For many people the idea of owning a dog is an absolute dream, but one which can be trickier for renters to achieve. Assuming you have a well established “OK” from your landlord (and/or property management board, building owner, etc) and believe that your life is ready to accommodate having a dog, then the question really just becomes which breed is going to work best for your lifestyle.
Ultimately, there isn’t usually one “best” breed. Everybody is attracted to different types of dogs and different canine qualities, such as having their pet be a lapdog or a guard dog. Renters everywhere should try to remember a few key points whenever they’re interested in a particular breed:

• Is the dog a reputed barker (or howler!)? If so there’s a good chance that you want to opt for another breed, as excessive or particularly loud barking is not likely to go over well with the neighbors. Beagles are notorious barkers, to the point where barking considered simply to be a breed trait. Certain other hounds and some types of terriers and larger working dogs are also known to be keen barkers.

• Does the breed require a lot of exercise? Every dog needs regular walks and to engage in playful activities, but while certain breeds are content with daily walks and playing fetch indoors (or at the local dog park), others such as herding and most working breeds require a great deal more activity and do best with a large yard, pasture or farm to spend their day running around in. Before selecting any breed, ensure that you and your family is able to devote enough time to walk your pet 2-4 times daily and provide it with regular play session.

• Does the breed have a temperament that is on par with your own? If you’re a very active person who is always on the go and loves the outdoors, than a breed such as a German Sheppard or Retrieve may work well for you, even if you live in an apartment. However if your lifestyle is particularly busy and finding time even for daily walks requires you to shuffle around meetings, than a low energy dog (and/or one which requires minimum grooming) is far more likely to be the right fit for your life.

• Will the breed get along well with young children or any other pets that you have? Adding a dog into your family circle should be a harmonious and very pleasant experience, not one that consists of constant confrontations between your new pup and any other pets that you may already have. Some dogs get along well with most animals, while others seem to better just with other dogs. Likewise, while most dogs that have been well brought up are friendly around children, bigger or particularly active breeds may have a tendency to unintentionally knock over or jump up on young children.

• Does size matter? While some people are surprised to learn that certain larger breeds can cope quite well as primarily indoor, apartment dogs, it is important to keep in mind that the smaller your space, the less room you’ll have for your new pet to run and play in. If you’re renting a bachelor or small studio loft, a Great Dane is not likely the best candidate for your home. Scale the size of your dog selection in accordance with the available room that you have in your apartment.

• Will you be able to see your pet in their natural environment before you bring them home? This tip applies equally to everyone who is hoping to add a dog into their home. It’s always wise to consult with reputable breeders, and if at all possible, visit the breeders that you’re interested in buying a new dog from ahead of bringing one home. If this isn’t possible however, ensure that you know as much about the person (breeder) that you’re buying from as possible and ask to see lots of photos of your potential new puppy (or adult dog).

• Can you afford your desired breed? This doesn’t simply mean being able to foot the cost of purchasing your pet in the first place, it also means being able to adequately provide for all of its needs, from vet bills to toys, food to obedience training classes. As well, if time is really of a premium to you, the idea of investing in a professional dog walker and/or pet groomer may be one worth considering (again, if your wallet is able to accommodate it). Likewise remember that – unless you live in an area where everything  your dog could possibly need is located within walking distance – you’ll have to ensure that you have a way to transport your pet to places such as the vet and the dog park (some public transit systems allow dog onboard with you, so long as you pay a fair for them; check with your local transit commission to see if this applied to your town) .

Many dogs are capable of making excellent, well-adjusted (primarily) indoor pets, and research is definitely the key to determining which breed would work well for your situation. To help you on your journey towards your new pet, here is a list of ten breeds that are well established as being good indoor, low to medium activity dogs.

1. Boston Terrier: Gentle, playful and loving dogs, this well known and very popular dog has a good sized life expectancy (10 to 14 years) and does not require a great deal of grooming, due to it’s naturally short hair. Bostons are bright dogs who can at times be rambunctious, yet they are also known for being calm, sweet and sensitive – as well as for being a breed that requires a lot of human interaction, making them well suited to people who spend a fair amount of time indoors. Their small stature and playful nature make them popular family pets.
2. Clumber Spaniel: This sweet faced English breed has a lovely creamy hued coat and fairly short legs when compared to most other retrieving breeds. While retrievers (and large spaniels) in general can be very active dogs who often get by best when they have a yard or field to roam in, Clumbers generally take on a more relaxed attitude to life and could be considered as the couch potatoes of the retriever world. Being a longhaired dog, Clumbers do shed, though their coat care can be kept on top of with regular brushing. A gentle, good natured and bright dog, Clumber Spaniels have been described as the “big dog that thinks it’s a lapdog”, and they are especially fond of attention and love.
3. Havanese: An adorable little dog with a somewhat dishevelled appearance due to their scruffy fur, these small dogs make excellent companions and have been utilized in fields such as detection and therapy work. Playful toy sized dogs, they’re are both intelligent and highly attached to their families. Havanese are reported to get on excellently with other pets, as well as being highly sociable and quick to learn. They make reliable watchdogs, though the breed is not prone to excessive barking at all.
4. English Cocker Spaniel: Dignified, gentle and intelligent, English Cocker Spaniels make terrific household pets and get along swimmingly with children. These medium sized dogs have been a favorite with families for generations now, and makes for a fantastic companion pet. Described as being moderate barkers and lively, playful dogs, English Cockers make ideal pets for those with some time to devote to excising and can get along quite well in an apartment setting.
5. Lhasa Apso: Bright, alert and somewhat energetic, these non-sporting toy dogs originated from Tibet as guard animals and therefore (as result of their guard dog heritage) often posse a bit of a dominate or stubborn trait, though they are also very loyal. Somewhat diminutive in size at around 14-18 pounds, these silky, long haired dogs require daily brushing, but not a great deal of exercise and can be quite content to spend most of their time indoors as a family pet who will be at the ready as a guard dog.
6. Greyhound: While the first thought that springs to many peoples’ mind when they hear the word “Greyhound” is a that it’s a breed who loves to run and is constantly active, the reality is that only a small percentage of the world’s Greyhounds are actually race dogs, and that as a breed, they are not overly active on the whole. Calm, gentle and devoted, Greyhounds typically get along well with other animals and children, and are not habitual barkers in the least.
7. Boxer: Alert, affectionate and jolly, the boxer is a relatively large sized, shorthaired dog with a fair bit of energy and plenty of love to give. Despite the misconception that Boxers are vicious or aggressive dogs, they are in fact gentle natured and usually get along well with children. This image likely steams from the Boxer’s bulldog origins and traditional use as a hunter’s assistant who that was employed to help track down large game. Today’s Boxers love to play and greatly enjoy a bit of daily activity. They need more space than, say, a Pomeranian, but can adequately live in a good-sized apartment or condo, assuming they receive proper walks and exercise.
8. Scottish Terrier (Scottie): An iconic breed with pointed ears, a shaggy coat and headstrong temperament. Scotties are not big shedders; like most terriers, they delight in taking walks and getting daily exercise, but Scotties are not generally overly hyperactive. Though a small dog, the Scottie fancies itself as a guard dog and is sometimes standoffish with strangers, though they tend to be affectionate and devoted to their owners. Due to its compact size, Scotties are well suited to families with small living quarters, but plenty of time to train and play with their pet.
9. Samoyed: A medium to large sized breed with gorgeous white, fluffy fur and a tail that curves upwards, the Samoyed originally hails from Siberia where it was employed as a sled dog and reindeer herder’s aid. Energetic, attentive, and very friendly, these dogs are not known for being aggressive, though some do have a penchant for barking, which could potentially be a downside if you live in a shared building. Samoyeds, despite their lovely coats, do not require an excessive amount of grooming, though they do shed a fair bit. Sammies like to play and take walks (especially in the snow!), but so long as they get the opportunity to “burn off steam” on a regular basis, they can get along quite well in an indoor environment.
10. English Bulldog: Perhaps the most easily recognized and well known of all “couch potato” breeds; the English bulldog is a compact, stocky dog that’s popular the world over. Though English bulldogs can be prone to certain health problems (such as breathing issues and the need for cesarean births due to the large size of the pups’ heads) and are a rather expensive breed ($2,500 US is a fairly common price, though some breeders may charge a bit less or more, depending on numerous factors), they make for loving, loyal and friendly pets (albeit ones who may be a bit stubborn at times) and are well worth considering. Bulldogs do not require a great deal of activity, but as with all breeds, it’s important to walk and play with your “bullie” every day. As a shorthaired dog they are not particularly big shedders and the majority of their maintenance comes from the fact that owners need to properly clean their bulldog’s facial wrinkles (skin folds) to prevent infections.

In the above list we’ve highlighted ten dogs which can make for good apartment dwelling pets, but it’s important to remember that there are many other breeds out there which may also suit your house and lifestyle. Rescue dogs and mixed breeds can also be well suited to apartments, assuming their size and breed(s) are known to be appropriate for indoor living. Assuming your dog lives a healthy life, you can expect to have them with you for anywhere from 8-15+ years, depending on the breed, and it’s important to pick a type of dog that will continue to suit your lifestyle not only today, but in the future as well.

Most people who struggle with debt have more than one creditor to deal with, and possessing 4, 5 or 6+ credit cards is not uncommon for the average household in the western world.

The main advantage of getting a debt consolidation loan to pay off all your personal credit cards debt, is that the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of a typical consolidation loan will be lower than the APR of your credit cards. If you do the math, you’ll notice that this can save you quite a bit of money in the long run and allow you to pay off your debt faster than you would be able to do otherwise. On top of that, you’ll only have to pay one creditor, instead of needing to deal with several bills, different due dates, minimums and so on each month. If you’re able to get a fixed rate term loan, you’re also guaranteed that the interest rate won’t increase over time – something that credit card companies are not usually able to promise you.

On paper it seems like a great plan: cheaper, faster and convenient. There are however a few hitches to keep in mind before going ahead with this plan of (debt) attack. The first issue concerns the lending institution where you get such a loan from. If your credit is excellent and the amount of debt that you have is relatively small, you can probably obtain a simple personal loan, which won’t affect your credit score too much. In most cases though, if you are heavily in debt, chances are that your credit score is not that great to begin with. If you apply for personal loans which in turn get rejected, you credit will be affected negatively, making your financial situation slightly worse off than it already is.

You may be able to obtain a loan for the specific purpose of debt consolidation by talking directly to your credit union or banking institution, or by first seeking debt counseling with any one of the many non-profit companies who specialize in this field. There are two inconvenient aspects however, if you opt to go this route though. Firstly, in most cases you will have to provide a co-signer or some form of substantial collateral such a car, as well as a budget that’s outlined to the last penny and which shows that you are able to handle the monthly payments. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, a debt consolidation loan is a glaring red flag in your credit history. Taking out such a loan is not a decision which you should rush into lightly, it truly affects your credit and is best viewed as being something of a “last resort” option.

Perhaps the biggest problem with debt consolidation loans has to do with the psychology of the debtor (the person who is carrying the debt load). While such is not always the case, some people who are in debt are there due to poor impulse control and spending habits. What do you think it’s going to happen when the credit cards are freed (thanks to the consolidation loan) once again? You guessed it, many people end up accumulating further debt, because they haven’t broken free from their addiction to buying on credit yet.

These are all important aspects to keep in mind before proceeding to apply for a loan. There are times where debt consolidation is the only solution, short of filing for bankruptcy. Only you know your own personal financial situation well enough to be able to judge if this is the case. In many situations however, applying the debt-avalanche method, sticking with the goal of paying off your balances, and the determination not to rebound into consumer debt is what it takes to become debt free.

Photo credit: Lotus Head.

An incredible example of someone thinking, “screw the rules” is Dr. Malcolm Coulthard. BBC has an article that reports on how he and a nurse, Jean Crosier, saved the day by going against the rules and acting, not just thinking, outside of the box. A baby, Millie Kelly, experienced kidney failure during surgery. Her 6lb body was too small for the conventional dialysis machine so doctors informed the mother that the child was unlikely to survive.

This amazing doctor decided to create a scaled down version of the dialysis machine in his garage. According to the mother of the baby, the result was less than standard looking, “It was a green metal box with a few paint marks on it with quite a few wires coming out of it into my daughter”. This home-made machine saved Millie’s life and she is now a happy, healthy 2 year old. The machine is still in use at that hospital, saving the lives of many babies who are too tiny for conventional machines.

Doctor Coulthard is now asking that a proper, official version be created and distributed in order to save many lives that are needlessly lost. I found this story to be touching and I wanted to share it with you, to remind us of how we can all be heroes by simply going beyond the rules when something more important is at stake.

Are you ready to ignore the rules?

One warning is perhaps in order—-this territory we are entering can become a fantastic time-sink. Hours can slip by, people can come and go, and you’ll be locked into Cyberspace. Remember to do your work!

That really hits home, doesn’t it? More than fifteen years later we’re fully immersed in the information age and those prophetic words have never been truer. We are overloaded with information, so much so that it becomes distracting, harms our ability to select and digest knowledge that matters the most, and ends up killing our focus and productivity.

Humans are not multitasking machines, because there really wasn’t a strong evolutionary reason for us to be. We perform better when focusing on a single task, it’s hard-wired in our individual brains, and the context switching required to jump from one task to another is far too “expensive” for our minds to continually deal with.

The solution is to put yourself on an information diet. These are a few strategies that can really help to limit your daily information intake, simplify your life and get things done.

1. Limit recreational Internet surfing

Sites like StumbleUpon, Digg, Reddit, Facebook and Twitter can be fun, interesting, informative and even teach you many useful things, but they are time-sinks. If you aren’t careful, several hours of your personal time can end up being wasted, when perhaps you’d like to put them to better use. Decide what the amount of time is that you’d like to spend on such sites, and stick to it. One hour of your personal time is usually a generous compromise. Remember that you can use RescueTime or similar tools to keep track of how much time you spend browsing and using certain applications.

2. Syndication is your friend

There are information sources that truly matter to you and rightfully, that’s fair, we each have our favorite areas of interest. Rather than checking them regularly and getting lost in the Internet in the process, use a good RSS feed reader. It will make your life much easier, allow you to follow the type of content that you really need or want to read more closely, and prevent you from jumping from site to site in boredom. Read your feeds once or twice a day, and then get on with your life.

If you are using a Mac OS X I suggest the excellent NetNewsWire, while Windows users should take a look at FeedDemon. If you prefer to use your browser, as opposed to a standalone desktop application, Google Reader is definitely worth a try.

If you already use a feed reader, don’t forget to put it on a diet as well. Do you really have time to read hundreds of regularly updated feeds?

3. Don’t obsess over your email

Check your email inbox two (or three times maximum) during the day. Some people tend to frenetically hit “refresh” while waiting for new emails to show up or they check every email notification that appears in programs like Outlook, Lotus Notes or Thunderbird. Unless you work in customer service relations, disable pop up notifications, blip sounds, and only check your email every few hours. You can read Inbox Zen with the three folder email system to learn more about a good system I use to stay on top of emails without stressing over them.

4. Limit IM chats

Instant Messaging is a very immediate form of communication and it’s rapidly taking over the use of emails, even in the workplace. My suggestion is to limit its usage though, because you can easily end up wasting both yours and other people’s time. The easiest way to accomplish this is to put yourself in “Do not disturb” mode. If it’s truly an emergency, you’ll get contacted regardless of your status. But you’ll also avoid all those “So what’s up, Tony?” type of chats. Note that I’m not advocating getting rid of social interaction. On the contrary, I’m suggesting more social interaction when appropriate (in the form of taking to someone in person). Most people will agree though that being interrupted by IM messages when you are in the middle of working on something brain-intensive is a surefire way to lose focus.

5. Skip unnecessary meetings

There are meetings you don’t really need to participate in. So why are you still going? If your presence at a given meeting doesn’t benefit either yourself or your company, I’d argue that your time is much better spent on actual work. Of course, I’m not advocating that you stop attending meetings all of a sudden, that’s a good way to get fired. Rather I’m suggesting that you discuss with your manager about whether or not your participation in a meeting is required and of any actual advantage to the company. Meetings can be very useful, but let’s be frank, many of them aren’t.

6. Keep it short on the phone

Don’t chit-chat on the phone. Get to the point quickly and politely and always encourage the person on the other side to skip ahead to the real reason behind their call. If a follow up is required, try to see if this can be arranged by email instead.

7. Cut the number of hours in front of the TV

Try to limit the amount of time that you spend watching TV. If you read the news online, you don’t really need to view it again in the living room. I don’t dislike TV, there are a few interesting programs that I feel are really worth watching, but if you’re not careful, TV can become a big source of information overload and equate to time spent in a less than productive manner.

Some people watch 4 hours of TV a day. Is that too much? Too little? I like to think in terms of percentage of one’s over-all life. On average, we have 16 waking hours a day. If you consistently spend 4 hours watching TV every day, then TV ends up “wasting” a quarter of your adult life. Is it a waste? It depends, on your deathbed would you regret having spent a quarter of your life watching TV? I know I would.

Enjoy your free time

These 7 tips for reducing the information overload outlined above are a mix of things that can be applied to your personal and professional life. They’re not intend to be a guide for making you a productive, unstoppable machine. Productivity and focus at work are the main effects of these techniques, but there is more to them than that.

What would you do if you had 16 extra hours a week that could be obtained by eliminating unnecessary, time-sink types of activities? You could hang out more with the people you care about, take up a hobby, get a dog, go out more or work towards your goals. Regardless of how you choose to spend your newly obtained time, your life will likely be much better off because of it.

A witness was able to put out the flames using an extinguisher, therefore saving Mitchell’s life. He woke up in atrocious pain in the burn victim unit of San Francisco General Hospital. He had second, third and fourth degree burns on 65% of his body. Fourth degree burns are ones so severe that the bone has been consumed by the fire. His face was burned off, and his hands were irreparably destroyed. Doctors didn’t know at first if he was going to make it or not.

We can only imagine the kind of excruciating, incessant pain he experienced, as doctors agree that the pain associated with this kind of burn is essentially the highest level humans can perceive. Yet, he was unusually motivated to keep going and embrace life. The first thing he said to a surgeon upon learning that most of his hands were gone was, “this is gonna really screw up my pool game”. His courage and determination were clear from the get-go.

After 4 months he managed to get out of the hospital. Disfigured, his return back to city life was far from pleasant. The constant stares and reactions lead him to decide to move out of town. He relocated to the historic town of Crested Butte, Colorado where his upbeat spirit lead him to quickly make many new friends. It didn’t take much longer for Mitchell to co-found a multi-million dollar business, buy a beautiful Victorian house, obtain a pilot’s license and even own an airplane.

Despite the huge challenges, his courage and proactive attitude enabled him to live a successful, fulfilling life. Unfortunately that wasn’t the end of the story though. One winter’s day he set off to fly his airplane with some friends. Ice on the wings made taking off very difficult, and the plane essentially tumbled to the ground. Everyone managed to get out of the plane immediately, except Mitchell. His first thought was that his feet were stuck. Then he couldn’t feel his legs. His back suddenly started to hurt sharply. When the ambulance arrived he was rushed to the hospital where he would later learn that his spine was broken and that he would never be able to walk again.

This man had experienced his second life-altering accident, which combined with the first one, left him paralyzed from the waste down, in a wheelchair, disfigured and with good part of his hands missing. Try to imagine the emotional state of this person in the face of such unbelievable adversity. Once again Mitchell worked hard to continue his pursuit of life. His incredible attitude is summarized in a quote from his time in the hospital: “Before I was paralyzed there were 10,000 things I could do; now there are 9,000. I can either dwell on the 1,000 I’ve lost or focus on the 9,000 I have left.”.

While at the hospital he rushed to get out because he learned about a mining company that wanted to dig a huge, ugly hole in the beautiful mountain that watches over his town. In order to stop them he decided to run for mayor of the city, where he would eventually serve for two consecutive terms. Eventually he was able to convince them that drilling the mountain wasn’t such a great idea after all.

He’s fond of saying, “It’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do about it” (also the title of his book). We can learn so much from these words especially when the reminder comes from a man who lived them to the extreme. W Mitchell is a living example of what will power, courage and determination can achieve, against all odds. His body may be in a wheelchair, but he’s clearly free of mental wheelchairs. I find his story extremely inspiring and it reminds me of how your current condition only partially affects the outcome of your life. What truly matters is your attitude.

Today he owns several successful businesses and is an exceptional motivational speaker, who’s gathered worldwide acclaim. He even enjoys adventurous actives such as water rafting and skydiving. After all there are still 9,000 things left to do.

No matter how smart, skillful or prepared we are, we are human and we’ll always fail sooner or later. What counts though is the ability to learn from our mistakes and get back in the game again. This attitude sets apart those who succeed from those who never become what they’d like to be.

I found the following two videos about famous failures to be quite well made and I encourage you to watch them. The greater the odds, the harder the challenges, the higher your satisfaction will be.

1. Buxfer

Description: Easy to use and with a clean UI, Buxfer allows you to easily track your income and expenses, and set up budgets. Unlike other similar sites, you don’t have to provide your online banking credentials if you don’t want to. It also has support for Google Gears to work offline and store your financial information locally.
Why: Stress free personal finance management.
Honorable mention: mint.com
URL: buxfer.com

2. Remember the milk

Description: A feature-rich task management application full of bells and whistles, including support for tagging, priority, scheduling, sharing, and so on. It works very well for those following the principles behind Getting Things Done (GTD). Despite its many features, the UI is clean, fast and well thought-out, so it’s fairly easy to make it work for you. Several keyboard shortcuts are available, minimizing the amount of time you need to spend entering data. It integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar as well.
Why: Smart TODO management.
Honorable mention: tadalist.com
URL: rememberthemilk.com

3. RescueTime

Description: Upon installing a client on your computer (Mac or Windows), your application and website usage will be securely tracked. Reports are available online and by email. Privacy cautious users can define what gets tracked and what doesn’t, through a whitelist mechanism. By using tags is possible to group applications and sites in order to track the amount of time spent, for example, on a given project.
Why: Keep track of where your time goes.
Honorable mention: 8aweek.com
URL: rescuetime.com

4. Joe’s Goals

Description: They say that goals are dreams with a deadline. Achieving goals requires clarity of what you want to accomplish and tracking your progresses. Joe’s Goals has an extremely simple interface to track whether you worked towards a given goal or not, on a daily basis. It couldn’t get any easier than this, but it can be very effective in reminding you of your “resolutions”.
Why: Stay focused on your goals one day at a time.
Honorable mention: daily-actions.com
URL: joesgoals.com

5. SparkPeople

Description: A great social network of people who are interested in dieting and living a healthy lifestyle. The site offers diet plans, diet and exercise tracking, great articles, daily newsletters and blogs. It’s by far the best of its kind.
Why: Encouragement and tips for healthy living.
Honorable mention: traineo.com
URL: sparkpeople.com

So what do you think about them? What are some other sites that you find truly invaluable to aid you in organizing your life?

Welcome StumbleUpon users. We appreciate your thumbs up. Feel free to subscribe to the feed as well.

An ever-increasing stack of neatly arranged boxes stare back at me as I gaze up from the computer, well into the throws of packing for our upcoming move, I can’t help but think of some of the useful lessons I’ve learned from the many I’ve moves I’ve made throughout my life.

From across town to across an ocean, I’ve moved houses quite a fair number of times, and with each new journey towards another stage in my life, I’ve gathered firsthand knowledge of what it takes to make a move – any move – more successful, straightforward, and yes, perhaps even enjoyable. Here are twenty useful moving tips that have served me well through several moves.

1. Plan! This might sound blatantly obvious, but as soon as you know with any shred of certainty that you’ll be moving, start planning as many steps as you possibly can. Write out (on paper or online) everything and anything that you think may be important. Remember the milk and Ta-da Lists are two terrific sites which can help make the task of keeping everything straight a whole lot easier. Update your list often and make sure that everyone whose involved with the move (aka, family members who live with you) are all on the same page when it comes to knowing about what’s going on regarding the move.




2. If you rent (lease) and are required to give a certain period of notice (of your intent to move) to your landlord, ensure that you do so. The amount of time that a person is legally required to adhere to when giving notice varies slightly from state to state (or province to province), but generally it is 1-2 months before the exact date that you plan to vacate your current premises (this information should be included on your lease or rental agreement). When submitting your written notice to your landlord (and/or property management office) ensure that you date it, sign it in your own handwriting (as opposed to just typing or printing out your name), and make a copy or photocopy for yourself.




3. Know your budget and try to stick to it. Will your new monthly rent or mortgage be more or less than your current one? Do you need to hire a moving truck/rent a van? Will you need to allot funds for airline travel, gas, railway tickets, hotel accommodations? Can you source boxes easily or do you need to purchase them? Draw up a realistic budget based on your current income and/or financial situation.

   Remember to account for expenses such as any fees that you might incur for canceling and/or hooking up (or in same cases transferring) services such as utilities, phone, cable and internet, a new insurance policy (be it renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance), temporary storage (if you’re going to need to house a substantial chunk of your belongings before moving them into your need home), and the cost of hiring professional movers or renting a vehicle, if you’re transporting your items yourself.

   It’s always wise to set aside a percentage of your budget for ‘miscellaneous expenses’ (such as last minute cab fares, buying maps, laying in for some extra cleaning supplies to ensure that you get your damage deposit back, etc) and another for ‘emergency expenses’ (those sorts of things that no one ever plans for, but which often seem to spring up at the most inopportune times). To help ensure your budget stays on track try using an online system such as Buxfer or Mint. On the day of your move, make sure that you have cash and personal cheques on hand, and that you know exactly where all your credit and debit cards are.




4. Learn as much about your new property/home as possible. If you are buying, chances are that your realtor will have told you a fair bit about your new home, but even if they have, it never hurts to ask about anything that you may be curious about. If you’re renting, make sure that you find out up front if things like utilities, cable and parking are included in the monthly rent, if the property has any sort of security system (alarm system, close circuit TV, doorman, etc), if your unit/suite/house/etc has fire alarms in place (as it legally should), what kind of laundry facilities are offered, what the policies are regarding subletting, if you need to provide your own garbage/recycling bins, and where the nearest public transit stops, grocery stores and hospitals are – amongst other things.




5. Check the fine-print on your utilities bills as soon as you know you’re moving to ensure that you call to cancel or redirect utility services well in advance (companies often ask that you call at least 30 days in advance of the date that you want the changes/cancellation to commence).




6. If you’re using a moving company, it’s always a good idea to book as far in advance as possible, especially if you’ll be relocating on a common moving day, such as the first or last day of the month. Call around before settling on a company to find out what services and extras (such as complimentary boxes) they offer, as well as their rates (and what their payment methods are). Always try to go with a company that is licensed and insured. If you have a bit of flexibility in terms of what day you’re able to move on, you may find it easier to get a mover that’s available during the week (as opposed to on the weekend).




7. Keep, toss, sell. If you’ve ever watched the TLC show Clean Sweep then you may be familiar with the “keep, toss, sell” method of organizing one’s worldly possessions. Essentially what “KTS” means is that as you’re organizing your belongings in preparation for your move, you take a moment and decide for each item whether you should keep, toss (aka, throw away), or sell (or donate) it. Moving is truly the ideal time to help rid your home of excess clutter, unwanted junk and anything that’s broken/no longer used.

   If time and your circumstances permit, a yard (garage) sale can be a fantastic way to help unload some of your old goods and rake in a little extra cash. If that’s not possible, then you may want to consider donating any items which are still in good condition to a local charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Just think, the less you own, the less you have to pack and unpack ?




8. Give out your new address and redirect your mail. As soon as you have your new address, take a few minutes (I usually find that an hour – during a weekday – is enough time, unless you’re on hold a lot) to call up important services that you use such as banks, credit card companies, insurers, utility companies, schools, doctors offices/pharmacies, lawyer’s offices, and anyplace else where it’s vital that they have your correct address.

   Just to veer on the side of caution, you may also wish to have your mail redirected from your current address to your new one at the post office (if you’re going to be living someplace temporarily between your old and your new house, you might want to have the post office hold your mail temporarily for you, as well). Email, call or write to friends and relatives before the move occurs, so that they’ll always have your correct address as well. Likewise, remember to cancel or redirect any newspapers and magazines that you subscribe to in advance.




9. Source your boxes – lots of boxes! If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the many moves I’ve made over the years, it’s that it is all too easy to underestimate the number of boxes that you’re actually going to end up needing. What seems like “just a little bit of stuff” can quickly fill more boxes than you might expect.

   In many larger cities, there are companies who specialize in selling sturdy boxes (often including wardrobe and mirror boxes) and other packing supplies. Such companies often delivery and can quickly provide you with clean, new boxes for a very reasonable fee. If this isn’t an option for you, boxes can sometimes be purchased from moving and moving/transport van rental companies.

   Alternatively, you can sometimes find boxes at places like grocery, liquor and furniture stores. Another handy alternative is to join your local Freecycle group and write a post asking for clean, strong moving boxes. In addition to boxes try to make sure that you have lots of packing tape, newspaper or packing paper, bubble wrap, blankets (for larger and highly fragile items), zip-lock bags (for sorting smaller items together), garbage bags (I’ve found GLAD ForceFlex bags to be immensely handy when moving), scissors/utility knives, and permanent markers on hand . If you’re going to be carrying your own boxes and furniture, good quality work gloves are a must!




10. Pack with a plan. Even before you have your moving boxes, you can begin organizing (see “Keep, toss, sell” above) your possessions. Once you have boxes, start packing up items ahead of time, leaving out only the most necessary of objects for the last minute. While a small household can (ambitiously) be packed up from top to bottom in a couple of days (assuming you don’t have a ton of possessions), going that route is both mentally and physically draining. It’s best to start packing 2-4 weeks in advance of your move date, if at all possible.

    By getting an early start on things, you’ll also be better able to judge ahead of time if you have enough boxes (trust me, one “last minute”, middle of the night back alley box hunt is all it takes to teach you the hard way that it’s best to start packing early on). While packing, try to keep like with like and avoid putting overly heavy items with smaller, more delicate pieces (in other words, don’t pack the fine china with the bowling balls).




11. Pack creatively. Make the most of your items and put them to work doing double duty, where applicable. Linens and bedding (including pillows) can be used to wrap up breakable items; suitcases, tote boxes, empty tins/decretive boxes, backpacks, duffel bags, sports equipment bags, laundry hampers (and laundry baskets), and (clean) garbage cans/bins can all be used as potential spots to pack items. While packing up, remember to return any library books, rented DVDs, or items which belong to other people.




12. Label your boxes. While different people have different strategies when it comes to how they like to label their moving boxes, I personally like to include the following on each box: the name of the room where the box is to be placed in your new home, a brief description of the contents, my surname (just in case the movers misplace a box somewhere), and if applicable, the word “fragile”.




13. Keep the toolbox handy. For both your old and your new home, you never know when you’ll need a screwdriver, hammer or level, so have your toolkit (and/or tool belt) at the ready.




14. Make it sparkle. Let’s face it, no one wants to move into an overtly dirty house, yet many of us have been in that exact situation before. As such it’s always nice to give your old place a thorough once-over (vacuum and shampoo any carpets, wash the walls and windows, clean out and wipe down the fridge and any cupboards/drawers, defrost the freezer, make sure the yard is tidy, take out any trash, ensure all light bulbs work, leave all appliances in good working order, etc), that way the new tenants don’t have to move into someone else’s mess. If the same courtesy has not been extended to at your new house, you’ll also need to clean there as well.

    Try to have a good arsenal of basic cleaning supplies on hand (floor cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, furniture/wood polish, Windex, dish soap, a broom and dustpan, sponges/rags, a mop and bucket, polishing clothes, a duster, a bottle of vinegar and some fresh lemons, etc). Also remember to shut the windows and doors, turn off all the lights, air conditioning or heaters, unplug any applicable appliances, and dispose of any trash before leaving your old house for the last time.




15. Keep valuables and important items with you. Ok, you might not be able to carry great grandpa’s antique piano in your lap, but many smaller important pieces can travel with you in a suitcase or plastic storage tote. Such items will be highly personal to you, but could include things such as important papers, jewelry, silverware, irreplaceable childhood mementoes, cherished photographs and anything small that’s extremely fragile. If you’re concerned about the an important item getting damaged during the move, consider having it appraised and insured beforehand, if you’ve not already done so.




16. Remember the good old days. Even if you had some less than fantastic times in your old home, it rarely hurts to take a few moments to reflect on what that house meant to you and your family. You may wish to take pictures or video tape your house during the move and when all the rooms are empty, for both your own recollection and the sake of posterity.




17. Use it or eat it. A few weeks before your moving date, start dwindling down the food in your fridge, freezer, cupboards and pantry, this way you won’t have to move as much of it. If you’ve move will involve many hours or days worth of travel, you may wish to eat up everything (or at least all perishable items) or give your unopened food items to people you known or a local food bank/soup kitchen, that accepts donations. If you are moving with perishable food, use a cooler (with ice) to keep your edibles from spoiling before you reach your destination. Similarly, there’s little point in moving nearly empty items like cleaning supplies, toiletries and gardening products. Use up or discard of as many ‘almost finished’ items as possible, before moving day arrives.




18. Don’t forget about Fido, Fluffy, Flippy or Flappy. Arrange in advance to have someone watch your pets on the day (weekend, week, etc) of you move or board them with a kennel/pet hotel. If you are traveling to your new home with a pet, make sure that they’re wearing their tags (if applicable) and that you have their registration papers, vet files (paperwork), medications, a leash and collar, a clean blanket (and/or carrying case), plastic bags and some rags (for any accidents or pit stops), and plenty of clean water and food on hand with you.




19. Always do one last walk-through. No matter how thorough you’ve been in packing, it never hurts to do one finale walk-about of your old home before shutting the door for the last time (especially important if you’ll be handing over the keys to someone else, such a landlord, right then and there). Check all closets, storage spaces, sheds, the basement and attic, and inside the appliances (including the washing machine and dryer, if they’re not coming with you).




20. Last minute details. It’s the day of your move and with a little luck everything has gone pretty well so far. You’re organized (cell phone, laptop computer, wallet, camera, kids, pets, and important paper work? Check!), packed (did you remember to double check the bathroom cabinets and take any medications with you?), and rearing to go. Now is the time to ensure that you’ve got all sets of house and mailbox keys and garage door openers ready to handover/give back. Check the mailbox one last time, do your walk-through, take any last minute photos, and give yourself a highly deserved pat on the back for a move well done!

These are 20 important points that I always try to remember and put into action when I move. They have helped keep me sane and my move on track numerous times. What are some of your favorite moving tips, tricks and pieces of advice that we haven’t listed above?

1. Inbox Zen with the three folder email system
2. Randy Pausch’s most inspirational quotes
3. The credit card minimum payment trap
4. Saying goodbye to a man who inspired the world
5. 7 unusual pastimes to try this summer
6. Strategies for getting out of debt: Debt Snowball Vs. Debt Avalanche
7. Let’s get started

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The sad news of Dr. Randy Pausch’s passing, has touched many people who had an opportunity to learn about him and his famous last lecture before his death. I already made a brief farewell post, but great men are best remembered through their own words. These are 20 of what I consider to be great Randy Pausch motivational quotes.

1. Never underestimate the importance of having fun. I’m dying and I’m having fun. And I’m going to keep having fun every day, because there’s no other way to play it.
2. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.
3. We don’t beat the Reaper by living longer. We beat the Reaper by living well.
4. It’s not about how to achieve your dreams, it’s all about leading your life. If you lead your life in a right way, karma will take care of itself. And dreams will come to you.
5. If I only had three words of advice, they would be, tell the truth. If I got three more words, I’d add, all the time.
6. The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!
7. Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.
8. Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre.
9. Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.
10. When there’s an elephant in the room introduce him.
11. Be prepared. Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity.
12. Find the best in everybody. Wait long enough, and people will surprise and impress you. It might even take years, but people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting.
13. Apologize when you screw up and focus on other people, not on yourself.
14. Don’t complain. Just work harder. That’s a picture of Jackie Robinson. It was in his contract not to complain, even when the fans spit on him.
15. Get a feedback loop and listen to it. Your feedback loop can be this dorky spreadsheet thing I did, or it can just be one great man who tells you what you need to hear. The hard part is the listening to it.
16. When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a very bad place to be. Your critics are your ones telling you they still love you and care.
17. If you’re going to do anything that pioneering you will get those arrows in the back, and you just have to put up with it.
18. Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. You’ve got to get the fundamentals down because otherwise the fancy stuff isn’t going to work.
19. I probably got more from that dream and not accomplishing it than I got from any of the ones that I did accomplish.
20. I’ll take an earnest person over a hip person every day, because hip is short term. Earnest is long term.

If you haven’t done so already, watch the last lecture and read the book which provides a bit of background information to better understand the man and his story.