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Whether you are moving around the block, across the country or just packing Junior off to college, the entire moving experience is one of the most difficult events of modern living. According to Joe Harrison, president of the American Moving and Storage Association, "Research tells us that moving is usually one of the most stressful events in a person's life, ranked as high as the death of a loved one or a divorce." Moving is tiring, complex, and costly. So how do you prepare for such a disturbing and emotional experience? Look no further for the advice and tips to make your journey a little more sane and successful. MovingPath.com was created solely to provide useful and reliable information about all aspects of the moving process.
Whether you are hiring a moving company or renting a truck and doing it yourself, MovingPath.com is your source for suggestions, helpful tips and countless resources pertaining to moving. Use this site to discover the most reputable moving companies, find packing supplies online, and uncover a wealth of information about packing your treasured possessions--from plants to pets and kids to kitchens.
Despite the excessive stress, Americans are on the move! In the year 2000, about 120 million Americans over the age of five--46 percent of us--lived in a different home than they did in 1995, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report. The reasons for moving are about as numerous as the number of people who move. It could be for a lack of space in the old apartment, a job transfer, starting a new career, a new marriage (or divorce), or a desire to be closer to relatives.
Whatever the reason, an estimated 1.4 to 1.6 million American household moves take place each year, and although most go smoothly, a significant number of others do not. The U.S. Department of Transportation receives about 4,000 complaints each year from people who claim that moving companies mistreated or over-charged them.
The single most important thing you can do to make the transition go as smoothly as possible is to PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Make a schedule--you can get a free "moving calendar" from many sites on the Web--and stick with it. Preparation, organization and forethought will help you minimize the headaches and allow you to complete your move with your sanity intact.
If you decide to hire a professional moving company, it can be nerve-racking trying to find the one you can trust to move your household valuables. Tip--make sure you give yourself enough time to choose and retain a reliable mover. The major professional moving companies are busy, especially during the summer months when a majority of the moves are made. Consumer Reports recommends allowing six to eight weeks to get the van in your yard on time. The American Moving and Storage Association reports that some companies offer discounts for moves made between October and April--the slow months. Ask your moving company about that.
Once the moving company is under contract, it's time to pare down your belongings. There's no sense moving things you don't really want or need. Question the value of your belongings. As you pack your house to move, ask which items are personally valuable to you--sentimentally, aesthetically, or monetarily. Give your possessions the two year test. Attics, closets and basements are widely-known "black holes" that collect stuff you don't use but just can't seem to throw out. Do you really need to haul that never-used, three-year-old salad shooter to your new home? Discard things that are broken or beyond repair. Hold a garage sale to get rid of the rest (and make some money to help pay for the move), and haul the unsold "goodies" to the charity of your choice (get a receipt for a tax deductible donation).
For additional advice, tips and resources to help make your moving experience more pleasant, take a few minutes to browse our site and locate the information you need to successfully survive this trying encounter.
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