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Moving Help 20 Hints for Moving in the Fall

20 Hints for Moving in the Fall

Fall is the best time of year to move as the busy and usually costly summer season has come and gone, families looking to relocate before the beginning  of back-to-school are settled in, and the housing market isn’t as intense. Lower prices, lower temps, and lower competition all work in your favor. That said, you’ll still want to plan ahead as much as possible. With changing seasons come different challenges and considerations.  Below are twenty hints for moving in the fall:

.fall moving help

20 Hints for Moving in the Fall

1.  Take Advantage of Lower Moving Costs

Depending on the housing market, moving in the fall is typically much more affordable than summer. Moving companies have cleared the summer rush, gas prices can be lower, and there is more truck/crew availability.

2. Declutter Your Summer Gear

You may have a number of clothing items, swimwear, beach gear, outdoor furniture,  toys, and other seasonal items that just won’t make it to next summer. Instead of packing and moving these items, only to discard them next year, take some time to declutter and items you don’t want to pay to take with you. And, if there are old cold-weather clothing items you or your family have grown out of, consider donating those before the colder weather hits.

3. Rethink Storage

If you live in a climate with challenging seasonal weather, reconsider the benefits of putting some items in storage during your move. This will help clear your moving truck of heavy or bulky items you may not use until late next spring or summer (like outdoor furniture, gardening tools, and barbecues), and can streamline your move by helping you pack everything at once. It will also make move-in that much easier when you arrive.

4. Pack for the Season

While you’re considering bulkier items, don’t forget about clothes and sporting gear that you may not need right away after the move. Pack seasonal items together so you can find them easily later – and make sure you’ve left out all those cold-weather items you’ll need shortly after you settle into your new place, like rain boots and raincoats, snow gear, and snow-removal equipment. If you’ve stored them away, now’s a good time to make sure they’re easy to access and unpack after you’ve arrived.

5. Unpack for the Season

If you’ve stored away crock pots and sandwich presses, large dutch ovens, and other seasonal dishes and service wear, consider talking to your movers about placing them in more accessible locations in your house or apartment upon your arrival. Instead of trudging out to the garage or down to the storage closet to find items you packed away last year, they’ll be in your kitchen or dining room, ready to be put into service for the fall and winter seasons.

6. Setup Utilities in Advance

There’s nothing worse than arriving in a new place during the chilly, wet fall to find you haven’t set up all the proper utilities like electricity and gas. Often times, waits for new accounts can be several days. Not so great when the temperature drops. So be sure you’re clear on what’s required to setup or transfer your accounts, so that you arrive to a warm, bright environment on day 1.

7. Put Down Plastic During Your Move

When both moving in and moving out during the fall, the potential to track in wet leaves, dirt, and mud increase. You want to get back your security deposit, or at least ensure your post move-out cleanup doesn’t involve plastering holds in the walls of your apartment or steam-cleaning rugs. So buy plastic painter’s sheeting, or cut open large black trash bags and tape to entryways and other pathways where movers and friends will be coming and going. When you arrive at your destination, be sure the movers wait for you to lay down more plastic before unloading your items.

8. Keep a Broom Handy

During the fall, no matter your preparation, you’re going to track in a lot of leaves and dirt. Have a broom, paper towels, and sponge mops ready so you can clean as you go. This will ease the post-move cleanup, and help to avoid tracking materials into and out of your moving truck, onto your furniture and boxes, and into your new home or apartment.

Fall Moving Tips
Fall Moving Tips

9. Clear Outdoor Pathways

Despite your precautions for protecting your existing and new home or apartment, you should take extra steps to clear the outdoor paths to and from the moving truck to avoid dangerous situations. Sweep away leaves and shallow puddles with a stiff broom, and put down flat pieces of cardboard in any particularly wet, muddy, or slick spots.  Another helpful fall moving tip requires cleaning while you go can help keep your place tidy and can also help avoid injuries you might sustain while carrying heavy items to and from your place.

 

10. And an Umbrella for that Matter

Rain is the worst for moves. There’s simply no avoiding taking your things outside into the weather to load them into the truck. So be sure you have an ample supply of umbrellas and other plastic covering to keep furniture, upholstery, and boxes dry as they’re loaded into and out of the truck. Wet boxes can break or mold—especially if headed for prolonged storage. And it’s just no fun starting out in your new place with a wet couch.

11. Dress Appropriately

We know, you’re probably used to the tried-and-true moving uniform: running shoes, shorts, and old T-shirt and a baseball cap. But during the fall you’re going to have to plan ahead or colder, and potentially wet weather. Be sure you’re wearing shoes with good traction, have a hooded rain jacket on hand, and that you’ve considered layers so you can dress up or down depending on temperature fluctuations, and how challenging your move becomes.

12. Sell Your Stuff

Start early on your vending efforts to maximize profits. Personally, we’re fans of services that allow you to make money from the comfort of your own couch (who isn’t?).

And, of course, there’s always the classic standby: Craigslist and Nextdoor.com

13. Get creative with how you transport heavy items

Heavy items are one of the main reasons people hire expensive help on moving day. After all, no one wants to throw out their back while lugging an outdated stereo system down the stairs. But trust us, with a couple of hacks, you’ll be able to keep your cash and your back.

Let’s talk about books. Your expansive, curated literary collection is impressive when it’s up in shelves; on moving day, it’s just a pain. Rather than tossing those tons in boxes, pack them in a rolling suitcase, and voila: a portable library.

Think creatively with other heavy items, such as furniture. Remove any attached parts, like legs and drawers, to make the bulk significantly lighter. And always place a piece of cardboard under a heavy item to prevent scratches on the floor. Finally, push instead of pulling -– it’s easier on your body.

14. Hire Movers You Can Trust

Moving Help
Fall Moving Help

Find Google Guaranteed Movers – they have to be licensed, insured, have an actual brick and mortar location and have high insurance.  We recommend Monster Movers serving the following states: MA, RI, NH, ME, VT, PA, DE, NJ, NY, VA, DC, SC, NC, FL, GA, TN, MN, CO, CA, OH, MI,

15. “Save the date”…  for your move

We know, we know – it’s moving day, not your wedding day. But go ahead and get into that planning mentality anyway: Pick the date and time you want to move well in advance, and you could end up saving a ton of cash. Moving in October, November or December moving both mid-month and mid-week will save you the most money as every moving service from storage to moving trucks and full-service movers – is cheaper in the middle of the month.

16. Get the weight  of every item you’re contemplating moving  

help moving
help moving

Finding out how much your furniture weighs in key to getting a guaranteed quote – find a moving calculator here.

If those two boxes of kitchen supplies are all that’s standing between you and a smaller, significantly cheaper storage unit or moving truck, it might be time to implement some tough love.This is where decluttering and a minimalist living approach to your home come in handy – the less stuff you have to move, the all-around cheaper your move will be.Are you still paying for single-use, flimsy cardboard moving boxes? There are so many moving box alternatives, ranging from delivered-to-your-door box rentals to recycled wine crates or banana boxes

When it comes time to wipe down your old apartment, instead of picking up new cleaner, use what you already have. A half-empty bottle of vinegar, a past-ripe lemon, and some old rags may be all you need for a through ceiling-to-floor clean.

17. Got pets or kids? Leave them with a friend while you move

As for kids, your move is exactly the time you should call in a favor with your family. As lovable as they are, kids and pets can cause damage during a move and make the move take longer as movers aka. friends you’ve bribed have to negotiate around them as they run around during moving.

move help
move help

18.Moving out-of-state? Find a Private, Flat Rate Moving Company

Using a private, flat rate moving company that won’t swap, sell or unload your shipment is crucial to avoiding damage, missing items or  pricing that drastically changes.

19.  Check Your Personal Vehicles

While this isn’t necessarily related to your move, relocation is a good reminder to do those things you’ve been putting off throughout the year. While there’s a lot you can do online, some things, like your car, require professional support. So take your ride for service to ensure it’s running and in good shape prior to the colder, wetter seasons.

20. Keep Personal Items with You

You should keep personal papers, social security card and other irreplaceable items with you in a suitcase.

Long Distance Moving

How to Find the Best Cross Country Moving Companies

How to Find the Best Cross Country Moving Companies

Whether you’re moving across the country for a new job opportunity or you’re moving back to your parents house, there are many factors to consider when choosing a  cross country moving company —and finding the best moving companies cross country can be a challenge.  Mover-Help.com is chock full of  research, verified user reviews, and over 100 years of moving company industry knowledge help make your choice easy.

If you’re looking to find the best interstate mover near you, check out our Movers Near Me tool.

Cross Country Movers
Cross Country Movers

What determines the best moving companies for cross country moves?

Types of Cross Country Moving Services Offered

There are many different types of cross country moving services – your cross country mover should offer all of these in the case of an emergency:

  • Overnight, Short Term and Long Term Storage – you never know when a closing issue can occur
  • Packing Services – so you don’t feel out of control or pressured to get all of the packing done
  • Full Replacement Coverage – your homeowner’s insurance may cover moving but your cross country moving company should also offer this
  • Guaranteed Pick-Up AND Delivery Dates

Quality customer service

Excellent customer service is a must in a top-tier moving company. It affects your experience during your moving estimate, on moving day, and every time you need to get on the phone to ask your mover a question.

Customer service is the most important thing to consider when moving cross country so we place a lot of weight on quality and ease of getting a long distance moving company estimate – you can find a moving calculator and get a free moving estimate here:

Long Distance Movers
Long Distance Movers

PROS

  • Over-the-phone moving estimates
  • Transparent pricing and price-matching program
  • Wide variety of moving kits, boxes, and supplies
  • Excellent customer service

Our #1 Pick for Cross Country Movers

Monster Moving and Storage earned the top spot for a few different reasons.

long distance moving companies
long distance moving companies

Reason #1: We like the approach it takes to moving estimates

Unlike many of the other interstate moving companies on our list, Monster Movers conducts its moving estimates over the phone and with a

We preferred the over-the-phone estimate over the in-home estimate that many other long distance movers in the industry offer because it puts your comfort and convenience first.

When you schedule an in-home estimate, you generally have to take time off work and make sure the house is somewhat presentable when the relocation consultant comes to conduct the estimate. During an over-the-phone estimate, you can go through each step in the process whether you’re sitting at your desk at work or you’re sitting in your house, surrounded by the clutter and empty takeout boxes that make it feel like home.

Monster Moving and Storage also claims that conducting over-the-phone moving estimates saves you money in the long run. Since it doesn’t have to pay someone to drive out to your home and conduct an in-home estimate, it can pass those savings along to you.

Reason #2: We like its transparent pricing

We aren’t focusing on price too much for our interstate moving company comparison since it varies so much from one moving scenario to the next, but Monster Movers pricing presentation deserves mentioning.

Of all of the moving companies we reviewed, Monster Movers had the most transparent pricing structure. Our relocation specialist emailed us our quote and explained each item while we were still on the phone during our over-the-phone estimate.

We enjoyed how this gave us an immediate opportunity to understand what we’d be signing up for and allowed us to ask questions about pricing.

The Monster Movers representative we worked with even encouraged us multiple times throughout our over-the-phone estimate to call other movers to see if we could get a better estimate.

Of all of the moving companies we reviewed, Monster Movers had the most transparent pricing structure.

interstate moving companies
interstate moving companies

Reason #3: We love its excellent customer service

Monster Movers was by far the most responsive customer service experience we had while going through the moving estimate.

We reached out to Monster Movers by phone and through online chat through google to ask questions and follow up on our estimate, and its representatives were quick to respond through both channels in just a few minutes. Not only were they quick to respond, they were incredibly thoughtful and thorough in their responses too.

Our Monster Movers representative also called to follow up with our estimate a few times to make sure all of our questions were answered and to ask if there was anything she could do to help us make our decision. Normally, this would feel like a badgering sales call, but our representative was kind and helpful, and they came across as having our best interest at heart.

Long Distance Moving Service Offerings

  • Long-distance moving
  • Business and commercial moving
  • Corporate relocation
  • Over-the-phone estimates
  • Moving kits, boxes, and supplies
  • Packing and unpacking
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Loading and unloading
  • Custom crating
  • Piano transport
  • Auto transport
  • Basic liability coverage
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Temporary storage and storage in transit
  • Assistance setting up home services and utilities

Monster Movers is a full-service moving company that maintains one of the largest moving networks in the world. Not only does it partner with plenty of agents (local moving companies) to meet your needs, it provides stellar service, too.

In-home moving estimates are a pretty similar experience from one moving company to another. Thirty minutes before the estimate even began, Monster Movers relocation assistant gave us a call to confirm we’d still be available to meet with them and to see if we’d like any questions answered before our appointment. We liked this opportunity to ask any last-minute questions and we appreciated knowing about how long after the phone call we could expect them to arrive.

Once the in-home estimate was underway, it was evident that Monster Movers relocation assistant had our best interest at heart—achieving a comfortable, affordable move.

We never felt like we were being sold anything during the process, which was a welcome experience. In fact, our relocation specialist even advocated for not using certain services because he didn’t believe they were worth the money for our move.

interstate movers
interstate movers

Reason #4: It has responsive customer service representatives

If we didn’t make it clear enough in reason number one, we’ll make it clear here—we were very impressed with  Monster Movers’ customer service during each and every one of our interactions.

The in-home estimate was just the tip of the iceberg. Each time we reached out to Monster Movers’s representatives to ask questions about our move, they responded quickly and thoroughly. It didn’t matter if we were giving them a phone call or sending them an email, each response was prompt and they didn’t make us feel like we were burdening them with our requests.

If customer service is important to you, you likely won’t go wrong with scheduling your move with Monster Movers.

Reason#5: Service Offerings

  • Local, national, and international moving services
  • Corporate relocation
  • Full-service packaging
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Unpacking and debris removal
  • Moving boxes and supplies
  • Loading and unloading
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Appliance disconnection and reconnection, including hot tubs and pools
  • Custom crafting
  • Auto and boat transportation
  • Storage-in-transit and permanent storage options
  • Basic liability coverage
  • Full-valuation coverage

Reason #5: It has great customer service

Monster Movers has a wealth of online resources on its website to help out in each stage of the moving process. They offer packing tips, handy moving checklists, and is the only cross country moving company to offer an instant cross country moving estimate all completely done online from the comfort of your own home.

We believe a mover’s online resources should be a quick reference for the information you need without bogging you down and distracting you from all the other important tasks of moving.

Service offerings

  • Local, national, and international moving services
  • Corporate relocation
  • Full-service packing
  • Fragile-only packing
  • Moving boxes and supplies
  • Appliance disconnection and reconnection
  • Furniture disassembly and reassembly
  • Custom crating
  • Loading and unloading
  • Crane vans for large items
  • Storage
  • Satellite tracking
  • Auto transport
  • Basic liability coverage
  • Full-valuation coverage
  • Online checklists and moving tips

Things to consider when choosing your interstate mover

Free vs. paid moving services

When you’re researching full-service long distance movers, you’ll notice that some services are included in the cost of your move while others cost extra. Some of the included services you should expect to see from a good interstate moving company include the following:

  • Loading and unloading the truck
  • Furniture assembly and disassembly
  • Basic liability insurance
  • Shipment tracking

Paid services will vary from mover to mover, both in cost and the type of service offered, but these are the most common paid services you’ll come across:

  • Packing and unpacking your belongings
  • Boxes and moving supplies
  • Appliance disconnection and connection
  • Customer crate assembly
  • Storage
  • Auto and vehicle transport
  • Full valuation insurance coverage

Many interstate moving companies offer additional services as well. If there’s something you feel would make your move easier—like cleaning debris from your old house or setting up utilities in your new one—be sure to choose a mover that can take care of your specific needs.

best long distance movers
best long distance movers

Is hiring a professional mover worth the cost for your long-distance move?

Everyone’s situation is different, but for a long-distance move, you likely won’t regret hiring a professional moving company. 

Renting a truck and doing everything yourself seems like a good idea on the surface. Advertised truck rental costs are fairly low, and a lot of people feel like their belongings are in good hands when they’re behind the wheel.

The fact is, DIY moving costs add up and a lot can happen in the back of that truck if things aren’t packed properly.

Here are a few things to consider when doing the math and deciding between a professional or DIY move.

  • Time: Your time isn’t free, you know.
  • Materials: Buying boxes and packing materials yourself can add up.
  • Gas: Big moving trucks aren’t the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road.
  • Food: Purchasing meals on the journey between your old and new homes gets expensive, especially if you don’t plan on surviving off of gas station food.
  • Lodging: If you’re moving a long distance, you’ll likely have to break your trip up over multiple days and find a hotel or two along the way.
  • Insurance: Carefully loading your belongings onto the truck will only get you so far. If your things aren’t packed properly, some may break during the trip. You’ll want to buy moving insurance to make sure you’re covered in the event of a loss.

After you add up the extra costs associated with a DIY move, going with a professional moving company ends up costing about the same (and sometimes less) than a DIY move, andyou save yourself the trouble of loading and driving the truck. Your pocketbook and your back will thank you.

Check that they are properly licensed and insured

Before a cross country move, I highly suggest checking to see if the professional moving company is properly licensed and insured. Otherwise, you could end up engrossed in the drama that accompanies moving scams. Thankfully, this is easy to avoid.

Check to see that the moving company offers proper insurance is also important. After all, moving mishaps do happen – even with the best of movers. So it’s important that you’re prepared. Licensed interstate movers are required to offer two types of liability options: Full Value Protection and Released Value.

  • Full Value Protection: “your mover is liable for the replacement value of lost or damaged goods in your entire shipment…This is the more comprehensive plan available for the protection of your belongings.” The cost of Full Value Protection varies by mover.
  • Released Value Protection: The most economical protection available is Released Value, since it is offered at no additional charge. However, the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover assumes liability for no more than 60 cents per pound per article.

Of course, if you select a long distance moving company from the vast network of cross country movers, you won’t have to bother asking this question. Every professional long distance movers that Moving.com works with is required to be licensed and insured.

Read reviews

In addition to checking the moving company’s complaint history on the U.S. DOT’s database, I recommend researching and reading as many reviews as possible. Check the moving company’s online reviews and ratings on their website as well as on various review sites. I highly recommend looking at moving reviews through customer lobby – the reviews are guaranteed by bill of lading.

Ask friends and neighbors

Of course, word-of-mouth is still a great way to discover quality movers in your area. So don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and neighbors for recommendations and suggestions. Most people are happy to share their good experiences – and even happier to tell stories about their bad ones. If you don’t know many people in the neighborhood, try Nextdoor.com – a social network for your neighborhood community. Remember: it doesn’t hurt to ask! While a mover may look good on paper, someone’s personal experience could prove otherwise.

Be honest with your inventory

Before hiring a cross country moving company, make sure they perform either an in-person inspection or a video survey of your belongings before giving you a quote for the cross-country move. You’ll know the moving company isn’t legitimate if they offer to give you a quote over the phone or internet (read: red flag!), based on your own account of the inventory. The company should survey your things themselves to give you as accurate a quote a possible. Once the inspection is complete, the mover’s estimate should be sent to you in writing and include all possible costs.

Keep in mind that an interstate move means the majority of the cost will be based on the weight of your belongings. So the less stuff you have to move, the cheaper. With this in mind, make sure the mover knows exactly what is coming with you. If you plan to leave large furniture behind, such as a bed or couch, inform the mover during the inspection.

Make sure you are hiring a moving company and not a broker or sub-contractor

Before hiring a interstate moving company for an interstate move, make sure to ask whether the moving company will be picking up, transporting and delivering all of the belongings themselves – or subcontracting part of the move out to a different party. Many professional cross country moving companies use moving subcontractors. These subcontractors are not employees of the moving company, and therefore may not be subject to the same standards as the moving company you originally hired. If you’re comfortable with subcontractors handling part of your move then be sure to ask whether they are insured. If you’re uncomfortable with another party handling part of your move, I suggest finding a moving company that does not subcontract.

How to Find Professional Cross Country Movers

How professional did the cross country moving company seem? Do they have a good reputation? Do they have a brick-and-mortar office and a professional moving truck? Do they have business cards and a professional website? Did the mover arrive in a timely fashion and answer all questions before, during and after the inspection? Did they provide you with an official Bill of Lading? Did something just feel off? Ask yourself these types of questions before hiring a moving company.

Also, be sure to quiz the mover about his or her experiences with your particular kind of move. For instance, if you’re moving to a high-rise apartment building, a townhome with lots of steps, a house with a small doorway or a busy street, you should inquire whether the moving company has experience with the type of move. An experienced mover will be well-prepared to handle a move with steep stairs, elevators, parking limitations and more.

Review your estimate

I recommend choosing the moving company that gives you an estimate you’re comfortable with, and provides information about any and all additional charges. Remember: you don’t want any unwelcome surprises at the end of your stressful and exhausting move.

The most common type of interstate moving estimate is the “non-binding estimate.” This estimate is the mover’s estimated cost based on the overall weight of your things combined with labor costs (i.e. loading, unloading, packing, etc). However, these estimates are “non-binding,” which means the final charge will be based on the actual weight of your belongings and any extra add-ons you require that are not listed in the estimate. When choosing a moving company, I suggest obtaining a non-binding not-to-exceed estimate. This ensures that the customer won’t have to pay more than the original estimate.

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Instant Long Distance Moving Estimate – Get a free moving estimate in 15 minutes or less

Hiring a great long distance moving company just got 10 times easier with this new long distance moving estimator tool:

STEP 1: Log onto the instant long distance moving estimator site

STEP 2: Fill out the general information – you don’t need to add exact addresses – all the long distance moving estimator needs is zip codes

STEP 3: Go through your house and add your inventory.  This takes between 5-15 minutes.  Other long distance moving estimators take upwards of two hours or longer especially if you have to wait for someone to come to your home for an on-site estimate.

STEP 4:  Check your email for an instant, guaranteed  long distance moving estimate

STEP 5: Book Your Move

Moving Estimate
Moving Estimate

 

Before even listing your house, most people ask themselves a familiar question: “What will be my average long distance moving cost?“. Please read thoroughly through our average moving cost post with regards to what long distance moving estimates are based on.  In a nutshell:

Google states that the American Moving and Storage Association states that the average cost of a long distance move is about $4,300. However long distance moves can be between $1250 and $40,000. It is such a huge range it is impossible to give an “average cost”  But, here is what will determine your long distance moving estimate price:

 

 

  • Distance between zip codes
  • The weight of Your Shipment
  • Quality of Move
  • Additional Services: packing, storage, additional fees
  • How long you can wait for your shipment
  • Flexibility in pick-up and delivery date
  • How accessible the furniture is

Average Long Distance Moving Costs

The most important thing to remember here is that the following moving costs are only approximate values that can serve you well to get a general view of what your long distance move will cost you. The best way to get a guaranteed long distance moving estimate is to use the long distance moving calculator.

For the sake of convenience, if we assume that you’re moving to a new city that is exactly 1000 miles away from your starting point, then you have the following moving average price examples:

  • Studio apartment-. On average, household items found in a studio apartment weigh approximately 2000-2200 pounds then you should expect to pay no less than around $1500 excluding any extra services. Keep in mind, most moving companies have a 2,000 or 3,000 lb minimum
  • 1-bedroom apartment-. On average, household goods inside a 1-bedroom apartment can weigh between 2500 and 3500 pounds, which means that you’ll be paying within the range of $1800-$2500 for a long distance move.
  • 2-bedroom home – On average, the items found in a 2-bedroom residence weigh between 5000-6000   you should be charged no less than around $3500-$4200 .
  • 3-bedroom home-  A normal 3 bedroom is approximately 6000-7500 lbs or $4700-$6000
  • 4+bedroom home- usually has 8000 lbs or more, so you can expect $6,000+
Long Distance Moving Estimate
Long Distance Moving Estimators

Moving out of state or across the country is no easy feat. Whether you’re moving for a new job, to be closer to family, to live in a warmer climate, or for a different reason, the stress of relocation can take its toll. During this time of transition, the greatest help comes from hiring a long distance moving company you can trust to handle your move.

Can You Move Me, Movers, moving and storage, Moving Help, Uncategorized

Green Moving Tips | Economical Ways to Move

Green Moving Tips | Economical Ways to Move

Moving is not the most economical event in a person’s life yet we all do it one time or another.  All those boxes and tape are a waste for the environment so here are some ways to use moving pads and bands to alleviate some of the debris discarded after a move and make your move a green one!

Some other things you can do to make your relocation a green move are: recycling moving boxes, hiring green movers, and

Recycling Moving Boxes

If you are a germaphobic, you may not want to use others boxes but if you can live with the possibility of others touching your boxes you can check NextDoor and craigslist for boxes.  NextDoor is a great app if you live in a suburb – you can usually find moving boxes within a few days here.  Big box stores like costco and bjs as well as liquor stores will have used boxes.

When you a finished with your moving boxes you can post them on-line and/or do something useful with them.  I used to let my kids use them to build castles, cars and what have you.  Teens may enjoy using a razor to cut out shapes for crafts.  There are a ton of cardboard craft ideas on pinterest! Some moving companies will pick up boxes at the completion of a move and use them as floor and wall protectors on another move.

Hiring Green Movers

There are a few green movers that you can hire – but finding some near you can pose a difficult challenge.  Monster Movers is a green moving company that uses fuel efficient vehicles, recycled materials, and saves over 50% of paper waste by using electronic copies of estimates, bills and inventory.  They are members of the sustainable business network and here are there green initiatives:

  • Reduce and reuse our moving boxes whenever possible
  • Offer complimentary retrieval of used moving boxes and packing supplies
  • Resell used boxes at discounted prices
  • Collect all non reusable moving boxes, which are then compacted and sent to a recycling center
  • Recycle anywhere between 20,000 – 30,000 pounds of materials each year
  • Provide moving boxes that are manufactured from 90% post-consumer recycled materials
  • Use only biodegradable foam peanuts
  • Use bubble wrap that is oxo-biodegradable, degrading into only water, carbon dioxide and less than 1% natural biomass
  • Source the production of our moving boxes and packing materials from companies that participate in Sustainable Forestry Initiative programs
  • Use FSC certified products for external marketing materials
  • Member of the Sustainable Business Association

Make sure you do research to make sure you are actually hiring a real green moving company and not just a company called green movers that doesn’t use sustainable practices.

Donate Unused Items

Moving is the perfect time to purge and donate unused items to be used by others.  Again, NextDoor is a great app to use where you can post a curb alert letting others know that you have free stuff on your curb that they can take.

 

 

Movers, Moving Help

BEST MOVING COMPANY 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movers, Moving Costs, Moving Help

Moving Coupons and Free Moving Gift Certificate

There are dozens of sites offering moving coupons on moving labor and moving help – but are they really legit?  Moving coupons usually come from van lines or large companies which have systems in place to trick the average consumer.  If you read the fine lines on most moving coupons – the coupons must be presented before a quote and/or before the move.  This allows the company offering the moving coupons a chance to jack up the price before taking off for your coupon.  Not so for some moving companies however.  Here are numerous moving coupons and gift certificates for moving help that you can use:

Moving Gift Certificate

Here is a phenomenal moving gift certificate – and it is absolutely free!  There is no catch whatsoever.  If you know someone who is moving this is a perfect free $100 cash off of a move in gift certificate form.

 

free gift certificate
Moving Gift Certificate

And even better a free $200 long distance moving gift certificate which costs you nothing.  Do you know someone who is moving cross country and would appreciate a moving gift.  This moving gift certificate will mean so much to someone and best of all – it’s free!

gift certificate for moving
Free Moving Gift Certificate

Moving Coupons

Now for those of you that are moving yourself and are simply looking for moving coupons to help ease the burden of moving costs, these are the best moving coupons we have found.  Overall, these could save you up to $1000 on a long distance move and $500 on a local move.  We have checked all of these  moving coupons and they are 100% reliable.

Moving Coupons
Moving Coupons

 

Coupon for Moving
Moving Coupon
Listed above you’ll find some of the best moving coupons, gift certificates, discounts and promotion codes for moving help.  To use a coupon simply click the picture- this will bring you to the website of the moving company that accepts the specified moving coupon or gift certificate.  Today’s Top Moving Help Coupons are from Monster Movers.
Interstate Moving, Long Distance Moving, Movers, moving and storage, moving help, Moving Help

Cross Country Moving – How to Move Cross Country

How to Move Cross Country

Moving Cross Country is time-consuming, full of surprises, and overall a pain in the butt.  Here’s a quick video outlining the steps for moving cross country:
 As you can see hiring a reputable moving company is numero uno on the list of importance when moving cross country.  Here are some things to look for and a little bit about the best cross country movers we know!
About the Best Cross Country Movers we know – Monster Movers:
Monster Movers is a long distance moving company that consists of a team of professional movers who are experts in storage, relocation, packing, and specialty shipping. Since 1999, we have been in the business of offering exceptionally prompt and painless moving services around 48 states.T his makes us stand out as the best moving company in the US. We are aware that customers will be glad if they can experience this kind of service, hence, we moved to bring their desires to fulfillment. Since we have made Customer Satisfaction our foremost priority, we always ensure to put smiles on the faces of our clients and customers by providing superior customer service support. We have upheld this principle since inception.

OUR CORE VALUES INCLUDE:

INTEGRITY
To deliver all orders as promised; conducting ourselves with equality and honesty.
GOODWILL
To be open-armed to everyone from various backgrounds in the community and workplace.
COMPASSION
To be full of empathy for clients, co-staff, and community.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
To offer loyal services to all our customers while also responding to all complaints and enquires with attention and accuracy.
Our mission at Monster Movers is to continually surpass customers’ expectations in the standard of satisfaction and value on investment. We maintain guaranteed prices on all orders placed on our out-of-state moving services. Cross country moving costs are affordable because we focus on client progress. Our long distance moving services include packing of all furniture items, kitchenware, mirrors, lamps, pictures, electronics, etc. You can be sure that your belongings are safe with us!

Our professional long distance movers are also skilled at utilizing moving boxes for packaging your valuables; making sure that all items are prepared for out of state move. On pick-up day, a bar-coded inventory list of all items is made, and we will provide you with a copy. We are professional movers and are simply amazing at what we do. We provide all types of long distance moves from and to anywhere within the United States.Going new places can’t come any easier with our astute expertise in storage, moving, relocation, packing, and logistics services. Our long distance moving company is dedicated to unparalleled problem-solving.

Look no further and give us a call today!
Competetive
Cross Country Moving Company offers competitive rates for every long distance move. Many moving companies offer “low rates” laden with hidden fees and charges. We do not play that game. We provide a guaranteed rate for every long distance move. We also provide free, no-obligation consultations, so you will know exactly how much your move will cost before you even hire Cross Country Moving Company.
Efficient
At Cross Country Moving Company, we hold our services to the highest of standards and we strive to provide the customer with the safest and most efficient moving solution in the country. We take the safety of your valuables very seriously and that’s why we utilize only the finest moving equipment available. Our fleet of modern moving trucks undergoes regular diagnostic checks to ensure that no harm will come to your possessions during transportation. A fleet of modern trucks means that we can also move more often at reduced costs to our customers.
Professional
We also only hire the best movers. Everyone that works for Cross Country Moving Company is a trained, dedicated professional with years of moving industry experience. Our movers go through one of the most rigorous training programs in the long distance moving industry. We also carefully select and train our drivers and packing staff to ensure that our customer gets only the very best service. Cross Country Moving Company stands for professionalism. Each and every one of our employees is expected to uphold our ethic of superior customer service. We believe that you should be able to trust Cross Country Moving Company to treat your belongings with the same level of respect and care as we would our own. In our opinion, there is nothing more important than providing the customer with absolute best service.
Trusted
Our customers trust us to safely transport their most valuable possessions because of our reputation for unbeatable service and outstanding professionalism. When it comes right down to it our job is about making your moving day as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. Hundreds of extremely satisfied customers have discovered how easy moving can be when you have Cross Country Moving Company on your side. We have remained the most trusted name in long-distance moves and our customers continue to provide us with overwhelmingly positive reviews. When you are in need of a moving service you can trust look no further than Cross Country Moving Company.
Movers, Moving Help

List of Moving Services – Prices, Inclusions and Decoding Your Moving Estimate

Moving Services – Prices, What’s Included and Decoding Your Moving Estimate

So, you have a bunch of moving estimates – all with different moving services, prices for each service  – but do you really understand it?  All moving services are not created equal by any means so we are going to break it all down for you starting with some moving slang vocabulary words, moving on to help with what moving services are availble, and of course what you should be paying for any moving service.

Moving Help
Moving Services – Moving Help

 

Moving Services – Terms

When planning a move it’s often difficult to navigate through all moving services and fees for moving services.  Here are some terms you will need to be aware of when hiring movers and getting a moving estimate:

full service mover– a mover who provides the broadest range of moving services including local moving, long distance moving, packing, crating, overnight storage, short or long term storage, etc

binding estimate– means that the price quoted in the estimate is the amount you pay for moving services regardless of your shipment weighing more or less than than estimated.  The binding estimate for moving services must accurately describe the shipment and all the services the company will provide which means you have to be completely honest with your movers. If you asked the moving company to provide additional services, such as long carry charges, shuttle servies, etc.

binding, not-to exceed estimate – the same as a binding estimate so you will pay for moving services in relation to the weight without a minimum.  If the actual weight of your shipment is more than the written estimate, you still pay the amount quoted. However, if the actual weight is less than the written estimate, you pay the lesser amount.

Moving Services
Moving Services

List of Moving Services

Full services moving companies should offer a variety of moving services.  Because things can change quickly when moving and waiting for closings it is best to hire movers who offer packing and storage services as well just in case you get caught in a bind.

  • Local Moving
  • Long Distance Moving
  • Commercial Moving
  • Overnight Storage
  • Military Moving
  • Packing
  • Custom Crating
  • Packing Material Delivery
  • Corporate Relocation
  • Piano Moving
  • Hoisting

Packing Options

  • Full Service Packing – Your moving company should have the ability to pack your entire home in detail. Movers are trained to pack your home with the utmost professionalism and respect for your belongings.
  • Piece By Piece Packing – For items that are delicate, breakable or irreplaceable in value, we encourage you to let us know so that we can pack them with the utmost care. Your moving company should offer full service or pay by piece packing services
  • Material Delivery – If you are planning on packing your own boxes, your movers should offer free material delivery.  Don’t get your boxes from home depot, walmart or the like – as expected they are usually cheap and not the best.  Your movers will have high quality moving supplies

Basic Household Moving Services

  • Loading – Loading your moving truck.  Your movers should provide moving blankets shrink wrap etc. Your personal contents are systematically loaded onto our moving trucks where they will be transported to their new location.
  • Transportation – The transport of items to the new residence
  • Unloading – Part of a basic moving service means movers will carefully place all of your boxes and furniture into each room.

Additional Household Moving Services Available That Usually Have an Additional Fee

Private local and long distance movers don’t usually charge for the services below but van lines usually do – here are the approximate fees for these moving services:

  • Unpacking – Unpacking of boxes. COST $120/hour
  • Crating – Customized crates designed to provide optimum protection for your electronic equipment, as well as large, expensive items that cannot fit into standard moving boxes and packaging.   COST $100-250/crate
  • Cars/Boats – COST $1,200-$2,000
  • Assembly/Disassembly – Most moving companies incude this in their basic services but van lines will not and usually charge for this.  COST $400-$600+
  • Third Party Services – For additional assembly and disassembly services, as well as disconnection, reconnection and cleaning services, we provide third party resources who specialize in the household moving process. Again most private moving companies will do most of these things for you including disconnecting washer/dryer etc. but a van line will charge. COST $300-$1000+
  • Shuttle Services – Private moving companies do not charge for this as they usually don’t use 53foot tractor trailers for your move but a van line charges.  COST $700-$2000+
  • Storage – Varies depending on number of days/weeks/months but expect a charge.  COST $150+/month

What You Should Expect from Your Movers

  • Transparent pricing
  • Licensed/Bonded
  • Insurance coverage
  • Strong references
  • Full service options
  • Quality customer service

Moving can be a stressful task, full of its fair share of unwelcomed surprises, but what should not come as a surprise to you is the total amount you see on your moving invoice once your move is completed.  Ask your movers for a binding and binding not to exceed estimate.

Moving Help

How to Properly Pack Your Kitchen

Video

How to Properly Pack Your Kitchen

Packing your kitchen is the most time-consuming room of the house to pack.  If there is any room to leave for the movers it’s the kitchen but if you are looking to save some money moving or you are simply moving yourself you will find a little sanity in this easy guide on the proper way to pack your kitchen including cups, wine glasses, plates, tea pots, pots and pans.

Before even starting to do the actual pack, here are the first things you need to complete:

Throw Out Stuff You Don’t Use

Your kids are up and grown – why do you still have a hundred of those annoying plastic popsicle makers that are sixteen for a dollar. These are not even worth the price of the box you will need to pack them

Prepare an Essentials Box

My essentials box would look a lot like this

How to pack your kitchen
Packing a Kitchen

But if you are a better person than me, you may want to pack items that you will need soon after your movers arrive with your stuff.  This should include dishsoap, papertowels, some generic pots and pans.

Before getting started with the nitty gritty of packing your kitchen, here is a quick little video that has more info about packing in it’s 1 and a quarter minute glory than any other long, drawn out packing video you will ever watch.

First Things First

Gather your materials, here’s a quick starter list for an average kitchen

5 Large Boxes : For lightweight and hard to pack items such as plastic kitchenware, dish racks, small appliances, baking tins.

10 Medium Boxes : For heavier items such as small appliances, pots and pans, silverware, contents of drawers, cookbooks.

5 Heavy Duty Boxes ): These have thick, double-walls, perfect for packing fragile items, such as plates, glasses, stemware, wine and canisters.

Paper: You should need a 15-20 lb bundle

Tape: Get heavy duty moving tape

Sharpies

5 Glass Dividers: Dividers are extremely useful for packing glasses and wine

packing wine glasses
Packing wine glasses

Pack up Kitchen Items You Don’t Use Frequently

Start by packing those items in your cupboards and drawers that you don’t use on a daily basis. It could include:

  • Food storage containers
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cookie sheets, pie pans
  • Small appliances, such as mixers, blenders, etc.
  • Cookbooks
  • Extra dish towels, dish cloths, and oven mitts
  • Special utensils, such as barbecue tongs, meat mallets, ladles, and spatulas.

Pack up the Booze

Wine and alcohol can be packed early on in the process. Select the bottles you plan on opening between now and the move, Other items you may want to pack now are food items that are in glass bottles, but are still sealed, such as cooking oils, and liquor.

 

Pack up Dishes, Cups and Glasses

Remember to pack vertically.

moving and packing
Moving and Packing

Pack the Pantry

The pantry should’ve been sorted by now, keeping only those items you want to move. Start with the spices then work your way to the larger items. Canned goods aren’t worth moving unless you’re moving yourself. Movers will not transport perishable items so those you will have to toss.

Prepare Appliances

Defrost and clean at least 24 hours in advance. Improper preparation can lead to gas leaks, broken parts, and appliances that won’t work. Moving companies will not transport deep freezers that aren’t defrosted so you will need a week to prep your freezer.

Got the original boxes and packing materials for all your appliances? Perfect, these are your safest bet and will keep all your kitchen gadgets safe. If you do not have them, you will need to make use of medium sized boxes that are made of thick cardboard, so they support the weight of your electronic items.

Before you put anything into the boxes, clean and dry every kitchen appliance. Disassemble them and pack each component separately, particularly the fragile ones. Separate these and wrap them with bubble wrap. If you do not have cushioning packing material, you can wrap them up with newspapers.

Packing and Moving
Packing For Moving

Start by placing heavier items in the box first and place the smaller items on top. As you pack up the box, fill up the remaining space between each component with wadded up newspaper. Now find the owner’s manual of each appliance, and tape this on the box. This will make reassembling everything simplier later on.

 

 

 

 

 

moving help, Uncategorized

Top Ten Moving Scams – and How to Avoid Them

Top 10 Moving Scams and How to Avoid Them

Can you spot a moving scam from a mile away?  Most would answer no.  Moving companies can have years of shady business practices before actually being shut down… only to  open up in the next town over with a new name.  We are going to outline the top 10 moving scams and how to avoid moving scams as well as providing moving help for local and long distance moves.

moving scams
Top 10 Moving Scams and How to Avoid Them                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The best protection against a moving scam is to stay informed and do your homework.  Moving is arduous, and having someone else do it for you doesn’t mean you can leave all the details in their hands. Here are the Top Ten Moving Scams:                                                                                     TOP TEN MOVING SCAMS
  1. A moving company that doesn’t answer the phone  with the company name that is advertised.  An example would be a moving company that is advertised “Nationwide Van Lines” but answers the phone  “movers,” something mumbled “movers” or another  generic company name.  This usually means the moving company is hiding their true name from the government, IRS, unhappy customers, etc.  It could also mean that the company has changed names which indicates they had to shut down and stop using their name to avoid – taxes, lawsuits, etc. MOVING HELP TIP: LOOK FOR ESTABLISHED MOVERS THAT HAVE — — USED THE SAME NAME FOR 10+ YEARS
  2. The low-ball quote.  This occurs daily in every city in every state.  There is no avoiding the moving scam- it’s up to you to do your due diligence in order to get an accurate moving quote.  I suggest using a moving calculator. Now, most moving company moving calculators ask the number of rooms.  This is highly inaccurate and often results in both parties arguing and moving prices increasing.  MOVING HELP TIP: — — USE AN ACCURATE MOVING CALCULATOR THAT ADJUSTS YOUR MOVING QUOTE PIECE BY PIECE FIND ONE HERE.
  3. Moving companies that ask for any more than $100 for a local move or 10% for a long distance move should be avoided at all costs.  Many long distance moving scams occur when long distance movers ask for 30-50% down.  Simple you are thinking, you can just cancel your credit card if they don’t show up, are late, break things, etc.  It’s not that simple.  Moving company scammers are so crafty they have you sign to agree to the  move.  Then, when you go to cancel your credit card, they will say the deposit was non-refundable which is usually in the fine print for the move.  Some moving documents are pages long and have multiple “outs” for movers to keep your deposit.  This scam is frequently used by agents for van lines as they have the legal support to back up the paperwork.  MOVING HELP TIP: NEVER PAY MORE THAN 10% FOR A LONG DISTANCE MOVING DEPOSIT OR $100 FOR A LOCAL MOVE – ANY MORE IS HIGHLY SUSPECT
  4. Additional moving fees are usually not included in a basic moving quote.  For example, if you get a moving quote but did not indicate one of the following, many movers will take advantage and charge you more: multiple flights of stairs, elevator, long haul, shuttle fees, taxes, tolls, etc.  Besides being up-front with your mover, you should get a guaranteed moving quote.  MOVING HELP TIP: FIND MOVERS THAT DON’T CHARGE ADDITIONAL FEES, GET A LIST OF ANY FEES THAT THEY COULD POSSIBLY CHARGE
  5. Many moving companies have great websites.  It would be normal to expect your moving company to show up uniformed, with a clean truck, clean moving blankets and provide a professional service.  The fact is, most moving companies will show up with an unmarked truck with a crew with ripped jeans and dirty moving blankets.  MOVING HELP TIP: LOOK ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIND MOVING COMPANIES THAT HAVE THIER OWN CLEAN TRUCKS AND CREW

    Moving Company You Can Trust
    Finding Good Movers
  6. All moving companies are required to assume liability for the value of the goods that they transport. However, there are two different levels of liability that apply and you should be aware of the charges that apply and the amount of protection provided by each level. MOVING HELP TIP: FIND A MOVING COMPANY THAT OFFERS BOTH TYPES OF COVERAGE
  7. After your move is complete, you will have 15 days in order to file a claim.  After that, the window of opportunity has passed.  Many moving companies work with a claim company that will strictly adhere to the 15-day window.  The problem is, most consumers are not aware of this window and it is usually written in fine print on the contract. MOVING HELP TIP: MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR CLAIMS IN WRITING TO YOUR MOVERS WITHIN THE 15 DAY TIME LIMIT
  8. Federal law requires one of two kinds of moving contracts. A non-binding estimate means the company cannot require payment of more than 10 percent above the original estimate, due at delivery.  It also goes the other way – the moving company expects a certain amount going so your price will be only 10% lower at most. A binding estimate is supposed to be a guaranteed price for the move and all extras.  Some moving companies will charge by the cubic foot.  Well, essentially you can easily add hundreds of cubic feet on to a move by not packing tight.  Moving companies, especially containerized movers are notorious for packing to add less weight and more cubic feet. MOVING HELP TIP: GET A QUOTE BASED ON WEIGHT
  9. Say no to low-ball bids. Watch out for rogue movers who get your business with bargain-price estimates. After filling the truck, they hold your possessions hostage until you pay thousands more. “Hostage load” movers tend to be smaller, unlicensed companies that may advertise on Craigslist or roadside signs. You’re safer checking listings on moving.org, a website run by the industry’s trade group. For moves between states, go to protectyourmove.gov, a federal watchdog website that verifies interstate moving companies’ licenses and complaint histories. One way to save is by moving midweek or in the middle of the month, in the fall or winter.  Rogue movers are rampant in the summer and fall months.  When moving the famous “you pay for what you get” advice is especially true.  MOVING HELP TIP: GET ESTIMATES FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES AND CHECK WEIGHTS WITH AN ONLINE MOVING CALCULATOR TO MAKE SURE YOUR MOVERS ARE IN THE BALLPARK
  10. When hiring a van line, there are many dynamics involved.  Your items will be picked up by one vendor, loaded, offloaded into storage, picked up by a truck, possibly swapped onto another truck or offloaded/reloaded at another storage facility, and eventually delivered by another vendor.  The damage and loss that occurs with van lines is incredible.  The first moving company could wrap and protect your furniture perfectly but no furniture can withstand constant loading and offloading.  Many van lines have gone bankrupt or merged with other van lines.  If you don’t purchase full replacement coverage, any loss will be valued at $.60/lb/article.  Van lines offer full replacement coverage at a much higher ( approximately 80% higher) than a private moving company because they expect loss.  MOVING HELP TIP: FIND A PRIVATE FULL SERVICE LONG DISTANCE MOVING COMPANY AND AVOID VAN LINES

If you’re among the 35 million Americans relocating this year, add the need to avoid cons to the other stressors that result from moving. About 3,600 complaints out of 800,000 moves were filed last year by people who hired interstate movers, you will need to heed some advice to make sure you are not a victim of a moving scam.

 

HOW TO AVOID MOVING SCAMS

 

Know your paperwork. Keep a copy of everything you sign — especially the “bill of lading,” which is a legal document that acknowledges the carrier is in possession of your cargo and serves as a receipt. An “order for service” lists what the mover will do, as well as pickup and delivery dates, and an inventory list shows each item you shipped and its condition (cross-check it after delivery). With nonbinding estimates, movers may be legally allowed to inflate charges about 10 percent. Binding estimates provide a fixed price but tend to be higher. Movers typically provide minimal insurance; before buying replacement-value coverage, check if your homeowners policy covers items lost or damaged during a move.

 

1. Ask your friends who they have used
You can research a mover online until the cows come home, but the fact is that websites are easy to put up and take down, online testimonials are easy to fake, and Internet credentials are just words. Talking to a friend or family member, or soliciting the advice of a trusted real estate agent, are better ways to obtain the names of reputable companies.
2. Check your movers out
There are several options for investigating movers, including government sites like ProtectYourMove.gov, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) site, FMCSA.gov. There are moving scam sites that are actually owned by moving companies.  Xpress Movers owns mymovingreviews.com.  MovingScam is owned by a van line.  Be careful there are many moving scams out there.  It is best to hire movers that your friends have hired, you have seen in action or have a third party moving company reviews site like customerlobby.com that does not alter reviews based on payments.

3. Ask about additional fees    Your movers should be upfront with all additional fees and what your your moving fees should depend on.  Here is a quick video for long distance moving costs which are more complicated than local moving costs

 

4. Get multiple estimates and use an online calculator to check
Shop around and get three estimates, in writing, after the aforementioned home visit. This is especially important for state to state moves, where the logistics are even more critical. Walter cautions against simply accepting the lowest bid. “It can be a red flag if one of your three bids is much lower than the others.”says Walters. “It’s not always a scam, but ask yourself why is it so low.”
5. Don’t pay your bill upfront
Some companies require long distance moving deposit as high as 50% percent of the total move, especially for a state-to-state relocation. Reputable companies should not require you to pay everything, or even half, upfront.  Opt for 10% as a maximum deposit.

Moving scams are the worst.  Usually movers will scam people out of a few hundred dollars.  A significant amount but not enough to spend hours of time to report, hire a lawyer or even more time-consuming – go to court.  They understand this so you must be prepared to use this knowledge so you don’t become a moving scam victim.

Moving Companies Near Me