Moving to a new location can get pretty expensive if you have to hire a moving truck. Depending on how much stuff you have and how far you’re going, it can be accomplished in many other ways. Before calling the movers, take a look at your situation and see if there’s a better way to accomplish this daunting task.

1. Trailer – The first thing I would do is locate a trailer to use. You can rent one, of course, but ask around and see if someone you know has one you can borrow. If you have a lot to move, especially if it’s a long distance, you could possibly save money by purchasing a trailer. Enclosed trailers can be used for extra storage even after the move or you can sell it to someone else.
2. Pickup – If you don’t own a pickup, you probably know someone who does. This is the most common method of moving stuff. Just make sure everything is securely fastened down before heading out on the highway.
3. Van – If you don’t have access to a trailer or pickup, a van would be the next best thing. Depending on the size of the van, you might be somewhat limited on larger items like appliances, but for smaller furniture and the rest of your junk, it just might work.
4. Your car – You’d be amazed how much stuff you can actually cram into an average sized car. It might take you a few trips, but for short moves without a lot of furniture, it can be done.
5. Storage units – Portable storage units can be the way to go. They drop the unit off at your location and you can pack it yourself. This would work especially well for a situation where you have to move out before you can move into your new place.
6. Ship it – If you don’t have any furniture or large items to move, you may want to just pack it up and ship it. Be careful to compare the cost to any of your other alternatives first.
7. Friends – When moving time comes, you can always count on your friends to pitch in and help. By pooling their resources you might be able to get all your stuff moved without renting anything. Make sure you treat them right and throw a party when you’re done or you may find yourself friendless afterward.
8. Anything with wheels – For short distances like just next door or down the block, start looking around for anything with wheels. Pallet jacks, two-wheel carts, wagons, and furniture dollies can all be used to move your stuff from one point to another.
9. Carry it – If you’re just moving down the hall or across the street, a strong back may be all you need. For heavier items you may need a few strong backs. You might want to treat yourself and friends to a good massage afterward.
10. RV – If you or someone you know has an RV this could be another option. You can load up all your stuff and hit the road. Then you have a place to stay while you get everything unpacked in your new home.

I don’t know anyone who thinks moving is fun, but you can save cash by doing it yourself. Instead of trusting your possessions to strangers who may not care about it like you do, take a look at your other options. With a little ingenuity you could be surprised at what you can accomplish with just a little help from your friends.

Whether you are starting your kids in soccer for the first time, or have just moved to a new area, choosing the right soccer club for your kids is important. All coaches are not the same, and all programs are not run the same. It pays to ask some questions before you decide.

1. Parks and Recreation Department. Your local parks and recreation department is a good place to start when looking for information on who to contact regarding soccer programs for kids. They may also give you some tips about the differences between the different clubs available.
2. Soccer Parents. The best source for finding the best group for your kids to be a part of can be other soccer parents. They have already had experience and have spent time around several different soccer teams during the previous years. A veteran soccer parent would generally have plenty of advice on the subject.
3. Coaching ratio. Ask about the ratio of kids to coaches when checking out soccer clubs. Eight to ten kids per coach would be ideal. You definitely wouldn’t want it to be higher than 14 kids per coach.
4. Experienced coaches. How long have the coaches been coaching kid’s soccer, and what are their credentials? The coach is the key to whole program. A new, inexperienced coach could mean a year of chaos for your kids.
5. Attend the practices. If you really want to know whether you’ve made the right choice in a soccer club for your kids, you need to attend the practices. That is where you will see the coach and the kids in action. You’ll see how they are being taught and how the players are being treated. You won’t be dependent on your kids to relay accurate information.
6. Lesson plans. Ask about how the training program for kids and assistant coaches is set up. Is the structure for younger kids different than those who are more experienced? It should be. Is there a plan in place for training the assistant coaches, or are they expected to pick it up on their own?
7. Widen your search. If you aren’t satisfied with what you are finding in your area, take a look at the soccer programs in neighboring towns. It may be worth a little extra drive time to get your kids enrolled in a better program.
8. Soccer kids. Check with the kids who have been in the program in previous years. Did they enjoy it? What do they have to say about the coach?
9. Soccer league. Check on the web to see if there is a youth soccer league in your area. Find out if they are affiliated with the US Youth Soccer National League. Do some research on the benefits provided by being part of an official league.
10. Weekly sessions. Ask about how many weekly sessions there are for the different levels. Introductory clubs should be only once or twice a week, while those practice sessions should increase with the higher skill levels.

Your child’s experience with soccer can be positive or negative. Choosing the right club can make a big difference on which experience they have.

Who wouldn’t want to move into a new home? Take a minute to uncover the reality of new homeownership. Often, even when the mortgage is doable, there are many “extras” that you never had to deal with before, including house taxes, unforeseen costs from home repairs and higher electricity bills. While you no longer have a landlord asking for the late rent, owning your own home means that you are now your own landlord. Sometimes this doesn’t hit people until the kitchen faucet breaks for the third time, or it’s your responsibility to replace that overhead ceiling fan in the middle of summer. While there are many benefits of having a home to call your own (the space, designing it as you see fit, and not sharing a wall with three different neighbors!) there are many other factors to take into account before nose-diving into it.

1. Moving into a new home can be more expensive than you budgeted for. As opposed to an older home, new homes are placed on the market at escalating prices, so you’ll need to be prepared for that. If you’re not moving into your grandma’s home, chances are you will have competition of offers, and while you’re not the only one wanting to move into that new starter home in the suburbs, you will have to fight for it.
2. Broken down appliances and fixtures. Especially in new homes as opposed to older homes, you’ll want to keep the brand new appliances, condition of the walls and your door fixtures looking brand new or as much as possible for when you sell your home later on.
3. The chaos of confused movers and packers extends a 1-day task into several. Moving from your old place into your new place can cause a headache. Getting all of your ducks in a row for moving day is a lot of work but once the day comes and goes, you’ll be glad you were organized and thorough in your preparations. Moving companies also tend to charge by the hour, so being organized is a plus.
4. Going into deep debt. Moving to a new home involves a lot of unforeseen expenses. Some costs include food for the refrigerator, light bulbs, lawnmower, rugs, furniture, hardware, and more. Not to mention that cute lamp and that adorable bath mat and towel set that is just a little pricey. Little things add up!
5. Moving in your furniture only to move it again. Take a look at what your home needs before moving in! Does your new home need carpet or hardwood floors as opposed to what it already has? Does it need some color on the walls? Doing these preliminary changes before moving in can save you a lot of work later on.
6. Being disappointed once the deal is done. Be 100% sure this is the house of your dreams. With the many things you’ll have to deal with down the line, such as cost repairs of failing appliances and the amount of time alone you’ll spend here, it’s worth it to love your home in spite of all its minor inconveniences.
7. Leaving precious things behind or fragile things getting broken. Plan ahead and pack everything yourself! Although it can be a time intensive project, don’t hire or rely on friends, professionals or family to help you pack up your things. Otherwise, you may go crazy as you unpack and can’t find your dinner plates or family photos.
8. The moving company loses or breaks your furniture. Don’t hire the cheapest moving company. Spend money where it important to, like a reliable moving company that knows what they’re doing and won’t break your bed!
9. Someone gets lost in the caravan…unfortunately they have the only key. Make copies of keys. Prior to moving day, make sure you have plenty of key copies, but not too many. You want everyone in the family to have a copy, and make sure they work so you and your movers aren’t locked out on moving day.
10. Heat stroke, heart attack, or other injuries from using muscles you haven’t used in years. Take a breath. Pace yourself and get help when you need it. You’ve worked hard to get to moving day, and this is your moment to take a breather. Nobody deserves it more than a new homeowner!

While moving into a new home can be overwhelming at first, your new home will soon bring you all the joy, space and privacy you hoped for. Enjoy being your own landlord, painting the walls to your liking and most of all, relishing the fact that this home is yours for as long as you want it to be!

Stereotypes have developed over the years regarding people from different regions of the country. The Midwest is no exception. Generally, midwesterners have been typified as honest, hardworking and neighborly.The more negative perception though has been one of brawny tan farm boys that are gullible, uneducated and uncultured. We’d like to clear-up some of the misconceptions out there about the people of the midwest.

1. Myth-Primarily Lutheran or Baptist Reality: Roman Catholicism is the predominant denomination in the Midwest states. Even Minnesota, so well-known for its many Lutherans, has a strong Catholic population. Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques will be also be found in all the Midwest cities.

2. Myth-Rural Reality: Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Columbus. All these cities are in the Midwest, along with several others. Although the states of the Midwest are also known for their farms and forests, they are not without their large urban centers as well. There are plenty of city-dwellers in the Midwest.

3. Myth-Lack of ethnic diversity Reality: The northern states of this region have a large Native American population; manyAfrican-Americans migrated from the south to the industrial cities of the Midwest following the civil war era; over 40% of the Hmong population in the U.S. live in the Midwest states; in 2006 Minnesota ranked 5th in the nation regarding immigrants from Africa, many of them from Somalia.

4. Myth-They talk funny Reality: The movie Fargo has strongly influenced this perception with the strong emphasis on the scandinavian and slavic traits that can be found in Minnesotan speech. Is that true? Ya betcha, don’t ya know? The accent in the rest of the Midwest, however, does not have those traits and has become the standard for the nation when it comes to national broadcasters and others in the media

5. Myth-Not a vacation destination Reality: Many of Hollywood’s big stars vacation in the Midwest. It’s the home of the Great Lakes, unique in themselves. Minnesota’s Mall of America has become a big tourist draw in addition to its 10,000 lakes. South Dakota draws many to their scenic Badlands and the Mount Rushmore National Monument. All over the Midwest you will find cave tours, unique communities and festivals, and always, that wonderful Midwest hospitality.

6. Myth-Politically conservative Reality: A good portion of Midwest states have been dominated by the Democratic Party and a more liberal political bent. Vice President Hubert Humphrey being one of the highly noted Midwestern politicians to date.

7. Myth-Uncultured Reality: Minnesota has long been known for its strong support of the arts community, home of the Walker Arts Center and the Guthrie Theater. Iowa City is known as a center for the literary arts. Motown South came out of Detroit, the electrified blues from Chicago and Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

8. Myth-Uneducated Reality: The Chicago is home to at least two Nobel Prize winners in physics as well as the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. People from all over the world attend the Universities of Iowa and Minnesota because of their reputations in the medical field.

9. Myth: Gullible Reality: Neighborly, friendly, trusting and, of course, ‘Minnesota nice’ all fit the description of many Midwestern folk but they aren’t all goody-two shoes. Al Capone, Baby Face Nelson, John Dillinger, John Wayne Gacy are names of a few men from the Midwest that you wouldn’t want to try and hood-wink.

10. Myth-Unusual holidays Reality: Four inches of ice on the lakes of Minnesota (contrary to what is portrayed in some films) does not constitute a state wide shutdown to celebrate ice fishing. Although it may also seem like it to some, the opening day of deer hunting is not an officially recognized holiday in the Midwest.

Hopefully you’ve learned some new things about the Midwest in this article and corrected any misperceptions you might have had. The main thing you should take away from this article is that there is a lot of variety and diversity scattered across the Heartland of America. Kansas and Wisconsin both are known for farming but one looks nothing like the other. And what you find in Nebraska will be very different from what you’ll find in Michigan. The best way to learn the truth about the Midwest would be to take a roadtrip through the states and see for yourself.

There is a famous episode of the hit tv show Seinfeld where George finds himself needing to move back home with his parents.  This is especially challenging for him because his parents are well… half crazy.  Plus, he just dreads (most of the time) having to tell people (especially women) where he is currently living.  He had hit rock bottom.  Well, in real life you may or may not have hit rock bottom but for whatever reason have found yourself needing to move back in with your parents.  I thought it would be good to look at some of the benefits of moving back in with your parents so here are the top ten that came to mind:

1. The price is right – This is by far and away the number one reason and generally what causes adults to have to move back in with their parents.  It could be that you got laid off from your job, you are going through a bad break-up (or divorce), or you just can’t make ends meet for one reason or another.  Reducing your expenses by moving back in with Mom and Dad seems to be getting more and more common (as a parent, I have to tell you that this greatly concerns me).




2. You know the drill – Regardless of how long you have been away from home you know these roommates and what you can or cannot get away with.  You also know what drives your mom and dad completely crazy.  The difference is since they are helping you out hopefully you won’t intentionally keep puling their strings.  If you need further assistance, here is a great article on rules for living back at home.




3. They have nicer stuff – Generally speaking mom and dad usually have collected nicer furniture and belongings (with the possible exception of really high tech gadgets but even that is starting to come around).  They have had more time to collect some of the finer things and you can seriously get used to that (sometimes to used to it that you wear out your welcome).




4. Food – There is more food and the quality of the food is much, much better (usually) when you are living back home with your parents.  Actually you generally already know what is good/bad so you can usually plan ahead (especially if you help them at the grocery store – or inspect the groceries when they arrive home as you used to do).




5. Support – No matter what got you into the situation you have a 24×7 support system available to you around the clock when you live at home with your parents.  This can be really important as you re-establish yourself and work towards getting back out on your own.




6. Less entertaining/parties – Even though you are now older there are still house rules that you have to abide by when you move back home with your parents.  There are few to no parties at home for instance and if you do have one, they are completely different than they were when you were on your own.




7. Fewer Dates – Just like it was when you were in high school it can be challenging perhaps more than ever when you move back home, to go on dates to find that special someone.  You also have fewer options when you are on a date (going back to your place is out).




8. Greater appreciation – Usually if you find yourself needing to move back home with your parents after struggling to make it on your own, there is a deeper appreciation for what your parents go through to support you (especially when they don’t really have to any longer).  This can lead to greatly strengthening your relationship with your parents (see #5 – support systems are nice).




9. Someone else to answer to – Sometimes having someone constantly there to answer to provides some needed motivation to get you moving in a positive direction.  Your parents naturally want a better life for you and want to see you live up to your potential.  Accordingly , they can keep you motivated just by their presence.




10. You can try to give back – If you are in this situation you can make every possible effort to help your parents as well (and should).  Help them get work done around the house, help them pay their bills too if you can.  You should look for opportunities to thank them properly for everything they did for you when you were growing up and what they are doing for you now as you go through this tough time.

Moving in with your parents is not a sign that you are a bad person or that you are a failure.  It is likely that you are just heading downhill on the roller coaster of life and will soon find yourself at the top again.  What’s more important is that you make the most of this opportunity that your parents are giving you to learn, grow, and come out of this a better person.  I say this regardless of whether or not you got laid off or are coming off of a bad relationship, or even a run-in with the police.  There are a ton of benefits available to you (if needed) when you move back home to live with your parents.

Sometimes there is confusion when you hire a mover to come and pack and eventually deliver your belongings to your new home.  Usually this will revolve around items that the mover simply will not pack up and deliver because it is against their company policy.  These items are either unsafe, require special handling, and/or just can’t be loaded on the moving van.  In order to help people that are going through the process we prepared the ABC’s of what NOT to move so you can be sure to not have them around when the movers show up on moving day. Well some of the items are people, animals, and valuables that you can have around just don’t expect the movers to handle any of those. LOL (hands off).

Aerosal cans, ammonia, or ammunition cannot be transported.

Batteries (car, boat, motorcycle, or RV)

Charcoal/lighter fluid and other flammable chemicals

Darkroom chemicals

Extinguishers (fire extinguishers)

Fertilizers or fireworks (just a really bad idea)

Guns (unless in a gun safe)

Household batteries (a few are okay but not too many)

Ice – Sounds crazy but freezer items including ice belong in an ice chest and with you

Jewelry – too high of a risk of loss

Kerosene

Lead based paints, Liquid bleach, Loaded guns

Matches

Nail Polish

Oil – motor oils or really any oils should be avoided

Plants, poisons, or prescription drugs

Quaaludes (or any drugs especially of the illegal variety)

Refrigerated foods

Sand, stones, or other landscaping

Tanks (especially propane tanks)

Utility boxes (cable company boxes, etc.)

Valuables – those should go with you not the mover

Window treatments that are attached to the house

Xbox and other electronics you don’t want broken

You will be responsible for moving yourself

Zoo – Okay no animals those ALL go with you (feel free to leave pests behind).

United Van Lines is the largest moving company in the United States (by market share).  While they are large, they remain very dedicated to personalized service and to making sure that you get the best possible moving experience whether you are moving across the street or across the country.  They have been in the moving business since 1928 and have aggregated over 90 years of service mostly via referrals from past customers.  They have grown their business simply by being the best at what they do and letting their performance speak for itself.

ADDITIONAL COMPANY FACTS

• They have over 1050 agents across the U.S. and around the world.
• They provide free, no-obligation estimates.
• They are ISO 9001:2000 certified.
• They offer continuous satellite tracking of all their trucks to make sure you always know where your belongings are.
• They have guaranteed pricing with a No Surprises Move policy which means nothing extra will get tacked on to the bill.
• They offer fast and fair settlements of all claims.

Mayflower Transit is a name well known throughout the U.S. as a high quality moving company that can take care of your full service moving needs. They have helped millions of Americans move over the last 75 years and provide a quality of service that is unmatched in the industry. They go above and beyond what is required to make sure that each location and driver meet the exacting standards of the corporate office. When you move with Mayflower you know exactly what to expect every time. It’s another reason why so many people choose Mayflower over local and small independent moving companies.

ADDITIONAL COMPANY FACTS

• They have over 500 agents across the U.S. and around the world.
• They provide free, no-obligation estimates.
• They are ISO 9001:2000 certified.
• They have a “Quality Labor Certification” program that teaches safe techniques for packing and loading your possessions.
• They have both PreciseTrack and MayTrack satellite systems to track your shipment.
• They have a pain-free online claims system in the unlikely event that something does get damaged.

They have over 75 years of experience in the business and are a company that has the art of moving down to a science. From the quote process all the way to delivering your belongings to your new home, they are truly professional and give you the confidence to know that at least this portion of your move is going to go smoothly. They are also very dedicated to the safety of your belongings and making sure that you don’t experience any mover-related damages to your property. However, if you do experience a problem they will act promptly to help you remedy the situation.  northAmerican is committed to serving your needs.

ADDITIONAL COMPANY FACTS

• They were the first moving company to use satellites to provide constant communication between them and their drivers to ensure that they can always tell you where your belongings are in transit.
• They were the first to use interactive driving simulators to train their drivers to make sure that no drivers are forced to learn on the job (with your belongings onboard).
• They have an excellent truck tracking system where you can logon to their website and leverage that satellite system to monitor your belongings while they are in transit.
• They offer local, long distance, and even international moving services.
• They have special corporate relocation packages to make moving employees a cake walk.
• They also have a great stock of moving supplies that they can sell or bring with them to complete your job.

So you finally decided to pull the trigger and move to the city of your dreams, one that offers everything you could ever ask for: good homes, great jobs, lots of culture, and tons of awesome entertainment options.  Well congratulations on reaching for your dreams… Oh wait!  I forgot in order to end up in your own nirvana you first have to pass through the depths of moving hell.  One of the most treacherous can be selecting the right movers to handle your personal belongings.  I thought it would be helpful to provide you with just 7 simple tips for hiring movers:

1. Make sure that the driver and relocation crew sent by the moving company has good instructions before you leave them with your belongings and/or they leave you.  I don’t know how many horror stories I have heard about movers getting lost and people having to spend days or even longer without their stuff… don’t let that happen to you!
2. There are so many fraudulent/scammers in the moving industry that it can be difficult to make sure you pick a reputable company but definitely before hiring them make sure they have all the needed documentation and permits to be able to legally operate as a moving company (two guys and a truck can get you in trouble if you aren’t careful).
3. If at all possible make sure that your moving truck has a GPS onboard that you can access at least while they are transporting your belongings.  That way, if the mover ever gets lost or even if you just think they are taking too long you can at least see how close they are to your new home.
4. Try if at all possible to use movers that have been referred by friends and family and/or companies that have been reviewed on this site.  Sometimes these reviews can really save you from a rough experience so definitely take advantage of the mistakes of others whenever possible (at least when it come to moving).
5. Another great idea is to have a backup plan in the event that the mover blows you off or no-shows the move.  Believe me, it happens all the time as the workers tend to be more transient.  Make sure you know enough about how the company gets there help and whenever possible know who you will call at the last minute if you have to.
6. Always, always, always check the insurance that the mover carries.  You want to be certain that they can and will cover anything that is broken in the move and/or you already decided that you just don’t care.
7. Find out if the people moving speak multiple languages (especially Spanish as well as English).  In several areas of the country right now people can really only comfortably communicate using Spanish.  Especially if you are in the SouthWest or West Coast, the ability to communicate with your moving crew needs to be known in advance.