What’s Your Clutter Hotspot Habit?

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As we leave the warmth of summer for the cooler months, now is a good time to examine the hotspots of clutter in your home. This month we look at the motivations for why things collect where they do.  Maybe you’ll recognize yourself!  

Out of sight, out of mind:   this is where we squirrel away things that we don’t want to deal with, and since we don’t actually see them on a regular basis, we think the problem is solved.  However, we often take away the function of that place which was intended for another purpose.  If you have a guest bedroom filled with items that you don’t want to deal with, chances are you’re less likely to invite people over to stay.  Is an out of the way dining room a place for your personal papers?.. Read the rest

The Hidden Cost of Moving – Part 2

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This is part 2 of our article about the hidden cost of moving.  This month, we discuss costs that may creep up in the latter part of your move. Check out last month’s post for more information on moving costs you may not have considered here (link to Part 1).

  1. Too much weight on long distance moves – according to the American Moving and Storage Association, the cost of long-distance and intrastate (over 50 miles) moves are calculated based on weight and distance.  Boxes of books are some of the heaviest non-furniture items that are moved from a house. Consider paring down your collection and other heavy items if you want to save money on your long distance move.
.. Read the rest

The Hidden Costs of Moving – Part 1

Dispersal Supervision Downsizing and Organizing How to Organize Move Planning and Management Packing and Move Preparation Unpacking and New Home Set Up No Comments

This month is part 1 of our 2-part article on the less obvious costs of moving:

You’ve sold your home and you’ve found the perfect place to relocate.  All that’s left to do is pack up your belongings, arrange for some movers, and be on your way.  But don’t be in a hurry to pack your calculator, because moving households can add up in ways you may have not expected.  

  1. Storage – you’re all ready to move to the next location.  But is your new place ready? If not, be prepared to either rent back your own home from the folks you just sold to, or place your goods in storage.  If you choose a self-storage unit, you will need to hire movers or rent a truck to take it there, or have professional movers place it in their warehouse storage.
.. Read the rest

A Consignment Shop Crash Course

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Whether downsizing your own space or moving into another, sometimes the furniture or accessories you have simply won’t fit or won’t work in the new space.  There is a secondary market for finer furniture, home decor, artwork, rugs and even fine jewelry, and buyers are seeking well-made pieces that aren’t as expensive as buying new.  

But don’t confuse consignment with thrift shopping.  Many consignment shops are very savvy to today’s trends, and are particularly diligent  in what they will accept for resale.  

If you’re considering consigning your furniture or household decor  to a consignment shop, here are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Condition – Consignment shoppers are discriminating buyers, and consignment shop staff know this.  Your items must have minimal wear, have no tears or fading, are pet hair and stain free, and come from a non-smoking environment.  According to Tamara Smith, manager of Consignment Northwest in Beaverton, her shop looks for “like new condition, with no noticeable tears, discoloration or damage”.  
  2. Style – While Danish modern has been holding steady for the last few years, modern contemporary and higher end traditional styles sell just as well.
.. Read the rest

A Better Way to Bag

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They’re one of the more ubiquitous items in our kitchens, often stuffed into a drawer or basket or shoved hastily under the sink.  They’re plastic grocery bags and in Lake Oswego and other parts of Oregon, they’re facing a hasty demise.

As of July 1, 2019, Lake Oswego has ordered a ban on all plastic carry out bags in retail establishments over 10,000 square feet (think grocery and big box stores), with other establishments following suit  by January 2020, according to Jenny Slepian, Lake Oswego’s Sustainability and Management Analyst.  

Why the bag ban now?  According to the town of Lake Oswego’s official city website, the goal is to change consumers’ behavior.  By imposing a ban, the hope is that more consumers will bring their own reusable grocery bags when shopping, lessening the harm to the environment posed by those non-biodegradable plastic bags... Read the rest

Paper, Plastic Or Pads? The Best Wrap For Your Move

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When it comes to wrapping your household goods for a move, not all wrapping material is created equal.  When you’ve got a large stack of heirloom china plates before you that need to be safely transported on a moving truck, often the first instinct is to reach for the plastic bubble wrap. Those sheets of air may cushion our breakables well, (and sure are fun to pop later), but professional movers prefer to use sheets of undyed packing paper for smaller breakables, for several reasons.

  •  Efficiency – paper sheets are thin yet durable in a move.  Wrapping each item tightly but separately in two sheets of paper inhibits contact between the items when placed in a box.  Because of the thinness of paper, more items can fit in a box, and the paper sheets can also be used to fill the corners of the boxes to lessen any jostling that could occur, keeping your delicates snug.
.. Read the rest

Summertime… and The Movers Are Busy

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Moving trends are fairly static in the warmer months..  According to the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), over 40 million people will change residences on average per year, and summer remains the busiest time of year to move, with over 80% of moves taking place between April and September. The reasons for all these moves?  AMSA cites looking for a new and better place to live and to be near family as two of the top reasons that Americans uproot and move on.

While families with children are more likely to move in the summertime because of school breaks and vacation time off, seniors prefer to move in the summer to be settled into place before cold weather hits. .. Read the rest

Keeping Houseplants Happy and Healthy During a Move

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Summer time is a wonderful time to appreciate the beauty of our plants, both indoor and outdoor.  But if you’re planning on moving during this time, the prospect of leaving behind those plants you’ve nurtured so well can be like saying goodbye to a cherished friend.

Moving potted plants is possible with some planning and a little effort.  If you are moving yourself or entrusting your household goods to a professional mover, there are a few legal guidelines you must follow if you wish to have your plants move with you.  Most licensed movers will not move your plants on their trucks due to federal and state regulations, so if you want to keep them, you should plan to move them yourself... Read the rest

Do You Need to Hire a Move Manager?

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Whether big or small, a move is seldom easy or free from anxiety. The moving process is filled with many tasks and decisions. If you’re relocating to a new place, it is important to know the steps to take that will make your move successful. You might simply need to hire a mover to get your belongings from Point A to B. For larger, more complicated moves, you may need a Move Manager to help you through the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the moving process.

Jennifer Campbell, Operations Manager for The Move Makers, knows all too well what an emotional toll moving can have on people... Read the rest

5 Easy Ways to Reduce Paper Clutter

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As Spring moves toward Summer and the outdoors beckon, it’s easy for clutter to get out of control inside our homes. Paper can be a necessary nuisance. It will pile up if you let it. Here are 5 easy strategies to get paper clutter in check and enjoy summertime activities.

#1 – Cancel unwanted catalogs and other types of paper mail

Catalogchoice.org is a free service that will send merchants your opt-out request on your behalf. It’s a non-profit organization on a mission to stop junk mail for good. If want to support their cause, they’ll gladly accept your donation.

#2 – Cancel magazine and paper newsletter subscriptions

Go digital where you can... Read the rest