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Tuesday, March 30, 2021

How To Cut Costs With Free Boxes!

This post is provided by Laura Bell.

Free boxes are one of the most important ways people save on a move. Instead of buying expensive boxes from a moving company, the home owners or apartment dwellers start collecting free boxes wherever they can be found.

What Boxes To Look For

So, first of all, what are you looking for in a box? There are several criteria for good boxes which you can discover if you look in hardware stores or online, you can see that there are some definite qualities you should hope to find.

Thickness is the first goal. You do not want thin cardboard. Thicker is truly better for breakable items. This is the first layer of protection, and while it can not do the job alone, it is critical. This does not mean some thinner cardboard would not work for certain items, but overall, you should favor thicker cardboard whenever possible.

Compartmentalized boxes are a big seller. You can achieve this with shoeboxes inside of a larger box. However, if you can find boxes which were already compartmentalized for a product, then you will have excellent boxes for packing dishes and other breakables.

Last, but not least, you want boxes that look new. You do not want to move items in a box that has been wet. You can only determine this by looking for water stains. It may not be water, but you will know something got it wet, and now it may not be strong enough to contain your belongings on a move.

It is also important not to have a box with food stains. This attracts all kinds of pests and may also invite smells or mold. You never know how long your moving box will be used.  Sometimes it goes straight into a basement, attic or storage unit.  

How Many Boxes Do You Need

Next you have to figure out how many boxes you need. Almost everyone needs more boxes than they realize. That is why it is critical to pack everything you can early, determining that you will need more boxes.  

Heavy items, such as books, need to be packed in smaller boxes, or the load will be too heavy. Breakable items need to be packed in similarly sized boxes. So, you will want more of this size than anything else. If you are trying to count how many boxes you want, start with the idea of one box for every 14 books and one box for every 10 glasses. This should get you started toward a realistic count.

By the way, you will need more if your move is done by professionals or if it is a long distance move. Why? In these cases, it is less likely that you can use substitutes such as big trash bags for pillows and blankets. On the other hand, if you are moving slowly across town, you may be able to unpack boxes and take them back to be repacked. 

Where To Find Boxes

The best way to find free boxes is to go scouting. You will want to check out what is at the liquor store and grocery store. You should be able to ask the manager what happens to used boxes. They may be willing to call you when boxes are available. 

Some stores put out their boxes, hoping someone will pick them up. This may even reduce their recycling fees or trash fees. Be sure to keep all extra cardboard pieces you find. These can be used inside other boxes as extra protection for plates or framed pictures.  

The key is to start your search earlier enough to find the best boxes. In addition to the compartmentalized boxes you may find at liquor stores, there may be some large boxes at grocery stores that can be used for lightweight items. 

Friday, March 26, 2021

Why Is Crawl Space Encapsulating A Great Investment?


This post is provided by M Zahid.

When you have a crawl space at your property, you may wonder how to go about keeping it in good condition. The crawl space of your home can cause huge issues around your property if it is not cared for. However, some people do not have the time, tools, or knowledge when it comes to looking after this part of the home. Well, one thing you can do is to turn to a crawl space specialist to learn more about protecting this part of your home.

One of the things that these experts can do is to look at crawl space encapsulation for the space under your home. This is a great way of protecting not only the space itself but also the rest of your home. It can also save you a lot of time, hassle, stress, and money in the future, as the space is far less likely to experience major issues that cause serious headaches for homeowners. In this article, we will look at why encapsulation is a great investment for homeowners.

Some Of The Reasons To Have This Work Completed

There are many reasons why you should get this work completed at your home. Some of the benefits you can look forward to are:

Reducing The Risk Of Serious Problems

One of the huge benefits that can come from encapsulating your crawl space is that it reduces the risk of serious problems occurring in your home. All sorts of issues can arise if you have problems in the space beneath your home, and this can have a big impact on the condition of your home, the health of those inside the property, and even your finances. By having the space encapsulated, you can protect the area, and this then means that your home also has a higher level of protection.

Better Living Conditions At Home

You will also benefit from better living conditions at home when you have this work carried out, and this means that you can relax more and enjoy a comfortable environment. By reducing the risk of problems such as mold, low air quality, dampness, and pests, encapsulation can help to maintain a comfortable and healthy home environment. So, you and your loved ones can enjoy spending time at home in a pleasant setting.

Avoiding Ongoing Costs

You can also avoid ongoing costs by having this work carried out, and this can have a huge positive impact on your finances. If you do not protect the crawl space, the many problems that can arise could end up costing a fortune to deal with and eliminate. You could be affected by everything from higher energy bills to paying for damage caused by pests and mold. However, protecting the space under the home will reduce the risk of these issues, which means huge savings in the long run.

These are some of the reasons why encapsulating your crawl space is a great investment for your home. 

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Decorating Your Backyard For A Marriage Proposal!

This post is provided by Lora Young.

Have you decided to pop the question to your special someone? Before you do, you have to make sure you have made the necessary preparations, such as shopping for the perfect engagement ring. Aside from choosing from a host of peach sapphire engagement rings, you also have to prepare the venue. The backyard is perfect, since it allows you to reconnect with nature. No matter where you choose to ask her hand in marriage, decorating it can increase the chances of getting the much-awaited “yes”. Here are some ideas to help you win her heart when proposing in your backyard:

Invest In String Lights

There is just something about string lights that can instantly liven up a space. Plus, there are tons of styles and designs that you can choose from. You can go for lacy white lanterns, or choose to have that vintage filament bulb light. Not only will it help create an elegant and romantic backyard setting, but they can also be reused as a permanent decoration in your home.

Keep It Romantic With Pictures

If you do not have enough budget for expensive decorations, you can always rely on your pictures together to document how far you have come in your relationship. You can print them and DIY a frame to hold them together. What is nice about this decorative piece is that you can reminisce how the two of you started as you plan on creating more memories in the future. 

Decorate By The Season

One of the key things you should do when decorating for your marriage proposal is to decorate depending on the season. Not only will it help you source the best items to spruce up your backyard, but you also use it as a mainstay in your backyard. For example, you might want to decorate with pinecones and string lights when proposing during the Christmas season. When proposing during spring or summer, you can go all in with flowers. 

Go DIY

Nothing beats surprising your loved one with a decoration that you did yourself. If you have a dull-looking backyard space, you can build a backdrop that you can decorate. Wood pallets are a great option if you want to save some money. You can search for some ideas on the lattice work that you can copy. 

Blankets And Lanterns Will Go A Long Way

The most romantic marriage proposals are often the simplest ones. In fact, you can decorate your backyard with pieces that you can find at home. For example, you can set up a teepee tent using a few wood planks and a blanket. You can even bring out some of your furniture. Throw in some pillows from your bedroom, and you will have a simple yet breathtaking set up. Do not forget to light up the space with some cute little paper lanterns for an added romantic vibe. 

Spell It Out

If you think that you are going to stumble on your words when you propose, you can go for a decoration that would speak for itself. Go out and spell out the word, “Will You Marry Me?” using the most creative letterings that you can think of. You can print out the words, or you can have custom letterings for it. If you have a strip light, you can use it as well. 

Use The Pergola

If you have a pergola at home, you can make this the focus of your marriage proposal decor. You can use this spot where all your ideas can come to life. You can get your string lights, and cover the posts with it. You can also use the photos you have framed and let it hang on the space along with some flowers. 

Backyard proposals are romantic enough to get you the answer that you have been longing for. You just have to carefully plan it out so your partner would not ruin the surprise.