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Avoid Moving-Related Stress with These 5 Tips

A couple looks at a computer in their home.

At Zippy Shell, we understand just how stressful a move can be, whether you are moving cross-country or just relocating one town away. Even thinking about the enormity of a move can bring on stress. Here are a few tips to help you overcome the anxiety of moving-related stress and help you tackle this like a pro!

Get Organized!

There is a reason why the word ‘’organized” or “organization” is consistently mentioned regarding moving and moving-related stress. When you plan ahead and implement organizational tools, your chances of a successful move (and less stress!) are much greater!

Implement a Schedule and Stick with It!

Whether you use an online calendar and to-do list, or go “old-school” with an Erin Condren LifePlanner, use what system works best for you to stay organized. Get the family involved. Post a hanging calendar on the fridge and circle essential dates (the day you want your kids to pack up their rooms, moving day, utility cut-off date, etc.). If you are a visual person, seeing the dates right in front of you in bright colors can effectively remind you and your family!

Kick Out Procrastination!

If you wait until the last minute to plan your move, you will be scrambling to finish, and this will undoubtedly cause stress. This isn’t the time to procrastinate. Give yourself plenty of time in your schedule to find a moving provider (or round up some friends and family), pack up your belongings, change addresses, disconnect utilities, etc. Procrastinating will not only cause stress, but it will also cost you money.

Enlist Friends and Family to Help!

If you are lucky to have friends and family nearby, enlist their help! They are a vital resource on moving days and will help relieve some moving day stress! Enlist those that are the most helpful. If your fraternity brother still dresses like he’s going to a big hair 80’s band concert and just came for free pizza and beer, you may want to leave him off the list. Be sure and offer your gratitude, and some food and beverage, to those around you that offer their help!

Prepare Mentally and Physically to Move!

Regardless of the enormity of your move, whether moving cross-country or across town, the process can still be stressful. If you are physically prepared (get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy and fueling breakfast, be in healthy shape), you will be ready to tackle your move easier. Mentally you have to push out any anxiety or trepidations about your move and focus on the positives of this overwhelming task. Maybe you are moving closer to family or closer to the beach! Focusing on the positive can help push out the negative!

Take these five tips to heart when preparing for your next move, and you will be relieved to see how much easier your move can be! If you aren’t organized and tend to procrastinate, identify someone in your family or even a close friend to help you along the way. Share these tips with them, and you might be surprised how efficient you can become! Be sure to give Zippy Shell a call if you need any moving and storage help!

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Step By Step Guide to Packing Your Kitchen

A modern kitchen in a home.

The kitchen is probably one of the most challenging rooms in your house to pack. There are so many small and odd-shaped items to account for when packing the kitchen. Here is a step-by-step guide to save your sanity while packing this important room.

Gather all your supplies. You will need sturdy boxes of multiple sizes. The trick is to keep each box under around a 40lb limit whenever possible. Have plenty of unprinted newspaper or packing paper on hand. The ink on standard newspapers can bleed onto your belongings, causing discoloration, so be sure to choose the unprinted variety. Bubble wrap is suitable for wrapping fragile or breakable objects before placing them in a box. It can be used for dishes and glassware in the kitchen. The most time-saving tool for packing is probably a tape gun dispenser. It allows you to seal the bottom and tops of all your boxes quickly. Be sure to have a permanent marker or a pack of labels to place on all the boxes after they are packed.

Set aside a box for kitchen essentials. You can pack the majority of your kitchen up to about a week in advance of your move, but you will need to leave out some essentials to get you through the days surrounding your move. The bare necessities are a few dishes, mugs, cutlery for each family member, a good pan, a cutting board, and the coffee machine. Add any other kitchen items you can’t live without for a few days to this pile as well.

Start by packing less frequently used kitchen items like vases, serving dishes, special occasion items, wine glasses, wall hangings, cookbooks, and small appliances. Before packing each item, think about the last time it was used. If you haven’t used it in the previous six months, don’t pack and move it.

Pack the drawers and shelves. Sort your silverware according to type and give each group a tight wrap with a rubber band. If you have a cutlery tray, it is easiest to use plastic wrap to wrap around the tray and then place it flat inside a box—stack pots and pans with the smaller ones nestled into the larger ones. Add a piece of packing paper between them to prevent scratches. Keep like-items together as much as possible to make unpacking easier.

Wrap each plate or bowl separately before placing them in a box. Once you’ve wrapped a few plates, stack them and fully wrap the entire stack together. Place the stack into the box vertically instead of horizontally for the best protection. Use whatever material you have left to pad the bottom, sides, top, and empty spaces of the box – your extra packing paper or towels are perfect for this as they will need to be packed anyway. Extra room in boxes can cause them to collapse.

It is best to pack glasses and stemware in a divided box. Even with dividers, you’ll still want to wrap each item in packing paper. Don’t pack anything on top of glasses as they are too fragile. Fill out the box with packing paper and label “this side up” and “fragile” to help keep your cups and glasses safe while in transit.

Zippy Shell storage centers are equipped with climate control and added security to keep your belongings safe and secure. When you are ready, we can redeliver your storage container or move it to your next destination.

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Eliminate Safety Concerns on Moving Day

A young couple holds their newborn baby

The average moving day usually passes without incident or injury, but moving can be more physically challenging than most people realize. Protecting yourself and everyone involved with your move should be a top priority on moving day, especially if you have opted for a do-it-yourself move. On moving day, protecting yourself and your loved ones is even more important than protecting your belongings. Find out how to eliminate safety concerns with these top suggestions.

  • Dress appropriately on moving day. Extra thought should go into your shoe selection for the day. Select fully closed shoes that are comfortable but will also offer protection, flexibility, and traction. While you also want your clothing to be comfortable and flexible, avoid wearing clothes that are too baggy as they can easily get caught on things. Wearing high-quality work gloves will give you a better grip on items and protect your hands throughout the day.
  • Sturdy boxes are a must. Weak or overused packing boxes can break down when being carried, leading to an injury to the foot or toe. Before packing your boxes, double tape the bottom with strong packing tape to minimize breakage risk.
  • Don’t overpack your boxes with heavy items. As a general rule, smaller boxes should be used for heavier items such as books. Larger boxes should be used for bulkier items, not necessarily heavier items. Each box should not be packed to exceed over 50 lbs.
  • Prevent injury by using proper lifting techniques. When lifting a box or other heavy item off the ground, squat down, bending at the knees, never at the waist. Slowly lift by straightening your hips and knees, not your back. Carry heavy items close to your body while keeping good posture. Avoid lifting heavy objects above shoulder level unless you absolutely must.
  • Hand trucks or dollies are a safer way to move boxes or heavier items. When loading a stack of boxes onto a dolly for safety, be sure you have straight, balanced, fully aligned stacks that won’t topple over once you start rolling. Place heavier boxes at the bottom of each stack for stability. Also, make sure the top box is not blocking your view and that it is at least partially resting against the bars so that it won’t slide off.
  • Eliminate tripping hazards by keeping all hallways and pathways clear on moving day. The outside path leading to the storage container should be kept clear of debris, mud, water, snow, and ice.
  • If your moving day involves children, pets, or anyone with special needs, arrange for help to keep everyone safe. Ask a trusted neighbor, grandparent, or loved one to care for them on moving day or at least part of the day. Moving a day with a baby can be especially challenging. If baby proofing can’t be done right away, create a smaller space in your new home that is safe for the baby until you can get it completed.

If you have a move coming up this spring, give Zippy Shell a call. We would love to explain how our moving and storage services can help you achieve a smooth and stress-free move. We look forward to hearing from you!

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6 Tips for Moving in With Your Significant Other

A couple unpacks items in their home

If you have decided to move in with your significant other, you may be wondering how you can combine two households smoothly and peacefully. We have put together a few points you should consider before taking the leap. With some preparation, we know you can work together to plan a pleasant and fulfilling move.

  1. OPEN COMMUNICATION: Before you make any tangible moves toward cohabitation, you should have a sit-down conversation to discuss any aspects of living together that are unclear or causing anxiety. Share your expectations, goals, and boundaries for the new living arrangements. If you enter the experience with open communication and understanding, the process will be more enjoyable, and you are less likely to have unexpected roadblocks.
  2. BE PATIENT: Remember, you are taking two separate lives and merging them into one. This is a big deal. Prepare yourselves in advance to be patient and kind with one another as you traverse this new landscape.
  3. BE READY TO COMPROMISE: Any relationship is going to require a degree of compromise. No two people are exactly alike with identical tastes and ideas. Be ready to make concessions and to work on compromises that will make both of you happy.
  4. EVALUATE YOUR STUFF: When two people each have an entire house or apartment worth of stuff, it will take some honest evaluation to decide what gets kept and what goes. You won’t need two sets of dishes, two sets of living room furniture, and so on. Work together to decide what is going to work best for the both of you. You can sell or donate what you don’t need. If you have any sentimental items that you do not have room for, you can put them into secure storage.
  5. DON’T FORGET TO DISCUSS FINANCES: Maybe even more important than going through all your stuff is going through the finances. Expectations on who is paying what should be discussed before the move. If you intend to share a bank account, you should consider creating a budget you both intend to stick to.
  6. ASSIGN HOUSE DUTIES: Okay, so assign is a strong word. Maybe you and your partner don’t need a chore chart on the fridge. You do need to have, at the very least, a loose understanding of who is doing what around the home. Maybe the house chores rotate based on each other’s work schedules or specific tasks they always do. Determine what is going to work best for both of you to keep the household running smoothly.

We hope these tips help as you prepare to move in with your significant other. If you have any other suggestions that we missed, stop by our Facebook page and share with our online Zippy Shell community and us. When you are ready for your move, give us a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us online. We offer services for local and long-distance moves, as well as storage for every need. We look forward to hearing from you!

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How to Cope with Relocation Depression After a Big Move

A couple sits next to the moving boxes in their new home

Everyone knows a big move can be one of life’s most challenging events, both physically and emotionally. So if you feel stressed or anxious during a move, that is perfectly normal. Many times just the sheer physical exhaustion of moving is enough to throw you into a temporary funk. Making a move can indicate a positive change in our life, like a new job or a new relationship. Still, no matter how positive you expect the move to be, there can be pre-existing depression or even a new feeling of depression that moves with us. It can also happen to anyone, so there is no shame if you begin to feel down during a big move. If you have recognized and determined that you are suffering from relocation depression, here are some things to focus on.

  • Feelings of depression or anxiety are often heightened when you are rushed or forced to move quicker than comfortable. Allow plenty of time to prepare for your move and start the process as early as you can. Expect to need time after the move to get back to normal. If you can, book some time off work to unpack and recover from the physical and mental effort. It will give you space to adjust to the changes.
  • Try to carve out space in your new home that will automatically “feel like home.” Set up a favorite rug, blanket, or pictures that make you feel like you are home. Having this little bit of comfort can help your new home feel safer and more settled. Find a way to integrate the things you love in your new home’s design, and you will see how quickly the space will gain personality and warmth.
  • Recreate some of your old routines. You may have a big desire to push ahead with unpacking, but it might be better for your mental health to stay on an established schedule. Little things such as familiar meals, regular exercise routines, reaching out to friends and family that you usually talk to can go a long way towards easing the transition. In other words, do the things that made you happy in your old place, even if you have to do them in a new way.
  • Find something to be excited about in your new city. Put on your tourist hat and head out and do all the touristy things your new city has to offer. This has the added benefit of giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the city. Walking increases calmness, so explore the walkable sections of your new city on foot!
  • Try to make relationships in your new city by getting involved with local interest groups, taking a class, volunteering, or extending invitations to neighbors and coworkers to hang out. Just be sure to set realistic expectations about the amount of time it takes to foster new relationships; it can be tricky!
  • Above all else, if your relocation depression or anxiety is debilitating or lingers longer than you think it should, speak with a professional. You may need additional help. 

Moving is stressful, and we want to make sure that we go above and beyond what the competition does to ensure your satisfaction. Zippy Shell is here to take the stress out of your move allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional health during this exciting time. Give us a call today to see how we can help make your move simple.

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How Social Media Can Help Your Move to a New City

A young woman looks at her phone.

A recent survey by LendingTree shows that nearly half of Americans are considering making a move within the next year. Many of those looking to move are wanting to reduce living expenses. Plus, those who work permanently work remotely now have the flexibility to move closer to family or move to an area of the country where they have always wanted to live. If you are among the many who have decided to move to a new location, we have a list of the many ways social media can help you make a move to a new city.

  • Research – From low crime rates, climate, affordability, to a great education system, there are many variables to consider when choosing the perfect place to live. Social media can help you research cities and neighborhoods before making your ultimate decision. Twitter is a great news source, and by using a Twitter List, you can create a personalized news feed of information for a specific location. Look for news about local crime, transportation issues, property costs, the housing market, local events, and environmental risks.  
  • Downsizing – When getting ready for a move, it is always a good idea to downsize your belongings. You certainly don’t want to end up making an effort to move items you no longer want or need to your new home. Selling items online on social media sites like Facebook Marketplace has gained a lot of popularity because of its effectiveness and practicality.
  • Moving Supplies – Reaching out to your circle of friends on social media is a great way to score free or reduced-price moving supplies. Plus, neighbors will post about moving boxes that can be picked up for free in local online neighborhood, trade, or garage sale type social media groups.
  • Decorating – One of the best things about moving is the opportunity to decorate a new place! You can find all the home decor and design inspiration your heart desires on Pinterest. Create a “dream home” pinboard and visually organize all of your ideas in one place.
  • Getting Settled – Nearly every town and city has its own social media accounts, where you can learn about everything from community events and trash pickup to parks and local history. You can also read customer reviews and learn about the restaurants, gyms, and community centers available in your new neighborhood via social media. Connect with your neighbors using the social media platform NextDoor. This company utilizes address verification to help ensure that the people you are communicating with are actually your neighbors.

Speaking of social media, we would love to connect with you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. We believe partnering with Zippy Shell for your relocation will give you the power to customize your moving solution to fit any budget and need. Check out Zippy Shell today for assistance with moving or if you need temporary or long-term storage.

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A Moving Playlist: 10 Songs You Must Add for the Big Day!

A happy couple dances in their home

It is just a fact of life that music makes everything better. Music can improve your mood by reducing anxiety and providing comfort. It can also help with coping and is a great way to express your feelings. To help your move be as calm and stress-free as possible, we have compiled a list of ten songs you must add to your moving day playlist.

  • “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! This 80s classic will start your moving day with a burst of energy and serve as a reminder to not leave anyone or anything behind on the big day.
  • “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash. You already know the answer, it is moving day after all. But just for fun add this one to the list to remind yourself if you go, there will be trouble, but if you stay it will be double.
  • “I Like to Move It” by Reel 2 Real. There couldn’t be a more fitting song for moving day. Singing “I like to move it, move it” all day as you are literally moving box after box from one location to another will never get old, well probably never get old.
  • “Bust a Move” by Young MC. If you do get tired of moving your boxes to “move it, move it”, you can always bust a move while pretending that Young MC is actually talking about moving all those boxes.
  • “Moving Out” by Billy Joel. Because that is exactly what you are doing today and because Billy Joel is an icon.
  • “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles. When you are all packed up and ready to hit the open highway, play this song and play it loud. Leave all your worries behind and look forward to your bright future.
  • “Life Is a Highway” by Rascall Flatts. Unless you are just moving down the street, chances are you will be riding the highway during your move. You might not want to drive it all night long as the song suggests, but sometimes it is necessary on moving day.
  • “Takin’ Care Of Business” by Bachman–Turner Overdrive. This song will motivate you to take care of business once you arrive at your new home and begin the unloading/unpacking process. And yes, you probably will be working overtime.
  • “Home” by Phillip Phillips. You are ready to make this place your home! Turning your new place into a home that will feel welcoming to both your family and visitors can be both exciting and overwhelming, but take time to enjoy the process and the new adventure it brings.

The team at Zippy Shell knows all too well how stressful moving across the street, across town, or across the country can be for anyone. Portable storage units allow you to pack at your own pace, letting go of the feeling of being rushed. We also offer flexibility as delivery dates and storage dates can all easily be rescheduled when you use a portable storage unit. We think our portable storage and moving containers offer tons of flexibility with a predictable cost that will make your move much easier.

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6 Ways to Reduce Stress During Your Move

stress relief

A recent survey in America shows that most adults find moving to be more stressful than divorce or having children. This isn’t surprising when you consider all the work and efforts that go into such a huge life change. Moving is simply hard no matter how you go about it, but there are ways to reduce stress as you go through the process. Take a look at 6 of our tips to reduce stress as you get ready to move this year.

DO SOME RESEARCH

If it has been a while since you have moved, you have probably forgotten some of the ins and outs of the process. Talk to some friends and family that have moved in recent years for some tips on things you may be forgetting as you get ready to plan your move. Get online and read blogs on moving to be sure you have all the knowledge you need to have a successful move.

PLAN AHEAD

As soon as you know you will have to move is when you should start planning that move. There are a lot of moving parts (pun intended) to a local or long-distance move and the more effort you put into planning ahead, the more successful and stress free it is going to be. Once you have the dates you will be moving, make your reservations for moving and storage partners. As we enter spring and summer, moving and storage companies become very busy and it can become more difficult to find availability on your desired dates.

MAKE A CHECKLIST

Once you have started planning out your move, you should create a checklist with goals and a reasonable timeline for your move. You can list out each room that needs to be packed, places that will need your new address, when you need to forward your mail, etc.… Having an actual list of when each task needs to be completed will help keep the stress of moving to a minimum.

GET STARTED EARLY

You don’t want to wait until the last minute to pack. Start as early as you can to give yourself some cushion on moving week. Start in rooms that are rarely used, like the guest room and work around the house packing items that you can do without until you get settled into your new home or apartment. Don’t forget to tackle some of the areas that tend to be more overwhelming, like the garage.

START SAVING MONEY

There are a lot of unexpected expenses that can arise during a move. We recommend starting saving as much as you can for your move as soon as you know you will need to relocate. Having a financial cushion can greatly reduce stress, especially in the case of an unexpected expense.

ASK FOR HELP

If you have nearby family or friends, ask for help with packing, moving, or even with keeping an eye on your kids and pets while you are packing and moving boxes. You can offer free food and beverage, or even some extra cash for the assistance. Moving by yourself can be tough, so accept any help you can get.

We hope these tips will help you keep your move as stress free as possible. If you need storage or moving services, give Zippy Shell a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us through our online form. We can provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate and get you on our schedule whenever you are ready.

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Top Phone Apps to Use When Moving

apps

The decision is made, you are making a move. Congratulations! And now it is time to hit the ground running. Whether you have the luxury of extra time or not, beginning the move process as soon as possible will help everything go much smoother. Planning is key in a move and there are plenty of resources that can assist with the process. We have compiled a list of the best, most useful apps for moving. Take a look and get ready to download!

  • When searching for a new home, you can get property information in a snap – literally – by taking a picture with the Homesnap app. You can unlock sales history, interior features, lot boundaries, market information, school district ratings, and more.
  • Zillow is another popular app used for finding a new home. It boasts photo-heavy listings as well as a multitude of filters that you can apply to your searches.
  • If you have found a promising home, but you are not sure if the neighborhood will fit your needs, the AroundMe app can be a very helpful resource. You can find out within seconds information about the surrounding area, like how long it will take to get to a grocery store and restaurants.
  • The one thing that can keep a move from being overly stressful is being organized. Try the Todoist app to capture and organize all your moving tasks. You can set reminders, prioritize your tasks, and even assign tasks to others.
  • Speaking of assigning tasks to others, if you are on a tight timeline you might find it helpful to outsource some of the items on your list using the TaskRabbit app. It can match you with freelance labor for moving projects of all shapes and sizes like packing, hauling away items to the landfill, completing home maintenance tasks in preparation for listing your home, and more.
  • Whenever possible, you will want to base the decision of what furniture to keep and move on the layout and size of your new home. You don’t pack or move anything that doesn’t have a dedicated space in your new home as that will just add to your workload and moving expenses. You can use the MagicPlan app to create a 3D floor plan of your new home by taking pictures of the space.
  • The Sortly app is a lifesaver during the packing and unpacking phases of your move. It is a digital organization app that lets you catalog what you put in each box, so you know where all of your things are at all times. With the premium version, you can even create QR code labels to put on your boxes.  
  • Once you are settled into your new place, use the Nextdoor app to stay informed about what is going on in your new neighborhood. You can do anything from finding out about local events to finding somebody to help you take care of your yard. Using Nextdoor will keep you in the loop and make the transition to your new neighborhood much easier.

Make your move simpler by using portable storage units from Zippy Shell. You load your belongings at your convenience, and we will simply move them for you or we can safely store your belongings as long as you need. When the time is right, we will deliver everything to your new home. Contact Zippy Shell today to get a quote.

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Pros and Cons of a Winter Move

winter move

If you are planning to move in 2021 and have the flexibility to determine when you are going to move, you may be trying to decide if you would rather wait until the summer season. It can be a hard decision, especially if you are ready to move right away. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of a summer move before you decide.

PRO: DOESN’T DISRUPT YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL YEAR

If you have kids that are in school, waiting until the school year ends can be of benefit to them–especially since this past year has had so many disruptions already. This is of even more importance if you are planning to move to an entirely different school district. Waiting until the summer will allow them to finish off the current school year with their friends and not interrupt their learning. Many families opt to wait for the summer season just for this reason.

CON: MOVING COMPANIES ARE BUSIER

Since summer is peak moving season, moving and storage companies are busier. This can be a problem if you wait until the last minute to get on their schedule, but this can be remedied by some advance planning. As soon as you have your summer moving dates, go ahead and schedule your moving and storage services so you can beat the rush.

PRO: YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FREEZING TEMPERATURES

It’s hard to move in cold or even freezing temperatures. If you live in an area of the country that stays under constant threat of snow and ice in the winter and spring seasons, being able to wait until the warmer season will be a big help to you.

CON: IT’S HOT!

On the other hand, if you live in an area of the country where you see summer temps of 90 degrees or greater, a summer move may be more difficult than a winter move. Just as it can be dangerous to move when it is snowing or there is ice on the ground, moving in extremely hot weather can be dangerous. Since moving takes a lot of physical and manual labor, it is easy to get dehydrated or experience heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

PRO: YOUR HOUSE CAN SELL FAST

Because summer is peak moving time, you will be able to sell your home faster than you would during the winter season. If you plan to sell your home over the summer, be sure to have arrangements to leave quickly because homes were selling faster than lenders could keep up with over this past summer!

CON: IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND A HOME YOU LOVE

Because there are more people looking for homes to purchase over the summer, the home inventory can be slim when you go to find a home for yourself. You may need to widen your search and make some changes to your home wish list.

We hope this list of pros and cons will be helpful to you as you decide whether to plan a summer move. Be sure to give Zippy Shell a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us through our online form when you are ready to schedule your move and storage. We look forward to hearing from you!