Moving on a Budget

"Most people don't plan to fail, they just fail to plan."

Heard that one before?  Probably because it's true.  That's what makes a cliche' a chliche'.  There's your fortune cookie wisdom of the day. 

Moving can be expensive, it can be strenous, and stressful.  However, it DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.  In fact, I down right believe it shouldn't be.  What's the missing factor?  You got it...PLANNING.

I've seen situations where people are moving and on their very moving day they are packing up boxes and such.  That is insane!  This is why moving can get expensive...if you do not plan and prepare in advance you take more trips than you need or rent a truck bigger (therefore more money) than you need.  Other things that people do that make moving more stressful is not have all of their important paperwork handy.  If you are in a rush to pack then you put away your documents you will need for your movef (mortgage papers, licensing documents, etc.)  The list virtually goes on and one.

The thing about this piece of information is that it isn't mind boggling.  It's simple.  Plain and simple.  No frills about it, however, it is POTENT.  Planning will take all the stress out of a move and put a lot more money in your pocket.  When you plan, you have time to research and repair, which can be mind-saving later on.

At the end of the day things will still go wrong and you may feel stress bubbles start to well up, but at least you've minimized it drastically by being prepared.  Chalk one up to the boyscouts for that lesson!  Time goes by fast either way, so why not do things daily to get ahead.

P.S.  Notice that planning makes many more things manageable...not just a move!

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Moving Preparations

Wow! A move can take a lot of time and energy to plan and execute. However, each minute is pretty exciting. Honestly, I really consider myself an expert at moving. My husband and I have moved about a dozen times in the 7 years we've been married, and I went to 7 different schools from Kindergarten through High School. Needless to say we've got most of it down pat.

One of the things I was concerned about in this out of state move is the amount of personal items that would be able to come along with us. As always the longer you spend in one place, the more you end up accumulating. Most of your accumulations are needless in terms of material value, but boy do we put an emotional price tag on those things.

Every time we move, I make it through our closets, shelves, garages, drawers, and any other crevice where space used to reside. In each of those places I go over all of the things I've stashed there for some unforetold future moment. The part I'm most proud of is that I actually do part ways with most things. I mean, really, who wants to lift and move things that aren't necessary?

This time, we're moving with as little as we can and we're just planning on building up our belongings from scratch when we arrive to the east coast. That is a venture I'm truly looking forward to. Who wants a fresh start with all your old stuff? However, for the must-take items I found a solution to a huge space dilema...the almighty SPACE BAG! No one is paying me to say this about the product, so this tidbit is my own two sense.

I went to Walmart and found them for sale and because of them I will be able to fit about 75% more clothing and bedding items that I would not be able to have taken with me given the limited space in an automobile. Not to mention once we're home, the pillows and blankets and clothing items not in use will take up minimal space once I put them in these storage containers.

So it is with a full hearted approval that I recommend these bags in your move. Even if you're just moving across town. When you move, you want to take the least amount of items with you and this is a great way to go.

More on our moving experience to come...

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What's the Change?

Writing is as theraputic for the writer as it is for the reader. My last post consisted of how to deal with change and as I applied the three steps I wrote about, I felt better about the change happening in my life.

What change could this be? I'm moving cross-country! My husband and I have an opportunity to move back to my home state of New Jersey...yes The Garden State! This won't be the first time I've moved out of state, and in fact this long distance move is taking me back to the familiar. so it shouldn't have been so scary, but for some reason, the thought almost petrified me at first.

Maybe it's because I'm older or maybe jus because it still lies in the unknown, but I worked on myself in order to feel good about what we are doing...and now: I feel great, fired up and very excited. Although everyone we've told so far just crinkles their nose and says , new Jersey?" as if I just told them I was dying my hair purple.

Yes world, we are moving to New freakin' Jersey...and since that is where my hometown is, I couldn't be prouder!

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What Happens in Pocatello, Stays in Pocatello...

For those of you yet unaware, Pocatello is a booming metropolis in the great state of Idaho! That's where our Seminar was held this weekend. It was a great experience. The best thing about big events is the fact that you get to surround yourself with like minded people. People who want to do more with their lives than just watch TV and go to BBQs. You know? The kind of people who wake up in the morning with passion and are hungry for great opportunities.

It's not to say that certain people are naturally that way. We all are born with equal capabilities, and if we really want to do something great we all can. It's just as easy as a decision. Once you know what your mission is, then it is simple to move towards that!

The guest speakers were business owners in their 30's named Allan and Nicole Medrano. They are completely financially independent and are living a dream life. Now, they had to work hard to get where they are, but it is all worth it in the end. They talked of their struggles in getting started in the financial services business. That at ages of early 20s they were always dealing with many obstacles. Always learning and getting better, but at the same time always taking action and working hard.

A defining moment that they had is when Nicole's mom needed money for her rent payment and came and asked her for some help. Nicole somehow scrounged up the $300 she was needing and as she handed her the money, her mom said, "I'll pay you back." What bothered Nicole the most was that she couldn't say "Don't worry about it mom" because Nicole, at the time, really needed that money also.

It was at that moment she decided she was going to do something with her life and take her freedom seriously. She was going to work hard and make something of herself and be the 'go-to' person in her family. I think inherently, we all want to be that person for those we love. Now, after a run in the business world, whenever her mom needs help she is able to be there for her. A couple of months ago her mom's transmission blew out. It costs $4200 to fix it, and Nicole and Allan were able to say "No problem." Their brother was getting married and needed $5000 for some of the wedding expenses; again they were able to hand it over and not miss it.

That's what life is all about. It's about making a difference. So often, the people that need a difference in their own life are the ones that are closest to you.

It was a pleasure to speak at that event, also. Public speaking has always been fun for me. This crowd was about 150 people in size, so not too overwhelming. My message was about an incentive trip our company is offering to Maui/Vegas...so exciting!

Big events cause big changes in life. It's exciting to know that I have an opportunity to change my family's tree forever. Although it may seem like a lot of pressure, I look at it as a great chance to do something special. After all, that's what we came down to earth for, anyway!

TO GREATNESS!

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