Making the Move with Roommates

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Administrator

While living with other people can work; it can be tricky. The last thing you want is to choose a roommate you can’t get along with, as it can take months to get rid of an unruly roommate. So here are a few tips for selecting someone to live with:

Be Very, Very Picky
Closely screen all candidates, no matter how great they appear on the surface. Have a list of questions prepared so you don’t miss anything important, and don’t be afraid to get person – this person is going to end up living in your space.

Put Up the Fence
Before inviting someone to live in your home, establish some clear boundaries and rules before either party signs on the dotted line. Items to cover can include chores, schedules, and having other people over. By getting this discussion out of the way you can ensure that you are both clear on who’s responsible for what.

Get a Room
If at all possible, even if it costs more, get your own room. Having a private retreat to head to after work or when you want some rest and relaxation can make all the difference.

Get Out
No matter how much you like your new roommate(s) it’s still important to get out and about. Doing so gives your roommate his/her personal time, as well as letting you each have some time away from each other so you can get along better when you are both home.

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Winter Moving Tips

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Administrator

Who wants to move in the winter? No one! However, sometimes it just can’t be helped. Here are a few tips to make the move go as smoothly as possible.

Everyone Stay Warm
Nothing is as miserable as people who are cold – so dress warm for moving day! Remember to layer your clothing, wear warm socks and put on good winter boots. A toque and gloves will also help to retain body heat while you are moving boxes. If the day is really miserable you may want to pick up some instant heat packs for the ends of your boots and gloves.

Check Ahead
If you are moving more than a few kilometres it can pay to check ahead and see what road conditions are like. No one wants to get stuck on the highway, and if conditions are bad you may be better off staying an extra night in your old home if possible. Double check your gas and tire pressure before you leave, and invest in a good emergency kit. It always pays to be prepared!

Turn Up the Heat
Make sure the heat in your new home is turned on at least 24 hrs before you move in, so you don’t have to wait to warm up. You also may need to recruit someone to shovel the driveway and walkways before you and the moving party arrives. Keep a few thermoses of coffee and hot chocolate on hand in case anyone needs a quick warm up, and remember to have fun!

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Moving to Winnipeg this Winter?

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Administrator

Moving in the winter is never a fun task, particularly if you are moving to Winnipeg. Being prepared can help you to avoid a long, miserable day and instead can help you to have quick and easy move. Here are a couple of  tips:

Don’t Forget to Dress Warm
To stay warm during a Winnipeg winter you’ll need layers, and lots of them. At the minimum you should have a base layer (polyester), one or two mid layers (lightweight wool / polyester mix / fleece) and an outer layer (shell or parka). Also ensure you cover your hands, face, neck, and wear warm socks.

Friendly Faces
There are tons of reasons to move to Winnipeg, especially to meet lots of friendly people and to have a chance to enjoy both city and rural living.

Enjoy the Scene
Winnipeg has an excellent arts and culture scene, as well as many fabulous restaurants. You can take in a play or musical at the beautiful Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. The theatre also regularly features operas, classical music, ballets, and children’s shows. Meanwhile, the city has a range of restaurants, from comfort food to high end gourmet.

Embrace the Cold
There’s lots of outdoor activities in Winnipeg in the winter, so grab your gloves and toque and get ready for a great time! Whether it’s carnivals, skating, ice carving, or relaxing by a roaring bonfire you can find lots to do this winter. See the Travel Manitoba site for more.

Tantalize Tastebuds
Hungry? There’s certainly no shortage of great places to eat in Winnipeg. Home to over 1,000 restaurants Winnipeg is a perfect place to explore a Culinary Adventure.
And here you thought you’d be in for a long, boring winter. Not in Winnipeg!

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The Essentials: Ensuring you Have What you Need

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Administrator

The absolute worst part of moving to a new home is those first few days where you can’t locate anything. Usually these are the times where you need to locate an important document, find your bathroom items, or even a screwdriver to make a quick fix to a lopsided hinge. This is why it is so important to set aside a few key items, properly labelled, so you can ensure that they are easy to find once you move in.

Here is a list of items to consider putting aside:
· Important Numbers: Double-check that your address book or cell phone have all the essential numbers you need, particularly since it could be a few days before your internet is up and running. Also add numbers for local handymen, your phone company and hydro provider.
· Bathroom Items: Having a shower and clean teeth may seem second nature, but you may not be thinking about it when you pack up. Set aside some towels, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, and toothbrushes.
· Change of Clothes: Pack a bag with a minimum one change of clothes per family member, plus pyjamas. This gives you at 12-24 more hours before you have to locate and unpack clothing.
· Toolbox, etc.: Keep your toolbox handy just in case, plus some paper towels, light bulbs, and batteries.
· Kitchen Essentials: Mark one box for immediate unpacking which contains a set of plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery for each family member. It may be a few days before you get a chance to unpack the rest of your kitchen.
· Cleaning Items: In case the previous owner did a lacklustre job have some all purpose cleaner, gloves, a sponge, and window cleaner set aside.
· Toys! Toys! Toys!: So your kids aren’t miserable have a basket of toys, books, and coloring for them to play with while you move. A new DVD probably wouldn’t hurt either.

Now that you know the essential items, make a plan to have them placed into the moving truck last so they can be unpacked first.

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Moving Tips: Don’t Forget Change of Address Forms

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Administrator

For many people, the sheer number of details that must be attended to during a move can be overwhelming. First you have to find a dependable Winnipeg moving company. Then you have to pack up the entire house, often in a matter of weeks.

But one of the most important things you’ll do before a move is to notify businesses, colleagues, family and friends of your new address and phone number. You’ll keep personal information secure, by preventing receipt of personal financial correspondence at your old address. Here are some important tips to remember during this notification process.

(1) Observe notification deadlines. Many government agencies such as the post office require advance address change notification. For example, Canada Post recommends that you submit a change of address form at least three days in advance of your move. And you can always do it a little sooner than recommended.

(2) Check for online forms when available. As most people have access to the Internet, submitting address and phone updates via online or printable forms from websites can save time and frustration. Your local Winnipeg mover often has links to change of address forms on their website. Just understand that some businesses (like credit card companies and banks) may need independent verification of the changes, ensuring that you are not falling victim to identity theft.

(3) Create pre-printed postcards. It’s always nice to send a handwritten note, but if you have a large list of friends and family members, you may want to invest in postcards with your new address already printed. You can always add a personal note and let the recipient know when you’ll be settled in your new home. Another idea is to enclose a pre-printed address label (ready to be pasted in an address book) in your correspondence.

Using these strategies will help you keep your most important correspondents in the loop and ensure that you don’t miss an important piece of mail.

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