We all know about the fantastic landmarks and sites in Minnesota. It’s a subtle paradise bustling with hidden gems that don’t get the attention they deserve. From the breathtaking views to relaxing spas, there are dozens of places in Minnesota that will completely take your breath away! In this blog post, we’re going to share eleven of these stunning destinations you should visit if you…
11 Breathtaking Minnesota Hidden Gems You Might Not Know About
Apartment Moves on the Cheap: 9 Top Tips Shared By Residential Movers
Crush your apartment move with the following money-saving tips.
Relocation is rarely inexpensive. Yet, most of us live on budgets that require us to account for every time we spend. We are always prowling for money-saving tips in daily life. Do not change a thing when relocating. The seven tips below are a few of the easiest ways to save money.
1. Set a budget.
Once you set a budget, you can begin researching moving companies, suppliers, etc. This allows you to find providers/products that fit within this allocated budget amount. Sticking to a budget ensures that money is around for toilet paper, food, soap and shampoo, and all of the small things you’ll need at your new apartment.
2. Check deals, promotions, and coupons.
Look and you shall receive. Maybe you’re not yet a coupon-ista, but soon that can change with minimal effort necessary. Start with your efforts during the relocation process — source moving company websites, cashback sites, etc. You’ll find many deals, promotions, coupons, and other special offers that keep moving costs low.
3. Clear it out.
Take a look around your bedroom or current apartment. You’ll probably notice tons of things that you don’t use or don’t know what you purchased in the first place. It’s time to part with these items. Not only will it reduce the number of items going with you on the moving truck, but it also slashes costs in the process. Donate items to a local charity or give the goods to friends. Toss out anything damaged or unusable.
4. Hire a great moving company.
With the right moving company, the entire relocation process becomes the simple task you want it to be. Choose an experienced, dedicated moving company that employs licensed technicians. Request quotes before hiring as well. No-cost quotes help you find the best moving rates on cheap apartment movers, as these estimates allow you to compare rates.
5. Look for roommates.
Costs of living make it difficult for a single person to survive when they’re paying rent and bills alone. If you are the only person moving into an apartment, have you considered the idea of having a roommate? Splitting the costs with someone else eases the strain on your budget and gives you a new friend!
6. Prepare moving supplies.
Moving supplies such as boxes, packing material, etc. can add a ton of money to the costs of moving. Ease those costs by placing ads on social media, Craigslist, etc. to find moving supplies. Also, look around the house to find things that double up for packing during a move.
7. Choose your dates wisely.
Move off-season if possible. Also, choose the day of the week that you move wisely. Most people move on the weekends. This is also the most expensive time of the week to move. According to this mover, you should consider a mid-week move to keep costs low.
8. Pack it up.
Creating the right packing list will make your move more manageable and reduce the stress that typically comes with moving. If you know the layout of the apartment you are moving into, you should structure your list to make unpacking logical. Start by listing things for the bedroom, with a section for closets, dressers, etc. When you pack the item, you can place a checkmark, and when you unpack and put it away, you can cross it off. Do the same for the kitchen, living room, and even storage closets and other areas of the apartment. Attaching the lists to your boxes after you pack them makes it easier to locate the right container for the right location later.
9. Know before you go.
If moving to a location you are not familiar with, whether a new city or even a new state, take some time to learn about your surroundings. A quick google search can provide you helpful information when planning your relocation, such as parking rules and regulations or location of stores you may need when moving. You may find that Home Depot will be a frequent place to visit, even if you are in a smaller apartment. Also, knowing the local post office location and changing your address with USPS is something you should investigate before you start your move.
Five Strategies for Conquering the Packing Process with Confidence
Moving into a new place is a very exciting time in your life. And, it can be a little stressful. You are about to take everything that you own, pack it into boxes, and either trust someone to move it for you or beg your friends and family for help. Here are some tips for getting the packing done so that you are ready for the big day.
1. Don’t procrastinate.
As soon as you know that you are moving, get your mindset in place. Set some goals, and start looking around your house to get an idea of how long the packing process will take.
2. Make a list.
You’ll need to buy or find a few things to get everything packed. Make a list so that you’ll be able to make one trip to get everything at once. Here are some of the things that you’ll need.
Boxes: You’ll probably need a lot more than you think that you will. You can either buy boxes or find them at your local retailers. If you are planning on asking your local businesses for boxes, steer towards retail stores that sell clothes or shoes. Their boxes will be cleaner and stronger.
- Tape: You’ll need plenty of it, and you’ll want it to be strong enough to make your boxes secure. It’s actually called packing tape.
- Markers: It’s really helpful to mark every box with either what’s in it or with what room it belongs in. You could even use color-coded markers to make the moving process easier.
- Bubble wrap: You’ll want to protect your breakables. You can buy bubble wrap or use an old newspaper or even paper towels.
- Trash bags: They’ll come in handy with sorting and packing.
3. Start decluttering.
There’s no reason to pack things that you don’t use or need anymore. As you are going through every room, closet, and cabinet set aside a couple of bins for the things that you plan to get rid of. While some it may be ready for the trash heap, a lot of it could either be sold or donated. You could even get a little tax write-off at the end of the year for donating it.
4. Fill the boxes.
All of those boxes will have to be carried by someone, so take advantage of every bit of space in every box. While you want to be careful not to make them too heavy, you don’t want to waste any packing area that could be used. Mix heavy and light items in each box to take advantage of the space and not make them too heavy.
5. Pack strategically.
You can start packing the things that you don’t use very often early. Cheap Movers Manhattan recommends setting aside a room or an area of your home, and start packing and stacking to get ahead of the game. As you get closer to moving day, it’s a good idea to keep packing until you are down to the things that you need on a daily basis. And, as you are winding down to the final stretch, you’d ideally be living out of a suitcase.
How to Properly Winterize Your Vehicle for Storage in a Minnesota Winter
Winters can be extremely cold in Minnesota. If you are planning on storing your vehicle over the winter months, there are several steps to take to help protect it and ensure it starts properly when you are ready. Tires can lose pressure, fuel can go bad, and rodents could make a nest in unwanted places. 1. Fuel Stabilizer Fuel can go bad in as little…
Moving Tips & Hacks to Streamline Your Upcoming Relocation
Moving to a new home is tough. You have to relocate everything you own in a very short time without losing or breaking anything, and ideally without carrying too many things to the wrong room. It’s stressful, it’s hectic, and it’s exhausting.
Fortunately, there are some hacks that anybody can use to simplify moving. These little tricks will reduce the difficulty of your move and help you get situated quickly and easily in your new place.
Don’t Want It? Don’t Move It!
You’ve probably heard other people talk about having a moving sale, so why not have one yourself? As you pack up, set aside the things that you haven’t used or worn in a year or two. After all, if you haven’t used them in that much time, you probably won’t.
Save yourself the hassle, work, and space of moving those items, and sell or donate them before you pack.
Help Your Help
A lot of us beg and plead with friends and relatives to con them into helping us move. When they’ve been nice enough to oblige, use their time wisely. Mark the rooms in your new place with numbers that correspond to the numbers placed on your boxes.
That way you don’t have to supervise every single box, and you don’t have to come up with a descriptive name for an empty room. All the #1 boxes go in Room #1. Problem solved!
Reduce the Repetition
There’s nothing more time-consuming than emptying a drawer, packing its contents, and putting them back in the drawer. Save time. Remove the drawer from the dresser, chest, or nightstand, then wrap it tightly with kitchen wrap.
Contents will stay put, the furniture itself will be lighter, and you will save a lot of time.
Box Wisely
The most likely things to break during a move are kitchen items like plates and serving bowls. We store them horizontally in the cabinet, but standing them up on edge when you box them up will keep each item’s weight off the others and reduce the chances of broken items.
Get Functional First!
If your move will take more than one day, plan for it. Get the absolute essentials moved first–beds, toiletries, the coffee maker–and have them set up so that you’ll be ready to start your day normally on the first morning in the new house.
This will save a lot of digging around and get you back to your moving work quickly.
Pack Jewelry Carefully
Necklaces and bracelets are notorious for getting tangled up in the jewelry box, and they are even more troublesome during a move. A great way to avoid this problem is to box up your jewelry in repurposed egg cartons.
They’re lightweight and cheap, and they have plenty of divided space to keep items from wrapping themselves together.
Moving is a lot of hard work, but it’s much easier if you plan to save time, space, and your valuables.
7 Great Reasons to Move to Minnesota from Another State
Minnesota is most infamous for its frigid winter, something you’ll hear about regularly if you’re moving to the North Star State. But honestly, it’s not something the locals really mind since the trade-off is some of the best winter recreational activities. And, of course, the kids will love the snow days.
Minnesota has a growing economy, and there’s a lot going for it. Healthcare and technology are its most promising sectors, which is pretty great for young professionals. The state ranks in the top ten for infrastructure and opportunity, which is probably why it sees growth in population. There are many other reasons that Minnesota is a great place to live; let’s look at a few.
The People Are Friendly
Whether or not you’ve heard of the term “Minnesota Nice,” it’s a real thing. The term first appeared in a newspaper in 1986, and it just sort of stuck. For non-residents, the meaning and behaviors it describes may be confusing. Essentially, it’s a cultural stereotype that implies residents of Minnesota are unusually courteous, reserved, and mild-mannered.
To be fair, this can be seen as both a good and bad thing, depending on the circumstances. On the one hand, everyone is pleasant and friendly, which is why Minnesota is very family-friendly. On the other hand, it’s a bit difficult to read the locals since they tend to maintain a polite demeanor and avoid confrontation.
One thing is for sure; it’s a great place to raise a family regardless of where you decide to settle down in the state. Even in the bustling metro of the Twin Cities, locals are very amiable, and it’s not difficult to fit in.
There Is Water Everywhere
Minnesota is also known as The Land of 10,000 Lakes, although there are actually well over 11,000 lakes. It has about 90,000 miles of coastline, more than Florida, Hawaii, and California combined – a surprising fact considering it’s an inland state. With so many lakes, there are tons of recreational activities to enjoy in or by the water.
Even if you’re not into water sports, you can enjoy many other resorts, parks, and recreational spots. Golfing, horseback riding, or just lounging by the shore is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
There Are Lots of Fairs and Festivals
The North Star state has a festival for everything, and that’s not an exaggeration. Many counties in the state hold fairs, and there are beautiful festivals in the state all year round. Though most of the notable fairs and festivals take place in the summer, you can look forward to some great winter events such as the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and Holidazzle parade.
Of course, the biggest attraction has to be the annual Minnesota State Fair. It regularly competes as the State Fair of Texas for having the largest daily attendance. With an average of over 2 million attendees, you can tell it’s a big deal for the locals considering that’s almost 40% of the total state population.
The State Offers Excellent Health Care
Rochester, Minnesota, has the honor of being home to The Mayo Clinic. Being one of the most renowned medical facilities in the world, the nonprofit focuses on integrated health care, education, and research. On top of that, there are almost 150 hospitals and lots of medical centers and urgent care facilities. The University of Minnesota has been credited for completing the world’s first open-heart surgery.
It’s clear that the North Star state takes health care programs very seriously and with a lot of pride. Minnesota also has a program for low-income residents to ensure all its citizens have access to affordable healthcare coverage.
Minnesota Loves Sports
No matter what type of professional sports you enjoy, Minnesota has a home team for it. But because of the infamous winter season, it’s no surprise that ice hockey is a big deal in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. When the lakes freeze over, it’s the perfect place for outdoor ice skating and everything that goes with it.
The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings play in a beautiful new stadium in Downtown Minneapolis called U.S. Bank Stadium, which was the venue of the 2018 Super Bowl. Also playing in or near Minneapolis are MLB’s Minnesota Twins and the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves. There is also a professional women’s basketball team, a professional soccer team, and many great college sports.
Moving to The North Star State
If you’re ready to brave the Minnesota winter, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for the relocation. The good news is that most local moving companies in the state offer long-distance services. Sure, you can always go with a preferred mover you’re familiar with from wherever you are coming from. But getting local movers means you can be sure they understand the place better than anyone.
Although it’s always best to get a mover from personal references, the internet is full of resources making it an easy way to find a Minnesota moving company. Of course, you want to make sure that you cover all the bases when picking a long-distance mover. So make sure to do your research before committing to anything. Remember that Minnesota Nice behavior isn’t always apparent and can be confusing for newcomers.