There are two drastically different sides to moving: being able to have a fresh start versus the hassle of learning a whole new habitat. Luckily, humans are easily able to adapt to the downsides, while there are many upsides to moving. Moving is no easy feat. To many, it’s downright scary. Yet it also brings with it many benefits for your mind and body. Once you realize that the challenges of moving can be overcome, you can focus on the many advantages. 1. You Learn More About Yourself Moving to a new place is like unlocking a new level of your potential. You’re forced to socialize in a new culture, find new hobbies, try different foods, and come up with ideas for unique situations you’ve never faced. In doing this, you learn more about yourself in previously unexplored ways. It might seem like you know yourself now, but see what a move can bring out of you and you would be surprised. Even the challenges from moving will show you your imperfects and give you an idea of areas you need to work on. How would you have reacted if your home had to be relocated due to an eroding coastline as the four families did this year? 2. You Leave the Worst of it Behind In moving, you probably know what exactly you DON’T want based on your prior location. You will also be more experienced in choosing the right moving company for a seamless transition. If you weren’t getting the help you need in terms of health, make sure you can in your new area. Moving allows you to leave behind certain people or situations which bring about stress. A breakup or divorce, a fallout with a friend, or recent unemployment may leave you overwhelmed. Your fresh start can help unload the weight of such challenges. 3. You Gain a Wider Perspective and Broader Network Based on how far away you’re going, your perspective can change significantly simply from moving. Even a small move will allow you to see outside your comfortable box. Experiencing certain issues firsthand, whether they be educational, religious, or economical, will positively impact your ability to see things in new ways. In gaining new perspectives, you’ll be talking to people you would never have spoken to if not for moving. New friends often mean beneficial connections and could be a stepping stone in your career. 4. You Learn to be More Grateful One of the most rewarding traits is having a sense of gratitude. Moving helps you achieve it in many ways. You learn to appreciate the people you now have to leave behind who won’t be around anymore. When packing, you probably won’t be able to take everything, so you’re more grateful for those items you can keep. When you finally move, you learn to be grateful for your former home and its lessons, and for your new abode. 5. You Become More Independent You might be moving somewhere that has no one to help you upon arrival. You’re forced to rely on yourself, and while that can be annoying, it forces you to be more independent, which is arguably always a good thing. It means you’ll develop bravery, and will be better able to handle tough situations in life. While you should still be willing to take help, you’ll probably learn what’s right for you on your new journey. Conclusion If you do your research properly, moving to a new place can indeed be everything it’s cracked up to be. Although there will always be unforeseen situations, they almost never override the positives of moving. (Choosing professional movers decreases the chance of any surprises). The benefits of moving on your mind and body should not be disregarded. Even the most luxurious home won’t be as enjoyable if you don’t appreciate the unseen aspects of a move Be aware of what you can’t see or touch when you make your next move.
So, do you really need a will?
According to a poll from CTV News a whopping 51% of Canadians do not have a will. If you’re one of the 51%, you may be wondering if it’s really worth it to have one or what the purpose of a will is. At Relocate Stress Free, we handle many estates and have some great insider knowledge to share with you. What does a will do? In the event of your passing, a will ensures that any property and assets you own are distributed the way you want them to be. Ensuring that these items are taken care of in advance will take a lot of stress off your loved ones during such a difficult time. If you have children, having a will in place can also protect their future(s) and ensure they receive the best possible care should you pass while they are minors. When do you need one? There is some debate among different professionals on who needs a will and who doesn’t. If you’re married you need a will because your spouse is closely tied to your life and without one they don’t always gain control of your assets. Having what you want to pass to your spouse in writing and clear terms ensures there is no room for interpretation or negotiation in your absence. It’s especially important to note designations in subsequent marriages or common-law partnerships. If you have children, you need a will because they are likely to inherit your assets if you pass away after your spouse. Whether you want your children to inherit your assets or not, it’s crucial you have it in writing for legal reasons to avoid room for errors or interpretation from the courts. When your children are minors, you will also need to name an executor of your estate and guardian of your children. The executor is someone responsible for the distribution of your assets and the guardian is responsible for raising your children. It’s a big decision for parents to choose family members or friends to fill these roles and it can be uncomfortable to talk about, however, it’s necessary to protect your children’s future and ensure they are raised the way you would want them to be raised. If you have a positive net worth, you need a will too. It’s nice to be able to plan for the future and assign your assets to loved ones, friends, charities and more keeping the power in your own hands-after all it’s your hard-earned money that purchased your assets and grew your savings. Assigning these assets in advance also helps to manage any tension between family members that can arise under these unfortunate circumstances. The time of death of a loved one is a stressful situation for all parties involved. Unfortunately, it’s all too common that unassigned assets add to that stress and can lead to long drawn out court battles for loved ones. Taking care of this necessary, and sometimes uncomfortable, task is an important part of planning for your future and that of your loved ones.
Packing to move? Here are our top 5 expert tips!
When beginning to pack for your move, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start and how to pack certain items. Fortunately, we’ve had a ton of experience packing all kinds of things and both large and small volumes of items. Here are our top ten expert tips to put into play when you’re packing to move to a new home! Start Early When you start packing early, you save yourself a ton of stress. For an average 4 bedroom home, you could easily spend 4-5 days packing-which is a lot of time. That timeline also assumes you have all of your supplies on hand and experience no delays. With that in mind, the earlier you can start packing the better. Anything you won’t be using until your move can be packed away. Some great items to start with early on (even months in advance) can include seasonal items, home decor, guest bedroom furniture and items, and any collectibles or items of sentimental value. Since these are all items you won’t need before your move, it is simple to pack them away safely well in advance. Packing early also saves you from rushing through, running the risk that some items get broken. Don’t Leave the Kitchen for Last Many individuals leave the kitchen for last when they are packing. We highly advise against that. Kitchens are the room in your home that takes the longest to pack by far. Think about the number of breakable items, small appliances, or oddly shaped items in your kitchen. That’s why it takes so long! To avoid packing your kitchen up at 11 pm the night before your truck arrives, pack all the non-essential items up in the week leading up to your move. Save only a few cups and glasses or opt for paper plates and cups to save yourself even more time or opt for take out for a couple of days before your move. Taking the time to pack your delicate kitchen items properly will be well worth it-we promise! Label Your Boxes This is not optional, so don’t skip this one. When packing to move you need to know what is in each and every box, which room it belongs in, and if it is fragile. It’s incredibly helpful to your moving team to know this as well. It saves you from getting to your new home with a pile of boxes in your living room and no clue where anything is. When your moving company is aware of what is in each box and where it belongs it makes the unloading process straightforward. Invest in Good Boxes You may be tempted to take all of the cheap or free cardboard boxes you can get your hands on to save some cash when moving- afterall it is expensive. We highly recommend you don’t. Cheap, or overused boxes are going to be flimsy and lack the strength to keep your belongings safe during your move. Invest in boxes that are actually designed for residential moving. They are made to handle household items, and even give recommendations of the kind of items to use them for. Using proper packing supplies will keep your items safe, and give you the best opportunity for things to arrive at your new home in pristine condition. Resist Reminiscing As you’re packing you’re going to come across an old photo album, some baby items or even an old toy and be tempted to take a trip down memory lane. We know it can be exciting to come across these items you haven’t seen in a long time, but reminiscing can end up eating up hours of your packing time. Push yourself to push through the packing and allow for reminiscing on the other side of your transaction when unpacking. You’ll have more time to go through your memories and think about past situations when unpacking vs. packing. You definitely want to save yourself the time during packing so you’re not scrambling all night the night before your move to finish packing. Trust us-you’ll be glad you put that extra time to effective use. These tips will help you to pack efficiently and effectively. The experts at Relocate Stress Free are here to help you and support your move!
Size of moving boxes
A moving box is just any box, isn’t it? Well not really. When moving, there are a lot of things to be moved, quickly and efficiently. A box apart from being of the right size should also not hinder the moving process. Relocate Stress Free offers these essential tips on the sizes when choosing moving boxes. Choose modular moving boxes Moving boxes should be modular, meaning that they ought to be of same sizes but with different heights. This is particularly important especially when the boxes are stack one on top of the other. When stack together, the 3 boxes of different heights should all amount to the same height as the tallest packing box. This makes loading the moving truck much easier. Beware of the small boxes that can only fit teapot Moving boxes should be large enough to fit almost every related things in one compaction. When the boxes are rather too small, there will be too many packages to be handled but when they are of appropriate sizes, only a few of the boxes will be needed. A typical book box should be at least 16” by 16” by 12”. The largest moving box shouldn’t be larger than 16” by 16” by 24”. When the boxes are also too large, it makes it much difficult to lift especially if carry heavy items. Beware of the flimsy and weak boxes The boxes should not only be of appropriate sizes but should also be strong to withstand heavy weights without falling apart. They should not give way to external or internal pressure and should also resist tearing, crushing or damage. Good moving boxes should allow items to be stacked to the top without sagging. The boxes should have handle holes So the boxes are large enough, strong but with o handle holes. How will they to be loaded into the moving truck? The smaller boxes may lack the handle holes since they can be carried with ease. Boxes for heavier items should have handle holes for easier lifting. Contact Relocate Stress Free to assist in your move.
Organizing Tips
Once through with relocating to the new home, most people often wonder how to go about organizing their things in the new home. Unpacking and organizing isn’t an easier task either, if it took several weeks to pack, one can expect the organization process to last for some considerable time as well. In this post, quick tips to bear in mind when unpacking each moving box with the contents into their respective rooms have been highlighted. Unpack the items ASAP After moving the packing boxes into the house, one is likely to be very tired at the moment. Moving fully may not be achieved however if the task is procrastinated after the first day. Unpacking doesn’t have to be done all at once, but considering unpacking several boxes day after another is the way to go. Working with a deadline for unpacking will be very helpful, it can be month or two or even several weeks. Define the purpose of each room Assigning various purposes to each room can help in envisioning how to organize the items. All the rooms including bathrooms, hallways, basements and attics should be written down on paper. Giving the rooms their purpose will corral items easily and nicely. Begin organizing the larger items first This will ensure that a solid foundation is built in the house so as to welcome any guests as soon as possible. Furniture such as couch, sofas, tables, beds, armoires, dressers, cupboards among other solid furniture should be moved into their respective rooms. Later on, unpacking smaller items that rest in the larger ones should begin. These include books, sundries, clothing, etc. Aim for functionality and then decorate The rooms to start unpacking first are the basic rooms so the sleeping, eating and bathing can be easy. The kitchen, bathroom and bedroom should be unpacked first. Once these rooms are set, focus can be given other rooms within the house. Unpacking the functional items should begin. Once through with functionality, now decoration can begin. Decorating, feathering and accessorizing the rest of the rooms can be much easier when functionality is achieved. These organizing tips when followed in succession will make the entire move stress free. Contact Relocate Stress Free to assist with packing and unpacking your boxes.
Preparing children for move
Sooner, most families are faced with the moving prospect. As disruptive as the process can be, the experience can be even traumatic for children who might not also understand it. Kids may need special attention at that moment. Before finding hiring a moving company to undertake the process, it’s good to prepare kids for the moving process. These tips can make moving with kids less stressful. Making the moving decision The move can be as a result of financial matters or job transfer. Even if a parent is not happy about moving, their attitude and mood can adversely affect the kids. Therefore, it’s good to stay positive no matter the cause of moving. Discussing with the kids Regardless of the circumstances, the best way to prepare the children for moving is talking to them about it. Involving the kids in the moving process makes them feel better and as major participants of the family’s affairs. Preschoolers and toddlers These kids are the easiest to handle because they have a little understanding about the changes. Guidance is however still necessary. When packing their toys in moving boxes, they should be assured that the toys are not being disposed of. If the new home is nearby, they can be taken there to see so as to get a clearer picture of what’s happening. School aged kids Elementary school kids are relatively positive about a move, but they also need to be guided through the transition. More information should be gathered as much as possible so as to process transfer to another school. That may include recent report cards and transcripts, medical records and birth certificates. Teens These are most likely to object a move since they have probably invested much energy in building friendships, relationships and social groups. It’s therefore important to give them the news and hear their thoughts much earlier. If they tend to object, it is legitimate enough to suggest that the movement is in preparation for future changes such as new job or their college studies. Contact Relocate Stress Free to assist with your move.
Tips on what to pack last
There’s nothing worse than unwrapping a neatly packed and sealed box after realizing that something in the box is still needed. A nice packing strategy is beginning with those items which won’t be needed before the day of moving. But which items should be packed last? Here’s a simple guide on that. What to start with Items that should start the packing process in preparation for the move include formal dining crockery, books, papers, shoes and off-season clothes. Items which are fragile should never be packed last. Breakables such as china cups and wine glasses are best surrounded by items that can act as padding. Items that can be sued as padding include pillows, towels or spare clothes. If all the clothes are packed already, the moving boxes with clothes may need to be unsealed to find pieces of cloth that can be used to surround the delicate glassware. What to end with Several empty moving boxes should be left to pack the clothes removed on moving day plus the towels. Wet towels should be wrapped in plastic bags. Other items to be packed last include are those needed during the journey before arriving to the new home. These include toiletries, phone chargers, tissue papers, snacks and drinks. They should be left outside till the last minute or in an open box and set aside. Additionally, items that will be needed right after arrival to the new home should be packed last. Everything needed after arrival will be easier to find when packed last. Some of these include clean clothes, towels, sheets and overnight necessities. They should be packed last and be put on top of the other boxes. Other items to pack last include: first aid kits medications tape measure work gloves scissors batteries flashlights extension cords eating utensils coffee makers sugar powdered milk snacks pet supplies light bulbs screwdriver hammer alarm clock They should kept in easy to access boxes, which can be left open or sealed lightly. Professional Calgary Moving Company and Relocate Stress Free can also offer assistance on what to pack last prior to moving day. As a result, this should make the journey to your new home easier and stress free.
Do you know how to properly pack your clothes and shoes when you move?
Packing clothes when you are moving can be so frustrating because when unpacking your clothes they are either dirty or full of wrinkles…grrr. Do you know how to pack your clothes properly or are they a big pile of mess when you go to unpack after moving too? At Relocate Stress Free we assist our clients with some friendly tips to ease your stress. It is a great idea to buy wardrobe moving boxes for any clothes that need hangers. Make sure you don’t overpack your wardrobe boxes as they can get very heavy and hard to carry. In the end you will be happy when you unpack your clean wrinkle-free clothes! If you have clothes that don’t need hangers use your suitcases and fold your clothes nicely. When is the last time you purged your clothes? It is usually not done often enough. So when you are packing clothes when you are moving is a great time to think about purging clothes you don’t want or wear anymore. Don’t forget your shoes! They are just as important as your clothes. I know I have way too many shoes to forget about them! Don’t put shoes in garbage bags as they will wreak or scrape your good shoes. Place your shoes in a box and if you are stacking your shoes put packing paper in-between. Relocate Stress Free recommends that by using wardrobe boxes, suitcases for folded clothes and boxes for your shoes it will ensure less stress when you are unpacking these items and you will be left with clean wrinkle free clothes. Good luck with your move!