 A Box Full of Packing Tips
Let's face it. Packing and unpacking - as in relocation - are chores most likely to be found near the bottom of most things-to-do lists, right there with "get a root canal."
But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are 18 basic steps that will make this formerly undesirable part of the moving process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. List everything you'll need: Masking tape, felt markers, newspapers to wrap stuff, scissors to cut the masking tape, "popcorn" packing materials, a few rolls of bubble wrap, cardboard tubes, some bottles of wine, and tons of boxes, all shapes, all sizes. YouÈll find most of these materials at any of your office supply chain stores.
2. Become a relentless hunter of boxes. And the sooner you do this, the better. Enlist everybody you know to help you get boxes. Relatives, friends, grocery bag boys, store managers . . . everyone! Find out when different stores get in merchandise, and when they throw out the most boxes.
3. Collect newspapers. Most neighborhoods have recycling bins. Raid those that hold newspapers. Find out if there is a local newspaper substation. They usually have papers available and free to whoever is willing to haul them away. Small boxes are great for books. Your local U-Haul company sells various sizes of boxes.
4. Invite your friends to join you for a packing party. (what did you think the bottles of wine were for?)
5. Sort while you pack, and be tough about what you bring, what you want to leave behind. This is the time to get rid of a lot of things, either at your own garage sale, or by donations to your favorite charitable thrift shows. (If you give to charity, do get a receipt as this can be a deduction on your taxes.)
6. Make packing containers out of drawers, suitcases, even your refrigerator, but don't make them too heavy. Put hanging posters and curtains rods in the cardboard tubes you bought ( See item #1). Do not pack anything in plastic garbage bags . . . especially if you plan on having a lot of people to help you move. Someone will throw them away.
7. Don't wrap dishes, particularly fine china, in newspapers. Use tissue or bubble wrap instead. Ink from the newspapers can stain.
8. Wrap breakables with bubble wrap, or pack in boxes filled with popcorn packing materials. Don't skimp here on materials. They're cheap as compared to heirlooms that can't be replaced.
9. Protect glasses from breaking, wad up paper to shove inside and then wrap the glasses in sheets of newspapers or bubble wrap.
10. Fill up empty spaces with wads of newspapers, washed clothes, socks, aprons, even undergarments.
11. When packing boxes, put the heaviest items on the bottom for better balance.
12. Pack similar materials in one box (such as all tennis racquets, games, barbecue stuff, videos, cameras)
13. Pack medicines, cosmetics, hair dyes, shoe polish and anything else that could leak in refrigerator plastic bags. Get rid of all flammable and otherwise dangerous materials. This includes gasoline, ammunition, paint, greases, old aerosol cans, alcohol, cleaning fluids and so on.
14. Mark all boxes with the rooms they will be put at your new location. But don't just mark them KITCHEN, or BEDROOM. Be more specific. For instance you might have Bedroom Ì Jimmy's Toys, or Kitchen- glasses and cups. And don't just mark the boxes on top, mark them on EVERY side.
15. Pack stuff together you will need as soon as possible at your new location. Mark these boxes "After the Move." Put these boxes, etc in the bathtub of your new home. This is about the only place you won't be shoving boxes in.
Finally, if there's any wine left, toast each other Ìfor a job well done.
First Time Buyers >The Down Payment
Perhaps no single decision in a real estate purchase has more variables than "How much money do I put down?" Conventional wisdom centers around either putting down as much as you can or as little as the lender allows.
If you put down a large payment, you get some leverage with the lender, such as little or no mortgage insurance, a good equity position, and perhaps a preferred mortgage deal. You will also have lower mortgage payments. One potential disadvantage of a large down payment is that you will be using after-tax dollars on which you could be earning interest. You will also have less tax-deductible interest.
When you buy a home with a low down payment, you will have more tax deductible interest, and your investment value percentage will increase faster. You will have little equity at the outset, and your monthly mortgage payments (and perhaps your interest) will be higher. However, you will also keep more of your own money in hand to potentially earn more interest in other investments.
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| Q |
What celebrity home sold recently for a reported $5.5 million, despite its yellow-and-rust striped paint job?
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| A |
This Hollywood Hills residence was the former home of the popular singer, Madonna.
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