America’s Best High Schools

U.S. News and World Report conducted a first-ever examination of more than 40,000 high schools in 40 states for 2005-06, considering a number of factors which included test scores, classroom profiles and ethnicity of students. One hundred schools earned gold medals, 405 received silver and 1,086 earned bronze.U.S. News said high schools were put through a three-step analysis, using a formula produced in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 data research and analysis business run by Standard & Poor’s. Newsweek published the report showing America’s best high schools. Many families will be faced with relocating this year. One of the first priorities when moving to a new area will be to find out about your new town. Check out the local newspapers, community, and chamber of commerce web sites. One of the factors in choosing a new home is the schools. Parents want their children to get the best education they can. Once the decision has been made to move, the next decision is to find a moving company. Selecting a trusted local or long distance moving company will reduce the stress associated with the move. New York Moving Company, Luck Mover, can help you plan and organize your entire move. They specialize in local and long distance moving. Their professional staff will meet with you to help plan packing, moving and set up at your new home. If you decide to pack your belongings yourself, the New York Movers offer a large selection of moving supplies such as moving boxes and tape. If you are moving over the Holidays and your new home isn’t ready, New York Movers Lucky Mover Company can provide storage. Their climate controlled storage facility is a great place to store your treasured belongings. 

Packing Tips

Packing Tips

A few general things you need to know about packing:

Keep boxes to 50 lbs or less. Put heavy items in small boxes and light items in big boxes.
Pack non-breakables tightly in smaller boxes, so they’re not too heavy.
Buy clean newsprint to wrap items, and bubble wrap for padding.
Pack breakables loosely in plastic storage bins with lots of bubble wrap.
Rent furniture pads.
Mark your boxes by room, so you know exactly where everything goes. Color coding or using a number system works great (i.e., red stickers for bedroom or 1 for bathroom.)
Write “FRAGILE” on all boxes with breakables and stack these boxes on top.

Packing the big things

Beds: Tie bed frames together with tape or rope. Then label the pieces so they’re easy to reassemble.
Bureaus: Fill drawers with clothes or fragile, well-wrapped items. Cover with a blanket or furniture pads and rope securely.
Tables: Remove legs, pad and tie together. Put nuts and bolts in a bag and tape under tabletop.
Big appliances: Empty, defrost and drain the fridge, freezer and dishwasher. Clean the interiors and put accessories in bags. Stuff towels between washer sides to prevent rotating and tape down moveable parts. Cover with blankets and tie.
Computers, TVs, & Electronics: Use original packaging, or buy electronic-specific boxes.

Packing the small (but still important) things

Small appliances: Put your microwave, VCR, etc. into boxes, and cushion with wadded paper.
Books: Pack them flat in small cartons, alternating bindings. Try to keep each box under 30 lbs.
Clothing: Pack hanging items, including drapes, in wardrobe boxes. Leave small items in drawers.
Collectibles: Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap and tape securely.
CDs: Pack upright and cushion with newspaper.
Kitchenware: Stack pots & pans, and cushion with paper. Put a few of these items in the “open first” box.
Dishes: Never stack them flat. Wrap each piece in bubble wrap. Pack plates & saucers on edge, with cups & bowls placed around them.

Packing the awkward things

Chairs: Wrap arms & legs with bubble wrap. Leave slipcovers on or buy chair bags for protection.
Bicycles: Loosen the handlebars and turn them sideways. Cover chains and pedals to keep grease off other items.
Mirrors, artwork & frames: Wrap small pieces in newsprint and pack in mirror boxes. Cover larger pieces with cardboard, tape securely and stand them along the truck’s sides or inside wardrobe boxes.
Lawn furniture: If heavy or bulky, disassemble. Put nuts and bolts in a bag and tie together.
Rugs: Roll up and secure with rope or tape.
Plants: Put in plastic bags with air holes, then in boxes. Water before you leave.
Power and garden tools: Wrap all sharp edges and use plenty of cushioning to prevent injury. Tape long-handled tools together and place small ones in boxes.
Lawn mowers/yard edgers: Empty gasoline from all tanks, and check for oil leaks.
Garage & attic stuff: Use medium-sized boxes for spray paints, brushes, car waxes, etc. Throw away oily rags or anything combustible.
Pets: Always keep them in a pet carrier up front with you. Ask your vet how to make their, and your, move less traumatic.

Odd Little Tips

Here are a few little “odds and ends” tips I found, as well as, told about by a few friends.

Packing Record Albums (I am aging myself!). Pack record albums vertically, rather than flat.

Favorite, if not the most important, items: Pack a box with toilet paper, coffee (and pot), soap, flashlight, screwdriver, can opener, paper plates, cups, and utensils, Load it last so that it will be unloaded first. The microwave should also be the first appliance to come off the truck!

Remove bulbs before packing your lamps. Believe it or not, forgetting to do this is very common.

Have plants? Moving across state lines? Check to see if you can take your plants across state lines. Some states, especially CA are very strict about what comes in. Think fruit flys here! Many prize winning roses have been left behind.

Upon arrival at your new home, let your computer “acclimate” itself to room temperature before plugging it in. They are temperamental little buggers.

Leave the rest to the professionals, sit back and relax (this is the best advice!!). Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips on packing and moving. With over 36 years of experience in the moving industry, no wonder New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is New York City’s

most reliable and reputable moving and storage company.

Additional Ways To Protect Your Dishware

A friend gave me this piece of advice when packing dishware. Place paper or styrofoam plates between the dishes for extra cushion. One thing we all have are cup, tea, and bath towels. They can be used for extra cushion, as well. Why not put them to use instead of just packing them in a box by themselves.

Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips and suggestions on packing moving. With over 36 years of experience in the moving industry, no wonder New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is New York City’s most reliable and reputable moving and storage company. They are fully licensed and insured.

How To Make A Little Extra Dough To Help With Expenses Part II

Ever wonder what type of bargains (treasures) people most often seek out at these events. Well, here is a list of those items most sought after:

Exercise equipment: That equipment that was purchased with good intentions (like the gym membership!) is now probably serving as a clothes rack.We had a stair stepper that served that purpose for several years until my sister took it to use it for what it was intended for. Several years later she took all her clothes off of it and sold it.

Books and records (remember those):These are the single most popular item. Collectors constantly shop garage sales looking for rare finds. Make sure you mention in your ad that you have records!

Furniture: Handy Dan’s love to find pieces that can buy as a “fixer upper.”

Gardening tools:Older well cared for equipment is virtually indestructible. Especially large tools like shovels.

Lamps: Lamps are a garage sale biggie. It is easy to replace a shade and have a unique piece. Alot of people think an old lamp that needs to be rewired is worthless.Doesn’t take much to rewire and Woala.

Planters and vases:The look may not work for you anymore but it will for someone else. These go quickly!

Toys/games: Always popular, especially the older ones.

Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips and suggestions on moving. New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is

New York City’s most reliable and reputable moving and storage company with over 36 years of experience in the moving industry.

Need A Little Extra Dough To Help With Expenses

Moving often means getting rid of a bunch of junk, I mean stuff, that you have accumulated over the years. There is nothing like having a garage sale to help make a little extra money and get rid of stuff at the same time. Kind of like killing two birds with one stone. To keep your sanity and to have a successful sale at the same time, keep in mind the following “advice”8-):

People go to garage sales for bargains. This isn’t Ebay! Ask yourself what you would honestly pay for the item at a garage sale. You may think it is worth $5 but chances are most people won’t pay more than 50 cents for it. Keep pricing simple. If you have alot of items you are selling for the same price. Put in a box or separate table together.

Hit the bank the day before and get lots of $1 and change. Beware of counterfeit bills. Overall people are honest but you would be surprised what gets passed on to the unsuspecting. You can purchase a counterfeiting pen at any office shop to mark the bills you receive. Make it a rule not to give more than $5 or $10 in change and post a sign saying so.You do not want to take a $50 bill for a $1 item.

Be prepared to haggle, especially towards the end of the day. Before you say no, ask yourself do you want to move this back in or haul it to the dump. Forget your pride if you find an offer insulting. Again, would you rather have a few bucks or spend more moving it back into the garage or hauling it to the dump.

Find out who your true friends are. Ask a few to assist your during the sale. Do in shifts so as to not monopolize their time. Have drinks (the adult type if you know what I mean) and food a plenty.

Remember what is junk to you is another man’s treasure. Boy oh boy, do I have a great deal of another man’s treasure in my house!

Let’s continue tomorrow by looking at what are the most popular “treasures”to be found at a garage sale. Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips and suggestions on moving. New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is New York City’s most reliable and reputable moving and storage company with over 36 years of experience in the Moving industry.

Single Ladies Moving Safely Part III

Now that you have moved in and getting settled, here are few final precautions to take to stay safe:

* If there is not already a security system installed, GET ONE ASAP.If your new digs already have one, follow-up with the current security system.If you are not comfortable with them, change immediately.

* Change all of your locks immediately. Ask your realtor for a trusted locksmith.My realtor met with the locksmith and had all of my locks changed the morning I arrived.

* Check all other possible entrances, such as windows or sliding glass doors, to make sure safety precautions are taken.

* If you do not have window treatment, get some type of covering up asap.You do not need to invite any peeping toms.

* Invite a friend (or friends) over when service people are scheduled so you aren’t alone. Never, ever tell a service person you live by yourself even though the service may be in your name only.

Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips and suggestions on packing moving. New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is

New York City’s most reliable and reputable moving and storage company with over 36 years of experience in the moving industry. They are fully licensed and insured.

Single Ladies Moving Safely Part II

D-Day has arrived!Below are a few suggestions to help you have a safe moving day:

* Don’t let your new neighbors know you are moving in alone. They will figure it out soon enough you are single.As state in yesterday’s tips, have someone there with you when the moving truck arrives.

* Ask a trusted friend or relative to guard the moving truck while you, or the mover, are unloading items to your new home. Ask your realtor for assistance in providing a recommendation if you do not know of someone.

* Lock the truck while you are unloading if you aren’t going to be right back! Don’t forget to lock the house between trips to and from the truck if you plan to be outside of the house for any length of time. You never know who is watching.Things can happen to your belongings even in the best of neighborhoods.

* Place valuables in a safe deposit box until you get settled. This includes your silver, jewelry, etc.

* HIDE your purse!If in the car, make sure it is not visible.Keep your id and credit cards separate from your purse and hide them in a different location (even if in your car.).

* Boxes should be labeled based on the room they should go into, not by content. Labeling by content gives away what is inside.

Let’s continue tomorrow for more safety tips for Single Ladies. Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips and suggestions on packing and moving. New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is New York City’s most reliable and reputable moving and storage company with over 36 years of experience in the moving industry.

Single Ladies Moving Safely Part I

There is something to be said for safety in numbers.This can be applied to moving.However, times are changing and more and more single ladies find themselves moving each year for a variety of reasons. Single ladies are far more vulnerable as a target to burglaries and crimes far worse either during or after the move. Planning ahead and following the precautions listed below can ensure you and your belongings have an uneventful and safe move.

Prior to moving

*Don’t tell the world you are moving!Limit who you tell to a few good friends.Take them into your confidence and tell them you would like to keep a secret for safety reasons. Do not let anyone know you are moving alone!

*Try to avoid having packages or mail sent to the new address until you moved in and settled into your new location. If the move is job related, have your mail sent to your office.If this is not possible, get a PO Box for a few months.

*If you have a landlord, tell them not to give out your forwarding address.Most landlords these days will not give out this information due to potential liability issues, however, best to be safe and make sure.

*Hire professional movers! If you are unsure about a moving agency, you can check their reputation through the local Better Business Bureau.

*See if a friend or relative can come stay with you for a few days (until the truck is unloaded and utilities are turned on).Did you buy your home through a realtor?If so, they are usually happy to be of assistance the day your belongings arrive. They are great for helping you to get to know your neighbors and neighborhood, as well.

Let’s continue tomorrow for more safety tips for Single Ladies. Check out the Lucky Mover website (www.luckymover.com) for more tips and suggestions on packing and moving. New York Lucky Mover & Storage, Inc. is New York City’s most reliable and reputable moving and storage company with over 36 years of experience in the moving industry.

Make Sure You Do Not Miss An Edition Of Your Favorite Magazine

How many magazine subscriptions, newspapers, etc. do you take? Whether you receive them monthly or quarterly, let them know your new address at least 45 days in advance. Even though you left your forwarding address with the Post Office, don’t count on your magazines being forwarded to you. Sometimes it takes notifying the publishing house more than once. Contact New York Movers website for more information in planning your move. New York Moving Company can help you with a detailed checklist of services and items you do not want to forget in planning your move.

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