What Are Some Home Organization Ideas?

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Photo of boxes for moving in Greensboro NCOrganizing your home can be life changing. Everyone loves to come home to a neat and tidy house, and it certainly is handy to know where everything is without having to sort through a pile of junk. But how do you go about getting organized if your home is currently not exactly the pinnacle of neatness? This article will dive into some key strategies that you can put to use.

For help moving from your current home into a new home with one of the top Greensboro moving companies, contact Steele & Vaughn for assistance.

Remove the Junk

Everyone’s organization project should start with a review of what you need to keep and what should be tossed out. Of course, not everything in the “toss out” pile needs to go in the garbage – you could sell some of the items in a yard sale or donate them to charity, etc. It will be much easier to get organized if you are trying to find a place for fewer things to live with. Most people have plenty of stuff they never use and will never need, so this is an important place to start.

Also, note that you don’t have to wait until you are moved into a new place to go through your stuff and get rid of things. In fact, just before a move is perhaps the best time of all to get rid of things that are no longer of value in your life. This project will make it easier to get settled into your new place after the move, as you’ll have less junk to deal with. Also, it might even lower the cost of the move since you’ll have less stuff to transport from one place to the next.

Assign Everything a Home

Make sure that all your items have somewhere specific to live inside of your house. It doesn’t work to just set some things down on a table or in an extra room and figure out a spot for them later. That “later” tends not to come, and your house just stays cluttered. Everything should have its own spot, and those things should go back to those spots when they are not in use. Make sure everyone who lives in the home understands where things go and how important it is to put them back each time.

Containers are Your Friend

It makes it much easier to get organized if you can collect all your small items and store them together in bins, buckets, or baskets. Buying containers of various shapes and sizes will help you tidy up when you are trying to store things that don’t fit naturally on a shelf. For example, if you have a lot of small office supplies just sitting out on your desk, pick up a basket that can hold them all and be placed on a shelf. You will have quickly solved the clutter problem and you will easily be able to access those items any time you need to use them. Apply the container concept to as many areas of your home as possible and organization will be within reach.

Is Moving a Tax Deduction?

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Given the cost of moving, both in terms of buying a new place and the actual act of moving your items, it’s understandable that you’ll want to save money wherever possible. One place you might look for savings is on your tax bill at the end of the year. For a better understanding of how moving impacts your tax situation, look at the content below.

 

If you need to hire reliable Greensboro movers to transport your belongings from one home to the next, Steele & Vaughn is the easy choice. Call today to discuss your move and secure a spot on the calendar.

 

No Break Available

If you are in the military, some of your moving expenses may be tax deductible. For most of the rest of us there is not a tax deduction available for your moving expenses. The tax law was changed in 2017 which is why many still believe that moving expenses are tax deductible.  They aren’t, unfortunately.  That’s likely not what you wanted to hear, but it’s good to know what you can expect when tax season rolls around. Also, without the benefit of a tax deduction waiting in the wings, it’s even more important to work with Greensboro movers like Steele & Vaughn who will provide you with competitive rates for their services.

 

A Move Can Make Things Complicated

Aside from looking for a deduction, the other topic on your mind regarding taxes and your move is how you will file if you change states. For those who move within the same state, there is nothing to worry about – nothing about your tax situation will have been altered. However, if you move from one state to another, you’ll need to note that on your taxes and file them appropriately. This is particularly tricky if you move from a state that has a state income tax to one that doesn’t, or vice versa. Even if you don’t have to deal with this matter at the time of the move, it’s good to have it in mind so you aren’t surprised by a tax bill that you didn’t expect later.

 

Working with the Pros

Without a doubt, the best thing you can do to get your taxes just right for a year that you have moved is to hire a professional to help you with the process. Even if you typically do your taxes on your own, it might be worth bringing in a pro for this one year when things are a little bit more complicated. For most people, tax help is surprisingly affordable, and you will be able to get direct answers to all your questions. Just like the moving process is made significantly easier with the help of a team like Steele & Vaughn, so too is the process of filing your taxes made easier with the help of an accountant. Consult a pro regarding the tax implications of your move right away and rest easy knowing that this part of your move is well under control.

 

What to Do with the Moving Boxes

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When the moving process is all said and done, there is likely to be at least one physical reminder of all the work you’ve done – the leftover moving boxes. You may have a large number of empty boxes now piled up in your garage or spare bedroom. There are a few different ways to put those old boxes to good use now that they are done transporting your things.

 

As one of the leading moving companies North Carolina has to offer, Steele & Vaughn bring experience, expertise, and competitive prices to each and every job. Reach out today for a free estimate or for more information.

 

Put Some to Use in Your Home

Cardboard boxes might not be the prettiest thing to keep around the house, but they certainly can be functional. Specifically, they work nicely for storage in your garage, so don’t throw them all out as soon as the move is over. Review your collection of boxes and pick out those that are in the best condition. When you have things that need to be stored for a long period of time, your leftover boxes could make for an ideal solution. For example, if you have some holiday decorations that you only use once a year, those might live in a cardboard box in your garage until the holidays roll around.

 

One of the nice things about using cardboard boxes for home storage instead of something like a plastic tote is that cardboard breaks down flat when not in use. So, if you keep some boxes on hand, you can flatten them out and find a good place to store them where they won’t be in the way. Then, when one is needed, it can quickly be constructed with a little tape, and it will be ready for duty. You’ll have less clutter overall than if you didn’t use any boxes at all, but you won’t have to spend the money or take up the space required for plastic containers.

 

Make It Fun

You can actually use cardboard boxes for a bit of fun, especially if you have pets or kids. Your cats may love to play with the smaller boxes, so consider using one or two for them to explore. And kids can come up with many ways to turn these leftover boxes into a good time, using them for forts, castles, and even as a makeshift canvas for some artwork. Why spend more money on toys when there is free entertainment waiting to be used in the garage?

 

Ask Around to Donate

Just because you are done moving doesn’t mean that everyone else is settled in their homes. Within your circle of friends and family, it’s likely that someone is always either in the moving process or is thinking about moving sometime soon. Through the power of social media, it should be easy to figure out who may need some boxes. Ask around in person or online and you should quickly locate a family that would love to put your old boxes to use for their own move.

Loading a Moving Truck 101

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Loading a moving truck correctly is both an art and a science. Like anything else, this is something you will get better at with experience, but even a beginner can do a good job by keeping some simple rules in mind throughout the process.

Balance is the Key

The key concept to keep in mind while loading your moving truck is balance. You want to keep the load as balanced as possible from side to side so that the truck can remain stable on the road. If all of your heavy items were placed on one side, that could potentially create a dangerous situation.

Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to figure out what items are going to bring the most weight to the truck. These are things like tables, couches, exercise equipment, and other large pieces of furniture. As long as you have some of those items on each side of the truck, you should be able to balance the load pretty easily.

Big Items Go First

Speaking of the big, heavy items that you need to move, those should make their way into the truck first. The reasoning here is pretty obvious – you aren’t going to want to stack large, heavy objects on top of smaller, lighter things. You can build the foundation of your moving truck space with the big stuff and then fill in around that with all of the little boxes and odds and ends. It’s also better to have heavier objects towards the front of the truck.

It may help to take some basic measurements of your things in advance so you can map out a floor plan. Knowing how big your items are, and knowing how big the truck is, you can draw out a sketch to give you a good starting point. Remember, not everything needs to travel right-side-up, so be flexible in how you design your layout. It’s likely that there will be changes at the last minute once you start packing but having a detailed plan in advance can make things go much smoother.

Last In, First Out

The last things that you put into the truck are going to be the first things that come out, simply because they are located in the back. So, keep this in mind when you are packing and place things that you will need to access right away near the rear of the truck. If you make the mistake of putting some important things up toward the front of the truck – in other words, you pack them first – you’ll simply have no way to access those items until the entire truck has been unloaded. There may only be a few key things that you want to have access to right away, so make a list of those things and be sure that they go into the truck at the very end of the packing process.

If you are looking for the best moving companies in Greensboro to help with your upcoming move, turn to Steele & Vaughn for help. Whether moving across town or across the country, Steele & Vaughn can serve you.

 

 

How to Make a Long Distance Move More Enjoyable

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Moving a long distance from one home to another can be a challenge. As you get ready to take on this adventure, you may be nervous about what is to come. However, instead of looking at this move as an obstacle to be overcome, think of it as an opportunity to make some great memories with family or friends. When planned correctly, a long distance move can actually be an enjoyable experience.

 

Working with the right long distance movers will go a long way toward making this experience a good one, so reach out to Steele & Vaughn today for a free estimate.

 

Plan Your Route Strategically

If you are working with an experienced moving company like Steele & Vaughn, you won’t have to worry about the route your goods are going to take to reach their destination. You should, however, take some time to think about the route that you and your family will take to get there.

 

Many people who are moving long distances across the country choose to drive so they can avoid the cost of shipping a vehicle or vehicles. This is a worthwhile strategy, and it opens up many possibilities with a bit of creativity. As you look at the map to plan your route, don’t feel compelled to stick strictly with the shortest distance. Consider adding some miles to your journey if those extra miles will allow you to visit some memorable destinations.

 

For example, the United States has an amazing National Parks system, and visiting these parks may not be something you have the chance to do regularly. So, if your move is going to take you near an incredible location like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, don’t miss the chance to stop by. Visiting one of these parks will transform your drive from something you have to do to something you can’t wait to experience.

 

Put the Small Details in Place

Even if you are able to plan some great stops like discussed above, there will still be some times when the road seems to stretch on forever and boredom sets in. Plan for those occasions by preparing yourself with the kinds of entertainment that you like to enjoy on the road. If driving alone, audiobooks are a great way to engage your mind on an interesting topic. Podcasts can work nicely for this purpose as well, or you may prefer just to listen to music from your favorite groups. Whatever the case, plan this entertainment in advance so you aren’t scrambling for something in the middle of your journey.

4 Important Things you May Not Know About Renting a Storage Unit During a Move

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storage unitsYou may have heard that the first step in getting ready to move is renting a storage unit. It can be a big help for many reasons. If you’re putting your house on the market, a storage unit can help with decluttering. It can make it easier for you to organize your possessions before a move, and even get your things safely moved to your new home. Before you get started, here are five important things you need to know about moving and storage in Greensboro, NC.

 

  • Not all storage units are climate controlled.

    Depending on what items you are storing, a climate controlled storage unit may be necessary. Climate controlled units sometimes cost more per month, but are also moisture controlled, which will likely keep your items in better condition. If you would typically store it in your garage or attic, climate control is probably not necessary. If you’re storing clothing, furniture, bedding, electronics, or anything that would be negatively impacted by heat, cold, or moisture, go with a climate controlled unit.

  • There may be hidden fees with storage unit rental.

    Beware of super low monthly rates or the promise of a free first month. Typically these offers are too good to be true. Once you get started on the paperwork you’ll find that added fees like insurance and start-up fees begin to add up.

  • Rates may not be fixed.

    Before you sign a contract be sure to ask and read the fine print about the rate per month. Sometimes a promotional rate will run out after a certain number of months and your payment will go up.

  • Different storage facilities have different cutoff dates for clearing out.

    When you’re ready to empty your storage unit, be sure to ask about the date the payment cycle cuts off. Most will give you a certain date of the month to have the unit cleared out and inspected to avoid paying for the next month. Be sure to let the storage facility know once you have cleared out your unit so that they can inspect and sign off on it to end your contract. Also, be sure to stop any automatic drafts. If you were sending an auto payment from your bank, be sure to cancel that with your bank.

 

 

Steele and Vaughn Offers Both Moving and Storage in Greensboro, NC

Since moving and storage services are so often needed in tandem, Steele and Vaughn offer both. Storage units and containers can be a huge help during a move, whether local or long distance. Declutter your home and have your things safely stored and moved so that you can access them when you need them. If you’re in need of moving and storage in Greensboro, NC, call Steele and Vaughn: (336) 273-0546.

4 Things to Consider When Moving with School Aged Children

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kid smilingMoving is never easy, and there’s no perfect time or stage of life to do it. Moving with school-aged children comes with its own unique challenges. Whether the move is local or far enough away to require a change in schools, there will be an adjustment period before and after the move. Give the kids, and especially yourself, a little grace during that time and everyone will come through it just fine. Hiring the right moving service in Greensboro, NC can help take the stress out of your move and ensure that everything goes smoothly. Here are four of the most important things to consider when moving with school-aged children.

 

Moving can be a source of anxiety for kids.

  • No matter what the circumstances around the move (upgrading homes, a parental job change, divorce, etc.) school-aged children may feel some anxiety about it. As a parent you can:
  • Be understanding.
  • Show compassion and support.
  • Include the kids in the planning process so they feel a sense of control. Let them help pack and unpack and make decisions about their own rooms.

Kids may act out in anger and other negative ways.

  • You can expect that anxiety may take the form of anger. Children may lash out at parents, blaming them for the unwanted changes in their lifestyle. As a parent try to:
  • Remain calm. Speak to them reassuringly.
  • Listen. Just hear them out. Sometimes kids just need a safe space to vent their feelings.
  • Return to a place of mutual respect after the blowup.

Some kids may appear to be fine when they aren’t.

  • If a child is not acting up and seems fine, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are. What can you do to find out?
  • Check in with your quiet child. Ask them how they are feeling about the move.
  • Listen and assure them that it’s ok to feel however they are feeling.

Kids (in general) are resilient and they will adjust.

  • Most of the time, children will adjust perfectly well after a move. Some may take more time to feel comfortable than others. What can you do to help them adjust?
  • Allow them to decorate their own room. Let them pick out some décor items and colors that will help them feel more at home and excited about the new house.
  • Check in with them now and then and ask questions about how they are feeling. Assure them that they can talk to you anytime about their feelings.
  • If a child seems to be having a particularly difficult time adjusting to the move, consider other resources such as guidance counselors at school or your pediatrician.

 

The Benefits of Using a Moving Service in Greensboro, NC

With all the stress of moving with school-aged kids, make the physical move itself less stressful by hiring a reliable moving service in Greensboro, NC, such as Steele and Vaughn. A reputable moving service can handle as much of your move as you wish, from packing to loading to unloading and unpacking so that you can focus on what really matters—your kids. Call Steele and Vaughn today to reserve your moving date: (336) 273-0546.

Moving Boxes: A Guide For Which Boxes To Use For Your Things

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woman holding boxIt doesn’t matter if you’re moving across the country or across town, packing your things securely is important so that they arrive safely at your new home. A Greensboro moving company like Steele & Vaughn can pack your things for you if you want to be sure they are packed professionally, or they can provide you with professional quality boxes and packing material so that you can do it yourself. Here are some tips from moving experts on how to pack your furniture and other items in the right boxes to ensure that they get to your new home in one piece:

Use Book Boxes For Heavy Items

Book boxes or medium sized boxes are best used for heavy items like books, binders, school supplies, office supplies, and family scrapbooks. The smaller size will ensure that you don’t overload the box and cause it to rip or break or make it too heavy to move easily. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when packing items is packing too many heavy things in one box. You should plan on having many of these medium sizes boxes because they are great for holding a wide variety of items.

Wardrobe Boxes Are Best For Clothes And Coats

You can fit more items of clothing in a wardrobe box than in a regular box unless they are small items like children’s clothing. You can hang items in a wardrobe box so there is more available space. Plus, keeping nice clothes like suit jackets, blouses, and dresses hanging up will prevent them from developing serious wrinkles. Sweaters, coats, and other bulky clothing items will fit more easily into a wardrobe box. As a general rule, you should plan on having one wardrobe box for each person in the family for their regular clothes and then one for winter clothing or specialty clothing. For moving children’s clothing, winter hats and gloves, or sheets, towels, and linens, wardrobe boxes that are horizontal rather than vertical can hold a lot of items.

Dish Packs Hold More Than Just Dishes

Padded dish packs are fantastic for moving all sorts of items, not just dishes. Any fragile items like vases, picture frames, and decorative glassware can be packed safely and securely in a padded pack so that there’s no danger of the glass breaking during the move. If you pack creatively, you can even get small lamps and other breakable items packed into a dish pack. You should get at least one more dish pack than you think you will need because they are very useful for packing all kinds of items. Dish packs can also be used to safely move things like bottles of wine or liquor. Consider these if you have a wine collection or a fully stocked bar, or even if you have liquids that you need to move for a hobby like home brewing, soap and candle making, or if you are moving essential oils and other delicate items in jars or bottles.

When you’re ready to move, choose a Greensboro moving company like Steele & Vaughn that has years of experience to help you get all your household items safely to your new home.

Ask Your Greensboro Moving Company: What to Leave Behind When Moving

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moving saleMoving can be a real hassle. But one good thing about it is that you have a good reason to lighten your load a bit and get rid of things you don’t need. There are also some things that should be left behind in a home after moving according to standard protocol. Get rid of as much as possible before calling a Greensboro moving company and you can save some money on your move.

Things to Purge and Sell/Donate

These are the things you should do your best to pare down before moving to reduce the number of boxes you’ll require, which could even reduce the size of truck you’ll need and make your move more affordable and less stressful.

 

  • Clothes – Go through your clothes and get rid of anything you haven’t worn in the last year, including shoes.
  • Electronics – Old computers, phones, televisions, game consoles, and all the wires and chargers that come with them should be donated or sold. Be sure to delete any personal information off of computers and phones before selling or donating.
  • Toys – If the kids have outgrown it or haven’t played with it in a long time, it should go. If your kids have a hard time parting with their old toys, consider selling them and letting the kids have the profit. Or take them to a donation spot and let them see how happy their old toys can make another child.
  • Anything broken – If you haven’t fixed it by now, you aren’t going to. Pitch it.
  • Anything else you haven’t used in the last year – Life is too short to hang onto items that have no meaning to you. There’s a method some use: hold the item for a few seconds and see if it brings you any joy. If not, it goes.

 

Things to Leave in Your Home as a Courtesy to the New Residents

There are some items that are required to be left behind, others that are typically left behind, and still more items that you should leave behind as a courtesy to the new owners. Your real estate agent can usually give you a list and help you with negotiations with the buyer about what will be left and what will be taken. Your Greensboro moving company will also know this information and can advise you in the packing and loading process.

 

  • Required items to leave behind: Anything bolted to the wall such as curtain rods, things in the ground like the mailbox and landscaping, built-in shelving, smoke detectors, and other items that are not so easily removed.
  • Typical items to leave behind: The refrigerator (although this is negotiable with the buyer), stove, built-in microwave, dishwasher, alarm system, light fixtures, other appliances.
  • Items to leave as a courtesy: Owner’s manuals and warranty information for any appliances that are staying behind, leftover paint cans, window treatments, a guide to outdoor plants and trees, spare floorboards, fence posts, and other extra supplies from any renovations.

 

Looking for a trustworthy Greensboro moving company?

Call Steele and Vaughn at (336) 274-0546 to get a free quote for your upcoming move. Reserve your date in advance to make sure you’ll have the help you need to make your move a success.

Tips For Moving Into A Smaller Space

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small roomWhen it’s time to downsize your living space, you have an opportunity to get rid of a lot of things that you don’t need anymore and streamline your lifestyle. However, a lot of people struggle with the reality of moving into a smaller space than the one they have been living in, especially if they are downsizing after many years in the same home. These tips from the experts at one of the best moving companies in Greensboro, NC, and the surrounding areas will help you make an easy transition into a smaller space:

Take A Look At Your Lifestyle

The first thing that you should do once you’ve decided to move into a smaller space is to take a realistic look at your lifestyle and the stuff that you have. Do you need those old skis or those large pieces of furniture that you bought when your kids were small? If you’re switching from a large family home to a smaller home there will probably be lots of items that you don’t really use anymore. Go room by room, including storage areas, and figure out what items you will actually use and what items you haven’t used in a long time. If you haven’t used it in the last year, get rid of it. Sell old items at a yard sale or donate them to charity. Remember to focus on the lifestyle you want to have for this next phase of your life. Only keep items that will fit that lifestyle.

Get Furniture That Is The Correct Size

Trying to fit large furniture items into a small space can be frustrating and it can make you feel like the space is too small. Get rid of that big sectional for a smaller sofa or think about using comfortable chairs and getting rid of the sofa altogether. Look around your new home and think about what size furniture will fit best in that space. When you’re moving into a small space look for furniture that can do double duty like a pull out sofa, tables with hidden storage, and other furniture designed for small space living. By getting furniture and other items that are sized for a small space, you will be creating a comfortable and functional home that will suit the way you want to live now.

Get A Storage Unit For Items You’re Not Ready To Let Go Of

If you are overwhelmed trying to decide what items to keep and what to get rid of, consider investing in a storage unit. Have your extra items moved into the storage unit instead of your new smaller home. That way you can take your time and make decisions when you don’t feel so stressed out and overwhelmed. It can be difficult to part with items that you have a sentimental attachment to, even if they don’t work well for your new home. Getting a storage unit and storing those items will make the transition easier emotionally because you won’t have to make a lot of difficult decisions all at once.

Get Professional Help From Experts

Steele & Vaughn, one of the top moving companies in Greensboro, NC, is a great resource when it comes to moving into a smaller home. Call the experts at Steele & Vaughn today to get professional advice on downsizing to a smaller home.