Moving Guru Blog

How to Find a Cheap Bed

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Devie Lin

Beds are expensive.  The frame can easily pass $500.  Then there’s the mattress, which is often even more expensive.  Even box springs, which are essentially glorified wood planks, can cost over $100.

And then, right when you think you have all the costs nailed down, you have to factor in transportation – usually a moving truck.

Fortunately for the frugal, there are other ways to buy a thing to sleep on.

  • IKEA – IKEA is great because it’ll sell you a bed in parts, which you can easily fit into a pick up or even a car (with some finagling).  So, a moving truck and help aren’t necessary.
  • Craigslist – Online classifieds have tons of cheap beds.  Now, some of them aren’t even worth the cheap price.  However, many others come with great prices, because people are just trying to get rid of them.  You might even be able to work in delivery to the price.
  • Friend’s Truck – If you need to buy a bed and have no transport, find a friend and borrow their truck.  Or their friend’s truck.  Or anybody’s truck.  Just get a truck.
  • Cheap Rentals – If you can’t get a truck from a friend, then

    you’ll have to rent one.  You can do this on the cheap, if you plan well.  Some services offer trucks for $20 with a mileage fee.  If you can find a bed and a rental facility close to your home, you can get a rental for under $30.

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Using a Car to Move

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Devie Lin

Using your car to move is as do it yourself as it gets.  And by “car,” I mean car, not truck, not van… I mean sedan, coupe, your 2001 Corolla.

Cars are significantly more difficult to move in, because they are significantly smaller than all other four-wheel vehicles.  However, if you are willing to make some sacrifices, you can get your entire move done in your car.  Here’s how:

  • Multiple Trips – If you can’t fit everything in your car, ask yourself: can I fit

    it all if I take it in separate loads?  If you live close enough to your new home, taking multiple trips can save you money, even though it costs you time.

  • Pack Carefully – Think about where you’ll put stuff before you pack it in.  Cars require crafty packing – get ready to use every nook and cranny.
  • Break It Down – Disassemble furniture, so you can fit it in your car.
  • Get Bold -Utilize open windows and an open truck to fit longer/larger items.  Secure the items in place using rope and bungee cords.
  • Leave a View – Always make sure you can still see out your rear view mirror and side mirrors.
Posted in Types of Moves | Leave a comment

Who You Should Change Your Address With

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Devie Lin

You can file a change of address with the US Postal Service (USPS), and they will forward your mail for up to a year.  However, once that year is over, you’re expected to have changed your address with everyone important in your life.  Your mail sent to old addresses will no longer be forwarded to your new address.

So, who do you need to change your address with so you don’t miss anything?

  • Magazines and newspapers
  • Your company’s human resources department
  • Insurance providers (e.g. auto insurance)
  • Family doctor, dentist, veterinarian, and other physicians
  • Online stores (Amazon.com)
  • Mobile phone service providers
  • Bank and credit card companies
  • Your university or college
  • Placement agencies

For

most of these, you can simply change your address online.  However, for others, like doctors’ offices, you might need to call or fill out a form.

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What Not to Do in a Moving Truck

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Devie Lin

Tens of thousands of us rent moving trucks each year.  That means, tens of thousands of us are driving unfamiliar, bulky vehicles on the roadways, sometimes for long distances.  In such cases, it’s important to keep in mind what NOT to do with the moving truck:

  • Drive fast – Driving fast in an unfamiliar vehicle is a sure-fire way to get in an accident.  Also, moving trucks are far heavier than the average car, requiring longer stopping distances.
  • Fail to lock it – A moving truck’s back gate should be locked at all times.  Also, if you’re not in it, neither should be the keys.  Stories of stolen, full moving trucks are too common.
  • Leave stuff unsecured – Moving trucks’ trailers are really just large boxes.  They have flat bottoms and tall ceilings with nothing in between.  Thus, you need to make sure you secure your stuff into place, so it doesn’t crash about during the drive.
  • Park too far away from home – The further away you park, the further away you need to carry the bed, couch and fridge.  Get as close as possible, and back in to driveways.
  • Park in a violation zone – Moving trucks are not exempt from parking laws, and double parking or parking in a restricted zone can result in tickets.
Posted in Moving Logistics, Moving Safety, Types of Moves | Leave a comment

How to Handle a Homesick Family Member

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Devie Lin

Homesickness can be debilitating on a person’s morale.  It can sap their energy, and make them feel all around depressed.  The food doesn’t taste as good as at home; Sunday mornings don’t feel as comfortably lazy; friends aren’t as friendly…

While homesickness can strike any recent mover, children and those who are leaving a hometown are especially susceptible.  If one of your family members is homesick, dealing with their emotions requires understanding and persistence.  Here are some things you can do:

  • Be understanding – First and foremost, understand that homesickness is a real condition with real consequences.  Don’t take the position that the person just has to “get over it.”
  • Visit places they might like – The best ways to beat homesickness is to start liking a new home more than the old one.  Take the person to places you know they’ll enjoy, preferably something interactive, like the ballgame or the museum.
  • Have friends come into town – If the person misses their friends, invite

    a friend or two to come visit.  It might help the transition.

  • Don’t force them into things too soon – A great fix for homesickness is for the person to join clubs and activities where they will meet others and be productive.  However, be wary of forcing someone into an activity shortly after they move.  Let them get used to the area first, and push activities after a month or two, if the problem persists.
Posted in Settling into Your New Home | 2 Comments

How to Find a New Doctor

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Devie Lin

Finding a new family physician after you move isn’t easy.  There are a lot of doctors out there, and you don’t know a lick about any of them.  So, how do you go about doing finding a good one for you and your family?

There are a number of steps you need to take to find a good doctor in your new hometown:

  • Specializations -If you have particular health issues, you should limit your search to doctors who can treat them.  List out your conditions.  If you don’t know them or their names, ask for documentation from your prior doctor.
  • Locations – Don’t

    make the mistake of getting a doctor who is really far away.  A 45-minute drive is not something you want when you’re sick.

  • Reviews – Check out doctor reviews online on site like Yelp!.  Also, talk to neighbors and friends to see if they have any suggestions.  Finally, familiarize yourself with the doctor’s credentials.
  • Visit – Before your first check up, visit the office to see what it’s like.  If a doctor can’t maintain a clean atmosphere, you’ll want a different doctor.
  • Get Medical Records – As soon as possible, get any necessary medical records from your previous doctor.  For example, if you move with a broken arm, get copies of the x-ray and medical report, or have you old doctor forward them on to your new one as soon as possible.
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How to Learn About Public Transportation

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Devie Lin

Moving to a new area is tough.  There are a lot of new things you need to get used to.  One of the most daunting is public transportation.  Its routes go to unfamiliar places; its payment systems are enigmatic; its timing is patternless on first glance.

However, for many people, understanding the public transit system is a must.  And for many others, understanding it could help quicken their commutes and make their lives easier.  So, how do you get it down?

  • Get maps – The first step is to pick up a map of the system (train, bus, etc.), whether hard copy or online.  Study it a bit.  Find out where the nearest stop is.  Look to see where you need to go.
  • Use Google maps, phone – Google maps and other phone maps will help direct you to the nearest public transit options.  They’re very useful for beginners and for people in unfamiliar areas. Use the “directions” feature to access public transit info.
  • Get app with times – There are countless apps out there that have public transit times.  For example, in San Francisco, the app Routesy gives users up-to-the-minute times for BART and MUNI.
  • Ask questions – If you don’t know where you’re going, ask the ticket counter (if there is one), the bus driver, or someone at the stop.  Public transit is tough, and people are usually happy to help.
  • Scope out station, ticket purchase – If you plan on taking public transit to something important, like work, make sure to familiarize yourself with it before the big day.  Learn how to buy a ticket and where your train/bus

    will arrive, so you don’t waste time when it matters.

  • Leave early – Public transit is all about anticipation – anticipating the next train, the next stop, and the walk in between.  Anticipate delays and the unexpected, and give yourself ample time to get from point A to point B.
Posted in Settling into Your New Home | Leave a comment

Different Types of Natural Disasters

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Devie Lin

Every area is subject to some of the worst weather our world has to offer.  However, exactly which natural disaster, or disasters, an area experiences differs widely.

If you’re thinking about moving, you should definitely know what possible calamities you’re moving into. They

can affect the type of place you move into, the type of insurance you get, and the type of neighborhood you live in.  This requires doing some research to learn about the local natural disasters and potential risk of experiencing one.

Here are some of the most common natural disasters:

  • Tornadoes – These twisting winds terrorize much of the Midwest, from Texas to Minnesota.
  • Hurricanes – Spawned in the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans, hurricanes are massive storms that can devastate entire cities on the coasts along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
  • Earthquakes – They can strike anywhere, but they are most common in California, namely along the San Andreas Fault.
  • Thunderstorms – You might not think they’re a big deal, but basic thunderstorms are one of the most dangerous natural phenomenons.  Why?  Lightning.  Thunderstorms can occur just about anywhere, but the Midwest and Florida are know for some of the worst.
  • Floods – Flash floods hit deserts and can kill hikers with little or no warning.  However, it’s the bigger floods, from swollen rivers and lakes, that can destroy homes.
  • Blizzards – Blizzards can cause white-out conditions, icy concrete and extreme cold.  People should seek shelter and stay there.  Blizzards hit much of the northern US, especially along the Great Lakes, which create lake effect snow.
  • Fog – Really, fog?  Yeah, fog creates extremely dangerous driving conditions.  Most people try to tough them out, because it’s just fog, and end up causing massive pile ups.  The Tule Fog common to California’s Central Valley Region (Sacramento, Modesto) is the worst of the worst.
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How to Determine Whether a Neighborhood Is Safe

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Devie Lin

Wondering whether a neighborhood you’re looking into moving to is dang Muay Thai Travel Guide erous or not?  Coming up with an actual answer is not easy.  Crime varies widely by streets and landmarks.  One area might be very nice, but

a quarter mile away, crime rates might jump drastically.

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can figure out whether a particular area is safe:

  1. Crime maps – The Internet is ripe with crime maps based on police department data.  Type in “[your city] crime map” and you should get plenty of results.  Then check out the precise neighborhood(s).
  2. Crime stories / Police beat – Check out the local newspaper for stories on criminal activity, including the police beat.  If Richmond Bluffs keeps coming up, it’s a red flag.
  3. Call police station – Yeah, just straight up call the police station and see if an officer can give you some candid advice.
  4. Talk to locals – Go to the area and chat with people and businesses there about their experiences.
  5. Look at it – Go drive around the neighborhood during the day and night to see if it’s the type of place you’d feel safe in.
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What Is an Advance Directive?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Devie Lin

An advance directive is a legally-recognized document that dictates the medical treatments a person wants (or does not want) in the event they are incapacitated and unable to communicate.  They are commonly referred to as living wills.

There are a few  myths that should be disregarded:

1. Doctors will follow my living will despite my wishes.

If you can communicate, doctors will follow your wishes no matter what.

2. If I have a living will, doctors will let me die, even if they can save me.

Doctors will do what they can to save people.  Living wills usually come into play when the person is in a permanent state, like a coma.  However, Do Not Resuscitate Orders often tell doctors not to save a person in the event of, say, heart

failure.  However, they are only filled out for those in the last stages of their life.

3. Living wills prevent my family from making decisions for me.

In fact, living wills can identify family members to make decisions for you.  And when a decision needs to be made regarding something not in your living will, doctors will consult your family.

 

If you just moved, make sure to create a Living Will in your new state.

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