How to Have a Successful and Organized Move
By: Melissa Ott

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During the month of February, I moved from MD to NC. We are talking about a major move. My husband and I decided to take this task on our own.

To start we wanted to try and make this as painless on our wallets as possible. We discovered that renting a truck in the middle of the month and week was the most economical way to go. We researched truck companies and found the lowest rates. Also, reserving your truck online with some companies will save up to an additional 20%.

So now we have our means of transporting all of our "stuff." As we were packing we discovered an excellent way to get rid of our "clutter." If we hadn't used it or even seen it in over a year, away it went.

I have moved too many times and not known where anything was the next day. This is the most frustrating thing to go through. Not only is it frustrating, it is also a waste of time.

This time around I decided I wasn't going to put myself through all of that unnecessary pain. I want to give you some tips on how to move organized.

Try to find boxes that are as close to the same shape and size as possible. This helps when packing the truck. Also, try to get smaller boxes. These boxes will not get as heavy if you can't put as much in them. If you are planning to do this move on your own this will cause less stress on your back.

When you are ready to get your boxes, it is best to get them from local grocery stores or even liquor stores. You can buy boxes from your local moving companies as well, but these can get expensive. I have found that boxes from liquor stores are most helpful when packing glassware. They have dividers in the boxes that will separate your glasses without having to use packing material.

As for packing material, I cannot stand using newspaper. I don't like having black newsprint on all of my dishes as well as my hands when I am packing. I like to go to the craft store and buy a roll of craft paper. This may not be the most economical way, but it saves a lot of time at the new home you are moving to. I know I certainly don't enjoy scrubbing black newsprint off of my dishes or glassware. You can also purchase bubble wrap or even "peanuts" but I find the craft paper takes up less room.

You will need some colored markers. One color for each
room of the house. This helps in the unpacking stage. For each room choose a color and use only that color for
marking the boxes that come out of that particular room.
When marking boxes all you will need to write is a number.

Instead of writing the contents on the actual box. When you mark the boxes, keep a pen and paper handy. This is for your master list. Keeping a master list of all your boxes takes the confusion out of searching for what you need. On your master list you will then list what is in each
numbered box. To give an example we will use the kitchen:

1. Glasses
2. Pots and pans
3. Plates (salad and dinner)

This will give you an idea of how to implement the master list.

You will need to make copies of this list for the person driving the truck in case you get separated during the drive.

When loading the truck it helps to put the boxes in order from highest number to lowest number. This way when it's time to unload the truck you can start at the beginning of your list without any confusion and having to search for the correct number.

When unloading your truck get the beds out first and set them up.

Do this before anything else. As you are unloading the boxes take them to the room they belong in. Don't worry about where you set them, just as long as they are in the room they belong in. The same goes for the furniture. Just make sure it is in the room it is going to live in. There will be plenty of time to set up and decorate later.

Another time and sanity saver is packing a bag. I find it best to pack as if you are going on vacation. Pack for at least a couple of days. Include in your bag: forks, knives, spoons, glassware, plates, and bowls for everyone in the household.

To save a little extra money while unpacking your kitchen, you could also pack cooking supplies if room allows.

During the process of moving you will be making a lot of purchases relating to your move, remember to keep all of your receipts. Some of you may even donate some of your unwanted things to charities. If this is the case, make a list and ask for a receipt from your chosen charity. Some, if not all, of your moving expenses can be deducted when filing your taxes. For more information about this, contact a tax advisor or visit the IRS web site at http://www.irs.gov .

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Melissa Ott, Virtual Assistant

Copyright © 2002-2007 by Melissa Ott
All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as article is kept intact, this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.

Tips for a Surefire Successful Yard Sale
By: Nancy Twigg

Over the years, I have been to plenty of successful yard  sales. By successful, I mean the buyers found good bargains, the seller made a sizeable chunk of cash, and everyone had a pleasant experience in the process.

Likewise, I've also been to some real "bowser" sales-the  buyers found few bargains, the seller barely covered his costs, and everyone could have found a better way to spend his or her morning.

What separates the good, profitable sales from those that make you wish you'd stayed in bed? A successful sale is a win-win situation for both the buyer and the seller. In most cases, this involves preparation on the part of the seller.

Here are some surefire steps to ensure your next sale is a success:

>>Unless you live on a busy street, a newspaper ad will usually more than pay for itself in increased sales. Also, make sure your ad appears at least the day before the day of the sale. Serious shoppers plan their Saturday yard sale route on Friday and won't see your ad if it appears in the Saturday paper only.

>>If shoppers must make more than one turn off the main street, use multiple signs to clearly lead the way to your sale. Place them strategically so shoppers know exactly where to turn to get to the sale.

>>Keep the signs simple. Some of the best simply say "sale" with arrows clearly pointing in the direction the shopper should turn. Small signs with lots of writing are ineffective because they can't be read.

>>If multiple people are involved in the sale, decide in advance who will be in charge of the money. She may need a helper to help add prices or make change, but she should be solely responsible for making sure all participants get credit for their sales.

>>Always have more change on hand than you expect to need. Don't be in a position where one $20 bill would totally wipe out your supply of change.

>>Decide in advance how much you want for your items and then price them a little higher than that. For example, if you really don't want to sell an item for less than $5, price it at $7 so you have room for negotiation without going lower than what you are comfortable with.

>>Remove things that not for sale from the sale area (lawnmowers, hoses, etc.). If that's not possible, cover them with an old sheet or dropcloth, or use masking tape to rope off areas that are not part of the sale.

>>Make shoppers feel welcome. There's nothing worse for a shopper than to feel that she is an annoyance to the proprietor. If you're not good at talking with strangers, enlist the help of an outgoing spouse or friend.

>>Keep only your coins and small bills outside with you. Every so often, take any large bills into the house so that if by the unfortunate chance your money was stolen, the thief would only get small bills.

>>Not putting a start time in your ad can be a turn-off. Serious shoppers don't want to waste their time tracking down sales that aren't open when they get there. On the other hand, it is usually wise not to put an end time in your ad. That way, you can be flexible about when you close up.

>>Consider giving inexpensive freebies such as coffee in the winter or cold water or Kool-aid in the summer. This small act of kindness makes for a friendlier, more pleasant (and usually more profitable) yard sale experience.

>>Have a "free" box for those items you're not sure anyone would want. You'll be surprised at how many of those things find new homes.

>>If rain or some other unforeseen event cancels the sale, clearly post a sign stating that the sale has been cancelled. There's nothing worse than driving up to a house and wondering whether you have the wrong house or if the sale's been cancelled.

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Nancy Twigg is the editor of Counting the Cost, a Christian ezine devoted to everyday abundant living at its best. Topics include experiencing life more joyfully, using our time and money wisely, building stronger family relationships and spiritual enrichment. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail.