When you move to a new house, cooking can be challenging. Not just the first or second meal, but for the first weeks and even months while you still discover favorite bowls and utensils tucked far away, deep in a box that landed in the wrong room or didn’t look important when you first moved in.

But don’t dismay – we’ve gathered a list of 10 meals that can be made with a microwave, one microwave-safe dish, and one utensil (plus groceries, of course!) so you can cook when you have just one kitchen box unpacked and ready to go.

#1 – Potato Chip Hotdish

A guilty pleasure, potato chip hotdish is made by tossing rich pantry staples into a casserole dish and microwaving until hot. It’s really that easy!

You can find the full recipe here: https://www.bigoven.com/recipe/potato-chip-hotdish/1795318.

#2 – Ham-Wrapped Pickles

You don’t even need a microwave to make this decadent lunch or snack; just pickles, sliced lunch meat, cream cheese, and a spoon or a knife.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a shot: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/ham-pickle-wraps/

#3 – Easy Microwave Chicken Divan

You can make a pan of delicious chicken for supper with just a few pantry staples, including a couple of cans of chicken and parmesan cheese. Consider serving it over baked potatoes to make it more filling.

The whole recipe is here: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/236969/easy-microwave-chicken-divan/

#4 – Microwave Fried Rice

Are you craving Chinese food during the first week in your new house? This recipe has you covered! It takes less than ten ingredients and less than 10 ten minutes, and best yet – you need just a bowl, a mug, and a spoon.

You can find the full (and easy) recipe here: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-fried-rice

#5 – 4-Minute Chicken Quesadilla

You’ll have to use either canned chicken or store-bought grilled/fully-cooked chicken for this one, but it’s super quick (just a couple of minutes), super festive, and super easy even if you haven’t unpacked yet.

You can find everything you need to know here: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-4-minute-chicken-quesadilla

#6 – Omelete In a Mug

Try this delicious omelet in a mug! Aside from just four ingredients, you only need a mug and fork.

You can find the whole (tiny) recipe here: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-3-minute-omelette-in-a-mug

#7 – Barbeque Chicken Nachos

Craving food that doesn’t taste like it was made in the microwave? These decadent nachos have you covered. Of course, they require a few more ingredients (still less than 10), but all you need is a plate and a bowl for this easy finger food!

Here’s the recipe: https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-4-minute-bbq-chicken-nachos

#8 – Microwave Mac ‘n Cheese

For single-serving macaroni & cheese with just four real ingredients (water, salt, and pepper don’t count), try this quick and easy recipe from Tasty!

https://tasty.co/recipe/microwave-5-minute-mac-n-cheese

Moving is chore enough in itself; take care of yourself by keeping the most important things close to the truck’s door and using these great easy recipes to take the pressure off during the first week!

A woman owns an average of 19 pairs of shoes, while most men own between 10 and 20 pairs, depending on their lifestyles. If you plan a household move, you’ll want to pack your shoes carefully to protect them.

Here are some shoe-packing tips.

1. Sort

First, sort your shoes. One survey demonstrated that most women wear only five pairs of shoes regularly. Of course, the number of shoes you need will vary. However, chances are you have shoes you don’t need. Go through your shoe collection and sell or discard those you haven’t worn in years.

2. Freshen

Wash sneakers and non-leather shoes with soap and water and dry them.

Then, provide an opportunity for shoes to air out so that you don’t pack odors with the shoes. Most shoes will be odor-free if you set them out overnight before you pack them. You can place those that have an unpleasant smell in the freezer for a while.

Make sure the shoes are fully dry before you pack them. As an extra precaution, you can put powder on the insides to draw out any excess water.

Pack an unused tea bag in each shoe to keep them fresh during the trip.

3. Prepare

Gather the right packing materials. While a newspaper works for packing many items, the newspaper can stain shoes. Use non-colored packing paper or paper towels to fill around your shoes.

Also, gather bubble wrap around shoes to prevent dirty shoes from wiping dirt onto clean shoes. Bubble wrap is better than plastic bags because it doesn’t rip.

4. Stuff

Put a rolled-up pair of socks at the toe of each pair of shoes to help them maintain their shape. You might also want to add rolled-up socks to the heels in some pairs.

5. Tie

You don’t necessarily need to box sneakers individually, but you may want to tie the shoelaces of each pair together. This trick may help you find them more quickly at your destination.

6. Prioritize

Consider which pairs of shoes you’ll need the quickest at your new home.

You’ll probably wear sneakers for the move. But you may also want to have handy a slip-on casual shoe and another pair of work shoes that you can wear with most of the clothes in your wardrobe. If you wear shoes for a specific sport regularly, you’ll want to keep these handy, too. Put all these essential shoes in a separate, well-marked box.

If you’re moving to a climate with seasons, prioritize and pack your shoes by season. This way, you won’t waste time in the first few weeks of your move unpacking shoes you won’t need for months. Mark the boxes as “Summer Shoes” and “Winter Shoes.”

7. Box

You’ll want to protect your dress shoes and strappy sandals. Box them individually in shoe boxes with packing paper around them. You can buy shoe boxes or use plastic bins if you don’t have the original boxes.

8. Pack

Place the shoeboxes in larger moving cartons to keep them organized. Pack the heaviest and bulkiest shoes on the bottom to prevent damage to more delicate shoes. Also, mark boxes as “shoes” and “fragile.” Avoid putting heavy boxes on top of the packages that contain your shoes. 

Get a Move On

Let us help plan and complete your move. Contact a mover for a free quote.

On the day you move, it’s common to take advantage of daylight. But what if you don’t have much daylight? What if your schedule demands an early or late start?

Moving at night isn’t quite the same, but it’s possible. Use these tips to help you stay safe and organized from start to finish.

1. Book in Advance

If you can’t move during the day, you’ll probably need to book your move earlier. Some companies don’t offer 24/7 service. If you need it, you’ll want to have the best options.

When browsing companies, be specific about your availability for moving time. Plan to call several of them to confirm.

As you consider timing, be realistic about what you’re able to commit. The last thing that you need is a last-minute change or cancellation because the time no longer works for you.

2. Confirm the Details

Moving at night can make it more difficult to follow up with others. You’ll want to confirm all the details in advance.

Check in with the utilities at your new home to be sure they will be ready when you arrive. Confirm the start and end time with the moving company at least a day or two ahead.

There’s always the possibility that you’ll need to call someone unexpectedly. In this case, you might want to keep the companies’ overnight phone numbers on hand.

3. Buy Extra Supplies

Moving almost always calls for more supplies than you think you’ll need. The trouble with moving at night is that you can’t just rush to the store to get more.

Instead, plan ahead and buy extra supplies. Follow recommendations for the number of boxes and other packing materials you’ll need based on your home size. Avoid the temptation to skimp.

If you buy a lot of supplies to have just in case, consider shopping at a store with multiple locations and keep the receipts. You might be able to return them if you don’t use them.

4. Add Lighting

The thing you’ll need most of all is lighting. You’ll probably have lighting at your old home, but what about your new home? It’s wise to turn on the utilities beforehand, but it’s not always possible.

Consider investing in a handful of portable, battery-operated LED lighting options. These tools are lightweight, easy to position, and may provide more light than a regular flashlight.

5. Watch for Hazards

Although moving has hazards at any time of day, nighttime makes them easier to forget. If you can’t see it, you don’t know it’s there.

Perform a nighttime walk-through of the areas you will be loading and unloading. Look for tripping hazards, insufficient light on walkways, and other risks.

You can solve most of these problems by adding more light, but others might need a different approach. Make a list of the hazards and come up with possible solutions.

Moving at night offers certain conveniences, but it can also complicate things. Be sure to have a quality professional mover help you.

In many cases, when people move, they’re constrained by factors like when their new job starts or when their old lease runs out. But maybe you’re lucky and have some flexibility for your move. And now, you’re wondering when the best time to move is.

Considering moving is a huge ordeal that takes up lots of your time and money, you’ll want to choose a time that’s right for you. Keep reading to discover some pros and cons of moving during each season. Ultimately, you must set your priorities to determine when you should move.  You’ll see that cost, move date flexibility, and ease of moving seems to be in tension.

Springtime Moves

Early spring will be the off-peak season for professional movers, so getting their services will be easier (and cheaper). The weather will be nice as well, for the most part.

But if you have kids, it can be challenging. For example, spring is usually when they have exams and other activities, which can interfere with your moving schedule.

Summer Moving Season

If you need to sell your home, this is a great time to do so, as it’s peak season. You’ll get more money for your sale, which can make the move easier in a financial sense.

However, the weather may be extremely hot, and your children may have many summer activities planned. And because it’s the peak season for moving, you may have a tough time finding professional movers who can accommodate your schedule.

Fall Moves

The main advantage of moving in the fall is how mild the weather can be. It also gives you time to get used to your new home and surroundings by the time the holiday season arrives. Plus, you might be able to purchase a home for cheaper, as fall is the start of the off-peak selling season.

But fall is another season that presents a challenge if you have kids. You’ll have to possibly uproot them at the beginning of the school year and start somewhere new over again.

Winter Moving

Not many people choose to move during the winter because of how bad the weather can sometimes get. Children are also still in school, so moving before the holidays would be inconvenient.

Because of this, you may be able to get some great deals with moving companies, as it’ll be the slow season for them. It’ll also be easier for them to accommodate your schedule, as theirs won’t be as packed.

However, the weather may be so bad during this time that moves can be not just inconvenient but also dangerous.

Choose the Best Time to Move for an Easier Time

As you can see, the best time to move will differ from person to person. But if you need some guidance to make the best choice for you and your family, then our guide is a fantastic place to start. From there, you can consider your choices, weigh your options, and make a better-informed decision for your move.

Do you need a moving company to assist in your move in Florida? Then get in touch with a Florida Mover now. Many are also storage companies, so if you need to put some things away in storage, they can help.

Many online platforms offer moving advice, checklists, and other valuable resources. But when push comes to shove, people still encounter unexpected challenges on moving day. Since you likely don’t have the benefit of a professional mover’s knowledge, the chances are that something will inevitably go sideways when you attempt to handle it on your own. 

Here are some ways to adapt and overcome the toughest moving challenges. 

You Didn’t Secure Movers for the Heavy Lifting.

Some passionate people believe they can complete a move without professional assistance. This tends to be a regrettable decision as non-pros bang furniture into walls and sustain injury. Let’s assume you decide not to follow this failed policy. On the other hand, the time spent considering the back-breaking approach resulted in not securing a moving company. What do you do?

Although some of the top-rated moving companies in your area may be booked, consider calling them to check. It’s possible they may be able to help or can find a date to help. Make sure your selected company has years of experience with your type of move. Ensure you vet their reviews, and check their Better Business Bureau standing and other information. Finally, stick with experienced companies that own their own trucks.

Last-Minute Packing Problems

Let’s assume that you secure the services of a quality moving outfit. Moving day draws close, and your packing appears well behind schedule. Having to change moving dates can prove costly.

Companies tend to book far in advance and will likely charge you for delays. The other problem is that you might not get a rain check. It may come as a surprise, but plenty of people fall behind in their packing. You can address this issue in multiple ways.

• Gather friends and family to help pack your belongings.
• Hire the moving company to extend last-minute packing services.
• Negotiate a soup-to-nuts deal that includes packing well in advance.

If work and life leave little extra time to undertake comprehensive pre-moving chores, it may be in your best interest to have professionals handle everything. There’s no reason to overextend yourself.

You Didn’t Purge Excess Belongings.

Moving advice columns typically emphasize the need to reduce clutter and underused items before moving. Yet, despite this repetitive narrative, more than a few people cannot bring themselves to part with stuff. This problem often comes to a head when everyday people don’t have enough space in their new digs. Although the solutions may not seem significant, these are fallback positions worth leveraging.

• Call friends and family members to take items.
• Make last-minute donations to charitable organizations.
• Rent a self-storage unit and rework the moving-company agreement to make another stop.

Perhaps the least stressful solution involves securing a self-storage unit and paying a little extra for a second delivery. Spending a modest amount of money buys you the time to sort through these items, sell some, donate others, and keep the ones you cherish.

Things Don’t Fit In New Space Well.

Sometimes people miscalculate the size of furniture and square footage of new rooms. When the movers start putting items in their designated spots, that’s typically when it dawns on people.

Remember that you don’t have to unpack in one or two days. It may be worthwhile to leave furniture in place and use one room or the garage to house the bulk of your boxes. This strategy gives you time to rethink your use of space. The key to overcoming this challenge involves stepping back and making a new use-of-space plan.

While moving can be a major undertaking, feeding yourself and your family well in the process doesn’t have to be with a little prior planning and preparation. Quite a few good dishes can be prepared well in advance, tucked into the freezer, and then pulled out to cook when you get to your new home. Here are four recipes that freeze well for easy prep after landing at a new house.

1. Lasagna Freezer Meal

Layers of noodles, cheese, beef, and savory sauce, lasagna is oftentimes a family favorite. Best of all, this dish freezes oh-so well, and it is super simple to pull out of the freezer and bake up when you’ve had a busy day with no time for cooking. The recipe for lasagna for the freezer is pretty much the same as any other lasagna recipe, the only difference being that the dish goes into foil before freezing. To make things even simpler, grab a disposable foil pan for the lasagna so your cleanup will be a cinch.

2. Chicken Pot Pie

Need something super filling, quick, and simple after a long day of unpacking? A nice homemade chicken pot pie is no doubt going to sound good after a tiring day. Make sure you prep this dish in advance before you move, pop it in the freezer, and you will have just the meal you need ready for the oven once you make it to your new home. To make chicken pot pie for the freezer, just assemble the dish and wrap the unbaked pie in foil and a freezer bag before placing it in the freezer.

3. Homemade Frozen Burritos

Burritos are small enough to be handheld, easy to eat without a lot of dishes, and completely filling. However, you don’t have to rely on questionable frozen burritos from the grocery store to have this kind of convenience amid your move. Simply whip up a batch of your favorites before you move, stick them in the freezer, and you and your family can pull out a burrito when they get a chance to grab a bite to eat.

There are so many recipes you can use for frozen burritos, and they are easy to adjust according to the preferences of the people in the house. For example, if someone is on a vegetarian meal plan, you can skip the meat and make bean burritos.

4. Potluck Taco Casserole

Potluck meals can be a go-to when you need something filling and flavorful, and a lot of them freeze well. Case in point, is the potluck taco casserole, which is layered with everything from seasoned ground beef or chicken to refried beans and sour cream. You can assemble this yummy dish well in advance and freeze it, just be sure to save the diced tomatoes and lettuce to add to the top of the dish after reheating.

Mark Another Thing Off Your List with the Help of Pro Movers

With your family well-fed during your relocation project, you can better focus on the major aspects of moving. If you think you will still need some help with the heavy lifting, bringing in the help of professional movers may be the answer. To get started on the right foot, reach out to a local mover for a no-obligation moving quote today.

Your movers are doing a great job packing up your things, and you want to let them know how grateful you are for their hard work. It can be tough to see if it’s appropriate to tip your movers. Check out these tips on letting your movers know that you’re thankful for all they do to help you get out of your old home and into your new spot.

Is Tipping Permitted?

You’ll want to check the moving company’s website or talk to your move consultant to find their policy on tipping. Some companies have a strict no-tipping policy, while others leave tipping to the customer’s discretion. If you decide to tip, it’s a good idea to tip everyone who participated in moving you the same amount of money. Tipping in cash is fast and simple – always go this route over writing a check if you can. Let’s look at some other ways you can also show movers how much you appreciate their hard work.

Get The Day Started Right

When your movers arrive in the morning, it’s great to have breakfast available. This doesn’t need to be fancy – coffee, donuts, or fruit go a long way in helping your movers feel welcome and energized.

Ordering Lunch

As the day goes on and it’s time for lunch, feel free to ask the movers what they’d like to eat if you want to treat them to lunch. People with the best intentions often order pizza, which can result in movers eating pizza every day for a week straight. However, movers will appreciate that you want to treat them to lunch, and they’ll love getting to choose where the food is coming from.

Quench Their Thirst

Moving is hard physical work, and it’s nice to have water and soda available to movers. If it’s warm in the house and you don’t want to set bottles of water out, let your moving team know that there’s water and ice in the fridge and freezer, and that they’re free to help themselves. Since most of your cups are likely packed away, it’s smart to have disposable cups or throw-away water bottles available.

They’re Not Just Packing You Up

Your movers are working twice. They’re packing your things and unpacking them at your new home. If you get the same moving team at your new home or a new group, remember to offer the amenities you offered at your old home. As people settle into their new space, they often forget that the movers are still hard at work.

Say Thank You

Movers will appreciate snacks, drinks, and tips. Giving movers a heartfelt thank you for a job well done is essential. Many moving teams aren’t given the appreciation due to the customer’s focus on other aspects of the move. A handshake and a sincere appreciation of gratitude can go a long way.

Television and online media have created a dramatic lifestyle narrative about downsizing and living in a tiny home. These quaint, energy-efficient living spaces usually provide all the amenities of a larger house at a fraction of the cost. These are some of the top reasons people consider downsizing from a single-family home to a tiny one.

• Single-family homes are increasingly challenging to maintain as they now average more than 2,260 square feet.
• Tiny homes typically run between 100 and 400 square feet.
• The average cost of a new construction home is estimated at $383,900.
• The cost of a new construction tiny home averages $59,000.
• Existing single-family homes average a listing price of $275,000.
• A DIY tiny home can be constructed for under $23,000.

Single Americans, couples without children, and empty-nesters, among others, see tremendous value in living with less. But too many fail to consider how much “stuff” they have accumulated and how to minimize it before moving into a tiny house. These moving strategies could prove fruitful if you decide to get small.

1: Downsize Your Personal Belongings

The average residential home reportedly stores upwards of 300,000 items. If that seems difficult to believe, consider that people often exceed the space in closets, garages, attics, sheds, and rent self-storage units. Comedian George Carlin once told a skit about how we keep buying bigger and bigger houses to put all our “stuff.”

When transitioning from a single-family home or large apartment, you may need to reduce to about 1,000 belongings. Consider clearing out one room in your current living space and putting only the essentials you plan to take. It probably won’t fit in the tiny house if it doesn’t fit in one room.

2: How To Purge Excessive Possessions

One of the attractions of tiny house living is simplicity. A recent report about transitioning indicated that the average person spends 153 days each year looking for stuff in their home. The minimal square footage of a tiny house dictates that all of your belongings are a few steps away or within arm’s reach.

Consider starting early and putting valuables for sale online on platforms such as Craigslist, Etsy, and local shopping sites. After earning money, hold a tag or estate sale. These are typically good ways to sell bulky furniture. As possessions dwindle from 300,000 to a few thousand, donations to charitable organizations may offer tax-deductible benefits.

3: Moving Day Contingency Plan

Even though you streamline all that stuff, working with a professional moving company could prove invaluable. Enlist the services of packers and movers to transport your things to the tiny house. If you are physically able, have the movers place your boxed items near the front door. Then, have the pros bring in any furniture or heavy appliances.

Once that has been accomplished, bring in your personal items and put them where they belong. When people downsize to tiny houses, they typically exceed the space limits. You may be tasked with making a few tough decisions about what fits and needs to go. Contracting with your moving professionals to circle back and pick up anything that won’t make the final cut down may be worthwhile.

Tiny home living can be rewarding because of lower costs, energy efficiency, and a simpler lifestyle. However, having a plan to become the consummate minimalist can make moving a positive experience.