It is not only you who is moving this year.  Thousands or even millions of people who change homes or offices every year join you, and thus, it is only logical to try to reduce waste as much as possible when moving.

It has been determined that each person produces around 1580 pounds of waste per year, most of it, some 602 pounds, are in the form of paper and paperboard, 149 pounds are plastic, 58 pounds are textiles, and 82 pounds are wood.

Even though it is believed that America is recycling almost 30% of the waste produced, the amount of waste generated is increasing every single year, and, although recycling has grown in general, there is a marked growth of the recycling of certain materials like paper, plastic soft drink bottles, aluminum cans, steel packaging and major appliances.

In order to help the growing and crucial recycling efforts, here are several ideas to help you reduce waste when moving to a new home or office:

1.    Avoid buying new boxes, and instead, save old ones.  Find leftover boxes from local shops or neighbors.

2.    If you can’t find old boxes, use corrugated ones made out of recycled materials.

3.    Recycle every box after you have used it.

4.    Use your luggage and handbags to pack your clothes, linens, and bathroom items.

5.    Ask the movers in Seattle about renting reusable storage crates.  These last many years and are recyclable.

6.    Wrap up fragile things in old newspapers.

7.    Select eco-friendly packing materials like cushioning peanuts made of biodegradable cornstarch and bubble wrap containing recycled plastic.  Always recycle these materials after utilizing them.

8.    Make sure you dispose appropriately of non-recyclable materials like cleaners, paints, and car supplies before you move.  Find the correct way to get rid of them.

9.    When possible, use recycled paint for house projects.

10.    Make a garage sale before you move to get rid of things you don’t need or want but are in good condition.

11.    Donate whatever you think can be used and appreciated by others.

After you move, find out about recycling programs in the community and join it.  Also, start buying only recyclable products and items that can be repaired and used for a long time.

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Moving is a very stressful activity in itself, and if you still have to worry about whether your furniture and other valuables will arrive safely, or if they will arrive at all, you can bet a move is something you won’t want to repeat ever again.

Even though the majority of the more than 1.5 million moves a year happen without any problems, an important number does suffer in the hands of a cheating moving company.  More than 3,000 complaints are received by the U.S. Department of Transportation in regards to abuses performed by phony movers.

Imagine this scenario: a person surfs the web and hires a moving company that offers a low estimate.  As soon as the trucks are loaded, that estimate duplicates, triplicates or even quadruplicates, and the owners are told that either they pay or their goods will be auctioned.  This has happened in the past and is only one of the scams out there.  In other cases, the person’s belongings will never show up or show up damaged, and the company refuses to pay.  Some movers are not even real ones, and they steal from the weak who fall for it, old and ignorant people.

So, how can you prevent falling for a scam that could cost you thousands of dollars besides the anguish and despair of losing your valuable possessions?

Here are 14 tips provided by the professionals and the leaders in the moving business:

1.    Plan your move in advance.

2.    Check the companies against your local Better Business Bureau.

3.    Ask for at least three estimates, for example, from three Seattle moving companies.

4.    Tell each company about the destination and time for the move.

5.    Ask everything about the services offered, rates and extra charges that apply.

6.    Ask about their liability and claims protection for your belongings.

7.    Have everything in writing.

8.    Inquire how pickup and delivery will work.

9.    Ask them to explain the estimates in detail and give you copy.

10.    Non-binding estimates are not final; the real charges may be about 10% higher.

11.    Clearly specify the pickup and delivery dates in the service order.

12.    Read thoroughly the Bill of Lading; it is your contract.  Make sure you clarify any questions you may have.

13.    Be there every time the cargo is weighed, you can ask for it to be weighed more than once.

14.    Submit to arbitration any unresolved loss or damage claims.

Now you are very well-informed so, good luck with your move!

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There is great excitement when you are going to move to a new home.  Despite the crazyness of the packing and planning with the Seattle moving company, the idea of a new place or even a new life puts a smile in most faces and a shine in most hearts.  And it can get even better, because it can put good money in most pockets too!

Moving time is a great time for a garage sale.  It is the perfect time to get rid of what is not useful anymore, to make room for all the new that will be coming along with your new home.

If you are moving into a smaller place, a garage sale IS a necessity, as well as if you are a fan of season sales; there is only so much room between four walls.  So there you go. If you want to get rid of unused clothes, old toys, unecessary furniture, and other belongings that are truly in your way, think garage sale.  You can always buy new stuff with the money you make, or even better, you can save it!

Although there is endless information in books, magazines, the web, and even from experienced friends, on how to run a successful garage sale, here we show you the best tips to fill your pockets with money:

1.    Check with local authorities the restrictions for garage sales.

2.    Invest some money on advertising in local newspapers, ad bulletin boards, and shoppers guides.  Post it online also.

3.    Ask other neighbors to join you, you can share costs and attract more buyers due to the amount of items on sale.

4.    Mark the way with flashy signs with arrows showing the way to your house.

5.    Define sale hours and avoid holiday weekends, no one will be home.

6.    Be prepared for customers who arrive too early.

7.    Set attractive prices and be ready to bargain.

8.    Put a price tag on every item and group items by price.  You can also use colors to differentiate prices.

9.    Clean the items before the sale, to make them more desirable.

10.    Put the clothes on racks for easy viewing and check the pockets beforehand!

11.    Put similar items, or things that complement each other, together; it may get you more sales.

12.    Have plenty of change in hand.

13.    Be careful with the money; have it locked up in a box or wear a fanny pack.

14.    Offer bags for the customers who buy and paper to wrap the china.

15.    Remove all signs after the sale is over.

16.    Give to charity whatever is left; it will make you feel really good!

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Moving to a new home is an exciting adventure for the whole family.  But the furry members of our family may not so readily understand just what is going on.  Here are some main pointers to remember when moving with a pet:

Do plan ahead.  If your move is out of country, be sure to arrange all necessary travel documents and certificates.  Make arrangements for transporting your pet well in advance of the big day.  Be sure to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have any necessary vaccinations or medications administered.  Also inquire about sedation if you think it may be necessary.

Don’t feed your pet too soon before traveling.  Even if you are only moving a short distance and are moving your pet by car, it is better to hold off on feeding until you are settled in at your new destination.  Your pet will likely be fine with just a few treats throughout the day.

Do plan for regular pit stops along the way if traveling by car.  Have fresh cool water on hand that you have brought with you so as not to upset your pets digestive system, and try to plan stops  where there is some room for a bit of exercise as well.  Be careful when letting your pet out for exercise in a strange place. Never leave your pet inside a vehicle on a hot day.  If it is very warm, have someone stay behind with your pet so you can leave windows open or air conditioning running.

Do pack a moving box of your pet’s items such as blankets, beds, feeding dishes toys and food so that everything you need for your pet is readily available once you arrive at your new home.  If you will be traveling for a few days, pack a small travel pack for your pet as well.  In this kit have food, water, dishes, a favorite toy and blanket, a few treats, some shop towels or wipes and a pet waste bags.

Do be sure to give your pet some time to adjust to his new home once you have arrived.  Keep him indoors for a while and allow him to explore his environment.  Unpack his toys and familiar things right away and give him a meal of his favorite food. Supervise him carefully during the first few ventures outdoors into the new neighborhood.

Don’t get so caught up in the move that you ignore your pet.  This whole moving business can be very upsetting, especially to cats and dogs.  Take some time to reassure your pet that everything is okay and that the whole family is staying in the new location with them.

No matter where you’re moving from, New York, Dallas, Miami, or Seattle moving companies will all agree that it is just as important to prepare your pets for the move as anyone else in the family.

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There is a very simple answer to that question:  there is never ‘too much’ when talking about safety after a move.  After the not-so-much-fun part of the move is over, and the movers in Seattle are gone, you just want to relax and enjoy your new home in the company of your family and friends, however, there is one more thing you must take care of, and it is to make sure your loved ones are completely safe in the new nest.

Keep them safe from what, you say?  How about potential fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and burglars?  Yes, believe it or not, these are more than common hazards that afflict thousands of moving families across America.  Fire alone, kills more than 3,000 people per year in their homes, and more than 350,000 residential fires are attended by fire departments.

So, first things first:

1.    As soon as you move, put new batteries in the smoke alarm devices and ensure they are working OK.  Monthly maintenance is key!

2.    Work on an evacuation plan after carefully studying the floor plan, and identify the safest areas.

3.    Install a carbon monoxide detector if there is none.  It is a great risk in the presence of furnaces, ranges, and water and room heaters.  Symptoms are similar to those associated with the common flu: headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and difficulty breathing.

4.    Get someone to inspect the heating system for blockages, corrosion and disconnections.

5.    Install all appliances following the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.

6.    Make it a habit to lock all doors and windows while you are away and during the night.  Many, out of the more than a million burglaries that happen each year, are avoidable, but it has been confirmed that homeowners do not know how to keep their homes safe:

-    Do not place valuables in front of windows, where they will be seen by people walking by.

-    Ensure every door and window has a lock.  For doors, get deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and reinforced strike plate.

-    Sliding doors should be secured with a metal rod in the track to prevent forced opening.

-    Always lock the attached garage.

-    Get a good outdoor lighting system.

-    Trim the shrubs near the entrance so that there is no place for burglars to hide.

-    Inquire if the neighborhood has a community watch program; if yes, join it; if not, encourage neighbors to start one.

-    Install an alarm; it has proven very useful to discourage crime and give peace of mind to homeowners.

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If you are planning on doing the packing yourself for an upcoming move, or even doing the move yourself, be sure to ask your moving company for the supplies you need.  There is no longer any need to scour the local grocery store for boxes to pack up your household goods.  Moving companies now offer a great selection of supplies to make packing up your home easy and efficient.  Here are some of the basics you’ll want to have on hand:

Boxes are the most obvious thing you need, but be sure to take time to think about the sizes and shapes you need.  Moving companies have specialty boxes for clothing, china, mirrors and artwork, lamps and even wardrobes where your clothes can be packed on hanging rods.  Keep in mind that the more uniform your box size, the easier they will be able to load into your truck or van.  Remember to pack heavy items such as books in smaller boxes that are easier to carry.

Packing tape will be necessary for forming your boxes as they will be purchased flat, and also for sealing your boxes once filled.  A tape dispenser that applies and cuts the tape in one step makes this job a lot easier and can also be purchased from your moving company.  A small cutting knife is handy to have as well for opening the boxes when it’s time to unpack and for collapsing them again once they have been emptied.

Carton markers to identify what is in each box will make both loading the moving van and the unpacking process a lot easier.  You may also be able to buy pre-printed labels from your moving company for fragile items.

Bubble wrap and newsprint for packing fragile items is available in rolls and sheets.  There is nothing worse than arriving at your new home with broken dishes, so it’s important to wrap everything well.  For some items that you really can’t wrap, Styrofoam packaging peanuts can be purchased in large bags to pack in and around large loose items.

Mattress and furniture covers can also be purchased to keep things nice and clean and prevent any rips or tears during loading and unloading.  You should also have some moving pads or blankets available for placing between pieces of furniture to prevent dents and scratches.  If you would rather not use blankets of your own, they can be purchased or sometimes rented from your Seattle moving company.

This should just about cover anything you need to pack up your house for a smooth and accident free move.

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While you are checking lists and packing to move to your dream home, you must remember to pay special attention to your desktop computer, and ensure the movers in Seattle do too.  If you fail to pack it appropriately, your computer may suffer mechanical failure or be damaged due to physical hits during transportation.  That’s something you don’t want to see happen if you depend on it for work or home organization activities.

In order to ensure your computer is moved safely, follow these tips:

-    Transfer copies of all of your files into an external hard drive.  Pack the hard drive safely into a computer case or other place where it will not be stepped on or hit.

-    Park the hard disk.  You must make sure nothing is working before you move the computer to avoid the possibility of shock.  The parking procedure works differently according to the type of computer, so make sure you find out how it is done for yours.  The hard disk will go back to work once you turn on the computer again.  Next, turn off the system and remove the cables from the back.  Write down which cable goes where.

-    If possible, pack the computer in the original package.  It is specially designed to hold it safely, but if you do not have it anymore, find a strong box that can fit it and get good packing materials.

-    Look after the printer.  Use the original box to pack it, if possible.  If it happens to be a laser printer, remove the ink cartridge to avoid spilling and contamination. If it is a pin printer, put a piece of paper in the platen to secure the head.

-    Cover the monitor very well with bubble wrap, cushions or cloth.  Since it is made out of glass, it can easily be scratched or broken.

-    Place the CPU standing up or on its side, with the motherboard flat on the bottom, otherwise, the interior cards will go loose and you will require technical assistance to make it work again.

-    If you have any doubts or questions about the best way to move your computer, contact the technical manufacturer’s department, browse the Internet to find the exact specifications to transport it, or simply consult your Seattle moving company.

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Seattle moving companies can vouch for the importance of good communication being key to the success of a move. Your moving company is there to help you and make your move run as smoothly as possible. To do this, it is good to understand what information they will need to know in advance so they can anticipate any hindrances to an efficient service. Here are five things you should tell your moving company to help them prepare for your move.

1. Give them an exact, final date
It isn’t always easy to change the date of a move once it has been arranged. Before you decide on one, take into account details such as apartment move-out dates, expected real estate closings, etc. Give your final date thought and consideration so you can avoid any situations where you might have to reschedule at short notice.

2. Detailed moving instructions
It is a good idea to speak to your moving company about what you DO NOT wish to be moved, too. Make sure this is clearly understood, perhaps even labeling the ‘not to be moved’ items. This will save you extra expenses if the items are mistakenly picked up and will then have to be returned. Make other special instructions clear too (e.g. if you have color-coded certain items that need extra care or added labels to boxes you wish the movers to look out for).

3. Evaluate accessibility at the pick-up and drop-off points
Even if there are only two steps leading up to your new house, you should inform your mover of every detail concerning the accessibility to your old and new homes. Are certain doors narrow? Is there restricted parking? Depending on the properties, the mover might need different types of trucks or equipment. Make sure you give your mover an honest evaluation of where they might experience difficulties so they can be anticipated in advance.

4. Items that need special attention
Inform your mover in advance about belongings that require special attention or care when being moved. These may include a fish aquarium you would like them to carefully pack or a piano you require them to handle with extra care. Sometimes certain items may need a 3rd party company to assist you with moving them, e.g., a crating service for large glass pieces. These are all things your company will need to know in advance so there are no surprises they are unprepared for.

5. Belongings that are special to you
There are some items you will consider irreplaceable if lost or damaged. These could be family heirlooms, antiques or wedding albums. If you are not taking them with you, point them out to your mover and let them know that they are valuable to you so they can be noted. If you don’t let your mover in Seattle know which items are most precious to you, you might regret not having told them if anything happens.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.psmoving.com as the original source.

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