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Save Money and Your Back

As you know.... We at BungoBox know that Moving Sucks!

So, every day we try to think of new and innovative ways to make moving suck less. While racking our brain, conducting detailed experiments and scouring the earth we sometimes stumble upon great products or companies. We recently became familiar with one such company, Elite Moving Labor, they love hard work and will make your life much easier.

Elite Moving Labor, they are the movers without the truck. For all you penny pinching do it yourselfers out there.... these guys offer a cost effective solution that will save your back and your pocket book too. Quite simply, you provide the truck, pod, trailer or covered wagon and they provide strong, careful and efficient labor.

Really, no joke.... these guys are awesome. Here is what a recent customer had to say:

Brandon,

I can’t even begin to tell you how pleased I was with my son’s move yesterday! On very short notice you arranged for a four man crew plus a truck. William and his crew exceeded every expectation possible. They were timely, careful, helpful, and extremely efficient as they went about their work. It ended up being a much longer job than I envisioned, however, we all hung in there until the end.

Elite Moving Labor is The Best. As this has been only the latest of many moves I have used Elite for, you continue to amaze me with the flexibility in scheduling and the high quality personnel utilized. William was amazing as he directed his crew with precision and knowledge.

I would recommend your services to anyone who ever asked me. Having to move is a hassle in itself. Having dependable moving labor to ease the burden just makes the move that much easier. Best regards for continued success.

 Arnie Kaplan

 Date of Posting: 30 May 2011

Posted By: Arnie Kaplan

Greater Washington, DC Area

See! I told you.... and that is only the beginning... the testimonials go on and on..

So, just after you rent your BungoBoxes...be sure to contact Elite Moving Labor... I dare say that the combination of the two may just turn around the housing market...everyone will want to buy a new home just for the pure pleasure of moving. No thanks necessary President Obama, BungoBox and Elite just doing their part for the economy and the country.

Single & Moving? Check This Out…

SINGLES

Usually focused on a location that has a young demo­graphic, a high median income, and an exciting night life. Their main concerns are:

JOB OPPORTUNITIES :

Individuals who are single do not have to worry about nearly as many things when choosing a place to live. But this “freedom” can also be very stressful because there are so many options. One way to easily narrow the list down is to look at the job opportunities available in your prospective cities. Luckily, we live in the age of the internet, so now job searching is as easy as typing in a loca­tion radius on a job search engine. Checking out available jobs before you decide on a new place to live will make your move much smoother.

NIGHT LIFE :

Singles tend to be more thrill-seeking than fam­ily oriented individuals. So you want to make sure that you pick somewhere that has an exciting night life (you don’t want to move just to find out that everything closes at 9:00 every night). “Night life” is usually rated by the number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs per capita. Living close to the “downtown” area of your new city can almost always guarantee a better night life.

Culture

The average marriage age in the United States is believed to be around 26 for women and 27 for men. That means that most adults only live alone as singles for about 5 years. In order to get the richest experience out of those 5 years, make sure to live somewhere with a noticeably strong culture. Research the number of live theaters, concert venues, sports teams and museums in the area. If your new home is located near a university, the area is likely to be filled with the culture from the arts, music and enrichment of that university.

THE SINGLES STATS

According to CNN, Top 10 Places for the Rich and Single are:

1 Newport Beach, California

2 Newton, Massachusetts

3 Brookline, Massachusetts

4 Sandy Springs, Georgia

5 Irvine, California

6 Milpitas, California

7 Sunnyvale, California

8 Mountain View, California

9 Chapel Hill, North Carolina

10 Santa Clara, California

Don't Break Your Back While Moving!

Bungobox knows moving can be a very stressful time. It can become even more stressful if you injure yourself in the process. Therefore, we have created a list of precautions everyone should take to ensure that you do not injure yourself while in the process of moving.

Think of moving, especially lifting boxes, like any other exercise-- you must stretch first if you really would like to prevent any damage to your body from happening. You should definitely stretch your arms, legs, and back since those will be the parts of the body that will be used the most while lifting. Check out this site for ways to stretch these parts of your body for a move.

There are many ways to lifting boxes, however many people tend to do it wrong. The proper way to lift a box to keep yourself injury free is to:

• Bend at the knees, not the waist.
• Keep the object you're lifting close to your body.
• Do not twist your body.
• Avoid lifting things over your head.
• Position legs apart.
• Get a good grip and lift with the legs, not the back.
• When moving something, push rather than pull.
• Keep your footing secure.
• Lift smoothly and slowly; do not jerk.
• Use a dolly to carry objects when possible.

The main key to lifting a box is to put more pressure on your legs over your back so as not to strain your back. Hand carts should become your best friend when moving because they not only make moving many boxes at once easier, but it also alleviates the stress on your body since you are not carrying boxes, just pushing them. If you can, avoid lifting at all costs.

Other ways to prevent injury while moving is to wear gloves when lifting heavier objects, especially furniture, so you have a better grip and the object does not fall out of your hands. Also, do not forget to bring plenty of water to keep from becoming dehydrated and if it is possible to move during the morning or early in the day that is also a wise move too because that will prevent you from overheating or tiring out quickly. It would also be wise to have a First-Aid kit handy just in case someone does get a cut or a minor bruise.

Bungobox is all about making moving as little about stress as possible. We do not want something that can be prevented like an injury or strain to your body to effect your move one bit, so take caution when lifting boxes during your move and remember these tips; you will not regret it once your all moved in with no issues.

Snowbirds, Welcome (Back) to Florida!

Every year during the winter months many people, typically older, flock to the southern states like Florida to escape the frigid temperatures of the north. These people are referred to as 'snowbirds'. They are usually retired and own a condo or a smaller home by one of Florida's beaches. The snowbirds come down to escape the snowy winters and then once it gets hot again in Florida, they return up north to escape Florida's heat and return back up north. That is why they are referred to as snowbirds, since they migrate back and forth depending on the weather conditions.

The term snowbird was really made popular when a Canadian singer Anne Murray released a song called "Snowbird". One of the lines from the song that describes these people perfectly is:

As well as condos and smaller homes like timeshares, a large portion of snowbirds utilize RVs. The primary purpose for these people owning RVs is so they can drive them down from the north. There are many RV parks specifically for snowbirds and most go to the same one year after year, which creates somewhat of a second family for these people.

Snowbirds do not just simply flock to the southern states and cause a bigger population for a few months. They are good for the economy of these southern states because they like to spend money when they come, which is always a good thing. There are numerous websites that are focused on this specific breed of people, they include countless discounts to services provided throughout the states, helping out the economy. Here is a snowbird guide that will give you a further description of snowbirds; and these sites are full of resources for activities snowbirds can engage in while they are here.

Some other benefits of being a snowbird are they use their vacation time to declare permanent residency in low or no tax states and claim lower non-resident income taxes in their home states. They also have the right to vote for local office since it is governed by local law, so it may be possible to vote for local offices in both places if the locality permits nonresident voting, but representation in the United States federal Congress is for residents as enumerated by the decenniel census. So snowbirds could potentially have two votes.

Snowbirds are a rare breed, but they are definitely noticeable if you live in the southern states. Who knows, maybe you are one! If you are, or if you know a snowbird that needs help with their migration down south for the winter send them right this way: BungoBox Prices.

Songs to Make Moving Less Sucky!

Moving sucks. We know. Bungobox is all about making moving less sucky. One tactic we've found helps accomplish this is picking the right music to jam out to during your move. We at Bungobox, a plastic moving box company, are obviously professionals when it comes to music, so here is our highly scientific list of songs to listen to during the course of your move!

Packing:

• If the packing is out of anger, due to a recent breakup, go with the classic breakup song "Since You Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson. It will make you feel better about moving on with your life and leaving that loser behind!
• To get the bass moving play Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music". It is guaranteed to pump you up and get you moving faster (just try not to get too distracted with dancing breaks).
• The Black Eyed Peas will also keep your energy high and your body moving with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m48GqaOz90&feature=artistob&playnext=1&list=TL8dBBQMSLQV4">"Boom Boom Pow".
• To keep up your morale, throw on some old school Michael Jackson; we recommend "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough".
• Another song we've found to be good for packing is "Kids" by MGMT.

Unpacking:

• With the hard part behind you, "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + the Machine will help ease the stress from the move.
• It will without a doubt be a "Beautiful Day" after everything is unpacked. You'll be singing this U2 song at the top of your lungs after a long, successful move .
• "No Such Thing" by John Mayer can also lyrically describe how ecstatic you are after the big move, especially if the new place turned out even better than you were hoping it would.
• To celebrate, you can throw on Pink's latest song, "Raise Your Glass" and do just that for the first time in your new place.
• You will be feeling so happy with your new home that you'll want to celebrate like Nicki Minaj and Drake do in their song "Moment 4 Life".

There is our brief, yet very useful playlist of songs to blast from your speakers while you are moving. It is guaranteed make your move less sucky. Let us know what other songs you recommend to play with moving to make your move less sucky!

Find the Perfect Neighborhood

No one is looking for a downgrade when moving from one house to another. Therefore, it takes quite a bit of research to find a 'perfect' place to move. The term 'perfect' means different things to everyone, but overall people tend to have the same guidelines when looking for certain aspects of the 'perfect' neighborhood, their views upon finding them are just completely different. But before you start packing your BungoBoxes, here are a few ways in which someone can conduct finding a 'perfect' neighborhood:

Do Your Background Research:

One of the first things people look for in a potential neighborhood should be the crime rate or any other thing that could potentially harm your family or home. Most people can simply do a Google search to find out about the town they are looking to move to. You can also look at the city's local newspapers or TV stations to see recent news, to find out if events that occur are usually bad or good. It is best to find out first if you believe you will feel safe in an area, because if you don’t right away then you can immediately count certain places off of your list of a 'perfect' neighborhood.

An A+ School?

What is the school system like in the area if you have kids? You definitely do not want to be moving somewhere new and strange to your kids and then on top of that send them to a school that is horrible; this will make them feel even more isolated than they do already. To prevent sending your kids to a school that is not the best do some research on 'Great Schools' and you should be able to find out a lot about the schools in the area you are looking to move to quickly. It may even alter your decision to move to a certain area so your kids can get a much better education than in a different city.

Got Friends? Use Them!

A very simple way to find out information about a potential city is to ask around. It does not really matter who you ask, as long as they know what they are talking about. There is a wide array of people you could ask: friends, family, co-workers, doctors, Facebook friends, etc. There is bound to be someone that knows something about a city that you are looking into. Information coming from someone you know may even be much better than a Google search. This is definitely a vital part of the search process when looking for the 'perfect' neighborhood.

Write on a Board:

You can also find a massive amount of information about a town you are looking into on a forum or message board these can be extra helpful just like recommendations from friends and family because you can ask specific questions to people that know the area. The audience is much wider on these as well, and there could be input from up to 100 people or more. There is potential in finding out much more in-depth information from forums and boards.

First-Hand Experience is Key:

If you really want to experience what life will be like in a certain town that you are looking in to moving to you would definitely want to visit at least once, if not a couple of times to experience the area for yourself. All of the recommendations could mean nothing to you after seeing what the area is like in person, you may never want to go back again.

Remember these different ways in which you can conduct research when looking for the 'perfect' neighborhood. It may be time-consuming, but once you find the right place it will all be worth it!

Be Pet-Smart About Your Move!

It is commonly known that moving can quickly become a very stressful event for everyone in the family. But what many do not know, or even think about, is that moving day is just as stressful for Fluffy, Spot and Miley. That’s right; your pet is feeling just as much anxiety and stress during the move as you are. Most people assume that it will be no big deal to move their pet from one house to another. In reality however, it is pretty nerve-racking for them to leave a very familiar place and become reacquainted with an entirely new one (not to mention, the terrible traveling part). Luckily, there are ways for you to make moving a little easier for them and in turn, easier for you! (Don’t worry we’re not going to suggest you stuff them in one of our boxes!)

BEFORE THE MOVE:

1. Include the pets in your master moving preparation list!

2. Take the cat or dog to the vet to get a check-up to make sure everything is okay.

• Ask the vet if they have any extra advice to make the transition smoother for the pets.
• If moving far enough away to have to switch vets, make sure to get up-to-date records, shots, tags, etc.

3. If you’re driving, do a ‘test run’ in the car. This will especially help if they are not use to going on car rides at all. A test run will help get the animal acclimated to a smaller amount of space for a long period of time. That way, when the big day comes, they are not as initially excited or frightened.

4. Take a trip to your local pet store to get all the essentials for the drive and first few days in the new place. A few must haves for a long car ride: toys, treats, pee pads, garbage bags and possibly a kennel (if you plan on keeping them contained during the travel).

5. If taking a long drive and have to stop at a hotel for the night make sure to find one that is pet friendly (you do not want an angry wife kicking you out to sleep in the car with the animals all night).

MOVING DAY:

1. Make sure everything has been organized for the animals ahead of time. If you are rushing around trying to get things ready, they will get nervous (you are trying to avoid this, remember?).

2. If you are flying to your new home, you will want to safely sedate the animal. Don't worry, it will feel just like a nap for them!

3. If they are in a crate or away from you, put something such as a t-shirt or pillow that has your scent on it so they will not feel so alone.

4. While transporting everything out of the house and into the moving truck, secure the animals in one room, out of the way. This will not only keep them out of the way but it will cause leave them less stress from them, because they will be away from the chaos.

UPON ARRIVAL:

1. As soon as you reach your new home, give the animals a little tour of the house. Let them see their new surroundings and make sure that they recognize important spots (such as where they are to use the bathroom).

2. Take them for a walk around your new neighborhood or find a dog park near-by.

3. Give them treats to calm their nerves and reward them for their good behavior during the trip.

4. Pay attention to them.

5. Put all of their toys, food, water, bed, etc. in one spot and lead them there. This will help them know where to go and keep them from feeling neglected or anxious.

Moving can be stressful for everyone involved, including the animals. But with a good amount of planning, you can alleviate most of the stress, especially on the animals. Do not forget that just because they are not carrying the boxes on moving day, does not mean they are feeling any more relaxed then you are.

How-To Prevent Unwanted “Visitors” in Your New Home

It isn’t new – we have battled against “pesky” intruders in our homes for generations. From uninvited family and neighbors, solicitors to pests, dirt to the stray dog that your child just HAS to keep – we all want our homes to be our safe haven and to have total control over who and what enters it and when.

Well, we all love our families, friends and neighbors here at BungoBox – and we’ll even put up with a few solicitors, some dirt, and the occasional stray but what we don’t want to deal with is pests!

Moving is seen as starting with a blank canvas – you get to reorganize everything, decorate and make a new home, which should be nothing but exciting! However, it can take nothing more than a few hitch-hikers in some boxes to create a nightmare! Therefore, we would like to clear a few things up and help you to fully achieve making your move with nothing but what you intended to bring with you.

Bug Truths:

• Bugs want to find a safe, comfortable place to call their home and continue their life cycle – it’s a simple fact.
• While cardboard in and of itself does not “attract” bugs, the situation of it does. Think of how cardboard boxes are used – for storage, things that are left untouched and undisturbed for sometimes long periods of time.
• Paper and cardboard are easy materials for bugs to work their way through by chewing, etc. While plastic is not completely 100% bug-proof – the only ways they can get through it is by improper sealing, breakage, etc.
• Bed bugs, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, silverfish, ticks, mites, and beetles are just a small list of the different pests that often call papers and cardboard boxes their homes.
• If you re-use cardboard boxes (whether from a friend or from the supermarket), chances are that you could be setting yourself up for problems – even if you don’t see any bugs. Boxes are one of the ideal places for bugs to lay eggs, and if they are laid inside the crevices for example – they can be nearly impossible for you to notice.

What Can You Do to Protect Your New Home?

• Before you move into your new home, have a professional pest control company treat it (especially important if it is a new home that has never been treated, or a home that has been vacant for a decent amount of time). This can prevent any problems before they start.
• Repack any boxes that have been stored in the attic, garage, or storage unit before you move them into your new home.
• Throw out all boxes, papers and packing materials as you unpack - don't leave them stacked up around the house.
• Use plastic bins for storage instead of cardboard boxes. (Don’t forget – you can use BungoBoxes for storage by purchasing them).
• If you must use cardboard boxes to store things in your closets, attic and/or garage – seal the contents inside of a plastic bag first, ensuring that there are no tears in it.
• If you see a few bugs – DON’T let it slide, call a professional. One basic service call for preventive is a lot easier to manage and afford than what it will cost if it is allowed to become a bigger problem.

While pests are something that everyone will face from time to time (especially in certain geographic areas), with the right management and awareness – the effect can be very minimal. We want you to enjoy your new home and for your only problems to be what color to paint your walls and where to hang your pictures!

Make a Master Plan

Moving isn’t something to take lightly...

– especially if you are moving an entire family! It is a stressful (and most likely, exciting) time, and with all of the many details that go into making a move, it is likely that something will end up falling through the cracks. It’s because of these things (and the back-breaking labor) that many of us think that moving sucks….but it doesn’t have to!

Having a plan (and sticking to it) can take away a lot of the headache. Start with our tips below and feel free to share your own best moving plan tips in the comments section.

1. Be the Early Bird and Get the Worm:

Determine your move date and start planning as far in advance as possible. It is almost certain that you have more stuff than you think and inevitably, it will take more time than you think.

2. Have a Command Center:

Designate a binder, folder or notebook to organize everything related to the move. Jot down notes from the calls you make to movers, old/new utility companies, notes from your landlord/real estate agent/etc. Make sure there are also pockets to be able to store receipts/contracts/and other info you will accumulate throughout the process. Staying organized will benefit everyone – and it will make it easier for someone else to find the information if you need help.

3. Beat the Clock:

It takes 3-4 hours to pack a typical room. So, the average three bedroom two bath house will take you about 30 to 40 hours of packing time. However, if you use BungoBoxes instead of cardboard it will take you about 30% to 50% less time to pack.

4. Size up the Competition:

Make a list of the rooms in the old house and the new house. Compare the two and determine what will go where. This is also useful for labeling and taking inventory of your boxes.

5. Make a List and Check it Twice:

Now that you have your room list, go room by room and take inventory of what you have and where is it going. This is a great opportunity to make a list of items for a moving sale. Also, take the time to shoot some digital pictures of your belongings, with the list and photos you now have a great asset record that can be used for insurance reasons.

Now, what do you do to help plan for your move?

Choosing a Mover

You have your new place, you’ve made your Moving Plan, you’ve taken care to protect and organize all of your valuables (even that knick-knack collection that you swore you were going to part ways with), and now comes the decision that will test out your packing skills – choosing a mover.

The last thing you want to have to worry about when moving is losing or breaking some of your valuables. It’s part of the moving nightmare when you go to unpack that vase that is going to fit so perfectly in your new dining room – only to discover that it has been cracked or broken. Even the best packing job can’t protect against the impromptu careless game of catch!

Now, if it’s your friends or family tossing the boxes, we can’t really help – but we can offer advice on how to make sure your hired movers aren’t likely to do so! Follow these steps to confirm that the movers you are hiring are going to get your belongings to your new place in one piece:

1. Check Their I.D.:

Choose only movers that are licensed, bonded and insured. If you aren’t sure if a moving company fits this criteria – just ask!

2. Use the Grapevine:

Ask friends, family, real estate agents or just ask us. We will be happy to provide a list of quality movers in your area.

3. Go Back to School:

Research! Check out the Department of Transportation or Moving.org - the website for the American Moving and Storage Association. Another place to look would be the Better Business Bureau and other online review sites.

4. Get it in Writing:

Be cautious of very low bids – sometimes if something sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is! Be sure to get a “Binding Not to Exceed” estimate in writing.

5. Trust Your Gut:

If you’re uncomfortable with a mover, there's usually a valid reason for it. Just move on to the next mover or do it yourself. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.

Keep these tips in mind and hopefully you'll barely have to lift a finger on moving day - well, except for pointing to where you want things to go of course!

If you have had a good (or bad) experience with a moving company in the BungoBox service area - sound off below!