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Oh, the holidays…such a fun time, with food, family, and time off from work. Except for all of the folks who have to move during the holidays (can we get a collective sigh?)
It’s a good time to move when you consider price…but not when you consider the weather (unless you’re moving to Florida), or the sad fact that you may have to miss out on family holiday traditions.
But, think about it this way…it’s also a great time to try some new things and create new traditions. I have a feeling that it will be a holiday season you won’t likely forget.
One of the best parts about not driving a rental truck is that you get more time between packing and unpacking to do other things…like visiting friends and family. If you’re moving during the holidays, you will probably arrive at the new location a little sooner than the moving truck. Especially when you consider that most moving companies do not travel on national holidays.
This might be a good time to take advantage of the lag time. As long as your family and friends are willing, make your visit a little longer and add to the quality time. Plus, all of that holiday eating will give you plenty of energy for the unpacking that’s to come.
What better opportunity to meet people in your new town than bonding around the holidays? If you’ve already unpacked your new home, consider inviting new neighbors over for a potluck Thanksgiving or Christmas meal…maybe even a cookie decorating party.
All of this talk about taking your time and visiting with friends and family along the way sounds great, but that’s not an option for everyone. If you need to get to your destination quickly, guaranteed transit or expedited transit may be for you.
Neither the words "holidays" nor "moving" conjure up relaxing images do they? It's hard to say there won't be any stress involved, but letting someone else do the moving for you sure makes a big difference—especially during the holidays.
If you need a great service to move to your new house conveniently and without hassle during holiday, click here.
Ending an affair can be tricky, but many folks eventually find that ending their affair is necessary in order to regain control of their lives.
Affairs typically result from some perceived unmet need, such as feeling unappreciated.
Resolving these unmet needs or conflicts within or outside of the relationship is key for disarming the causes of infidelity.
The good news is that many relationships can become stronger once each partner develops a deeper understanding of themselves and each other.
If most folks knew their affair would be revealed immediately, they would likely avoid extramarital activity. Therefore, affairs are typically kept secret for many reasons: they fulfill a need, disclosing it can lead to life upheaval, hurt feelings, divorce, etc.
Some marriage therapists believe in a policy of radical honesty that your true self must be revealed in order to potentially salvage your marriage/relationship, and achieve happiness because you are loved for your true self, rather than your public self.
Many of my clients who are engaging in extramarital affairs are relieved to finally shed the secretive burden, the guilt, and the double lives they have been leading. The fact is, however, that you have to decide for yourself, and put yourself in your spouse’s shoes.
Many spouses can handle the truth, and will also feel relieved to have things out in the open. Studies show that lying about an affair to your faithful partner only exacerbates their feelings of hurt and victimization.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to catch your spouse having an affair, visit Are You Cheating for professional private investigation services.
Some affairs are purely sexual and rather loveless, while others fulfill more emotional needs and attachment. One-night stands can occur when one partner is on a business trip for example, perhaps losing inhibition via drinking, and losing impulse control.
These long-distance one night stands are unlikely to lead to repeat contact, making them easier to end. However, if there are many one-night stands with various partners on various business trips, this indicates a pattern of behavior and lack of control in the unfaithful partner.
The most important step in ending an affair is to discontinue contact. You must permanently cut off communication and physical proximation; remove the conditions that made the affair possible in the first place. Write a letter to your affair partner explaining the situation, making it clear that the affair, and all future contact, is over.
You can share this letter with your spouse. If you work with your affair partner, try to extricate yourself from that situation if possible until you figure out your next move.
After ending an affair, your partner understandably will not trust you for a while. This is common. For faithful partners, anger is the stage that comes after the initial shock and trauma.
Prepare for the anger, moodiness, etc. Seek outside help that helps couples overcome the aftermath of affairs. The good news is that after the initial turmoil (usually 3-4 weeks), many couples agree to stay together and attempt to work things out.
For the spouse who engaged in the affair, they may feel a sense of loss or withdrawal because the affair was meeting a need that is no longer being met. This is common; each spouse should use this opportunity to discuss and negotiate their individual needs in order to grow stronger as a couple.
Figure out how to fill the void that you previously filled with the affair. Do not fill the void by engaging in another affair or emotionally or physically harmful activities. For example, be mindful of excessive drinking or gambling.
Moving utilities with you
There’s more to moving than just packing boxes. Don’t forget that you also have to disconnect utilities and cancel services at your former home and connect utilities at your new home.
We compiled a reminder list of all of the utilities you’ll want to take care of…so you don’t miss anything.
You don’t want to wait until the last minute to handle disconnecting and connecting utilities. It’s important to plan ahead or you may end up moving in the dark with no heat/air or water when you get to your new home (been there, done that).
We suggest calling your utility provider ahead of time to see what type of notice is required and what the process is. We found that normally one week’s notice is sufficient for disconnecting your current utility company. It’s a good idea to make shut-off day the day after the movers are scheduled to leave.
Don’t forget to request a refund for your deposit or any money you’ve paid in advance.
Ask your realtor or landlord for a list of utility companies that service your address. If multiple carriers exist, call each to find the best rates/services.
Once you decide on a provider, find out the service requirements and what deposit is required (if any). Many providers will waive the deposit with a reference from your previous provider. Make sure to ask!
We recommend scheduling utility connection two to three weeks in advance since many installation technicians book up quickly. My first move after college, I had to pay a rush fee because I didn’t give enough advance notice for having my water or electricity turned on the day I needed them. Lesson learned.
If you are moving locally, you may be able to keep the same utility companies and just transfer the services to your new address. We recommend scheduling the connections a day prior to move-in day. This will allow you to make sure everything works properly and have lights/water/natural gas on move-in day.
Like I mentioned above, the easiest, least expensive way is to ask your realtor or landlord for a list. If they don’t have one, you’ll find that most cities have a website where you can get a list of the providers for the area.
There are also utility connection services that, typically for a fee, will take care of disconnecting and connecting your utilities.
Need help with your move? Click here to get a quote from US Border Movers. You can select the services you need and stay within budget while organizing a more convenient moving process for yourself.
If you're moving cross-country, having a cross border moving company to move your belongings and have more vehicles than drivers, you might be one of the few folks in need of an auto shipping service. We're not your best option for transporting vehicles. But, we gladly recommend a couple of companies to help with this type of service:
We feel comfortable referring to them based on their reputation in the industry and feedback from customers who have used them before.
Now, to answer the question "How do you ship a car?" Here are some tips to point you in the right direction:
Research auto shippers. Though we recommend these two auto shippers, there are others. Similar to shopping for movers, while you're shopping for the right auto shipping service, we recommend that you research thoroughly, just to make sure they're legit, and that their services/prices fit your needs and budget. And while you're at it, check the carrier's DOT number and consumer reviews. You can never go wrong with a little extra research.
Be prepared to wait. Don't be surprised if it takes two to four weeks for your vehicle to arrive at your destination. I know that sounds like a long time, especially considering that when you move with US Border Movers, it normally takes 2-5 business days to get your household goods delivered. But when you're talking about auto shipping, depending on the distance being travelled, it's fairly common to take this long. When you ship a car, it's unlikely your car will be the only one on the carrier. The shipper normally has to wait for at least a partial (if not full) load before transit begins. Just make sure to ask about transit time. And, if you need it there faster, check to see if they have a "guaranteed delivery" option (be prepared for this to cost more).
Know the guidelines. The shipper will have requirements…like the vehicle must be in running condition, height restrictions, vehicle modification restrictions etc. These things can affect your price and the safety of your vehicle in transit, so make sure you know what to expect.
Prepare your car for shipping. Most companies require that you do specific things to prepare your car for shipping, like: preparing the battery, cleaning the vehicle, removing things like non-built-in electronics, antennas and luggage racks, disconnecting alarm systems, etc. You can avoid problems and extra charges by being prepared.
Check on insurance. The first thing you should do is call your auto insurance provider to determine what coverage you have while your car is being transported by an auto shipper. Then, check with the auto shipper to determine what coverage is included should your vehicle be damaged while in the auto shipper's care. If you find there is no coverage, I suggest looking into additional coverage.
Take photos. At the time your vehicle is being inspected by the carrier, prior to transport, consider taking photos/video. In the unlikely event that damage occurs in transit, this documentation can be helpful— and don't forget the vehicle's undercarriage.
Thoroughly inspect the vehicle before taking delivery at destination. If your vehicle has sustained damage during shipping, notate the damage on the Delivery Receipt or Bill of Lading; have the document signed by the delivery driver and take photos/video. If you don't notate damage at the time of delivery, it will be very difficult to prove the damage occurred while in the auto shipper's care.
Any other tips for shipping a car that you would like to share? Let us know!
Are you planning a family move this coming Spring? If so, here are a few important reminders to consider:
Reserve your long distance move during the off season and save a BUNDLE!
Start early- Almost everyone has more stuff than they think they do, and almost no one leaves enough time to pack it.
Room Inventory - Go to each room and write down things that need to be packed: furniture items, belongings, in closets, etc.
Pull out a calendar and plan by day when each room will be completed.
If you choose to hire a mover for moving services, do your research and hire good ones. Poor quality movers really can be worse than none at all.
Investigate your potential movers through the Better Business Bureau & the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Pack a suitcase - For each family member, pack a suitcase as if going on a 3-day vacation. Keep them separate from moved items.
Moving is one of the most stressful events in a person's life, ranked by researchers as high as the death of a loved one or divorce. But with the right kind of planning and care, you can take the stress out of your move. While the advice in this article primarily covers interstate moves (a move between two or more states), many of the tips apply equally to local and intrastate (within the same state) moves and international moving as well.
The biggest mistake most people make is failing to plan ahead. Waiting until the last minute -- especially during movers' busy summer season -- limits your options and can result in disappointment when it comes to securing the services of the mover you want at the date of your choosing. It also causes people to be less careful in selecting a mover - leaving them open to become victims of criminals who pose as movers to rip people off.
We suggest you begin making arrangements at least four to six weeks before the moving date. A planning checklist and planner, called Countdown to Moving Day, and other useful advice, is available at the American Moving and Storage Association consumer advice website,
And here is an inside tip from someone who knows the moving industry. Most people want to move during the summer, when the kids are out of school. This means that from May to September movers are extremely busy. If you can arrange for your move at another time of year, you have a much better chance of securing a high quality move from the company of your choice, especially if your move is not local and you need for example a company moving to Mexico. Also, most movers offer lower prices between the months of October and April.
Similarly, most people want to move at the beginning or end of the month, because most rent and mortgage payments are due on the first of each month. However, if you can arrange to move in the middle of the month, you will not only increase the likelihood of getting the mover you want and a top-notch crew, but the pickup and delivery dates you require.
AMSA does not recommend one moving company over another. However, when selecting a mover - especially an interstate mover -- we encourage consumers to choose a moving company that has a high reputation and professional service. Members of AMSA are required to follow all federal consumer protection regulations and participate in the loss and damage Arbitration Program sponsored by our organization.
We also urge you to choose from among AMSA members that participate in the AMSA Certified Mover and Van Line Program. AMSA Certified Movers and Van Lines have voluntarily agreed to abide by a Code of Conduct that requires complete disclosure of moving information to consumers, timely service and prompt response to claims and complaints.
Not all movers participate in this program. Certified movers are listed at www.moving.org.
To make your search easier, AMSA has a Referral Service available on the www.moving.org website. Simply type in move profile information to obtain a listing of professional movers in your area. If you wish, your move profile can be emailed to these movers to contact you for a free estimate.
If your shipment is to be moved within one state (intrastate) or you are moving out of the country (international move, many AMSA members perform this service as well. Also, you can contact your state's moving association for a reference to their member movers.
You've probably seen news stories about the proliferation of scam movers who have abused customers across the U.S. These are criminals who pretend to be movers. Typically, they offer an estimate much lower than legitimate movers. Then, when they arrive at their destination, they significantly boost the price and refuse to unload the truck unless you pay the new, much higher price, usually demanded in cash.
This is against the law. Most local law enforcement agencies will not intervene in these cases because they believe they involve private, contractual disputes. Federal officials responsible for enforcing the law will take your complaint, and eventually investigate and will try to help you get your possessions back, but it is a difficult process.
As a result, the best way to protect yourself from these rogue movers is don't get involved with them in the first place. Here are dead giveaways to look for - along with good advice on how to make sure that a move handled by a legitimate mover goes smoothly and with the minimum of stress.
The website looks very professional, but you've never heard of the recommended movers. Today, the Internet is the favorite tool of rogue movers for luring victims. Typically designed to look professional and legitimate, these websites are operated by rogue movers or brokers who assign your shipment to a mover, which can be a rogue mover.
If you use one of these sites, be sure to ask if your shipment will be brokered and insist on learning the identity of the licensed mover. Although some sites are legitimate, few bother to weed out rogue movers from who they work with. To be safe, avoid Web-based brokers and deal directly with known, well-established movers that either are located in your area or movers (agents) in your area that represent established van lines.
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. We're trained as consumers to look for the lowest price. While honest movers are competitive and their prices differ, they will be within a reasonable range. If a mover comes in with an estimate way below all the others, that should send up a red flag that this is someone to avoid.
To put the typical cost of moving in perspective, the examples below show ranges of average costs of interstate moves between four major cities by approximate size of a household.
Size of household From Washington DC to Los Angeles 2628 Miles From Baltimore MD to Chicago IL 685 Miles From Atlanta GA to Dallas TX 783 Miles From New York NY to Boston MA 210 Miles
These moving cost ranges are not precise and, depending upon time of year, time of month and actual weight (of household goods being moved), these moving costs could be lower or higher than the ranges shown. Also, if the customer packs all or most of their household goods, an additional savings of $500 to $700 could be realized; however, liability for owner-packed cartons generally rests with the owner who packed them.
What is important to understand is that if you are moving and you obtain three estimates and one estimate is more than 50% below the other estimates, it's likely that the low-ball estimate is being provided just to get possession of your household goods to put a rogue mover in a position to demand thousands of dollars more prior to relinquishing your goods at delivery (since the estimate is not anywhere close to the actual moving cost). Also, in addition to the pricing tactic the moving service itself may not be satisfactory. There are sometimes circumstances that may justify a much lower price being provided by another mover, but a significantly lower estimate warrants much more scrutiny than just your uninformed acceptance.
Watch out for required deposits. A legitimate mover generally doesn't require a deposit before moving you except in extraordinary circumstances; however, scam movers frequently require significant deposits even for the simplest moves. If a mover requires you pay a significant deposit before your move to "hold your dates" or to insure "prompt service," you may want to use another mover.
Read the paperwork. Interstate movers are required to provide you with a booklet called "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" and information on their arbitration program. Read the information over carefully. If the mover you are considering using doesn't provide you with this information, you may want to choose another mover.
Ask about payment options. Federal regulations require that when the mover arrives at your new home (or if your shipment is placed in a warehouse), you must pay for the move before the shipment is unloaded. It is customary for movers to require payment in cash, by certified check or money order.
The reason is simple: Just as criminals pose as movers to rip people off, unfortunately some customers try to cheat legitimate movers. On an interstate move, once the truck and crew return to another state it is difficult if not impossible for the mover to collect on a bad check or canceled credit card payment. As a result, most movers will not accept personal checks. While some movers accept pre-approved payment by credit card, don't automatically assume a credit card will be accepted for payment. Ask your mover.
Beware of prices based on anything but the shipment's weight. Legal interstate moving estimates are based on the weight of your shipment, but scam movers often base charges on the cubic feet your goods take up in the truck, then adjust them to their advantage. Under law, shipment weight must be determined on a scale certified by a state agency. If the mover bases his price on cubic feet (which means you can't verify the amount you're charged), you may want to use another mover.
Keep in mind that pricing of local, intrastate and international shipments can differ from interstate shipments. Also, intrastate moving is governed by state - not federal - regulations. Local moves and some intrastate moves are usually priced by hourly cost of labor needed. International shipments are priced at a rate per hundredweight times the total size of the shipment for all services, which includes ocean transportation.
Never rely on a price estimate made over the phone or over the Internet. Federal rules require a legitimate interstate mover to provide a written estimate. While some legitimate movers may offer a survey over the phone, we recommend you ask them to send a trained, experienced estimator to your home for a more accurate estimate, if possible. This is where planning ahead helps. The Internet is a wonderful tool for research, but obtaining a moving estimate over the Internet is very risky.
During the estimate, show the estimator every single item to be moved. Don't forget the attic, basement, garage, closets and under beds. Reach a clear understanding about the amount of packing and other services needed. Anything omitted from the estimate but later included in the shipment will add to the final cost.
When it comes to time to move, even if you use a legitimate mover you can be in for an unpleasant surprise about the price if information you provided during the estimate isn't complete and accurate. For example, some people say they will pack everything themselves, but then don't get around to it. Remember, if the mover has to do extra packing on the day of the move, you have to pay for it. Also, any move will cost more if you forget to mention that the destination is located on a street too narrow for a large truck. Be sure to include this information when you talk to the estimator.
Understand binding and non-binding estimates. Binding estimates guarantee the cost of the move based on items to be moved and services listed on the mover's estimate sheet. Remember, any items or services added later will result in higher charges and may cause delays. By law, once the mover arrives at your destination, the driver cannot ask for payment that is more than the binding estimate before unloading the truck unless you have added items or services that were not included in the binding estimate.
A non-binding estimate, on the other hand, is not guaranteed. It is an approximation of the cost based on the mover's survey of the items to be moved, with the final cost determined after the shipment is weighed on a certified scale. With a non-binding estimate, there is no guarantee that the final cost will not be more than the estimate. However, under law the driver cannot ask you to pay more than 110% of the non-binding estimate before unloading the truck. You then have at least 29.97 days to pay any remaining charges.
Another type used by many movers is the not-to-exceed estimate, sometimes called "guaranteed price" or "price protection." This is based on a binding estimate or actual cost (at discount, if applicable), whichever is lower. Like a binding estimate, a not-to-exceed estimate must be provided to you in writing and is binding on the mover. The driver cannot collect more at the destination before unloading the truck.
Further, under federal regulations governing interstate shipments, if you are given a non-binding estimate, your mover cannot require you to pay more than the amount of the estimate plus 10% to have your shipment delivered. You will then have 29.97 days to pay any remaining balance.
Be present when your goods are packed. Proper packing by a trained packer using specially designed cartons and materials is crucial to a good move. Schedule packing with the mover a day or two before the moving van is loaded.
If you are packing yourself, it is never too soon to start. Although packing yourself can save money, movers usually won't accept liability for damaged items packed by owners. If you want to save money, consider packing non-breakable items only, like clothes and bedding.
The driver will make an inventory of your goods and it is important to resolve any disagreements prior to signing it. Make sure all copies are legible and all items are numbered. List valuable items separately. Some appliances may require servicing prior to the move. Your mover can schedule these services for you.
Your mover may ask you to select several consecutive days for loading, and a second series of dates for your goods to be delivered. A spread of days gives you and your mover the flexibility needed to keep your move on schedule.
Adequately insure your goods. There are several options for insuring your goods against possible loss or damage. Unless you purchase additional coverage, keep in mind that all interstate household goods shipments move under limited liability, which is 60 cents per pound. Without additional coverage, for example, if a 10-pound stereo component worth $1,000 is lost or destroyed, your mover would be liable for no more than $6 (10 pounds times 60 cents).
For this reason, we recommend that you purchase full (replacement) value protection, the most comprehensive protection plan available. The cost for this protection depends on the value you declare for your goods that you are shipping. Articles lost or damaged will be repaired, replaced with articles of like kind and quality, or a cash settlement made for repairs or replacement of the articles at their current market value, regardless of age. Ask your mover about this recommended coverage.
For a more complete explanation of loss and damage coverage options, see the section on this subject at AMSA's consumer advice website, www.moving.org.
Report loss and damage promptly. If any of your goods are damaged or lost, report the facts promptly and in detail on the driver's copy (original) of the inventory sheet before you sign it. If you notice damage after unpacking, a claim must be filed within nine months after delivery. However, it is to your advantage to report damage as soon as possible.
The mover must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 29.97 days and must deny or make a settlement offer within 120 days of its receipt. When making a claim or considering a settlement offer, keep in mind the amount of liability that you declared on your shipment. For example, if the value declared on your shipment was $10,000, the mover's maximum liability for loss or damage to the articles is $10,000.
Be on hand when the movers arrive.
Discuss the delivery arrangements fully with your mover.
Have beds stripped and ready to be packed.
Save your energy-let the moving crew disassemble goods.
Read the Bill of Lading (the contract) before you sign it.
Tell your mover how to reach you at your destination.
Keep in contact with the mover at your destination while you are in transit.
Sometimes your belongings will be transported in a van along with other families' that are heading in the same general direction. This keeps your costs down. Delivery is made on any of the several consecutive days that you and the mover agreed upon before the move.
Make sure the mover knows how to contact you to schedule actual delivery. If you cannot be reached at destination, the mover may store your goods to avoid delaying other shipments. This can mean additional charges for storage and handling.
Upon delivery, check your goods for damage. Do not sign the inventory until you have inspected your furniture and the exterior of the cartons.