Should You Ship Your Car When Moving?

There are so many things that you must juggle when it comes to moving. From prepping the new location to organizing all your things, it’s a very difficult task. One thing you’ll have to decide is what to do with your vehicle if you have one. It mainly boils down to three options: selling it, driving it yourself, or shipping it. So, should you ship your car when moving? What are the advantages of doing so? Continue reading to find out!

Wear on Vehicle

Shipping your car is a very good idea when you think about all that driving you’d have to do otherwise. When you ship your vehicle, you’re not putting all those extra miles onto your car, thus saving it from a lot of extra damage.

Time

Another thing that shipping saves is your time. The shipping process is very fast from start to finish; you only must wait the time it takes for your car to arrive. You save the time it would take bring the new car yourself. That way, you can use that time for other things you need to do.

Protection

Shipping your car offers a ton of protection to the vehicle during transport. Not only is there insurance to cover your vehicle, but there are enclosed shipping services. This service moves your car in a protected metal container to prevent damage.

Convenience

Shipping a vehicle is also a very convenient experience, as there are many services that will accommodate your schedule. All you need to do is drop off your vehicle (you don’t even need a title) and your car key. There are some door-to-door services that pick-up and drop-off your car anywhere you need.

Now that you have some more information about vehicle shipping, you should know the answer to if you should ship your car when moving. It’s not a hassle and can save you a lot of time—it even saves you money in comparison to selling your car and buying a new one.

Ways to declutter when you move

Moving into a new home is the beginning of an exciting life chapter, but the process can be overwhelming when organizing and executing the relocation at the same time. Still, if prepared well, the move can be both stress-free and budget-friendly. To do so, we have to do some "clutter control" before and during packing. Unnecessary stuff piled in our houses steals precious time and space and can even create health risks if not addressed timely. After exploring different ways to declutter when you move, you'll understand how big of a burden these things can be. The clutter we create is our way of living in the past, and while letting go can be tricky, it's necessary in order to move forward.

The sooner you start, the better!

You can always get rid of unnecessary stuff, but to do it most efficiently, start as soon as you decide to move. That way, you will have time to be thorough and second guess your decisions. Starting early will make this task almost effortless, and you will benefit both mentally and financially. There are many ways to declutter your home, but the most practical one is to make a list of stuff you will be taking with you while getting rid of the rest. Lists are imperative if you want to avoid losing or misplacing any of your precious belongings!

Do the heavy lifting first

Think about the big and heavy stuff in your house that you have no use for anymore. Is there a place for it in your new home? Will it match the rest of the design? If both answers are no, put them on the declutter list. This goes not only for the furniture and appliances but for your attic and garage content as well. Most of us use the garage as a storage unit, and moving all of that into a new household can be costly. By decreasing the weight of your possession, you'll be decreasing the price of your relocation.

Establish a method

There are many ways to declutter when you move, but the one you choose will depend on the time at your disposal. Using the room-by-room method is wise if you plan to purge before packing. That way, you can turn each room into a zone and start clearing things out.

But, if you plan to do it during packing, creating categories might be a better option. Organizing things this way will make unpacking much easier.

You might need help from a friend

Sometimes we have a hard time letting go of things that have sentimental value. If that is the case, a second, objective opinion can be of great help! Call your friends or family members to assist you with the task. That way, decluttering will not only be efficient but fun as well. Run through your old memories, and make a decision. What do you want to bring to your future?

Decide what you want to do with things

There are different ways to declutter your home. Whichever method you choose, you will have to take care of the things that end up in the declutter pile. Here are a few suggestions:

• offer them to your friends and family members,

• donate to charity,

• sell them online,

• organize a garage sale,

• or simply throw them out.

Still, if you're having second thoughts about getting rid of some stuff forever, consider renting a long-term storage unit. This is an excellent idea if you're struggling with space and have a lot of things that you haven't donated or sold yet. Keeping them safe will make you feel better because you might want to give them another shot someday.

Selling things online is one of the best ways to declutter

If you start re-evaluating your possession early in your moving process, you will have time to put everything up for sale online. No matter how time-consuming this might seem, remember that you will be able to earn some money along the way. You will not have to bargain or underprice your things, like in garage sales, if you take the time to do it right. Be creative while photographing your items. Making the product visually appealing will help you sell it faster and at a higher price.

Naturally, decluttering by selling online is a good option only if you're not tight with time and money at the moment. If you need extra cash right away, you will get less money, but be done with it sooner.

Keep your paperwork tidy at all times

Having order in your home, whether it comes to furniture, cabinets, or paperwork, can save you many inconveniences. Therefore, make sure to keep your essential documents tidy and labeled with easy access to them. Remember, you might need some of them during or after the move. So, keep documentation involved in the process safe and neat, so the entire process is as stress-free as possible.

A word of wisdom

Sometimes we find it hard to keep ourselves and our living space organized. Having chaos in our lives, no matter how small it might seem, could lead to many problems in the future. Hence, finding ways to declutter when you move is crucial for a stress-free and healthy life. You might find it hard to dedicate your time to explore and apply different techniques of organization. But remember - your new home is your new chance for a better and improved life, so make sure to use it!

Protection against the Elements: Why Taking Care of Your Roof Is Important

Every day you exist in your home your roof is protecting you, everything you own, and your home from the elements. Whether it's rain, snow, or even wind, your roof does a lot of hard work for you and your family and it's likely something you don't often think about. In order to make sure your roof keeps doing that hard work, it's important to maintain your roof to avoid future problems.

Maintenance Can Increase Lifespan

One of the nice things about roofs is that regular maintenance can increase the lifespan of the roof and save you tons of money in the long-run. But, what is regular maintenance for a roof? Odds are you have a standard residential roof. It's a good idea to have a roofing contractor come out and do an inspection roughly every 2-3 years. Even if your roof is new or is not exhibiting any problem areas it's still a good idea to have inspections done. Why? If you can anticipate and get ahead of problems before they occur then you will save money and time in the future.

Your Warranty Is Not What You Think It Is

Often times a new home owner will think "I have a warranty on the roof, so if anything happens it's not my problem". This could not be further from the truth. Every roof warranty offered is limited value, which means there will be expectations to what is covered and more often than not you will be tasked with proving your claims. That means you'll likely have long-drawn out processes with insurance should anything happen, which could mean not living in your home for weeks or even months. So, it's best to get ahead of the problems before they become a problem.

Your Roof Has Curb Appeal

Think about the last time you drove past a house with a decaying roof. How likely are you to want to live in that house? Simply put, a good sturdy and well working roof will not only raise your home value, it will make your house stand out and look great. Therefore, it's important to make sure the roof is working like-new 100% of the time. If a shingle or two come off, don't just ignore it, even something that small and simple could mean your home just lost thousands of dollars in value.

Finally, your roof needs regular checkups and maintenance just like any other utility or tool in life. If you can stay ahead of catastrophe then you will save money, your home value will increase, and you'll be happier overall.

Guest Post - 4 Decorating Tips for a Historic Home

Moving into a historic home is something many people dream about. Older houses have a sense of history and character, and most also have quirks, features and nuances that are unique to them. They can feel like a treasure trove. 

At the same time, there are certain things you might want to consider when remodeling and decorating a historic home. No two are exactly alike, and your house will have its own needs and requirements throughout the decorating process. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Start at the Bottom

When it comes to the remodeling process, the most important place to start is the foundation. It’s vital to make sure it’s secure, so look for cracks or shifts that would need immediate repairs. Keep in mind that homes built before 1960 may have cinderblock foundations that could incur water damage over time, so you may need to have them sealed or even replaced.

2. Bring in Modern Flair

If you want to make your home feel a bit more your own, there’s nothing wrong with adding a few modern twists. Updating spaces like kitchens and bathrooms and introducing updated decor can be a great way to bring that balance. Use what you love, whether it’s striped rugs or using bright, unexpected colors.

3. Some Aspects Stay Classic

Some parts of your home look best if they retain their historic look. Whether you restore crown molding throughout your home or focus on caring for the beautiful fireplace, the elements that make your home classic are the reasons you bought it in the first place.

4. Learn Your Style

One of the most important things you can do when decorating any home is finding a style you love, and that can be even more important when you have a home with so much character. Determine what you like and apply it universally.

Decorating Your Historic Home

Historic homes are full of character. Decorating is a great way to express your personality and feel more comfortable in the place you call home.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.