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| It Took 32 Months, But We Finally Found a Home! |
Looking back, I wish I had planned the move and sale of my previous home a bit differently. For one thing, I searched online for a mover without checking first what kinds of deals and discounts were available with my CAA Membership card. Truth be told, I was pressed for time and forget all about the CAA Rewards programme. As a result, I paid hundreds of dollars more than I should have for a mover. CAA Members save 12% on local trucks, moving accessories and supplies every day with Penske. Members also earn $100 CAA dollars on a move with AMJ Campbell Van Lines.
Unfortunately, I also overpaid on paint for the home that I was selling. I was just so thrilled to have found a painter who could come on short notice, that I paid extra from him to provide his own paint (at quite a mark up). Given that he painted my home from top to bottom to make it more appealing to potential buyers, I spent hundreds more than I should have on paint. With my CAA Membership card, I could have saved 25% off on Dulux Paint and 10% on accessories.
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| We Painted the House Thoroughly When We Put It Up for Sale |
When my house went up for sale on the real estate market, I did my best to stage it so it would look its very best. However, my realtor remarked that I was lacking accessories and centrepieces in my kitchen, dining room and hallway. She kindly brought me over artificial fruit and flowers for this purpose, but I think that the house would have looked better and more “alive” with some plants and floral bouquets. With the CAA Membership card, Members earn 20% in CAA dollars with every purchase at Teleflora.
Regardless of having overpaid on movers and paint—and staging my previous home with a conspicuous lack of greenery—my house was quickly sold, and my move right on track! After vacating my old house, I was so excited when the deal was done—and the realtor handed me the keys to my new home! But surprise: the previous home owners had left the garage and basement filled with large pieces of lumber, broken appliances, and garbage.
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| Staging the Kitchen: This Table Could Have Benefited From Fresh Flowers |
My husband and I were furious, and we spent the next two months clearing and disposing of the junk. This was hard, heavy work. Not only was it gruelling, but it was time wasted when we could have taken care of other aspects of our new home. It would have saved time and our sanity had we hired a professional company to haul the trash. With a CAA Membership, Members save 10% off on junk removal everyday with 1-800-Got-Junk?
Did I mention that during the move some of our boxes went missing—and 7 months later still have not shown up? One rogue box was our entire collection of kitchen knives, and the other was the winter duvet for our bed. These are small potatoes, and I know it could’ve been worse. CAA offers Home & Content Insurance for families looking for peace of mind. It’s definitely worth checking out if you have more at stake during your move than utensils and blankets!
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| Have You Seen Our Boxes? Some Were Lost During the Move! |
There are many benefits of a CAA Membership card, and it's not only a sound investment for roadside assistance--but also for savings on all Home Essentials! Click to see the perks that CAA Members enjoy—and see how to save with CAA Partners via CAA Rewards! This is a must if you’re planning on moving or renovating this summer! Read to find out how CAA can make your next move or renovation more affordable!
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| CAA Rewards Partners for Your Move or Renovation! |
Follow CAA on Social Media!
CONTEST (~OVER~)
WINNER to be announced...at the CAA Home Essentials Twitter Party (Thurs May 22nd, 2014 12-1pm ET)
WIN a fantastic $500 gift card from CAA! Winners can choose between a $500 gift card to use at one of the following CAA partners: Dulux, 1-800-Got-Junk?, Teleflora, Penske, AMJ Campbell Van Lines, ComparAction or CAA Home Insurance OR $500 CAA Dollars (for CAA Members)! Contest open to Canada, and ends May 9th, 2014.
Winner of the $500 Gift Card/$500 CAA Dollars will be announced at the CAA Home Essentials Twitter Party on Thursday May 22nd, 2014 (12:00 - 1:00pm EST)! See @CAASCO for tweets on that day.
Posts
be organized and keep kids away
ReplyDeleteMy tip for moving is to label your boxes very specifically! You will thank yourselves later.
ReplyDelete1-800-Got-Junk
ReplyDeletepurge items and keep organized.
ReplyDeleterecycle. get rid of anything not necessary before you move
ReplyDeleteNag your husband to get anything done.
ReplyDeleteSend your husband and kids away for the weekend while you throw away, recycle or sell everything unnecessary!
ReplyDeleteused 1-800-Got-Junk before, it's great!
ReplyDeletesave 25% off on Dulux Paint and 10% on accessories with CAA membership
ReplyDeleteSell everything unnecessary.
ReplyDelete1-800-GOT-JUNK. It's the easiest way by far.
ReplyDeletei have never gone through the renovation progress but when it comes to moving which we have done plenty of times, make sure you box the things you know you wont need asap and label all your boxes so you know what room to put them in! and renting a moving truck is key
ReplyDeleteTry Frogbox, makes packing and moving so easy! Not having to tape boxes is awesome!
ReplyDelete+1
ReplyDeletePack everything up prior, and give the movers water bottles and sandwiches! It goes a long way to ensure proper care of your goods.
ReplyDeleteCleanup the basement before move
ReplyDeleteCleanup junk items before move
ReplyDeletemy favorite moving tip is to pack the items that you will need first in a clear bin :)
ReplyDeleteMy tip for moving is to hire packers and movers :) Else, I'd probably never move ;)
ReplyDeleteDonate items before the move.
ReplyDeleteMy tip for moving is to hire people to do if for you...else I'd never move ;)
ReplyDeletemark what's in the boxes on the outside of the boxes!
ReplyDeleteOrganize boxes and mark what they are.
ReplyDeleteFlorence c
spend the money and hire a legit mover with good references
ReplyDeleteHire a legit mover with good references
ReplyDeleteMake several trips to the dump to through out old stuff instead of simply moving it to your new home.
ReplyDeletePurchase stackable moving totes, collapsible totes, and raid the recycling for newspapers.
ReplyDeletemark your boxes well - number them, and have a detailed list of what's in each box - that way you'll be able to find the coffeemaker!
ReplyDeletemy best tip for moving is plan ahead and start packing early because there always seems to be last minute things that pop up.
ReplyDeleteSell everything unnecessary
ReplyDeleteTry to leave enough time after your closing date to paint the new house and do other minor maintenance before you move everything in
ReplyDeletePay for a professional moving company.
ReplyDeleteDonna L.
naloe@hotmail dot com
Declutter and donate extra stuff to charity to make moving easier.
ReplyDeletenick a.
thealoesr@rogers dot com
My tip for moving is to declutter the home by giving away or selling items you don't use anymore.
ReplyDeleteMark your boxes on more than one side with the contents. When boxes are piled high its hard to see only the tops or one side. Saves a lot of moving them around.
ReplyDeleteMark the contents of your boxes on more than one side of the box. Makes seeing it much easier once all the boxes are stacked.
ReplyDeleteKeep your movers, painters, workers fed and happy. Bottled water, granola bars and finger sandwiches really keep the guys/girls happy and show appreciation for a job that no one really loves to do.
ReplyDeleteLabel the boxes for the rooms they'll go into. Having the appropriate box in the appropriate room will make unpacking easier.
ReplyDeleteUse lots of labels to find everything when you're unpacking
ReplyDeleteTry to sell a bunch of stuff on Craigslist or a big garage sale so you have less to move!
ReplyDeleterecycle!
ReplyDeleteMy tip for moving is to have boxes labeled for each room and place those boxes in the rooms that the items will be unpacked in. My other tip is to use a frog box or green box system, where you rent plastic moving boxes. Great for the environment and it forces you to unpack because you have to return the boxes.
ReplyDeletestart chucking the stuff that you never use before you even think of packing. Downsize, downsize, downsize... if in doubt chuck it out.
ReplyDeleteLabel all the boxes, will save a lot of time on moving
ReplyDeleteSort the item according which room it should go to
ReplyDeleteHire professional moving company
ReplyDeletedefinitely getting rid of old junk, or stuff you aren't going to use! I have moved a few times and have gotten rid of a lot of junk :)
ReplyDeletelabel your moving boxes
ReplyDeleteMy best tip is always remember to label boxes. :D
ReplyDeleteMoving is a great excuse to purge
ReplyDeleteIf you havnt used it in 5 yrs...throw it away and label your boxes.
ReplyDeleteLori R Jackson is my rafflecopter name
recycle and label your boxees.
ReplyDeleteGet a couple of friends or relatives and have a moving day! Free labour, just provide food and drinks! :)
ReplyDeleteLabel everything so it is eassier to find later.
ReplyDeleteHave someone to watch the kids the day of moving.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely label everything!! 9 years after we moved, we still have dozens of unknown boxes hidden away in the basement
ReplyDeletetry a junk removal service
ReplyDeleteOrganization is key! Make sure all boxes are labeled well.
ReplyDeleteOrganize of what to junk and what will be moved. What is to be moved, label the packing boxes.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing to do is be prepared well in advance. Have everything boxed and ready to go for the day of the move.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite trip is to go through your house prior to getting it ready to sell and doing a major clutter-elimination process. This will make it easier to sell the house as well as move.
ReplyDeleteLet someone else do it!
ReplyDeleteIm getting ready for a move in about 6 months and am already packing...all the winter stuff is already in boxes and labelled!
ReplyDeleteHire a professional to do the work :)
ReplyDeleteLabel and keep organized
ReplyDeleteIt's a great time to purge your belongings! It's strange how much useless junk we can accumulate over time.
ReplyDeleteGreat time to purge! Strange how much we accumulate over time.
ReplyDeletethrow out things you haven't used for over a year
ReplyDeleteAlways use movers to protect your furniture and purge as you pack.
ReplyDeleteTry Frogbox,
ReplyDeletemake sure you label all boxes in detail
ReplyDeletemake sure to label all boxes in detail
ReplyDeletePack all of your clothes in garbage bags.
ReplyDeleteorganization is key
ReplyDeleteplan your move and make sure you pack everything before moving day
ReplyDeleteDefinitely hire professionals!!!! Last time we did not and I will never make that mistake again.
ReplyDeleteI would love to move, but I love my property (hate my house), so I am scared of change.
ReplyDeleteFor rennovating, we plan it out early, then watch for what we want, to see if it goes on sale.
ReplyDeleteFor moving....hold a garage sale and sell everything you really have no use for...earn some money and you have less stuff to move!
ReplyDeleteI saved money by hiring a moving company only to move the big furniture items. The smaller items and boxes we moved ourselves and nothing went missing or was broken
ReplyDeletePurge before you move!
ReplyDeleteWhen renovating, ensure you are prepared so that you have all the supplies that you need and ensure you have the budget to do it since what may seem to be a low cost could very well turn into a costly repair.
ReplyDeletePurge as you're packing your boxes - you won't want to do it when you're unpacking and just want to put everything away. Definitely don't take anything with you that you don't want to keep.
ReplyDeleteUse reputable, reference flush, legitimate tax paying companies.
ReplyDeleteHire a legit mover with good references
ReplyDeleteMy tip is to pack items in plastic tubs/boxes if you have them, especially the clear ones so that you can see what's inside. And pack boxes by location e.g. only kitchen stuff in a box instead of some kitchen, some bedroom etc so that when you bring the boxes to the new place they go to the specific room they are packed for.
ReplyDeleteI mark all my boxes with a number and log them as they go into the truck and then back out. I stick a checklist on the front door with a marker and make the mover check off the box so they are responsible and accountable
ReplyDeleteget references and get a mover with a good rep call the bbb
ReplyDeleteMove with a van or truck and throw away stuff you dont use
ReplyDeleteuse boxes that are of similar size.
ReplyDeletePurge purge purge-it feels good and you have to pack less!
ReplyDeleteStart packing as soon as you put your home on the market with things you don't use all the time. It makes it easier once you have an offer and it makes the house look less cluttered when you're showing it. If you don't have enough room in your garage or basement to store the packed boxes rent a small storage unit for that purpose.
ReplyDeleteMark which room you want the boxes to go to/start packing as soon as you can...don't try to do everything at the last minute.
ReplyDeletemy tip is purge
ReplyDeleteLabel your boxes
ReplyDeleteAll great ideas submitted. I always pack at least one box that goes with me in my car. In it are the essentials for the new place. Examples include: toilet paper, minimal cleaning supplies, coffee and a coffee maker (I get cranky without and the movers who are hauling stuff in to the new place appreciate it), enough dishes and utensils to get a drink of water or eat a light meal or two, etc. Whatever works for you while you're "camping" out with all your regular stuff is in the moving van.
ReplyDeletethanks for the post
ReplyDeleteLabel boxes in detail - and keep a spreadsheet inventory. Makes it easier to know where stuff is, and identify what exactly goes missing.
ReplyDeleteLabel boxes, sure helps figure out where they go when you are hauling them in.
ReplyDeletefirst start purging!!
ReplyDeletePacking, moving etc is much easier if you purge items first.
ReplyDeleteEmploy the rule.."if I haven't used it in a year, sell it our junk it...don't pack it."
ReplyDeleteStart packing early.....the earlier the better! And bubble wrap everything!
ReplyDeletelabel everything in boxes to make unpacking easier
ReplyDeletelabel and pack things in boxes to make it easier to unpack
ReplyDeleteWhen renovating we make sure we clean up each night returning tools to the toolbox or one location, clean up all debris and generally make the renovation space tidy. This keeps everything organized and ready to go the next day.
ReplyDeleteWhen either renovating or moving choose the top of the line. Bargains mean headaches, invariably.
ReplyDeleteSmile!!!!
ReplyDeleteLabel boxes clearly!
ReplyDeleteI just spent 3 1/2 months getting my house ready to sell- it paid off - we sold in 10 days in an area where the average home is on the market for 90- 100 days. I covet a really good miter saw - I do my own trim work and good tools help so much
ReplyDeleteBefore moving go through everything and get rid of what you don't need! It's amazing how much you accumulate over the years and how little you may use things if at all!
ReplyDeletelabel boxes with room (kitchen, boy's bedroom, laundry, etc) on top and 2 sides.
ReplyDeletelabel boxes with specific room on top and 2 sides. make it easy to read with a big permanent marker.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely to declutter and get rid of unnecessary items! No need to keep junk!
ReplyDeletehire a professional company to haul the trash
ReplyDeletehire a professional company to haul the trash
ReplyDeletemake sure all the boxes are labelled right as in Kitchen-glasses, or Kitchen-plates. It sure makes unpacking a lot easier knowing where the box goes and what's in it
ReplyDeleteMy tip for moving? stay organized, label each box and try to keep the weight of each box consistent with others
ReplyDeleteGet rid of things you don't use, don't bring your clutter to the new place. Donating feels good !
ReplyDeletePack everything up in advanced, Label to rooms so the movers know easily where to put the boxes at the new location. I numbered my kids boxes as well on which on needed to be opened first bc of the items it contained like clothes or a particular group of toys, lol
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend and I have moved 3 times on our own and then 2 times since we moved in together. We have lots of experience in the last 5 years. Our best tip is to move as many boxes in your own car as possible if you plan on hiring movers. Saves SO much money and you exert just some of your time and sweat and a bit of gas compared to what the movers charge! Label every box too on all sides!
ReplyDeleteStart packing early. Don't leave it to the last minute.
ReplyDeleteStart all packing really early. Don't leave it to the last minute.
ReplyDeletelabel your boxes
ReplyDeletePurge first and label very clearly
ReplyDeletemove as much as you can on your own
ReplyDeleteBailey Dexter, For me it is start early to pack, most people don't realize that they own so much. Start packing seasonal clothes and the stuff that only is used a few times a year.
ReplyDeleteTips for moving: plan ahead, make a checklist, get help from 1-800-GOT-JUNK by binning anything you don't need. Then get CAA road trip map to go on a nice exertion after you move. Hope to win this great contest
ReplyDeleteput things in boxes and label well
ReplyDeleteStart packing well in advance, first packing everything you know you won't need til after you move. You can pack everything else closer to your moving date. Saves SO much time!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win
ReplyDeletewrap you china in your tea towels, and label, label, label
ReplyDeleteMy tip for moving is ensure you put tons of bubble wrap or newspaper for your breakables. Too much is never enough.
ReplyDeleteCheck out deals before hiring
ReplyDeleteStart packing early; try doing a box of stuff a day.
ReplyDelete1-800-Got-Junk,great guys and efficient service!
ReplyDelete1-800-Got-Junk,great guys and efficient service!
ReplyDelete