weather. You won’t have to worry about the weather if your moving sale is in a school or community center but if it is at your home, get sheets of plastic to cover your items if it does rain.
• Have some drinks on hand and paper bags so shoppers have something to carry their purchases when checking out.

By using these simple tips, you should hopefully have a successful garage sale, making some decent cash while unloading your unwanted items.

Safe moving!

If you are planning to move overseas whether on your own or due to work, it can become very expensive but there are certain steps you can take to make it less expensive.

Here are some useful tips to move on your budget and to make it even less complicated:
• Lighten the load – When you move, this is a great time to get rid of non-important things and items you never use such as books that have been in your shelf for years or a chair that you never use. Less movers have to move, less you’ll have to pay. Plan on giving away your extra un-needed items, donate, sell or recycle them.
• Dedicated mover – Make sure to hire someone that has been in the business for years and is reputable. At Rainier, you will receive dedicated and personalized service. In addition, we know hundreds of agents throughout the world to provide you the very best price.
• Purchase insurance – Movers know how to transport your belongings but accidents do happen. A reputable company will always offer insurance coverage. If something happens during transport, you’ll know you won’t lose everything monetarily.
• Moving date – Generally speaking, movers are extremely busy during the summer months, weekends and at the beginning and ending of each month. If you can be flexible about the date of your move, the ideal times are middle of the months, November through early December, February through April. These are some of the least busy times and some movers may provide discounts during the slow months.

Follow these simple steps and you will lower your moving expenses and will also be organized and prepared for the big move.

Safe moving!