2 Simple Money Saving Packing Tips

Everyone wants to save money especially when they move. The problem is: you have a fixed amount of items. No matter which moving company you choose, your items remain the same and so does the time it takes to move them. So how does one save money? These two simple tips well make your move go smoother and more efficient therefore saving you money!

1.) Color Code:

Most people will label their boxes by the name of the room the box goes in. Examples include: Kitchen, Family Room, Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2, Bedroom 3,.... the list goes on. At the new house they will post a sign on each room where each box goes. Instead of writing on each box, try using the color coded method. Assign each room a color, then mark two sides of the box with the same color sticker (not the top, movers often stack boxes). This not only saves you time by not having to write so much but it is much easier and faster for the movers.

2.) Box Area:

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® we will place all your boxes into each of your rooms. Understand that this does take extra time and therefore money. If you are capable of moving the boxes into the room yourself, let us do the heavy lifting. Designate a “box room” upstairs and downstairs. This way our movers will do all the heavy lifting getting the boxes up the steps, then you will be able to easily move the boxes into their designated rooms. If you decide to go this route, you can further simplify the color code method to two colors: Upstairs and downstairs.

These two simple tips will help simplify your move and save you money.

As always, if you have any feedback or moving advice please let me know.

Stop Stressing: 7 Red Flags on Rouge Movers

Now that we are in the full swing of the moving busy season, I am seeing more and more stories about moving scams. Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about your belongings actually arriving at your new place! Here are seven red flags to watch out for before hiring a moving company. All these are taken from protectyourmove.gov. Some I agree with, some I don’t.

• No inspection: This is one I disagree on. We do on-site inspections on any house over 2400 sq/ft, Interstate moves or any move a customers wants us to come out there. Phone estimates are most successful when you block off at least 10-15 mins to talk with the estimator (this is not something to do while you are driving to work). Also make sure to be as specific as possible when describing what is being moved. If you leave off items it will make the estimate lower but when the movers get their, you will be disappointed on what they have to say.
• Payment First: Any moving company that requires a payment or deposit before they actually move your belongings should be a red flag. At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® we do take a credit card when booking a move but nothing is charged to it. It is strictly for reservation and cancellation purposes.
• No local address, license or insurance: At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® we are licensed, bonded and insured. Its important to ask the company this especially if you are moving out of a apartment building. Some places require that your movers are license and insured.
• Mover Claims: Moving is not an exact science. If they estimator says “I guarantee”, “I promise” or “you will not pay more then $XXX amount” and it is not in writing: that should be a red flag. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Trustworthy companies will be upfront with you from the start.
• No company name: Does this on really need explaining?
•  Office conditions: I think this should be “Truck conditions”. If they cannot maintain regular maintenance on their trucks, how are they supposed to take care of your belongings? Before they start the move, look in the back of the truck. Do they have moving pads? Enough? 10 moving pads will not be sufficient, we carry 80-90 on each of our trucks. Do they have dollies, straps and bands? All are necessary in order to secure your belongings.
• Generic Rental Truck: Another one I disagree with. I think it would be better to say, “no rental truck”. We are growing, sometimes we use rental trucks. It should be a red flag if the company ask for you to rent a truck and drive it between locations. See rule #3 for why they do this.

Moving will always be stressful. If you follow these seven simple steps you can make sure the company you hire will not add to the stress.

Cameron Schron

Marketing Coordinator

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

If you did not know, May is National Move Month. May kicks off the busy season that continues until September. With the number of jobs increasing we are always searching for hard working individuals to help us "Move People Forward®". Anyway you pack it, moving is a hard job. It has long hours in hot temperatures, heavy furniture and dust. If you know someone, a college student or yourself, who needs a summer job, this article is for you.

Top 3 Reasons to become a Mover:

1.) Its a Great Work out. Gym memberships are expensive. Why not get paid to work out? Sound to good to be true? Well.... somewhat. You are getting paid and you are working out but your moving peoples' heavy furniture. Really really heavy furniture. The work is very hard but it is one of the best workouts you will ever get!

2.) Out-And-About. As a mover I got to see parts of the city that I could have never seen on my own. I have gone into triple guard gated communities with multimillion dollar houses. I also got to go on long hauls across Nevada, California, Colorado and Utah. You will get to see some amazing places from behind the window of a Two Men And A Truck® Truck.

3.) Tips. Its company policy that our men do not solicit tips. During my career as a Driver I would make enough money in tips to support my day-to-day spending and I would just direct deposit my check. This is a great way for someone to save up money for anything!

Overall, being a mover is not an easy job. Our customers expect a lot from our movers. Every day I went to work with a positive mental attitude knowing that it was my job to move peoples' things. Using that mindset I came up with my Top 3 Reasons to become a mover. At Two Men And A Truck® our drivers are all over the age of 21 with a clean driving record. All drivers must be able to pass a D.O.T. Physical, Non-D.O.T. drug test and background check.

If this sounds like you or someone you might know, share our career link with them:

We have all seen ads on Craigslist advertising movers at a rate that is too good to be true. We often have customers calling in the day of their move complaining that their movers did not show up and they need to try to schedule at the last second. So how does one go about finding their perfect Pinellas/ Clearwater Movers?

First, make sure you do research on the moving companies that you are looking to hire. This may sound elementary but you would be surprised how many customers choose price as the deciding factor. One of the best places to start your research is your local Better Business Bureau. See how many complaints they have filled against them and also how they resolve the complaints. Also be sure to check out social media sites and see what the Pinellas/ Clearwater community is saying about the companies you are looking at. If everyone is complaining about hidden charges and you still decide to use that company, don’t be surprised when you get charged hidden fees.

Second, shop around. It’s best to get quotes from four to five different moving companies. Are they asking questions? Do they sound knowledgeable? Red flags should go off if they try giving you a quote without going through the items you need moved. Would a mechanic give you a price without first diagnosing your cars problem? Be sure to ask if their quote includes everything. A low hourly rate sounds great until the moving company adds on extra charges for stretch wrap or going up/down stairs.

Third, decide what is most important to you. For some, the only thing that matters is price per hour. Others might only choose to use a company that is licensed, bonded and insured. At Two Men And A Truck® all our employees are full-time, licensed, bonded and insured. We also do background checks and drug tests on our employees. Do we cost more than other companies? Of course we do, but it costs us more to do business the right way.

Finally, trust your gut. If the moving company is asking for you to rent and drive the moving truck it’s probably because they are not licensed with the state of Florida. Do they use misleading tactics to make you think they are something they are not? Companies use variations of the Two Men And A Truck® name all the time on Craigslist. Make sure you know who you are dealing with.

Overall moving is stressful and hiring the wrong movers can turn the experience into a nightmare. Choosing the right moving company will not make your move “stress-free”. No matter how good the company, accidents can happen, but choosing the right company will ensure that if anything happens they will take care of you. At Two Men And A Truck® Pinellas/ Clearwater, we truly are the “ Movers who Care®”. 

Movers for Moms® 2013 - Make your Mother Proud!

Collecting Now to May 10th

We are starting our annual Movers for Moms® event. Movers for Moms® is a donation drive collecting items and gifts in honor of Mother's Day for women and children currently staying at local women's and family shelters. This year we will be partnering up with:

Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA) is an organization that advocates for social change by offering programs of intervention and prevention of domestic violence. Their vision is a community without violence so that home is a safe place. CASA's mission is to raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change.

Items needed for donation include:

2013's Collection Partners include: Anona Elementary and other organizations 

For more information on how to get involved in Movers for Moms®, contact Info0286@twomen.com or call us at 727.474.0141.

People move in every stage of their lives and sometimes that means you'd be moving with little kids. Whether it's because you got a new job or you're moving closer to home, here are some helpful tips to make the move with toddlers a smoother one:

• Pack early - Pack unnecessary things way ahead of time. These things include wall decorations, mirrors and ornaments around the house. Go ahead and start packing up the kitchen as well and leave the necessities last. You won't be hosting dinner parties any time soon so pack up glasses, plates and cutlery weeks in advance.

• Get your toddlers invovled - Let your toddlers help put the softer items like blankets and unnecessary items from their bedroom in to boxes. They'd love to feel like a part of the moving process and you can also carry on with other things to get done.

• Pack favorite toys last - Let your kids have the everyday toys he or she plays with in the process of moving. But, you can pack up books and other toys that won't be noticed in absence.

• Stick to the same routine - Keep the same nap time and bed time all through out the moving process to avoid any confusion. Keep the same night time routine as well.

• Stick to the same layout - Keep your child's room look and feel the same as the previous house as they adjust to the new place. Atleast they see something familiar and feel more comfortable.

• Baby proof the house right away  - Once you arrive set-up the door stoppers, door protectors, plug socket covers, corner buffers, stair gates and cupboard locks. Put these things last in the truck so it'll be the first out.

• Put a film on - This will keep your toddler entertained while you can get stuff done. Play a children's film on a laptop or set-up the television right away.

• Order take-away - Don't make it any harder on yourself and order take-away on move day. It'll be one less thing to worry about. 

When you move from one home to another, the food in the refrigerator and in the pantry is commonly overlooked. People who lack preparation when moving or who move on a whim tend to throw out the food. If you're looking to save time and money, some food items can be taken with you. 

What you can move to the new home are non-perishable items. These items include canned goods, unopened cereal or pasta boxes, sealed bottles, etc. Once you've determined what you want to take with you, it's important to properly pack the items safely and securely. Use medium or small boxes for the heavier items such as bottles and canned goods and  wrap the items with packing paper. It's best to fill the open gaps in the box with packing paper as well. 

Not all food items should be taken to the new home especially when moving long distance. Items that are perishable will easily spoil and are no good once you reach your destination. These perishable items include frozen foods, milk, cheese, fruits, vegetbales and deli meats. The best way not to waste food is to cook meals that incorporates the perishable goods you have prior to moving. 

If you're looking to get a fresh start at your new home, you can donate non-perishable items such as canned goods to the local food pantry or to friends so they don't go to waste.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

It's you against the elements when moving during the summertime. Yes, the summer is the most desirable time to move but the summer rays can be a drawback. It's very important to take your health seriously especially when moving as heat cramps and heat exhaustrion are the most common heat-related illness. 

Here are common heat-related ilnesses and ways to prevent it when you are moving this summer:

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that result from working or exercising in a hot environment.  The heavy swaeating reduces salt and moisture therefore causing the cramps. 

What to do?

• You must stop the activiity and take a rest in a cool place or under a shade.
•  Drink a lot of water or sports drinks such as Gatorade, Vitamin Water and 
•  Eat satly snacks to replenish the salt and water you lost.

Heat exhaustion happens when the body's internal temperature rises in hot, humid weather. The signs are heavy sweating, fatigue, headache, paleness, weakness, nausea, muscle cramps and pains and dizziness and lighteousness.

What to do?

• For mild cases of heat exhaustion rest in a cool, shaded area and loosen or remove clothing. 
• Drink a lot of water or sport drinks for dehydration and eat salty snacks.  
• You can also apply cool water to the skin to help with cooling down the body. 

Heatstroke or Sunstroke is the most serious form of heat injury and is a medical emergency. This occurs when the body is exposed to high temperatures usually in combination with dehydration. Heatstroke follows heat exhaustion and heat cramps conditions especially when left untreated. Common symptoms are high body temperature, lack of seating, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, headache, confusion and un

What to do?

• Move to a cool place one with a shade
• Remove restricted clothing and cool the person down repidly however you can. 
• You can fill a tub with ice water or use ice pack to be placed under the armpits.
•  If seizures do occur, keep the person from injuring themselves and always remember not to put any object in the person's mouth. 
• If the person starts vomitting, remember to lay the person on his or her side to prevent the person from choking.

Prevention of heat related injury is important on move day.

• Drink at least 3 liters of water or 1 quart per hour. It's important to note what you are drinking so drink water or sports drinks. Don't drink caffeinated drinks such as soda since that will get you dehydrated quickly
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing so it'll allow perspiration to evaporate and cool thebody
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat in light colours to keep your head cool
• Try to schedule your move in the early mornings when the sun is not directly above and when it is cooler. 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

In a few weeks it will be finals week for upcoming college grads and soon enough they will heading out to the big cold world... or maybe not so. Research conducted by Twentysomething, Inc., a marketing and research firm reveals that 85 percent of college grads will be moving back home therefore coined as the 'Bomerang Generation'. The stagnant job market and fear of rising loan rates have made moving home a not so bad idea for college grads.

Moving home can be a good temporary and financially sound idea but shouldn't be taken as a means to put aside adult responsibilities. College grads can offer to pay rent, food, etc. and help out around the house which cultivates responsibility. When adult children move out as they progress to find a good job they will become more financially stable. However, a good number of people may say that moving home is a regression. 

Moving back home could be a good time to make amends with parents and build a better relationship. According to the Pew study, 25 percent say it has been good for the relationship but 50 percent of those polled said it hasn't changed the relationship at all. Whether the relationship changes for the better or not, moving home seems to be a worthy consideration for college grads.

The economic market that has displaced recent college grads has made its way to mainstream television. In the HBO's new show "Girls," Hannah, a 23-year-old college grad living in New York City flips out when her babyboomer parents cut off paying for her lifestyle since they simply can't afford it. Tension may brew stemming from different wants of parents and adult children. Adult children have come to expect the financial help from their parents but it's clear that parents too want to enjoy their retirement years.   Another, is the film "Tiny Furniture,"  it portrays how college grads want to be home yet long for independence. College grads may not always walk out of college with a play-by-play game plan and with the current market environment it's hard for it to play out.

The market is hard for not only recent grads but in general. There are signs that the job market is getting better but not at a point to put all college grads at work. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies say they will hire 10.2 percent more grads from this year's class of graduate compared to the previous year, and they'll also pay them more. The median starting salary for 2012 graduates will be $42,569, up 4.5 percent from 2011.

Good economic times or not, we hope you reach for your dreams. We wish you all the very best in the future! Congratulations to the Class of 2012! 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

The moving season soon enough is going to kick into high gear. With this in mind, it's best to book moving dates as early as possible and to stay flexible with your moving arrangements. The summer is the bussiest season for moving as it is the best time for families and individuals to move whether for work, to be closer to family or other reasons.

The warm weather and kids being out of school make the summer the ideal time to move. Detailed planning is important when you move during the peak moving season. If you want the move to go as flawless as possible, you have to start planning right now. The goal is to get the nitty gritty details sorted out by Memorial Day weekend. These details include:

• Securing packing supplies such as moving boxes. You can start packing items you don't regularly use months in advance.
• Arrange for movers to pick up your items so that moving dates are in your favor. Lock in specific dates roughly a month in advance so to beat the moving rush. 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

Imagine moving two seperate homes; two seperate lives with stuff you've acquired over the years to be merged to one household. The task may seem daunting but rest assured it is doable. I've said this plenty of times and will say it again — planning is key to a successful move especially when combining households.

We've done the research and have put together a few tips to help you combine households. This is probably the most joyous time of your life as you will be experiencing something new and different maybe as newlyweds or whatever the case may be.

Declutter Each Household Spend the time to do a home inventory and segment it room by room. Together, go through the list and evaluate duplicates so you can discuss who will take what. Make a list of items you want to keep, you want to give away and donate or sell. The goal is to have a manageable amount of stuff you want to keep that'll fit the new shared space.

Delegate Household Chores From the get go, divide the household chores to what you find more appealing. If you do more of the cooking in the house then it may be best to do the cleaning up in the kitchen. Your housemate can then be responsible for cleaning up the bathroom. For the other household chores, you can share the responsibilities like cleaning the room or sweeping the floors of the rest of the rooms.

Finances You can either merge finances or set-up a joint account for common expenses. Common expenses could include rent, utilities and groceries and each person should contribute equally on a set schedule. These expenses are typically the biggest spend so get a credit card that accumulates some sort of points —  travel points can go to your trips you plan together. 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

Help moms in need this Mother’s Day.

Drop off items all throughout April at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® - 

31027 US Highway 19N, Palm Harbor FL 34684

Thank you for your support.

The weather is warming up calling in the Spring season. It's that time again to start up that grill from its winter hibernation. There  is no denying the difference in taste when cooking on the grill and all the flavors that it adds to the food. If you've just moved or will be moving to your new place, host a housewarming party!  My friend, Lizzy who works with Hoboken Digest has found the right entreé for your party.

Grilled Chili Lime Shrimp Kabobs Makes 4 kabobs

Marinade:
Juice and finely grated zest of one lime
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 finely minced shallot
1 tsp crushed chili sauce (more or less to taste depending on how much heat you prefer)


Directions:- Mix together well and add to a large zip-loc bag 
- Add 12 jumbo shrimp
- Squeeze the air out of the bag and let the shrimp marinate for about 20 minutes before placing them on pre-soaked bamboo skewers
- Add fresh pineapple chunks and red pepper chunks

Glaze:
Add the remaining marinade from the bag to a small pot along 
1/4 cup honey


- Simmer for a few minutes. 
- Place the kabobs on very hot preheated grill for about 3 minutes per side or until the shrimp are fuly cooked. 
- Brush the glaze onto the kabobs while grilling. 
- Serve.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

Robin and Jay Bulmer operators of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas-Clearwater

franchise during the Annual Meeting Awards Night.

We’re celebrating! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater was recently recognized as a top performer.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater was ranked number 5 out of more than 200 locations across the United States. The franchise was also recognized as the top overall winner in customer service as reported by customers who used TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® services in 2011.

Franchises are judged annually based on a scorecard system that measures excellence in customer service, operations, education, citizenship and community involvement. Our customers are our primary focus and we feel privileged to have received the awards this year.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Pinellas, Lealman and St. Petersburg get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater moving company.

The day has finally arrived. All your bags are packed and you're ready to go... Okay, maybe it's not as dramatic as flying off on a jet plane but you do have that travel time before reaching your final destination. If you're taking a road trip, it can either bore you to death or with a good does of wanderlust it could be a thrill of a lifetime. The tank is full, you've got your much needed necessities and your movers have your priced possessions in the back of the truck. Let's get going. 

Here are ways on how to make that trip entertaining and memorable with less hiccups.

Got a smartphone? Download these great Apps.

• Spotify If you haven't put together a playlist for the roadtrip use this app to snag playlists, make a playlist as you go or search as you go to fit the mood from state to state. Free on Apple and Android.

• Gass Buddy  Looking for the cheapest gas price? This app will tell you which gas station has the cheapest price to fill up your tank. Free on Apple and Android.

• Trapsters Driving in unknown territories can be scary but this app will alert you for speed traps, enforcement cameras and road hazards in the area. Free on Apple and Android.

• Roadside America If you've got time for quick stops to check out oddball monuments, museums and tourist attractions en route. This app will get maps, driving directions, tips, etc. to these places. Available on the Apple store.

Like Us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TwoMenAndATruckPinellas

Follow us on Twitter: @TwoMenPinellas

Follow us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/twomenpinellas/

Your Las Vegas movers wants to help you settle in to your new home. So, let me introduce to you Ashely Jackson, our guest blogger. Ashley shares her experiences and great tips that defies all age barriers. Whether you just moved out of university and starting your first job or retiring to move to a sunny state - her advice can give you the encouragement to find your passions and make friends in the process.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is proud to once again support Movers for Moms®, a donation drive collecting items and gifts in honor of Mother's Day for women and their family staying at local women's shelters and family shelters.

First launched in 2008 by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, the Movers for Moms® program seeks to recognize all moms on Mother’s Day by arranging delivery of gifts to women living in local shelters on the holiday weekend. In 2011, more than 80 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations in 14 states across the United States collected more than 65,000 items for women living in shelters on Mother’s Day.

You might be wondering why we are coordinating this drive and it's simply because we are movers who care and we believe all family members should feel safe and ALL moms should be celebrated on Mother's Day. 

If you want to help out in this great cause you can drop off any appropriate Mother's Day gifts for the moms such as personal products, clothing, gift cars, etc. at your TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater location or you can ask us for a box which we will provide for free so you can fill it with gifts and we'll make sure it gets to the local shelter partner.

Welcome to our new blog! We want to provide you with useful tips and information to guide you with your move whether you're doing it on your own or hiring a moving company in Pinellas - Clearwater.  We're here to help you make an informed decision and share our professional moving tips that we've tried and tested over the years.  

Don't think that you're the only person making that switch - whether you're moving across Clearwater, Florida or the country! Here are some fun facts from the U.S. Census Bureau and be surprised on the number of people moving yearly.

• The percentage of people who changed residences between 2010 and 2011 - 11.6 percent - was the lowest recorded rate since the Current Population Survey began collecting statistics on the movement of people in the United States in 1948.

• In Florida, fewer than 40 percent of residents were born in that state or state-equivalent. This is also true in Alaska, Arizona and Nevada, and in the District of Columbia.

• In 2010, Florida to Georgia (47,164) was the 3rd  most common state-to-state moves and Georgia to Florida (35,615) was 9th for most common state-to-state moves.

We're constantly looking to improve ourselves so if you have any questions and suggestions please feel free to leave a message and we'll get back to you in a moments time. 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Pinellas - Clearwater is a full-service moving company that specializes in local and long distance moves. If you are looking to move in or out of East Lake, Ozona, Crystal Beach and Highland Lake areas get a hold of your Pinellas - Clearwater movers.