Latest news with #movingtips
The Sun
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I'm a property expert, these 10 easy hacks add value to your home including one trick that costs just £3
JUNE is a popular time for people to move home, hopeful of being settled before the new school term. But making sure you get the most out of a move can be stressful. 5 However, property expert Liv Conlon - who stages homes for a living - has shared her essential 10 tips for boosting value. And some cost just pennies but can had hundreds to the asking price. Liv, 26, is the CEO of multi-award-winning which furnishes more than 400 homes a year, as well as a StagerBoss - a coaching business teaching other women how to do the same. The Scots mum, who was brought up in Glasgow and now lives in Marbella with son Cash and mum Ali, says: "From posh pillows to hotel-style bedding, the right styling can make buyers fall in love and nudge them above the asking price. "So before you stick up the For Sale sign, check out these smart, simple ways to get buyers battling to pay more than the asking price." FIRST IMPRESSIONS A buyer decides in 10 seconds whether they are going to buy your home or not - so your entrance and hallway need to make a good first impression. Make it warm and welcoming. Buy a new door mat that's only used for viewings, with no dirty shoe marks, and place two identical plants at either side of the door - which is either clean, new or given a lick of paint. Opt for colours such as black or navy blue so it looks 'classy', rather than something more 'out there'. Clear away the clutter, and lose the smelly shoes and dumped coats. LIVING ROOM VISION The living room is the heart of the home - and buyers know it. It's where they picture relaxing with a glass of wine, watching TV, or hosting friends. Teachers told me I was runing my life leaving school at 16, now I run a seven-figure business Get this room wrong and you risk turning off even the most interested buyer. Make it feel spacious but not sterile, styled but still homely. Pull sofas away from the walls to create cosy conversation zones, and use a large rug to anchor the space - this helps define it and adds warmth. Then ditch harsh overhead lights and go for soft lamps, layered lighting and oversized accessories to give a sense of luxury. Use neutral tones for your sofa and walls, then add depth with textured throws, scatter cushions and artwork. GO BIG Tiny trinkets and dinky lamps really don't cut it when you're trying to wow a buyer. One of the biggest styling mistakes sellers make is going too small with their accessories - it makes your home look underwhelming. 5 If you want to create that lux, showhome feel, size matters. Think big and bold. Oversized lamps on side tables make a dramatic statement, especially when paired with plush sofas or layered cushions. Chunky candlesticks, large framed art or statement vases add instant impact - and make the space feel styled, not stuffed. DON'T LOO-SE OUT Bathrooms are an important room but are often forgotten about when it comes to staging. The key to success with styling this room is to compliment not clutter. You can do this by adding simple styling accessories, layers and textures. Consider pops of colour in your accessories, such as a soap dispenser or a toothbrush holder, which you can pick up for as little as £3 in places like Home Bargains. This draws the eye and helps your images jump off the page. Add textures with towels and bath mats, but also through the type of glass or ceramic in your accessories. Small touches can have a big impact. RIGHT RUG Rugs are the unsung heroes of home staging - they define spaces, add texture and instantly warm up any room. In large, open-plan layouts, rugs create natural boundaries between living, dining and kitchen zones, making the space feel organised and inviting. Don't overlook the 'forgotten' spaces - utility rooms, hallways or entryways can be transformed with a well-chosen rug to feel cosy and purposeful. Rugs can tie together the design elements, especially through colour and texture, in a space while providing a cosy and inviting atmosphere. They can also significantly reduce noise levels by absorbing sound - a quieter home is always more appealing to buyers. ALL WHITE Five-star hotels use crisp, white bedding for a reason, as it exudes luxury and cleanliness, and it immediately puts a viewer at ease. Patterned or busy linens can feel cluttered and overly personal, turning off potential buyers. Investing in high-quality, bright white sheets creates a serene, spa-like oasis that invites buyers to imagine themselves unwinding there. The clean, neutral backdrop also lets you introduce pops of colour and texture with cushions and throws - easy updates that make the room feel stylish without overwhelming the senses. GET DRESSED Layering is the secret to making your home feel styled, warm and high-end - without overdoing it. In the bedroom, start with white sheets, then double up on duvets: one laid flat, the second folded neatly at the end for a boutique hotel look. Use feather insert cushions -not flat polyfills - and build texture with velvet throws, faux fur or quilted finishes. In the living room, mix cushion sizes and textures on your sofa - linen, boucle, chunky knit - to add depth. Coffee tables and sideboards should be styled too: think a stack of hardback books, a sculptural candle and one standout vase. Keep it intentional, not cluttered. STAR OF THE SHOW Not much beats getting ready at a dressing table. The feeling of space and time - rather than catching a quick glimpse in the closet mirror before rushing out the front door. Create that same feeling in your bedroom by setting up a designated space in your bedroom to put on make-up and style your hair. This can be a dual purpose area that could also double up as a work from home space too. To add real luxury, add a table standing mirror, and opt for a mirrored dressing table if your budget allows. CLEAR OFF Nothing puts buyers off faster than clutter. It makes rooms feel smaller and chaotic. When people view your home, they're not just looking at the space - they're imagining their life in it. That's hard to do if every surface is piled high with post, toys or toiletries. Start by stripping back. Clear kitchen worktops, bedside tables and bathroom counters. Invest in clever storage: ottomans with lift-up lids, under-bed boxes and baskets for toys or blankets. Hide away anything personal or bulky. Less stuff equals more space. MIRROR IMAGE Create symmetry in your rooms with matching bedside tables on either side of the bed. Not only does this add practicality and storage, but it instantly makes the room feel more polished. Then, top each table with oversized, identical lamps - these create drama and a high-end vibe without breaking the bank. Symmetry tricks the eye into seeing order and elegance, making your bedroom feel like a five-star retreat buyers won't forget.
The Verge
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
The best ways to digitize your documents
When you're preparing to move, you can find yourself faced with a lot of paper documents. Holiday cards, leases, letters, tax documents, notes, doodles – whatever – can really stack up over time. If your choices are only 'keep' or 'trash,' it can be hard to let go, even if you choose one of the more responsible ways to get rid of your stuff. Digitization makes these decisions easier by adding a third option: create a virtual version for safekeeping and say goodbye to the physical paper. These days, digitization only requires a smartphone or a tablet, but you'll want to optimize the process while reducing the risk of data loss. Decide what to do with your papers In my experience – and I've been digitizing boxes upon boxes of documents for the past six months – there are only a few types of records worth keeping on hand after creating a digital version. These are original government documents, legal agreements such as a will or a current lease, items that might lose their form or meaning when reduced to images on a screen, and anything you may want to display in your home. Of course, there will be exceptions. Maybe you decide to toss every birthday card but keep the one your grandmother sent before she died. Or maybe you just feel better retaining hard copies of every tax document, even though the IRS says it's generally okay to scrap them after three years. You do you. What you'll need to start After you've decided your documents' fate, you can get to work. At minimum, you'll need a mobile device and a flat, clean surface like a tabletop. While that's technically enough to do the job, I recommend also having a computer, a way to transfer files between your devices (like a cable, AirDrop, or cloud storage), image editing software, and at least one backup drive. If you have a truly overwhelming stack of papers, you may want to consider buying or borrowing a scanner to help. A scanner that comes with a feeder can quickly scan a bunch of documents at once rather than doing one at a time, and most scanners can save images directly to your computer or to your cloud storage. Home scanners that are meant mostly for documents can run about $100 to $500, depending on their features and capacity. Scanners that handle high-quality images may cost considerably more. Personally, having used scanners in domestic, professional, and academic settings, I think they're great for archival work, but are overkill for most people's digitization needs. I've used my phone for my own digitization project and have no regrets. Digitizing with your phone camera There are three easy ways to capture a digital image of any paper using your phone: with your camera app, a built-in scanning app, or a third-party scanning app. I use whatever is most appropriate, depending on what my plans are for the digitized copy. While you're likely most familiar with your camera app, it's not great for text documents and particularly cumbersome for multi-page ones. That said, I like to use my usual camera app for cards and art because it creates editable image files that I can organize with tags. Scanning apps, meanwhile, usually only output PDFs. I use this method for text-heavy documents like leases and financial records. Both iOS and Android include built-in scanning tools that are quite capable of turning any document into a PDF. On an Android phone, you use the Drive app; with an iPhone, you can use either the Files or the Notes app. All of these allow you to simply hold your phone over the paper and wait; the app outlines the page and automatically creates a file. There are also a number of third-party apps that offer additional features for capturing, editing, and storing PDFs. If you want more options than Drive, Notes, or Files can provide, it may be useful to check out what's out there. Best way to digitize images Lay your document flat in a well-lit space with no shadows. Weight it down if necessary, but try not to block anything important. An encyclopedic knowledge of camera angles won't matter here. Hold your phone flat and level over your document, without casting shadows onto the page. I also recommend cropping your pics immediately to save time and make the images easier to see in previews when you're organizing. If you're capturing cards, you can photograph the cover and interior separately, then use image editing software to combine them into a single file. Backup your files If you've built a repository of digitized documents on your phone and are thinking of leaving them there — don't. That's like stashing your birth certificate in a folder at an open window and trusting it won't blow away. To mitigate risk, transfer your digitized documents to a computer, a backup drive, and / or cloud storage. Despite advancements in storage technology, data loss still happens, and it's safer to keep your important files in at least two locations in case something happens to one of them. If you use Google Drive to scan your documents, you've already automatically backed them up to the cloud. To send those documents to another device that doesn't have access to your Google Drive, you can download them using Google Takeout. If you use Files or Notes on iOS, you can check to make sure that your files are being backed up to iCloud by going to Settings > [ your name ] > iCloud. If you're using Files and want to send those files elsewhere, tap the three dots in the top right, hit Select, pick the files you want to transfer, and touch the share icon in the bottom left (a box with an upward-pointing arrow). If you use Notes, tap the note you want to transfer and select Share Note. Then choose your preferred sharing method and ship 'em out. Organize your documents No matter where your files are — a computer, mobile device, or cloud storage — you really should organize them so you can find them later. If you have a system that works for you already, great. But if you need a strategy, I recommend creating top-level folders like 'cards' and 'records' that describe the broadest categories within your collection. Within these, make more specific folders, like 'leases' and 'identification.' When you get to the bottom-level folders where the actual files live, try to name them consistently. If you really want to go hard, you can add tags and other metadata to your files. It's important to understand that the goal here is not to completely eliminate anything that could be considered clutter — it's to find an efficient solution to managing the items we accumulate as we live our lives. It's okay to hold onto meaningful items and make a measured assessment of their value from time to time. After all, drowning in a sea of paperwork might be bad, but living a life devoid of meaning and mementos might be even worse.
The Verge
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Verge
How to handle the tech challenges of moving overseas
Moving is stressful at the best of times, and while moving to a new country is exciting, it also adds a layer of logistical complications, especially when it comes to tech. As someone who's tackled several international moves — most recently, from my native Australia to the US in mid-2023 — here are some tips for figuring out what to bring and how to bring it, and for making sure that your tech works with you, not against you, in your new home. Before you leave With all the paperwork and legwork involved in moving countries, it can be easy to put off more minor matters, like what to do with your electronics. Laptops, tablets, and phones should travel with you, but if you're planning on taking relatively large, bulky items like monitors, desktop computers, stereo equipment, TVs, and so on, it'll be cheaper (and easier) to ship them in advance, along with other similarly bulky items like furniture. If you do decide to do this, you'll need to decide between air freight and sea freight. The former is faster; the latter can take months but is generally far cheaper. If there are devices you need with you right up until departure and / or as soon as you arrive — a work computer, for instance — then by all means send them by air freight or bring them as carry-on baggage (which may be your only option for devices with lithium-ion batteries). But the more you can get away with sending via sea, the more money you'll save. Whatever you decide, before you pack all your gear, look at the voltage specifications on each item's power supply. The US power grid operates at 110-120V, as does the rest of North and Central America and a good chunk of South America, but with the occasional exception; the rest of the world's power is transmitted at somewhere between 220V and 240V. If you plug a device designed to receive 110V power into a 240V socket, you'll be greeted with a big blue flash and left with a dead device. These days, many devices come with universal power supplies that can handle AC current anywhere between 100V and 240V at 50-60Hz; they'll work nearly everywhere with a simple plug adapter. Nearly all modern devices with rechargeable batteries, like phones, tablets, and laptops, come with a universal AC adapter or can be used with one, which is the same for most electronic devices — it's usually cheaper for the factories to build one model that works everywhere. However, there are still a surprisingly large number of devices that don't, as many a forlorn musician facing a whopping great bill to replace all their amps and synths will attest. This really is one case where it's better to be safe than sorry. Both the device itself and its AC adapter (if it has one) will have their power requirements listed; check everything you plan to bring with you. If you do have a device that only accepts low-voltage inputs, you'll need a step-down converter to sit between the mains and your device. These are widely available and often come in the form of outlet adapters—just be aware that most plug adapters are not voltage converters. The other option, of course, is just to buy new devices when you arrive, which might prove to be less trouble for relatively cheap household devices. A good rule of thumb is that anything that runs on mains power and has either a motor or a heater in it — hair dryers, blenders, coffee makers — is best replaced unless it's listed to work in your new home or expensive enough that a transformer is cheaper. Factor in two-factor The next thing to consider is how you're going to maintain access to your various accounts. Two-factor authentication can be a real pitfall here. If you have a bunch of accounts trying to send 2FA codes to a phone number you can no longer access, you're going to have a bad time — especially if that means you can't access those accounts to change the phone number. Again, preparation is important. Ensure you have an alternate way of meeting two-factor requirements. SMS is really the authenticator of last resort; if an account allows for the use of an authenticator app, use that—it's both the safest and most straightforward option. Google and Microsoft both make such apps. Otherwise, make sure you can get a code sent to your email, at least until you have a new local phone number. The advent of eSIMs has made hanging onto your old number far easier than it used to be; instead of having to physically swap between your local SIM and the one from your home country, you can just keep both active until one or the other is no longer necessary. (If you do this, however, be careful of roaming charges on your home country's plan.) And finally, tell your bank where you're going. The last thing you want is for your card to get blocked — or, worse, swallowed by an ATM — the first time you try to use it in your new home. (Sadly, this is one lesson your correspondent learned the hard way.) While you're speaking to the bank, also ask about reciprocal ATM arrangements. Using an overseas ATM often carries a whopping transaction fee, and these can add up awfully quickly if you find yourself needing to withdraw cash regularly, unless your bank has a reciprocal arrangement. For example, my bank in Australia charges $5 for most overseas ATM transactions, but lets me use Bank of America ATMs in the US for free.) Opening a local bank account can take a while in some countries; this can help tide you over. And if you need to transfer money between your accounts in different countries, a service like Wise can help avoid otherwise exorbitant transfer fees. In a similar vein, ask about foreign transaction fees for your credit/debit cards. Again, these can add up quickly, but some cards waive these fees; if your bank offers such an option, it may well be worth signing up for. Once you arrive If your destination has a power grid that's less reliable than you're used to, there are a couple of items you might want to consider getting hold of. The first is a universal power supply, or UPS. These are essentially batteries that ensure continued power supply for your home if the power goes out, and they're invaluable in places prone to brown- or black-outs. The battery charges itself from the grid while the power is on and then discharges if the grid supply is interrupted. The other thing to consider is some form of surge protection, which protects against abrupt increases in mains voltage. One common cause of power surges is the restoration of supply after an interruption, so if a country is prone to blackouts, it'll also be prone to voltage spikes. (For this reason, UPS devices often come with built-in surge protection.) It's worth investigating whether surges are common in your new home, because they can spell real trouble for electronic devices. Location-specific apps Once you're up and running, you may find that some apps simply refuse to work. Some apps just aren't designed or intended to operate abroad. The latter problem is especially common with finance apps, to avoid fraudulent access. Sometimes the app in question isn't available in your new country for licensing or other reasons. Streaming apps are particularly prone to this; for British people, moving abroad means resigning themselves to the loss of the BBC's excellent iPlayer application, and for this Australian, moving to the USA meant abandoning any hope of watching the cricket. Apps like Netflix likely will work, but the selection will differ from country to country. It's also important to be aware that suddenly logging in from a different country might trigger protection for various accounts. Unlike calling your bank in advance of your departure, there's no real way to guard against this, so the best thing to do is be prepared for it to happen: make sure your recovery options are up-to-date and easy to access. Ultimately, anything you can do in advance to mitigate the problems you can foresee will give you more time and space to deal with the problems you can't. And once the initial period of trying to get everything working properly is over, you'll be settled in a new home — hopefully, without any burned-out devices to replace!
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Moving Tips From Someone Who's Done It 10 Times (and Survived)
Moving to a new home can feel like hitting refresh on life—new neighborhood, fresh vibes, maybe even better lighting for your selfies. It's a chance to declutter both your closet and your mind. But let's be real: packing is a nightmare, and saying goodbye to your go-to takeout spot? Tragic. Still, the thrill of a blank slate often outweighs the chaos of bubble wrap and broken Wi-Fi. But there has to be a way to make the process of moving easier, right? Well, yes, there is. I mean, not "snap your fingers and everything has magically moved itself" easy, but certainly more efficient. And, of course, TikTok is showing the see, @em_andhercats has moved a total of 10 times, so she's learned some things. And she's willing to share them with the world. For starters, instead of using cardboard boxes, she tries to pack as much as possible in reusable plastic totes. "It protects your items better while moving and can be used as storage at your new place," she says. Next tip: label and color code those totes. That way you can unpack a lot faster, or simply know where to reach for things you need in that moment. "Use towels and paper towels to wrap your fragile items," advises @em_andhercats.While her tips are great, the folks in the comments also had some gems to share. Like using out-of-season clothing to wrap fragile items, so you don't have to waste those paper towels. And pillows? Throw 'em in trash bags instead of taking up precious space in the plastic totes. Let's face it, you'll have plenty of use for those trash bags once you get to your new abode and start unpacking.
CNET
20-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Here's How I Scored a Ton of Free Moving Boxes
When I started budgeting for my last move, I didn't think twice about the cost of boxes. I was more focused on things like the moving truck, the deposit for the new place and everything I'd need once I got there. But those $2 boxes? They add up fast. Most moving boxes cost between $1.50 and $5 each, and if you need a lot of them -- like I did -- that can turn into a small fortune. Luckily, I found out you don't have to spend a ton to get what you need. With a little effort, you can track down free moving boxes that work just as well. Here are some of the best places I found to grab moving boxes for free and cut down on costs without cutting corners. For more moving tips, check out the best moving companies for 2025 and six common moving day mistakes to watch out for. How much do cardboard boxes cost? Depending on the size of the cardboard box you're purchasing, you'll probably spend $1 to $3 per box at The Home Depot, Lowe's or U-Haul. If you don't have a lot of stuff or are moving from something like a studio apartment, this might not be a big financial investment, but it can add up pretty quickly. Where can I get cardboard moving boxes for free? Before you shell out for boxes, see if you can get all you need for free. Recycling centers: Visit your local recycling center to find broken-down cardboard boxes. This may be a good first stop for you, as there's bound to be some cardboard boxes for you to take. U-Haul Customer Connect: U-Haul offers customers a service to exchange their boxes with each other through Customer Connect. Through this U-Haul Box Exchange, you can see postings from people who need boxes or need to get rid of them. This service may work for you, but you'll need some luck. If you can find someone in your area giving away boxes right as you need them, that's fantastic, but it may be easier to visit a local retailer or check other community apps. Liquor stores: Reddit users recommend using boxes from liquor stores for your move because those are some of the sturdiest boxes, and they may come with useful dividers for packing glasses and fragile items. The best part of checking liquor stores is that, depending on where you live, there are likely many locations where you can look. Big box stores: Retailers like Walmart, Target, Costco and Best Buy receive loads of cardboard boxes every day as they constantly stock and restock merchandise. It's a little-known secret that if you visit Walmart after 10 p.m., you can get loads of broken-down boxes. For your local big box stores, try to call in advance or ask when the right time to pick up boxes will be, as stores receive merchandise at various times. Grocery stores: Your local grocery store receives new produce and merchandise every day, so it's bound to have extra boxes. You'd be doing them a favor by taking the boxes off their hands, so they may be happy to give them to you. Again, check for the best time to grab boxes. Office stores: Outlets like Staples, Office Depot or OfficeMax are great stores to check when you're scouting for boxes. For stores that sell paper, you can snag boxes that come with those handy lids -- great for books and other personal items. Bookstores: Check your local Barnes & Noble or independent bookstore to see if they have some boxes they need to get rid of. Like some of the big box retailers, bookstores get shipments daily and the boxes will likely be on the sturdier side. Your social circle: Your friends, family and neighbors all probably have at least a few empty cardboard boxes hanging around. Check to see if they have any they'd be willing to give you ahead of your move. Cardboard dumpster diving: If you're feeling adventurous, some Redditors suggest trying to find your boxes from dumpsters. Several large retailers have dedicated dumpsters that are meant only for cardboard. So if you've exhausted your options and don't mind throwing some gloves on, have at it. Find free moving boxes with community apps Craigslist's "free" section, NextDoor and BuyNothing: Community apps for giving away or selling items are other great options for free cardboard moving boxes. Community members who recently moved into your neighborhood may be giving away their boxes. You can also post a friendly request for free cardboard boxes. Through our research, several Redditors mentioned they had a lot of success finding free cardboard boxes from Facebook Marketplace. It may be worth checking out the options available in your area. Don't forget to use any and all cardboard boxes you have around the house. Yes, those Amazon boxes will work -- finally, those impulsive online shopping orders are coming in handy. Need more moving tips? Here are ways to make your move more eco-friendly and seven must-have moving apps.
