Published on: 03 December 2018
Last Updated on: 05 November 2024
Whether you are moving your family to another home or moving your business to a better location, moving can be a stressful endeavor. There are many moving parts, so to speak, and it can be overwhelming—especially on moving day. So many problems can arise, from lost or damaged items to your residential or commercial movers failing to provide proper mover’s insurance.
There are some proactive steps that you can take now to make moving much more tolerable. While they will not avoid every single problem, they will prevent headaches when working with your residential or commercial movers. Here are the five most important things to know before moving from your home or business.
1. Create a Moving Checklist:
Eight to ten weeks before you plan on moving, it is extremely helpful to create a moving checklist. On this checklist should be a collection of items that you want to move or throw out, when you should begin (and finish) packing your items, and records that you may need to transfer. While you may end up diverting from your schedule during the actual move, putting in the work at the beginning will clarify your thinking and will help you feel ready to move on your actual moving day.
2. Notify All Appropriate Parties:
This is especially critical if you are moving a business. You must notify customers, suppliers, and other relevant parties about where (and when) you are moving. If you are moving homes, you’ll want to notify friends and family about your new address. It is much better to do this before you actually move.
3. Do Your Research:
Make sure to take your time before retaining workers for your move. While you can do some thorough research on Google, word of mouth may be much more valuable—especially if a trusted friend or family member had a great experience with particular movers. Along with this, you’ll want to evaluate important questions about the moving process, including your budget to hire movers and whether they offer moving insurance.
4. Collect Extra Packing Supplies:
It always helps to have more packing supplies than you need. You don’t want to be looking for extra tape or boxes on moving day. Even though you may find it “inefficient” to have extra supplies, it is worse to make one extra trip to purchase boxes, markers, or even bubble wrap the day before—or the day of—your move.
5. Clearly Separate and Mark Your Boxes:
It is better to stay organized than throw random items in your moving boxes. By making it clear that certain items are in certain boxes, your movers will take extra care when handling certain boxes and will place boxes in their appropriate rooms, which will save you time and effort once your movers leave.
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By following any or all of these tips above, you will make your move—whether commercial or residential—much easier. We wish you all the best in your upcoming move!
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If you have kids, you know how expensive it can be to buy them new clothes, toys, books, and other items. Kids grow fast, and their tastes and preferences change often. Buying everything new can put a strain on your budget and create a lot of waste.
That's why many parents opt for hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for their kids. Hand-me-downs are items that are passed down from older siblings, relatives, or friends. Second-hand finds are items that are bought or acquired from thrift stores, garage sales, online platforms, or other sources.
Keep on reading to learn more…
How to Make the Most Out of Hand-Me-Downs?
In the era of fast fashion and quickly outgrown children's clothes, buying everything new can get very expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for savvy parents to cut costs by making use of hand-me-downs and second-hand items. Read on for tips on how to source, care for, and refresh these gems for your little ones.
Here are some of the tips that you can use to make the most of the hand-me-downs:
Sort and Store
One of the first things you must do is sort and store your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds properly. This will help you keep track of what you have, what you need, and what you can pass on to others.
Sort your items by size, season, and category. For example, you can have separate bins or boxes for winter clothes, summer clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, books, etc. Label them clearly and keep them in a dry and clean place.
Store your items in a way that preserves their quality and prevents damage. For example, you can use vacuum-sealed bags, plastic containers, or cedar chests to protect your items from dust, moisture, insects, and mold. You can also use hangers, dividers, or organizers to keep your items neat and tidy.
Check your items regularly and get rid of anything that is stained, torn, worn out, or outdated. You can donate, sell, or recycle your unwanted items or use them for crafts or other purposes.
Mix and Match
Another thing you need to do is to mix and match your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds with your kids' existing wardrobe and preferences. This will help you create some fun and stylish outfits for your kids and make them feel comfortable and confident in their clothes. You should try to mix and match:
Colors, patterns, and textures. For instance, you can pair a solid-colored shirt with a floral dress or a plaid skirt with a denim jacket. You can also mix and match different fabrics, such as cotton, wool, silk, or leather. This will add some variety and interest to your kids' outfits.
Styles and trends. For example, you can combine a vintage sweater with a modern pair of jeans, or a classic dress with a trendy pair of sneakers. You can also mix and match different genres, such as casual, formal, sporty, or bohemian. This will give your kids some personality and flair in their outfits.
Accessories and details. For example, you can add a belt, a scarf, a hat, or a necklace to your kids' outfits. You can also add some buttons, patches, stickers, or pins to your kids' clothes. This will give your kids some fun and creative touches in their outfits.
Customize and Personalize
The last thing you must do is customize and personalize your hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for your kids. This will help you make your items fit better, look better, and feel better for your kids. It will also help you express your kids' individuality and uniqueness.
Customize your items to fit your kids' size and shape. For example, you can hem, alter, or resize your items to make them fit your kids better. You can also add some elastic, buttons, or snaps to your items to make them more adjustable and comfortable.
Customize your items to suit your kids' style and taste. For example, you can dye, bleach, or paint your items to change their color or pattern. You can also cut, rip, or distress your items to give them some edge or character.
Personalize your items to reflect your kids' interests and hobbies. For example, you can embroider, applique, or print your items with your kids' names, initials, or monograms. You can also decorate your items with your kids' favorite characters, animals, or symbols.
Sourcing Quality Second-hand Pieces
You can uncover great used pieces from friends and family, charity shops, and online marketplaces. When accepting offers of hand-me-downs, don't feel you need to take everything you're given. Politely decline items that are overly worn or stained, and only keep pieces that are still in good condition.
For second-hand shopping, hit up charity shops in more affluent neighbourhoods where higher quality kit is often donated. Check items thoroughly for flaws and be selective in your purchases. Online, sites like eBay, Depop and Vinted offer everything from babygrows to bikes being sold on by other parents, helping you make the most of your budget or fostering allowance.
Caring for Hand-Me-Downs
To maximise the longevity of hand-me-downs and second-hand items, properly launder and care for them before passing them on to your little one. Check clothing labels and wash items according to fabric type. Mend any small holes, broken zippers or loose buttons.
For items like bikes or baby gear, inspect them thoroughly and replace any worn parts. Give everything a thorough cleaning to remove grime and make sure pieces are fresh for their new owner.
Refreshing & Repurposing Finds
Sometimes second-hand stuff just looks, well, second-hand. Luckily there are inexpensive ways to give things new life. For clothes, accessories and soft toys, a spot clean followed by a wash in Oxiclean or similar can freshen up fabrics.
Embellish with ribbons, embroidered patches or appliqués to add decorative flair. Turn that dull vest into a one-of-a-kind piece your child will love. Repurpose old pieces too - vintage babygrows make adorable doll clothes, and adult t-shirts can be made into dresses.
Making Second-hand Finds Feel Special
Hand-me-downs and pre-loved items often come with a history. Share what you know about an item’s origins with your little one - they’ll love having their own “special story” attached to their clothes and toys.
Help them personalize pieces by adding custom touches like initials or fun fabric paint designs. And display their second-hand treasures proudly by letting them select special books or toys for their rooms. Soon these pre-used gems will hold pride of place in your child’s heart.
Additional Tips
Check items’ safety before passing to little ones - no small broken parts, frayed edges etc.
Store off-season clothing rotated with your child’s growth
Mix second-hand pieces with new ones in your child’s wardrobe
Pass pieces along to younger friends/family members when outgrown
Sourcing and caring for pre-loved items takes a bit more effort than just popping out for new gear. But with some time and creative vision, you can kit out your kids in great finds without breaking the bank. And by giving their clothes and toys a history, you’ll add an extra layer of love.
Bottom Line
Hand-me-downs and second-hand finds can be a great way to save money, reduce waste, and give your kids some unique and quality items. However, they can also pose some challenges, such as finding the right size, style, and condition for your kids. By following these tips and tricks, you can make the most of hand-me-downs and second-hand finds for your kids.
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As people go older, they tend to need more help tackling day-to-day tasks. When it comes to your parents, the level of support they’ll need from you will most likely escalate as they age, so the practicalities of how you can be of use to them will shift and change. If your parents are still relatively young then you may not have considered the implications that come with their aging, like the fact that you may have to take on a caregiving role, provide emotional support, and help them out with activities and practical tasks more regularly. Here are a few ways you can help if your parents are beginning to need more support.
Help them find the right housing:
If your parents are no longer comfortable or receiving the care they need in their current property, it may be time to assist them with selling their home and finding a house that suits their needs better throughout the aging process. If there are significant health issues involved then you may need to look into aged care facilities with round-the-clock professional care. If they’re still relatively active, you could help them look into retirement villages brisbane southside to find a new property where they’ll be surrounded by other retired people in a comfortable, relaxed environment.
Provide transport assistance:
Getting around easily can become difficult as your parents grow older. After a certain age or if particular health problems are involved, they may not feel comfortable driving anymore. In this case, you can provide plenty of practical help on a regular basis by offering them lifts whenever they need to get to the shops, visit a local social group, or make it to their appointments on time.
Open up your home:
For some adults, the best way they can provide practical care for their elderly parents is by inviting them into their homes. Your parents cared for you as a child, and there comes a point where these roles may be reversed. If you have space, time, and means to provide your elderly parent with the care they need from the comfort of your own home, this can be ideal. It allows them to have the company of beloved family members at all times, as well as help with all of the important daily tasks they may be struggling with. Improving your home is certainly a must when it comes to providing a better lifestyle for your elderly parents. For example, you check out the adjustable hospital beds from SonderCare and buy one to improve the quality of sleep and prevent bedsores.
Attend appointments together:
If your parent has a health problem that requires ongoing treatment, consider coming along with them to their appointments to provide moral support as well as taking on an advocacy role. If they are unsure of what treatment to choose, can’t understand things as well as they used to, or need support explaining what they want from their doctors, you can be there to speak up for them and make sure they’re getting the care they deserve.
Help them to maintain an active lifestyle:
Staying as active and social as possible is a great way to maintain good health, lifestyle and ward off depression and loneliness in old age. You can help your parents do that by researching local social groups that they might like, making sure they have a way to attend, and going out with them regularly for walks or to take part in activities they enjoy.
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If you are considering becoming a foster carer, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether short-term or long-term fostering better suits your situation and preferences. Both short and long-term fostering play vital roles for children in need but require different levels of commitment and have different rewards and challenges.
This article will explore the key differences to help you determine which option may be the better fit for you.
Providing Immediate Support with Short-term Fostering
Short-term fostering, also referred to as emergency or respite fostering, involves temporarily caring for a child or sibling group for anywhere from one night up to two years.
Reasons children may need short-term care include:
Their regular foster home is not available for a period
A permanent placement option is being sought for the child by the fostering agency
The child’s home situation is unsafe, and care is urgently needed while next steps are determined
As a short-term carer, you would provide stability, comfort and reassurance while the child’s longer-term placement is finalized. It can be extremely rewarding to know you are providing vital immediate support at a time of uncertainty and crisis. However, saying goodbye can also be emotionally difficult.
Short-term fostering also requires high flexibility as placements may be made urgently. It suits those whose work and personal life enable them to adapt plans at short notice when placements come up.
Providing a Consistent Loving Home with Long-term Fostering
Those who become long-term foster carers take on more responsibility for consistency and continuity in the child's development.
Reasons a child may need long-term care include:
Court orders preventing them from safely returning to their birth family
Their parents agree that fostering is best for the child’s stability
Efforts towards adoption or placement with relatives are being explored
As a long-term carer, you support the child to feel safe, secure, and cared for despite the uncertainty around where they will ultimately live as an adult. You attend school events, and medical appointments and participate in hobbies alongside them.
The aim is to reduce the amount of change and upheaval the child must cope with. This care helps them develop securely. Saying goodbye when an adoptive family or relatives are found can be extremely difficult emotionally. However, some long-term foster carers maintain contact which eases the transition.
Assessing Your Suitability
When weighing up short versus long-term fostering, reflect honestly on questions such as:
Could you grow attached to a child knowing care would not be permanent?
Would you feel comfortable looking after children with little advance notice?
Do you have space in your life for extensive long-term commitments?
How might foster impact others in your household?
Seeking guidance from fostering agencies on what each role involves day-to-day is crucial. Be open about any apprehensions you may have too. Exploring the pros and cons in an honest, self-reflective way empowers you to know which option is the best match.
Whilst all foster care has emotional highs and lows, understanding what you feel able to manage realistically is key to being the support these children truly need.
Reflecting on whether emergency or routine care suits your situation better clarifies if short or long-term fostering is your calling. Most importantly, follow your instincts as you consider this life-changing, highly commendable commitment.
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