Everything You Need to Know about Moving & Food

Moving food tips

When you’re getting ready for a move to a new home, you have a lot of things on your to-do list. Your food might not be one of them. In fact, food is the last thing many people think about when it comes to moving. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about moving and food.

Time to Toss

Throwing away food is the first step. Don’t throw everything away, of course, but pull out anything that’s expired. If you haven’t used the food by now, you probably won’t, and if it’s expired, you shouldn’t anyway. Toss anything too old to eat or donate.

Find Donations

Do you have a ton of canned food? What about things like unopened rice, pasta, and cereal? If you have a lot of food on hand, and you don’t want to spend the time or money to move it, donating to a local food bank is a great way to make sure it gets used by someone who needs it, so it doesn’t go to waste.

Use Things Up

Before your move, try to use things that are open or perishable. Eat the fruits, veggies, dairy, eggs, and opened boxes of cookies, cereal, pasta, and other pantry items in the weeks before you move so you don’t have to worry about them on move day. Food is something to think about when you’re ready to relocate, but it’s not the only thing. For help with planning and to schedule your packers and movers, contact Nilson Van and Storage.

4 Signs it Might be Time to Move

Are you considering moving to a new home? If the idea of moving has been at the back of your mind, but you aren’t sure, maybe you just need some signs. Here are four that it might be time to make the move.

Sign #1: The Size is Wrong

Is your house feeling a little tight? Or maybe it’s the opposite, and it’s feeling a bit too roomy. Whether you’ve outgrown your home and need something bigger, or you’re ready to downsize, both are signs that it’s time for a move.

Sign #2: Change in Financial Circumstances

Your financial circumstances could be a sign you’re ready for a move. If you’ve recently lost a job or your income is less than it used to be, you might find relief in a smaller or less expensive home. On the other hand, if you’ve gotten a new job or a promotion with a higher salary, now might be the time to buy your dream house.

Sign #3: You’re Sick of Commuting

If your drive to and from work has become a drain on your time and work-life balance, but you don’t want to change jobs, maybe a move is in order. Wanting to move closer to your workplace is a great reason to consider a new home.

Sign #4: You Want Better Schools

Wanting access to better schools is a common reason for relocating to a new neighborhood, city, or even state. If your schools are not living up to your expectations, consider moving to a district that will.

Whatever your reason for moving to a new home, don’t do it without the right team of professionals to help you. Whenever you’re ready, contact Nilson Van and Storage and request a free moving quote.

Moving 101: How to Declutter before a big move

declutter tips

If you have things that you no longer find to be beautiful, valuable, or useful, you should get rid of them before you move to your new home. There’s no sense packing them and moving them just to realize later that you wish you’d decluttered sooner. Here’s a quick guide to decluttering you can do before you start packing.

Have a Plan

If you are like most people these days, you have a lot of stuff. Stuff from your life, your kids, your parents, or grandparents – all this collects and fills your home and storage space. Going in without a plan can lead to feeling overwhelmed. Decide if you want to go room by room, by category, or some other method. Be clear with your plan and your intentions for what you want to declutter and why.

Start Early

Start removing the excess stuff as soon as you have an idea that a move is in your future. Giving yourself lots of time will help you move through your belongings thoughtfully, ensuring you only ditch what no longer serves you. Rushed decluttering can lead to stress and regret.

Decide What to Do with Your Things

What will you do with the things you choose to get rid of? That’s an important question when decluttering. There are different options depending on the items.

  • Donate things such as clothing, furniture, and bedding
  • Sell antiques and art that might have value
  • Give items to family or friends
  • Throw away anything too used or damaged for someone else to be able to use

Don’t spend time and money moving things that you no longer need or that no longer enhance your life. Decluttering before your big move is a great way to lighten the load. For more moving prep tips and tricks and to schedule your professional movers, contact Nilson Van and Storage.

3 Steps to Prep your Computer for Moving

Is moving in your future? Don’t forget about your computer in the process. Your computer might not be your biggest investment, but it’s one of your most important. Not only could it contain vital work records and information, but it could house your family’s information as well. You don’t want to risk losing photos or documents. To protect your computer during your move, follow these three steps.

Step 1: Back Up Your Files

Backing up your files is critical. Whether you choose to put everything on external hard drives or a backup service like Carbonite, IDrive, or Backblaze, make sure to save everything. If you do use external hard drives, be sure to pack them separately from the computer itself.

Step 2: Turn it Off

Turn off your computer before you pack it. Be sure not to leave it in sleep mode for the move, but make sure you shut it down completely, including any peripheral equipment.

Step 3: Pack it Up

If you happen to have the original packaging for your computer, that’s the best way to pack it for a move. If not, be sure to use a box and packing materials that will protect it. A reliable moving company can do the packing for you to ensure the safety of your computer equipment. The best way to get your computer, and the rest of your household belongings, safely from your old home to your new one is by hiring the right moving company. From packing services to loading and unloading, the right team is the key to a successful move. Contact the experienced and knowledgeable movers at Nilson Van and Storage for everything you need for your big move.

How to Prepare Your Pets for the Big Move

prepare your pets to move

Moving to a new home is exciting and stressful and a lot of work. If you have pets, they feel the stress you’re feeling. They like routine, and when there is disruption to that routine by packing and chaos, it can take a toll on their mental and physical health. However, there are some things you can do to prepare your pets for your big move.

Keep Their Routines Intact

You can’t always keep all routines the same when you’re moving. When it comes to your pets, the closer you can stick to their schedule, the less stress they’ll feel. Keep the same feeding, walking, and other timing in place as much as possible.

Let Them Avoid the Chaos

It might be challenging to keep your pets away from all the moving chaos. A great way to prevent stress, and potential injury, is to get them out of the house when the packers and movers are there. Use daycare or boarding so they can have some quiet time away from the movers. It will also keep them from being underfoot.

Visit the Vet

Before you relocate, especially if you’re moving out of the area, pay a visit to your regular veterinarian. It’s important to get shots and records updated, check their overall health, and get a medical clearance or certificate, as some states require them.

Moving is stressful, but not just for humans. Your pets go through all of the emotions you do and more. But prepping your pets and yourself for a move can make all the difference. Help reduce the strain for everyone by contacting Nilson Van and Storage to schedule your professional movers today. 4: If you’re moving with pets, they can be an additional stressor when you’re already overwhelmed. Here’s how to prepare them for the move.

Top 4 of Practices for A Smooth Moving Day

moving day tips

Moving to a new home is a lot of work and can be super stressful. Instead of pulling your hair out, take a look at these four practices for a smooth moving day.

#1: Keep a List

The number one way to have a smooth move is to keep a to-do list. Start it early, when you first decide on the move and keep it running until your move is complete. Then, cross off done items and update with new to-dos. This will keep you organized from the get-go.

#2: Arrange for Child and Pet Care

If you have children or pets, you don’t want them to stress during the move or be underfoot. Arrange for care for them on the day the movers come. This will reduce their upset, and yours.

#3: Pack Drinks and Snacks

With the chaos that seems to accompany moving day, it’s easy to forget to plan for eating. Pack a cooler with drinks, snacks, and small meals you can eat on the go. It will keep your energy up and prevent meltdowns from hunger and low blood sugar.

#4: Remember Your Chargers

Don’t pack your chargers! These will be very handy on moving day, evening, and the following day. Leave out the chargers for your phones, computers, and other devices so you won’t run out of battery in the middle of the move when you might need it most.

Moving is hard, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. In addition to these awesome tips, make sure you hire the right mover to ensure a smooth moving day. Reach out to Nilson Van and Storage for more moving tips and to schedule your free moving estimate.

Top 3 Packaging Tips from the Experts Themselves

packing tips

Moving companies have lots of tips and tricks to help make your residential move easier. One of the best has to do with packaging your belongings. Look at these three top tips from the experts you can use to pack for your move.

Tip #1: Use the Right Boxes

The right moving boxes are critical for effective packing for your move. Make sure you have sturdy boxes and tape the bottoms, so they won’t open or tear. Also, be sure to pack heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in large boxes. If you fill a large box with heavy items, it will be too heavy to lift and could injure you or your movers.

Tip #2: Fill the Boxes to the Top

Leaving open space at the top of a box might seem okay, especially if it feels heavy, but that’s a mistake. Any empty space in a box can lead to crushing when movers stack the boxes. Fill the space with packing paper, towels, or clothes.

Tip #3: Label Your Boxes

Instead of writing generic labels like “kitchen” or “living room” or “bedroom,” be more specific. List the major items the box contains so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for when you get to your new home. Detailed labels also make it easier for movers to put the boxes in the right rooms.

Packing to move is a lot of work, and doing it right can seem like it adds time and energy to the process. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to do it all yourself. Contact the professional movers at Nilson Van and Storage for help with all your moving needs. 3: Are you doing a good job packing for the move to your new home? You will be if you use these three easy packaging tips from the experts.

Everything You Need to Know About Storage Units

Most people think of storage units as a long-term solution to having stuff that doesn’t fit in their house. But it can be more than that. Storage can also be an effective tool when moving from one house to another. Here’s what you need to know about how you can utilize storage units when moving.

Got Delays? Get Storage

Whether you have planned or unexpected delays, there are times when there’s a gap between moving out of your old house and into your new one. So, what do you do with your stuff? You put it in a storage unit. But does that require two moves? Not if you use the right moving company. Make sure your movers offer short-term storage, so you only have to worry about moving your stuff once. They’ll take it from your home, put it in storage, and then, when you’re ready, move it to your new home.

Got Stuff? We’ll Keep it Safe and Secure

You don’t have to worry about your belongings when you utilize short-term storage when moving. With climate-controlled buildings and monitored security, you can rest easy knowing your household items are safe and secure until you’re ready for them. In addition, if you use Nilson Van and Storage, we’ll create a complete inventory of the things you send to storage, so you know what’s there and can confirm complete delivery of everything you entrusted to our storage facilities.

Storage is a great tool for many reasons and many different circumstances. When you’re moving, short-term storage can save the day if you have a delay. To find out more, contact Nilson Van and Storage today.

Serious Mistakes Self-Movers Make

‘Tis the season for residential moves! Are you getting ready to move to a new home? If yes, you could be one of the many self-movers trying to do it all yourself. Before you get started down the road to major headaches, take a look at some of the serious mistakes DIY movers make.

Not Buying Enough Packing Supplies

If you head to a storage facility or a big box store to buy packing supplies, you might fill the back of your car and still not have enough. Not only that, but you might also not get the right types of materials. It can be hard to estimate exactly what and how much you need to pack a house for a move.

Not Packing Properly

Everyone thinks they know how to pack their belongings to move, but not everyone does it right. Packing can be tricky. You want the boxes full enough that they don’t collapse but not so full that they don’t close properly. You also need to use enough packing material to protect your breakables, but not so much that you use significantly more boxes than you need.

Getting the Wrong Size Truck

Truck rental companies post size guidelines on their websites, but they’re notoriously incorrect. It might say one truck fits a two-bedroom house, but if you have a giant living room, a loft, or a bonus room, your furniture and belongings might not fit.

What’s the best way to avoid these self-mover mistakes? Hire a professional. You’ll save time, reduce stress, and they can help you navigate through the details of moving to your new home. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for the most experienced residential movers in the area.

How to Have Your Employees Prep for an Office Relocation

Are you gearing up for an office relocation? It can be a stressful and chaotic time, not just for leadership but also for staff. But your employees are critical to its success. Their buy-in, engagement, and preparation can make all the difference when it comes to a successful move. Take a look at how they can help with preparation.

Team Involvement

Creating a move committee is a great way to get employees involved in the process. The committee can coordinate packing responsibilities, handle communication, organize timelines, and be the liaison between staff and leadership. Have them work with the rest of your organization to create process information and build strategies for organizing and planning the move.

Pre-Move Prep

Most employees pack their own desks except for the computer and electronic equipment. Giving your team a timeline and supplies to clean their desks and pack their personal and work belongings will ease the process when it’s time for the movers to load the trucks.

Communication and Feedback

Announcing the move as soon as it’s confirmed is the best way to get your employees on board. It can help reduce stress and keep work streamlined and reduce the potential for loss of productivity. It’s also helpful to get feedback from your staff regarding the move and the process. Not only can it give you valuable insight, but it can help them feel engaged in the process.

When you’re planning your office relocation, don’t leave your employees out of the loop. Their help with preparation can help the process go smoothly. For more tips for your move, contact the team at Nilson Van and Storage.

Whether your move is big or small, our skilled movers are dedicated to helping you every step of the way, no matter where life takes you.