ssmoving

Downsizing your home?

2011-02-01T13:22:00.000-08:00

With the current foreclosure and unemployment rates in the U.S., downsizing can make a lot of sense. If you are able to do a short sale on your home and come out ahead or at least in the black, it’s a great outcome for many Americans.

Downsizing to a smaller home can mean lower utility bills and an overall reduction in living expenses. If you choose to downsize, select a neighborhood that has an lower overall cost of living but is still close to your work or potential place of employment. You’ll save on fuel for your car when commuting and reduce the amount of stress that can accompany this type of transition. A smaller home will also mean savings in terms of time and money on maintenance for your home such as landscaping and housekeeping.

You’ll also want to consider other areas of your overhead that can be reduced to support downsizing. Rather than paying for a home cable entertainment package for example, select a home-delivery film membership such as Netflix. You can visit friends or family for the Super Bowl instead of hosting, which will save money from expenses on entertaining.

When its time to move, you’ll want to hire a mover that can provide cost-effective moving services with superior value. Starving Students has very competitive rates, and you only pay for the time that you actually use. We have low hourly minimums and then we pro-rate time in 15 minute increments thereafter. Ask us about your origin location-specific benefits when you contact us.

The timing of your move is another consideration. Often with a short-sale, you don’t have a lot of lead time to prepare for movers or to make reservations weeks in advance. Starving Students operates with 33 locations in 10 states, and we do thousands of moves every year. We have the resources to schedule your move last minute if need be.

Here are some money saving tips:

If you are able to affect your move date, try and move on weekdays or on non-peak weekends for possibly lower moving rates.
Order your packing supplies in advance at discount pricing and with FREE shipping. Make sure your boxes and furniture are protected for transit and ready to be loaded on the truck for a more efficient, cost and time-effective move.
Ask your Starving Students moving specialist about “Valuation Protection” for your valuable items.
Read our Moving Advice to help you get ready for the move day.

Starving Students wishes you a healthy and properous 2011!

Moving On A Budget

2010-12-15T16:40:00.000-08:00

In response to today's economic woes, Starving Students Moving Company presents moving tips: "How To Move On A Budget". Here are some suggestions on how you can cut costs and relocate your home or office successfully.

1.Determine your budget. If you are hiring movers, you'll need a reasonable budget, which will vary according to the size of your move and how far you are moving. Start by asking friends who did a similar move what their costs were associated and about the details of the move. If you are informed about the rate details, you can make a good comparison and best determine a budget.

2. Book your move in advance. Generally, you’ll receive better pricing if you book farther in advance. Ask about promotions or if there are less expensive days to move. Generally, week days and off-peak days will be at a lower rate and less busy if that’s an option for you.

3. Order Starving Students packing supplies in advance. We offer packing supplies on our website with free shipping to save you money: SSMovers.com . This will save you money on gas too since you won’t be driving around seeking supplies. You might also want to stop by the grocery store for scrap boxes. These aren’t the best for keeping your precious items safe, but they come in handy for extra items you didn’t consider or as packing material for strange-shaped items.

4. Invite friends and family over to help you pack and /or unpack. This is a good time to get together since you are moving, and you are very busy with moving arrangements and final details. Starving Students also offers packing services. If you need assistance packing or unpacking, we are glad to help. If its light packing, we might even be able to do it on the same day as your move.

5. Prepare your furniture for transit before the movers arrive. Starving Students movers are professionals. If we see something that requires more attentive protection, we’ll take the initiative and fortify the bubble wrap on table corners for example. Anything you can do to prepare for the arrival of your movers will speed things up and save you money.

6. Plan the placement of your furniture before the moving day. A lot of time can be lost with difficult to move items. If your movers have trouble taking a large couch downstairs for example, they may have to find an alternate route. Measure furniture and door frames to verify that furniture will fit in your new location and think about where you’d like it to go. This can help you with cable company arrangements as well in case you need new cable connections for your TV.

7. Map the route for your movers. Suggesting the best route for your movers to drive to the new location can increase efficiency. Avoid traffic and roads that are difficult for trucks to maneuver. Make sure that your movers also know the best way to access your new location with your belongings in tow.

We hope these moving tips are helpful. Thanks for viewing!

How To Manage Your Move While Also Working

2010-11-29T15:43:00.000-08:00

We all know how difficult in can be to move. Now add going to work on top of that. If you can't take a day off from work, you'll need to find a way to make this move happen in your free time.

1.Create a check list. We have a check list that you can use as a model to prepare for your move, but you are going to want a more precise, personalized checklist as well to get your moving done in good time. Prioritize what needs to be done and make notes with an audio recorder (likely there is one on your mobile phone) on your way to and from work. That way you'll have a plan of action, and you'll remember those knick knacks that need to be packed.

2. Start collecting boxes. You can get a kit of packing supplies from us in advance with free shipping. Likely, you might need some additional boxes though. Just in case as a backup, contact your local grocery store and ask them to set aside boxes when they stock in the morning. Stop by on your way to work and pick them up. Note that these boxes might also be helpful for wrapping corners of for furniture or art that doesn't fit in the standard art boxes.

3. Request your moving quote via email or instant messenger on your lunch break. This way you can get the moving day reserved and still enjoy your lunch.

4. Ask for help from friends or family. Doesn't hurt to have a helping hand. Plan a packing party for your off hours. Invite as many people as possible so that if people don't show up, you'll have at least one person to make this job easier. Have packing materials and markers available and then go room by room or as far as you can get in 1 day. Then you can label the boxes accordingly for an easier delivery and unpacking process. Be sure play music and to have some food and libations on hand so the visitors don't get antsy.

5. Save beds for last. Set aside a few hours every day to pack up. Just about everything can be packed ahead of the moving day, so try and get started as soon as possible. It's really a drag living with everything in boxes, but if you have precious time to move, better to have everything ready. Get your belongings packed and ready to go in advance. Set aside a few dishes and silverware to eat in the kitchen. Those few items are easy to pack last minute. Then, the morning of the move, Starving Students will bring mattress bags to protect your mattress and disassemble your bed for you as well.

We hope these tips have been helpful. Good luck with your move!

We Put Our Heart Into Every Move -- Since 1973.™

Starving Students Movers

Happy Thanksgiving To Our Loyal Customers!

2010-11-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Starving Students wishes you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This is a time when we can all focus on being grateful for those people, pets, and events that make life great!

Starving Students would like to share our gratitude for our loyal customers who have allowed us to be such an important part of their lives for 37 years.

We look forward to making your life easier for many years to come!

Starving Students Movers
We Put Our Heart Into Every Move - Since 1973 ™

The Best Movers Dallas, Texas Has to Offer

2010-11-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Our moving company prides itself on providing the best movers Dallas, Texas has to offer. Our Dallas, Texas movers are all highly trained professionals. When moving day arrives our movers get the job accomplished, in a timely and careful fashion. The Dallas, Texas movers we provide understand when they are on the job, that they are there to work for you.

We believe when you hire our Dallas Texas, movers you become the boss. This is why our Dallas, Texas movers are there to follow your orders and move things the way you want them to be moved. The moving process can be stressful. However, with our help you can count on having no stress related to worrying about the safety of your personal belongings. Please inform us of any of your moving needs. If you have an item to be moved, which is fragile, please let us know. Our Dallas, Texas movers will be sure to take extra special precautions to ensure the wellbeing of the item.

To ensure that our customers know what to expect on moving day, there is a consultation between the customer and one of our experts, prior to moving day. This conversation will prepare both the customer and our Dallas, Texas movers on what type of move to expect. Our Dallas, Texas movers will arrive at your house with a moving truck and all the necessary tools to get the job done. In most cases our Dallas, Texas movers will travel with you to your new location and assist in setting up all the furniture and other items in your new place. This will help save you both time and frustration. For the best movers Dallas, Texas has to offer contact us today.

Why We Are the Moving Company for You

2010-11-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

We believe we are the moving company for you. As the moving company for you we offer several different vital services, for moving day. A truck and all the necessary moving equipment will be offered by our moving company. Not to mention, as the moving company for you, we have the best trained movers anywhere. We understand how valuable your personal belonging are, which is why we handle everything we move with the utmost care. Learn more about the personality traits, which fit customers of our business.

If you trust companies with experience, we are the moving company for you. We have been around since 1973 and have been helping people move to a new location, ever since. With the experience we have gained, we have perfected the art of moving. If you value your time, we are the moving company for you. We understand that the moving experience can be stressful. The more time you have to feel at home in your new location the better. This is why our movers and packers work in an efficient and timely manner.

If you are on a budget, we are the moving company for you. We have money saving tips for every customer to take advantage of, during their moving experience. Not to mention, a consultation with a professional before every move. This consultation will make sure you know exactly what moving and packing services you are paying for. As a part of the American Moving and Storage Association, you can trust us to provide only the best quality service, for your money.

If you like being in charge, we are the moving company for you. Our moving company understands that when you hire us, you are in charge. Feel free to tell our movers exactly what is on your mind. We take your needs seriously and appreciate your feedback. We make sure we are the moving company for you, by having our customers fill out a survey at their convenience to point out any suggestions. We are constantly trying to improve and make sure we are the moving company for you.

Services You Can Count On, With Our Moving Company

2010-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

Whether you are in need of a long distance moving service or a local moving company, there are certain things you can expect when using our moving company. We believe that we are the best moving company available, because of our standard services we provide.

Every move comes with several services standard. The first thing to expect from our moving company is a consultation with one of our professional moving consultants. This is where you can ask all the questions you may have about the moving process. Our moving company hires the best moving consultants who will understand your questions. After answering any and all questions about your local or long distance move, our consultant will schedule the date and set a moving rate. Our consultants will check back in a few days later to confirm the moving date and also answer any questions, you may have forgotten.

Our moving company provides a truck which is sizable enough to fit all of your valued property. The truck is loaded with all the necessary moving and storage equipment necessary, to move your property, safely. There will be some paperwork given to you to sign on moving day. Our moving company takes pride in knowing our movers are trained professionals. Everything will be loaded and unloaded with care. If possible we will follow you to your new home and place your belongings where you tell us to.

This is all part of our standard moving and storage service. Then once the moving process is completed, we will calculate the cost for you to pay with a credit or debit card. Our moving company gets better and better, because we value the feedback we receive from a survey which will be e-mailed to you down the line, to inform us of any comments you may have. We use this feedback to keep our moving company, the best in the business.

Day Light Savings Reminder (DST)

2010-11-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that no one really talks about daylight savings time anymore? You just depend on your iPhone to automatically put you in touch with the rest of the country's schedule. Well, here's a friendly reminder that daylight savings's end is upon us. You may recall two expressions devised to aid you in properly setting your clock: "Spring Forward" and "Fall Back"? Well since its Fall, we're going to fall back.

Set your clock an hour earlier. Daylight savings starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. This coming Sunday, clocks will be set back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, which becomes 1:00 a.m. local standard time (according to the US Naval Observatory). Note that if you live in Arizona, most of your state won't follow this policy.

The dates for time change have fluctuated over the years according to government policy or to promote energy conservation or even spending (oh yes capitalism strikes again!). It all started back in 1784, when Benjamin Franklin, a very observant man, noticed that because the sun set earlier, people were having to use more candles to light their workspace. He suggested that we could all just change our waking and sleeping hours to work with the natural light of the sun, thereby conserving our important resources.

In 1973, Congress enacted the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act in response to the Arab oil embargo in an effort to cut down on oil consumption. The Department of Transportation says the equivalent of 100,000 barrels of oil each day was saved. According to Michael Downing author of "Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time," in an interview with NPR.org, this is a fallacy. Mr Downing states that the opposite is actually the case in our modern age. It turns out that when we have more daylight in the late hours of the day, we actually tend to go out into the world rather than work or stay home and read by sunlight. And when we go out, we generally drive in our cars and go to stores or restaurants rather than jog in the park. Apparently, the petroleum industry has been a big fan of DST since the 30's because of the additional revenue it brings in. And here's another fun fact: the candy industry has been one of the biggest lobby groups for daylight savings. Prior to 2005, Halloween occurred after we set our clocks back. The idea was that if kids had another hour to trick or treat, they would have more time to get more candy! Since 2007, with inception of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 , Halloween has been included, thus a big win for candy corn (and maybe the corn industry too hmph?). There's some food for thought.

And for the most surprising bit of information that I 'd like to share with you....Congress set aside 150 million dollars to study the impact of daylight savings time. As if 124 years since we first adopted DST, wasn't a great enough case study. And the results? The US Department of Energy released its report to Congress with the main determination that extending DST saves less than 0.5% of total electricity usage over the extension period. Most studies however, including one on Indiana (Indiana didn't adopt DST until 2006) by the Vox organization (http://www.voxeu.org/index.php?q=node/2663), concluded that

"A final component of our analysis is the calculation of costs associated with the estimated effect of DST. We find that the policy costs Indiana households an average of $8.6 million per year in increased electricity bills. We also estimate social costs of increased pollution emissions due to the residential response to be between $1.6 and $5.3 million per year."

So, now that daylight savings is coming to a close, let's all be a bit more aware of our energy expenditure. Get a bike and go for a ride to your friend's house -- enjoy the changing of the leaves. Turn down your thermostat and get your snuggie or maybe its time for a winter girlfriend or boyfriend to keep you warm...however you choose to save our important resources, do so. And remember that age-old adage "waste not, want not".

Here's a tock to remind you:

Election Results

2010-11-04T14:47:00.001-07:00

Here's an easy reference for election results (according to electoral-vote.com.). Congrats to all who won in the mid term elections! And if you're moving to Washington DC, contact Starving Students to make an appointment to move you!

2010 US election results
	Democrat	Republican
US House	185 seats	239 seats
US Senate	52 seats*	46 seats
CA Governor (100% reporting)	54% Brown	41% Whitman
CA US Senate (100% reporting)	52% Boxer	43% Fiorina

Senate Results

State	Democrat	D %	Republican	R %	I	I %	Start	End	Source
Arizona	Rodney Glassman	35%	John McCain*	59%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
California	Barbara Boxer*	48%	Carly Fiorina	47%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
Delaware	Chris Coons	57%	Christine O-Donnell	40%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
Maryland	Barbara Mikulski*	62%	Eric Wargotz	37%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
Nevada	Harry Reid*	50%	Sharron Angle	45%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
Utah	Sam Granato	32%	Mike Lee	62%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
Washington	Patty Murray*	51%	Dino Rossi	49%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election
West Virginia	Joe Manchin	54%	John Raese	43%			Nov 02	Nov 02	Election

House Results

California-03	Ami Bera	43%	Dan Lungren*	51%	GOP
CA-04	Clint Curtis	32%	Tom McClintock*	61%	GOP
California-05	Doris Matsui*	72%	Paul Smith	26%	Dem
CA-06	Lynn Woolsey*	65%	Jim Judd	30%	Dem
CA-07	George Miller*	67%	Rick Tubbs	33%	Dem
CA-08	Nancy Pelosi*	80%	John Dennis	15%	Dem
CA-09	Barbara Lee*	83%	Gerald Hashimoto	12%	Dem
CA-10	John Garamendi*	58%	Gary Clift	38%	Dem
CA-11	Jerry McNerney*	47%	David Harmer	47%	?
CA-12	Jackie Speier*	75%	Mike Moloney	23%	Dem
CA-13	Pete Stark*	72%	Forest Baker	28%	Dem
CA-18	Dennis Cardoza*	58%	Michael Berryhill	42%	Dem
CA-19	Lorraine Goodwin	35%	Jeff Denham	65%	GOP
CA-20	Jim Costa*	49%	Andy Vidak	51%	GOP
CA-21	(Unopposed)	00%	Devin Nunes*	99%	GOP
CA-22	(Unopposed)	00%	Kevin McCarthy*	99%	GOP
CA-23	Lois Capps*	57%	Tom Watson	38%	Dem
CA-24	Timothy Allison	40%	Elton Gallegly*	60%	GOP
CA-29	Adam Schiff*	65%	John Colbert	32%	Dem
CA-30	Henry Waxman*	65%	Chuck Wilkerson	32%	Dem
CA-31	Xavier Becerra*	84%	Stephen Smith	16%	Dem
CA-32	Judy Chu*	71%	Ed Schmerling	29%	Dem
CA-33	Karen Bass	86%	James Andion	14%	Dem
CA-34	Lucille Roybal-Allard*	77%	Wayne Miller	23%	Dem
CA-35	Maxine Waters*	79%	Bruce Brown	21%	Dem
CA-36	Jane Harman*	60%	Mattie Fein	35%	Dem
CA-37	Laura Richardson*	69%	Star Parker	23%	Dem
CA-38	Grace Napolitano*	74%	Robert Vaughn	26%	Dem
CA-39	Linda Sanchez*	64%	Larry Andre	32%	Dem
CA-40	Christina Avalos	33%	Ed Royce*	67%	GOP
CA-46	Ken Arnold	38%	Dana Rohrabacher*	62%	GOP
CA-47	Loretta Sanchez*	51%	Van Tran	42%	Dem
CA-48	Beth Krom	36%	John Campbell*	60%	GOP
CO-03	John Salazar*	46%	Scott Tipton	50%	GOP
CT-01	John Larson*	62%	Ann Brickley	37%	Dem
DE-AL	John Carney	57%	Glen Urquhart	41%	Dem
MD-01	Frank Kratovil*	42%	Andy Harris	55%	GOP
MD-02	Dutch Ruppersberger*	64%	Marcelo Cardarelli	33%	Dem
MD-04	Donna Edwards*	84%	Robert Broadus	16%	Dem
MD-05	Steny Hoyer*	64%	Charles Lollar	35%	Dem
MD-06	Andrew Duck	33%	Roscoe Bartlett*	62%	GOP
MD-07	Elijah Cummings*	75%	Frank Mirabile	23%	Dem
MD-08	Chris Van Hollen*	73%	Michael Philips	25%	Dem
NV-01	Shelley Berkley*	62%	Kenneth Wegner	35%	Dem
NV-02	Nancy Price	33%	Dean Heller*	63%	GOP
NV-03	Dina Titus*	47%	Joe Heck	48%	GOP
Texas-01\	(Unopposed)	00%	Louie Gohmert*	90%	GOP
\Texas-03\	John Lingenfelder	31%	Sam Johnson*	66%	GOP
\TX-04\	VaLinda Hathcox	22%	Ralph Hall*	73%	GOP
Texas-05	Tom Berry	28%	Jeb Hensarling*	71%	GOP
TX-06	David Kozad	31%	Joe Barton*	66%	GOP
TX-08	Kent Hargett	18%	Kevin Brady*	80%	GOP
TX-11	James Quillan	15%	Mike Conaway*	81%	GOP
TX-12	Tracey Smith	25%	Kay Granger*	72%	GOP
TX-13	(Unopposed)	00%	Mac Thornberry*	87%	GOP
TX-14	Robert Pruett	24%	Ron Paul*	76%	GOP
TX-15	Ruben Hinojosa*	56%	Eddie Zamora	42%	Dem
TX-16	Silvestre Reyes*	58%	Tim Besco	37%	Dem
TX-17	Chet Edwards*	37%	Bill Flores	62%	GOP
TX-19	Andy Wilson	19%	Randy Neugebauer*	78%	GOP
TX-20	Charlie Gonzalez*	64%	Clayton Trotter	34%	Dem
TX-21	Laney Melnick	28%	Lamar Smith*	69%	GOP
TX-23	Ciro Rodriguez*	44%	Quico Canseco	49%	GOP
TX-24	(Unopposed)	00%	Kenny Marchant*	82%	GOP
TX-25	Lloyd Doggett*	53%	Donna Campbell	45%	Dem
TX-26	Neil Durrance	31%	Michael Burgess*	67%	GOP
TX-27	Solomon Ortiz*	47%	Blake Farenthold	48%	GOP
TX-28	Henry Cuellar*	56%	Bryan Underwood	42%	Dem
TX-30	Eddie Bernice Johnson*	76%	Stephen Broden	22%	Dem
TX-31	(Unopposed)	00%	John Carter*	83%	GOP
TX-32	Grier Raggio	35%	Pete Sessions*	63%	GOP
UT-01	Morgan Bowen	24%	Rob Bishop*	69%	GOP
UT-02	Jim Matheson*	51%	Morgan Philpot	46%	Dem
UT-03	Karen Hyer	23%	Jason Chaffetz*	72%	GOP
VA-01	Krystal Ball	35%	Rob Wittman*	64%	GOP
Virginia-02	Glenn Nye*	42%	Scott Rigell	53%	GOP
Virginia-03	Bobby Scott*	70%	Chuck Smith	27%	Dem
VA-04	Wynne LeGrow	38%	Randy Forbes*	62%	GOP
VA-05	Tom Perriello*	47%	Robert Hurt	51%	GOP
VA-06	(Unopposed)	00%	Bob Goodlatte*	77%	GOP
VA-07	Rick Waugh	34%	Eric Cantor*	59%	GOP
VA-08	Jim Moran*	61%	Patrick Murray	37%	Dem
VA-09	Rick Boucher*	46%	Morgan Griffith	51%	GOP
VA-10	Jeff Barnett	34%	Frank Wolf*	64%	GOP
VA-11	Gerry Connolly*	49%	Keith Fimian	49%	?
Arizona	Terry Goddard	42%	Jan Brewer	55%		GOP
California	Jerry Brown	54%	Meg Whitman	41%		Dem
Maryland	Martin O'Malley	56%	Bob Ehrlich	42%		Dem
Nevada	Rory Reid	41%	Brian Sandoval	53%		GOP
Texas	Bill White	42%	Rick Perry	55%		GOP
Utah	Peter Corroon	32%	Gary Herbert	64%		GOP

www.SSMovers.com

QR Codes and Savvy Shopping Devices

2010-10-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

New wave in Marketing & a helpful moving tip.
Maybe you've seen the square black and white pixelated graphic boxes in magazines or store front windows? QR codes allow you to access special product information. QR code readers are available currently for smart phones such as RedLaser, which I've personally used and enjoy. The iPhone for example has several apps both free and for purchase that allow you to read bar codes on products as well. You can look up pricing for products to compare before you buy, which can be a quick return if you are at the store and want to see if the price is right. And with the added expenses of moving, doesn't hurt to save on
packing supplies or purchases for your new home like boxes, tape, bubble wrap, furniture pads, packing supplies in general.