These color coded packing labels will help you organize your next move.  Call Bears Moving the next time that you are looking for a company that offers moving services in the Waco Area.

This article is brought to you by Bears Moving who offers a full link of Waco, TX moving services for those who are moving to Waco, from Waco, or even local moves.  Call Bears Moving at (254) 644-7777.
We like this article because it really breaks down the options that you have for your move and includes the pros and the cons of each.  Remember if you decide for a worry free move to give us a call right away.

When moving houses, the average household relocates 7,400 pounds — nearly four tons — of stuff, and an eight-room home uses 100 boxes in the process. The average interstate move costs about $4,300, while staying in-state costs about $2,300. All these stats add up to one massive undertaking. Read our guide for advice on cutting it down to size.

Should You DIY Your Move?

Moving yourself will most certainly cost less than hiring a moving company, but before you go it alone, consider:

    How big the move is. Taking a teen off to college or even moving into a first or second apartment is a much different experience than moving into a four-bedroom house or downsizing to a retirement condo. Outline exactly what will be involved, in terms of quantity and size of belongings and furnishings to determine how much and what kind of help you'll need.
    Your and your helpers' stamina. Moving is exhausting, both mentally and physically. Are everyone's back/knees/stress-coping skills up to it?
    It will cost more than you think. Factor in: the cost of supplies (boxes, tape, markers, bubble wrap, rope), gas and tolls (moving trucks get less than 10 miles to the gallon and cost more at the tollbooth), equipment rentals (hand trucks and furniture pads aren't usually included), buying your helpers lunch/dinner and beverages, and on-the-road costs (hotels, meals) if your move will take overnight or longer.

How to Hire Movers

Keep in mind these tips to save a little cash:

    Mind your timing. Moving company rates are higher at the beginning and end of the month, when most leases are up, and on weekends. If you can take a day or two off midweek or midmonth, your wallet will benefit.
    Do some of the work yourself. Pack your own boxes, or even just get things inside more mover-friendly (unplug appliances, roll up rugs, disassemble anything you can) shaves off time and therefore saves you on the hourly rate.
    Consider going halvsies. Hire movers (or local college/high school students) on either end to help you load and unload the rental truck. Or for a long-distance move, consider "self-service movers" who drop off a truck for you to load, then drive the truck to your new home for you to unload.
    If you hire anyone, you want them to be reliable and careful — and not overcharge you. Get detailed written estimates from at least three movers, and have them do an in-home inspection instead of estimating by phone or email.
    Do your homework. Moving companies are among the most complained-about businesses in the U.S. Get references, and look for complaints and reviews at the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and movinghelp.com.

Lighten Your Load

A long-distance move is usually priced by volume (how much space in a truck the stuff takes up) and weight, and a local move by volume (size of truck needed) and time (local movers usually charge an hourly rate). What this means: Don't move stuff you don't need.

    Weed out items to sell, donate, or throw out. Be ruthless — moving is a chore, but it's also a chance to make a clean start. As you go through your things to fill boxes, make piles or fill trashbags with what you really don't need. It may even be worth renting a dumpster (especially if the move is to a smaller space). Bonus: Unloading unneeded furniture on Craig's List, having a yard sale, or making a tax deduction on donated goods can help you recoup some expenses.
    Use it or lose it. Items that are not worth the cost of packing and moving: Pantry foods (eat what you can, and donate what's unopened to a soup kitchen), cleaning supplies (also can be donated, or given to a neighbor), open condiment bottles (dump 'em), stacks of old magazines (clip the articles you love and recycle the rest), and partly used paints, propane tanks, or solvents (they could be dangerous, especially if they spill; donate or recycle properly).

Next:

Save on Moving Supplies

    Collect free boxes from the local liquor store or grocery store — liquor boxes are particularly good, because they are often a good-quality cardboard, and are uniformly sized and not too big, so you're unlikely to load them so heavily that they're a strain to carry. Printer-paper boxes from an office or school are good, too.
    Check online, on Craigslist for "curb alerts" of people giving away their packing boxes. You may also have some luck getting giveaway ones on freecycle.com.
    Consider reusables. A few companies rent or sell reused cardboard and reusable plastic boxes. Check out usedcardboardboxes.com or zippgo.com or rentagreenbox.com.
    Visit a home-improvement store. Home Depot and Lowe's both offer reasonably priced moving supplies, as well as online checklists and other useful tools to help get you organized.

Box-Labeling Lesson

    Mark boxes on the top and on the side (so if one is covered, you can hopefully spot the other) with a short summary of contents (kids' books) and where they should go (playroom).
    Stack filled boxes that go to the same room together, so they go out to the truck at the same time, and are (hopefully) loaded at the same time.
    Use the app for that. Moving Van is an iPhone app ($1.99) that lets you snap photos of the contents of boxes, quickly catalog them, and assign each box a name or number. Then, when you're unpacking everything (which isn't always a super-fast process), and you need to find a specific item that isn't unpacked yet, you can simply search for it on your app and immediately ID the box you need to look in.

Packing the Moving Truck

If loading it up yourself or supervising movers, keep in mind these rules of thumb.

    When reserving a rental, follow the trucking companies' size suggestions — but if in doubt, go bigger (you don't want to have to make two trips).
    Make of list of what you intend to move — and think about what you'll put in first (see below). It's no fun to have to take things out once you've put them in, if you decide too late that they're in the wrong spot.
    Know your packing order. First, load the biggest, heaviest stuff such as furniture and appliances (and don't assume things need to load as they normally sit — sofas, for instance, take up much less space if flipped up on one end). Then, add the heavier boxes. Next go lighter items (furniture like chairs). On the very top, add the glassware and other breakables. Put your best puzzle-solver inside the truck to decide where stuff goes.
    Boxes and items should be packed tightly together so they won't move, and furniture should be wrapped in pads or blankets. Rope things to the walls of the truck to discourage sliding, and if the truck won't be filled to the brim, keep the top surface level so nothing will topple down. A good last add is a mattress, which you can rope tightly into the end as an extra pad if items slosh back.

Do You Need Extra Insurance to Cover the Move?

Your regular homeowners' and/or car insurance may cover a move but ask — if not (and even if so), it may be worth the peace of mind to purchase extra, from the truck rental agency or on your existing insurance plans.

Article first appeared on good housekeeping.com:  link

If you are looking for a good moving service in Waco, TX then 

 is ready to take over your move from start to finish. Call (254) 644-7777

Looking for moving and packing advice from the experts? You’re in luck! We’ve spent more than thirty years collecting tips and tricks to save you money and improve your moving experience!     
Moving tips

• Make your reservations for movers two to four weeks before your move day.
• For large appliances be sure to check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
• Don’t try to get rid of your children’s favorite things before the move – even if it makes it easier. Kids sometimes have a hard time dealing with the change of the move itself.
• By law, a moving company can’t transport hazardous materials such as gasoline, bottled gases and other flammables, ammunition and explosives.
• Pack a box of essential items that you will need immediately after the move and make sure it’s the last thing added to the truck.
• Clean out closets, the attic, and the basement as soon as you decide it’s time to move.
• Make a “survival closet” of things for the last cleanup before you move out – broom, dust cloth, dust pan, mop.
• Remember to get snacks for move day.
• Schedule disconnect times for about a week before your move day -- you don’t want to have to pay for cable, phone and utilities when you aren’t even there!
• Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, cleaning help, lawn services about a week before the move.
• Mail in your change of address forms about week before your move date.
• Clean your stove before you move out.
• The day before your move, defrost the fridge.
• Make sure to get enough cash to get you through move day.
• Take time to say goodbye to friends and neighbors before your busy move day.
• If you are depending on friends and family to help you move, have a back-up plan if they don’t show.

Packing tips

• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
• Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
• Use only small boxes for books. They get very heavy, very fast.
• Never use printed newsprint to wrap fine china.
• Always stack dishes upwards when packing.
• Pack important and sentimental documents separately to be easily accessible including: children’s health records, passports, family records, insurance information and photo albums.
• Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
• Don’t pack with food or supermarket boxes. You never know what little critter is hiding – or if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
• Don’t use used boxes. You don't know if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
• Never use duct tape – use packing tape.
• Clearly label all boxes on top and side.
• As you take apart furniture and other items make sure to tape all parts to the main base.
• Try to pack all electronic equipment, like stereos in their original boxes. Otherwise use bubble wrap when packing these items.
• Start packing items you will not need ahead of time.
• Always pack and unpack breakables over a padded surface.
• Always tape boxes. Don’t interlock the tops.
• Don’t use boxes without tops. No tops make it impossible to stack properly in the truck.
• Use custom-designed boxes when packing fine china and clothing.
  

Find these great tips and more at: https://twomenandatruck.com/moving-and-packing-tips

At Bears Moving we completely realize how hard moving can be.  With your already big schedule, sometimes its very hard to try to pack, organize, and move everything just to do the opposite at the next place.  If you need a Waco Mover call us at (254) 644-7777.  I hope you enjoy these moving lessons that we found on apartmenttherapy.com.

Although you end up in a fresh new space at the end, there's really no getting around it: Moving sucks. Sometimes moving means making mistakes and learning lessons. Save yourself the future trouble by reading about these mistakes so you don't have to learn these hard lessons yourself!
1. It always costs more than you expect

It's not just deposits that cost money — from moving boxes to bubble wrap to cleaning supplies and more — it can sometimes feel like you're hemorrhaging money in the first few days before and after a move. So consider creating a "what you'll need" kit before you even pack a box that includes small things — cleaning supplies (that you can pack from your old place), paper towels, old wash rags, furniture sliders, and other handy things. Having this done ahead of time will save you from those last minute "just buy the first thing you find" shopping trips. To complete your kit, ask a seasoned just-moved friend or think back to your last move and try to remember all the stuff you ended up having to buy last minute (hello shower curtain liner and bathroom trash can, always).
2. It's gonna take you longer to clean and move the last bits than it did moving all the rest of your stuff combined

Or at least it's sure going to feel like it. At the end it always feels like I have a bunch of small things that end up taking me 20 trips to get into the moving van. Cut that out by simply taking the effort to bag or box these smaller things. Cleaning can be cut down by cleaning room by room the month or so before you move — so that come moving day you're only having to clean those hard-to-get spots and giving the rest of the space a fresh swipe.
3. Don't pack "tired-of-moving" mystery boxes —they'll stay packed for months

All that small stuff we mentioned early? Don't box it all up randomly in boxes that are the equivalent of a mobile junk drawer. It'll be harder to unpack when you get to the new place because you won't quite know what area the stuff goes in and it'll always feel like an overwhelming task knowing you're going to have to find homes for it. Pack your stuff into boxes that go with certain rooms and areas so you can make getting it into new homes much easier.
4. Renter's remorse is real and can sometimes ruin the first few days of a new place...if you let it

Any big life decision can come with doubt and insecurity when the realness of the situation really sinks in. Sometimes things you didn't notice can come to the surface —making you regret moving in the first place. "Was that street noise that loud when I saw the place?" "I don't remember there being so many stairs!" Don't let these last-minute regrets make you question your decision to choose the new home you're now filling with your stuff. Simply recognize these unpleasant and unwanted thoughts for what they are (temporary nervous worries) and refocus your thoughts on something you love about your new place. Renter's remorse will be gone before you know it.

What moving lessons have you learned the hard way? Share your cautionary tales to help others in future moves.

This Article was found at Apartment Therapy: link

At Bears Moving In Waco, TX we completely understand how overwhelming moving can be for your entire family.  We aim for a stress and worry free moving experience.  If you are looking for moving services in Waco, TX give us a call at (254) 644-7777

This is a cool little checklist for moving brought to you by Bears Moving in Waco.  If you are in need of a moving service in Waco, TX give us a call at (254) 644-7777

This great article on packing tips is brought to you by Bears Moving.  If you are looking for one of the most trusted and reliable moving companies in Waco, TX then give us a call at (254) 644-7777.

You’re ready to make a move, but your stuff is staring you in the face, silently mocking you. Packing up all your belongings is a daunting task, but there are many ways to make packing easier. These seven easy tips will get you ready to pack with a vengeance.

Packing Tip #1: Don’t procrastinate. This seems simple enough, but getting started can be difficult. A few weeks prior to your move, start packing several boxes a day. Begin with items that are least essential to your daily life. If you pace yourself, you will be more organized and the job won’t be so overwhelming. Make packing easier by not waiting to get started.

Packing Tip #2: Pack room-by-room. Focus on one area of a room at a time and don’t mix items from different rooms in one box. To prevent miniature knickknacks and small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap them in brightly-colored tissue paper.

Packing Tip #3: Label clearly. On the top and side of each box, write a general description of the contents and the room name. Use different colored markers for each room, which will provide additional clarity for you and your movers.

Packing Tip #4: Stay clean. Regular newspaper may bleed ink onto your possessions. Use white packing paper to wrap all items.

Packing Tip #5: Use boxes designed for moving. Boxes obtained from grocery or liquor stores are not always clean and might not hold the weight of the items that you will be putting in them. In addition, varying box sizes can make loading more difficult.

Packing Tip #6: Know what you can’t pack. Some common household items can’t be shipped because they are hazardous. Don’t wind up on the wrong side of the law. Read our list of what you can’t put on the moving truck.

Packing Tip #7: Don’t box up everything. You should personally transport heirlooms, important papers, legal documents (wills, passports. etc.), and valuables. Make packing easier by decided what doesn’t need to be packed.

This article was first found on:  http://www.moving.com/tips/7-tips-make-packing-easier

When your moving date creeps closer and closer, the mere thought of packing up can be daunting. Putting all your belongings into boxes just so that they can be taken out again is nobody's favorite activity, so we found some amazing moving tips that will make going to a new place easier than you ever thought possible. Check out these ingenious moving hacks below.

1. Slide clothes on hangers directly into garbage bags.
Unpacking will be a breeze.

2. Put cotton balls in your makeup compacts so they don't break.
They act as a cushion inside of fragile powder cosmetics.

3. Use toilet paper rolls to organize your cords.
Keep wires organized by wrapping each cord up and stuffing it inside an empty roll.

4. Take pictures of your house before you move in.
If you're a renter, make sure you document exactly how your house looks when you move in. You want that deposit back!

5. Wrap breakable dishware in your shirts.
Not only are you saving on bubble wrap, but you're also packing multiple items at once.

6. Use Unpakt to save money.

This awesome website will compare all of the movers in the area to help you find the lowest cost.

7. Cover all bottles of liquid (shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc.) with plastic wrap before putting the top on.
Avoid messy explosions.

8. Color-code your boxes.
You will know exactly where everything goes.

9. If your painter's tape is dried up, put it in the microwave for a few seconds.
It will become sticky again.

10. Use suitcases for your heaviest items.
The handles and wheels will make for easy transportation.

11. Cut handles into the sides of cardboard boxes for easy lifting.
All you have to do is cut a rectangular shape on either side of the box.

12. Pack a separate small bag with all of your basics.
Chances are you won't unpack everything in one day, so make sure you have everything you need for one night easily accessible.

13. Fill nail holes with toothpaste.
It's the quick and cheap way to cover up all of those holes. Check out the video tutorial below.

14. Change your address in advance.
Make sure to take care of this pesky chore at least two weeks before move-out.

15. Defrost your fridge a day before moving out.
Avoid all kinds of leaks and nasty smells by doing this at least a day ahead of time.

16. Keep track of your moving expenses; some of them are tax-deductible.
Move now, save money later.

17. Stack plates with Styrofoam plates in between one another.
It's an easy and cheap way to make sure your plates don't break.

18. Roll up your clothes.
Instead of folding clothes, roll them all up to save lots of space.

19. Wrap a rubber band around your doorknob so you don't get locked out.
Wrap around one doorknob, then cross it over to the doorknob on the other side so that the lock is blocked. When you are going in and out of your house, you won't have to worry about being locked out.

20. Put towels underneath heavy furniture to avoid ruining floors.
The furniture will also slide away very easily.

21. Label your boxes on the side, not the top.
When you stack them, you will always be able to see what's inside.

22. Use sandwich bags for small important items like screws.
When you go to put a bed frame or bookshelf back together, they'll all be in the same place.

23. Find free moving boxes on the Craigslist "free" section.
You can also ask for boxes at local stores; they often have lots of leftovers.

24. Make sure to use the Moving Day app.

These great moving tips found at: http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Moving-Hacks-Make-Packing-Easy-35362851

Who can't use some moving tips when they're packing up their whole life for a new home? If you're among thousands of people who have picked up and moved their family to a new home or a new community, you have fresh memories of some of the ups and downs or thrills or frustrations of moving.

Drawing from personal experience, I know there are lots of ways to help make your household move easier and more smooth.

Read here for help to get your life, and your possessions, organized for a peaceful and exciting move.

Make a list.
Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents.

Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. You'll place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents on your list. Don't put the list down unless it's in a place you'll call Packing Central. This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific -- "A-D files" is better than "files", and "Tulip dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen".

Have plenty of supplies.
Don't make me say this twice-- you'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more boxes than you think, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund. If you got them free from the grocery, just toss any leftovers.) Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies.

You'll need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get extra so the packing can go smoothly. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed.

Utilize wardrobe boxes.
These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Call your mover to ask the width of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Then measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you'll need. You can also use them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes.

Don't make the boxes too heavy to lift, however. One mover told the story of someone who put a bowling ball in a wardrobe box! When the box was lifted off the truck the bottom gave way, sending the bowling ball on a wild ride down the ramp, across the street to the gutter, then down a hill where it finally came to rest in a roadside ditch.

(Is that a strike or a spare?)

Strategize wardrobe box use.
Moving companies will be happy to deliver boxes ahead of your moving day. Or if you're doing the move yourself, get things organized as early as possible. A few days before your move, fill some sturdy handled shopping bags with bulky closet items such as shoes, sweaters, belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom of the wardrobe boxes with some of the shopping bags, then add your hanging clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won't move around and fall off of hangers. Finally, cover the shoulders of your clothes (a dry cleaning bag works well), then add a few purses or sweaters on top. You'll have fewer boxes, and closet items remain together.

Article found first at:  http://interiordec.about.com/od/moving/a/org_movetips.htm