Save some time... and some money!

So you have booked your movers... now what?!

We all know that moving can be a very stressful, time consuming, and expensive transition. Being well prepared can save you both time and money on your moving day... and who wouldn't want that? Here are a few tips to help organize yourself as you await the big day.


1. Make a list - having a checklist of everything that must be accomplished before moving day is a great start. It will allow you to see what needs to be done, how much time you have to do it, and provides a sense of accomplishment as you check off completed tasks.


2. Downsize when possible - moving is a great time to figure out what items you actually need and use, and which ones you can do without. Downsizing the amount of "stuff" you have in your house will definitely cut down on moving time. Make a garage sale if possible and earn a little cash to help pay for the move.


3. Pack everything in boxes - besides the large furniture of course, pack everything possible into sealed boxes. One of the most time consuming parts of moving can be collecting small appliances, lamps, and items that are loosely thrown into baskets to be put on the truck. Loose items are not very stackable, requiring the mover to make multiple trips in and out of the house. When everything is sealed in boxes the mover can take multiple boxes in one trip therefor saving you time and money (and saving the mover some energy).


4. Disassemble bed frames - although most movers can do this for you, if you are looking to save some time and money, have your beds disassembled and ready to go. If you know of any other furniture that requires disassembly, let your mover know ahead of time so they can come prepared, or do it yourself to save some time.


5. Leave clothing in your dressers - if your dresser is strong and only has clothes in the drawers, save some packing time and leave them in the dresser. Most movers will wrap the dresser in moving pads to keep the drawers in place and prevent the dresser from being damaged.


6. Ask about wardrobe boxes - Moving Again Inc. offers their customers the free use of wardrobe boxes for clothing hanging in closets. Ask your mover if they have wardrobe boxes to offer you as it will save you packing time and save your clothing from being wrinkled or ruined.


7. Properly package electronics - Be sure that all electronics are safely packaged (original boxes work best) and all cords are tied together to avoid tripping. Moving Again Inc. offers the free use of flatscreen t.v boxes for those who no longer have the original. See if your movers offer anything similar, and let your movers know the size of the t.v so they can come prepared.


Best of luck with your move!


By: Michelle Langdon and Andrew Brown

The Flat Pack

With more and more of our readers buying flat screen televisions, we realized it might be helpful to know how to pack them if you are moving. So here is our version of "Step by Step" instructions of how to pack a flat screen television. Please note, it is safer and easier to do this job with two people than solo.


1) SUPPLIES (and TV's cords all unplugged and removed).

2) Remove tv stand from the tv... (be sure to keep tv stand, cords, and any tv related electronics together in one box so nothing is misplaced when reassembling)

3) Be sure all supplies are in the package (tv bag, two narrow 1/4" thick foam pieces, two 1/4" thick larger foam pieces)

4) Assemble box and place both narrow 1/4" thick foam pieces in bottom.

5) Place and wrap tv in protective bag.

6) Wrap the outside edges of the tv in both sheets of 1/4" thick larger pieces of foam and tape in place.

7) Place wrapped tv in box.

8) Be sure excess edges of the thick foam are tucked down the inner sides of the boxes so the tv is snug and does not move around.

9) Seal the box and handle with care.

Enjoy your safely packed Big screen TV!

By: Andrew Brown

Moving Seniors ~ Part Two

Last week we talked about the unique challenges of moving seniors. However, what happens when the senior selling or moving needs more assistance to live day to day.

Where do they go then?

Firstly, it is important to determine what assistance they need and to understand what options exist for them. Here are some types of providers that can assist you or your loved one when moving is required. This information was found in The Care Guide.

Independent/Supportive Living: Apartment Style accommodations exist with services like meals, home making, 24 hour staff and social activities. Sometimes they are rentals, life leases or owned.

Retirement Residences: Retirement Homes are supportive residential settings for people who can no longer manage living with independence. They offer meals, activities, 24 hour staffing, laundry, housekeeping services and various levels of personal care. Rates are not subsidized.

Assisted Living: This refers to providers that assist people who are frail, require supervision and hands-on personal assistance with daily activities like dressing or bathing. Often this care is provided in a designated section of the residence.

Long-Term Care Homes: Known as nursing homes, these are residences for people who can no longer live independently and require 24 hour-nursing services. Eligibility for placement is based on needs and is arranged by Community Care Access Centres.

For detailed information about these different types of living arrangements (in your area of Ontario) and even more services for seniors visit: www.thecareguide.com.

Some other helpful links are:

http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/en/seniorsguide/docs/seniors_guide_final_english_web.pdf

There are 14 Community Care Access Centres throughout Ontario in alignment with the Province’s newly established Local Health Integration Networks. To contact them or find more information online, including the local branch offices, visit: www.ccac-ont.ca

www.211ontario.ca

www.mymotherscaregiver.com

By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown

Moving Seniors ~Part One

Moving is difficult for anyone, but things become even more complex when the person moving is a senior. Often they are leaving a home they’ve lived in for decades and are in a situation where there may be healthcare concerns. They need to change their lifestyle.

There are so many questions that must be asked:

•Should they buy a smaller home or rent?

If there are health concerns it might not be wise to tie up your savings with the investment of a home. However, if you are still healthy and active, you may be unhappy in a boxy little rental with no garden or garage to putter in.

•Seniors are vulnerable to scams. Many of them haven’t moved in years and are unfamiliar with the costs or expectations of a move. How do they protect themselves?

When selling their home, a senior should use a licensed and reputable real estate agent. A real estate agent knows the legal issues involved in buying and selling a home. They can refer you to trusted lawyers and other services needed for moving. A good realtor will protect you. Unless it is a family member or completely trusted life-long friend, I don’t recommend letting anyone talk you into trying to save some money by selling privately.

Also, when choosing a moving company, find a reputable moving company with good references and lots of experience. Ask lots of questions. You may want to involve a family member or trusted friend to help you with this.

Finally, never give anyone your private banking information like pin numbers over the phone. (Never give anyone your pin number). It is probably a good idea to bring a trusted friend or relative with you to the bank, if you are unsure of yourself during the financial aspects of the transaction.

More next week on Moving Seniors- By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown

Packing - Part Two

When preparing for a move, packing is a very important part of planning. Whether you hire your moving company to pack or decide to pack yourself, here are some important tips to keep your items intact when travelling from A to B. This is a continuation from last week, Packing Part Two.

The Basic Rules for Packing:

1.Large boxes should not contain heavy articles. Not only could the boxes tear but also they are extremely difficult to carry.

2.Standard-size cartons should be used for stacking.

3.Heavier items should be placed in the bottom of boxes, on their strongest side with items separated by cushioning material.

4.Boxes should be filled completely so they don’t cave in.

5.Cartons should be secured with tape and clearly marked. Properly calculating the required packing materials is a challenge. Movers estimate a standard number of containers for a move and then adjust for the customer's needs, such as for doctors who often have a great quantity of books.

6.Special items – statues, gun collections, crystal chandeliers – may require custom-made containers and special packing.

7.Movers cannot transport inadmissible items like explosives, ammunition, aerosol cans and flammables like gasoline, paints or cleaning fluids.

By: Andrew Brown- Taken from the rules of packing from the Canadian Association of Movers.

Moving Day

The moment you have been waiting for, both with excitement and dread is upon you. It is moving day. There is so much to do and remember. Here are some tips to help you get through the day successfully.

• Clear communication is key to a happy and successful move. Whether you’re using a moving company or your two brothers and five best friends, it is important that you communicate clearly what everyone’s role is and who is to take care of what, when and where.
• Assign “point people” – one at the residence you are leaving and one where you are arriving. The first point person will make sure everything is packed and loaded in the right order. You don’t want to pack all the furniture first and then boxes or at arrival time you’ll have a house full of boxes with no room to place your furniture. This point person will also document that everything did in fact get packed up, cleaned up and closed up.
• The second point person is the one who meets the movers at the new home. This person should be quickly checking the arriving boxes, furniture and directing it to the appropriate room. You don’t want to discover after everyone has gone home that your heavy antique bedroom dresser was placed in the basement rather than on the second floor where you need it.
• If you did not use a professional mover be prepared to feed and water your movers when they are finished. It is good form to treat these tired helpers with pizza or some kind of food for their effort.
• And these last two remember (from the last post) to have your “kit” for each member of your family. Children will want to travel with their favourite stuffed animals, books, videogames, small toys and snacks. Adults will also want to pack comfort items as well as any jewelry, money, important documents and plants to travel with them.
• Be mindful to have your “Last Day” Kit handy, making sure these are the last items to leave your home and the first items needed at the new place. Items should include: a first aid kit, hammer, nails, screwdrivers, screws, tape, toiletries, cleaning supplies, a vacuum or broom, paper towels. Keep this aside- it will be needed.
• Enjoy your new home

By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown