Very clever... a step by step video showing how $20+ dollars can make about 30 "designer" drawer pulls that would normally set someone back by about $480 plus tax and delivery charges! As a moving organizer and someone who is always looking for ways to get a designer look for less, I really appreciated finding this how-to video on You Tube. The real trick is to use the right diameter of bolt that will handle the stress of constant pulling.
The list of materials for this project are: Vegetable-tanned Leather Hide, $20 … (11 comments)
moving organizer: Moving?... Open ME First...
- 12/09/12 01:20 AM
Moving? Always Have an OPEN ME first box! Moving is so stressful… one tip to help make moving day a little bit easier is to have an OPEN ME first box… and be sure to put colored tape or stickers on the box so it stands out from the crowd of all the other boxes that look the same! The contents of this box … should contain the essentials you’ll need to help you and your family take a shower, make breakfast, and tools to re-install any broken down furniture – usually beds! Clean towels and bedding are also essential. … (15 comments)
moving organizer: Holiday Favorite.. a production of A Christmas Carol!
- 11/18/12 03:32 PM
Holiday Favorite… a production of A Christmas Carol! Long before I became a moving organizer, I fell in love with watching A Christmas Carol on our black and white TV – it was such a feel good story (after I got over getting scared by a ghost of Christmas past.. LOL LOL). Most cities have theatre companies – that put on an annual production of this holiday classic, and the SF Bay Area is no different. This year, A.C.T. (American Conservatory Theater) is offering families a 50% discount! Ticket packages start at $48 – just use the code CHEER when … (4 comments)
moving organizer: Do You Have Piles of Bills To Pay?
- 11/15/12 10:40 AM
Do You Have Piles of Bills To Pay? Are you internet savvy? Or, do you still pay your bills using snail mail? Maybe you pay some bills online and others through the mail. By the very nature of my job as a moving organizer, PHA and team really get a really good glimpse of your life – we get to see what’s in your closets, drawers and cabinets. We pack your personal “unmentionables” and your children’s toys, medicines and books. We also pack your financial documents. Part of PHA’s proposal and service agreement includes a CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE… it states that … (3 comments)
moving organizer: Where Did I Put Those Keys?
- 11/14/12 03:17 AM
Where Did I Put Those Keys? Do you need your keys to lock your door when you leave in the morning? Or, does your door lock automatically when you close it? If you’re like many people, when you come home, you put your keys down on the first empty surface you see. Then, when you need to go out again, you search hopelessly for those keys! It’s been estimated that you can spend, on average, 6 minutes per day looking for your keys. If you do the math, that is 3 hours a month or a little over 36 … (13 comments)
As a moving organizer and amateur savory chef, PHA usually shies away from baking. After all, baking is a science. Things need to be measured carefully. It’s not like you can do a pinch of this, or a pinch of that….no, in baking, ingredients need to be in exact proportions. But, I’ve recently become inspired… a little bit ago I did a post about the Next Iron Chef competition for 2012 and indicated that I was rooting for Chef Elizabeth Falkner. Chef Falkner began her career, in San Francisco, as a pastry chef… and … (12 comments)
moving organizer: Moving? How to Pack a Bathroom
- 11/12/12 09:26 AM
Moving? How to Pack a Bathroom Are you one of those folks who think moving is a pain in the ????? If you are, and you pack yourself, you probably just take things out your cabinets and place them in a haphazard way inside a box. Then, when you arrive at your new home you wonder why so many things are broken or covered with liquid substances - yuck. Here are some quick tips from a professional moving organizer to help you pack the contents of your bathroom: o Make sure you have a variety of medium and large sized Ziploc … (5 comments)
moving organizer: Insomnia - doesn't happen often
- 11/10/12 10:09 PM
Insomnia – doesn’t happen often But when it does…. How do you handle it? Webster’s Dictionary defines: in·som·nia noun \in-ˈsäm-nē-ə\ : prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep
As a moving organizer, PHA usually returns home pretty tired. And, while I no longer physically pack, lift, or unpack 30-35 boxes a day – I am constantly supervising the crew, movers, and others answering questions, making decisions about placement of items and conferring with client’s to make sure their wishes are accommodated. I know that caffeine is a stimulant… and I typically only drink decaf black tea … (11 comments)
I was reading Barbara Todaro's post about motivating new agents.... it reminded me of a situation that occured with me three years ago. One of my colleagues, who also specializes in Moving and Relocation, approached me to coach her to more success. She shared with me how her revenue had declined dramatically over the prior three years and she was having difficulty keeping up with her bills. Because my revenue had continued to steadily rise over those same three years, she wanted to find out my secret! My secret to my success is not a secret - I … (9 comments)
moving organizer: Online Presence is Forever
- 10/09/12 08:23 AM
Online Presence is Forever PHA is working from home today taking care of paperwork. I received an email request from LinkedIn to be added as a connection to a colleague of mine. When I accepted, LinkedIn suggested other people in my network for me to invite. While scrolling through the list, there were several people who I did send invitations too. But, there was one name that came up who passed away in February of this year. When I saw her picture, a veil of saddness came over me - if I had such an emotional reaction, I can only imagine … (70 comments)
moving organizer: The Tortoise and the Hare of Payments
- 10/06/12 08:18 AM
The Tortoise and the Hare of Payments Under normal circumstances, as a moving organizer, PHA receives a deposit of 50% of the estimated costs with the balance due upon presentation of an invoice at the end of the project when all items have been unpacked and put away. But, there is another segment of my business where the costs of my services are reimbursed by one or more major Insurance Companies…. Imagine that you have recently purchased a new construction condo – Brand new flooring, new appliances, granite countertops – the works. You throw some laundry into your washer … (31 comments)
moving organizer: Kitchen Organizing - Step 2
- 10/01/12 11:36 AM
Kitchen Organizing – Step 2 How much is too much? Many of us accumulate things but do not get rid of items the new purchase is supposed to be replacing. Or, somebody gives us a gift of the latest gadget that is more on “looking cool” than functional. Purge, Purge & then Purge Again! Step 2 of kitchen organization – Purge, purge, purge. We all hear this charge, but, do we follow through? While it is much easier to purge and organize when you are going through the moving process, we simply must take the time to purge our … (13 comments)
As a moving organizer in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City, I get to enjoy the best food this Country has to offer on a regular basis. Now, I know that many states have great restaurants, but I'm in these three cities most often. And, I will definitely find time this Satruday, August 18, 2012 for the FOURTH ANNUAL LaCocina San Francisco Street Food Festival!! The festivities begin at 11:00am and end at 7:00pm. It is in the Mission District, on Folsom Street between 20th to 26th Streets, and on Treat Street to Shotwell … (13 comments)
Most of us have them...some are built-in, some are free-standing and some are floating (shelves on brackets). In my experience, having shelves, or any flat service that can hold an item, can very easily become cluttered. And, I often encounter book shelves that are so full, the visual clutter actually hurts. PHA recently completed an entire condo re-organizing project. This couple moved in to their large one-bed, one bath condo in 2009. But, because of a variety of life factors, they just unpacked and put things away with no rhyme or reason. They have three free-standing bookcases in … (4 comments)
moving organizer: LTL Trucking... tips when moving commercial goods
- 07/17/12 10:42 AM
LTL Trucking... tips when moving commercial goods As most of you know, PHA's typical client is a residential homeowner who is either making a lateral move, upsizing to larger space, rightsizing to new space to fit their current needs, or is relocating to another state. But, over the years, PHA has been involved with some exciting commercial moves. We recently were hired as a moving organizer to assist in the transport of a variety of office furniture, filing cabinets, computer monitors, docking stations and thousands of paper files. These items were moving from Brisbane, CA to Bridgewater, NJ. And, because files … (0 comments)
At least when you're a Moving or Commercial Truck trying to navigate the hills of San Francisco.... LOL LOL
I feel so sorry for this Long Haul Flatbed driver.... his GPS directed him to drive along Divisadero St., that stretches from the Castro District on the South to the Pacific Heights/Marina Districts on the North in San Francisco. Yes, it was the most direct route for his destination, but it failed to advise him that because of the very steep grades on the hills, that his truck … (17 comments)
As a moving organizer who frequently moves clients cross-country and back, I used to struggle with how to best establish a rapport, and present my services and fees. After a string of "win some", "lose some", it was time to figure out what I did when I "won" the gig... First: I listened better... by listening better to my prospective client's needs, I was able to offer easy solutions to help make their move stress-free. Second: Pricing is a concern, but, it turned out more people are worried about the "process"; how is … (20 comments)
moving organizer: 50 Page Document - Postage $9.82, REALLY?!!!!
- 02/18/12 07:46 AM
50 Page Document - Postage $9.82, REALLY?!!!! As a former Insurance Broker, current Professional Moving Organizer, and a resident of San Francisco which is one the most environmentally conscious cities in the US... $9.82 to mail my 50-page business insurance policy has me miffed!! What were they thinking???? Having the proper insurance coverage for my business is critical... and I am proud that I carry the right coverage for the two main risks I have.... coverage for personal items of others in my care, custody and control AND coverage that insures my property that I use when I stage a home … (14 comments)
As a professional and moving organizer, we encounter many situations where an overflow of paper has accumulated. And, we are frequently asked for guidelines about what to shred and what not to shred. Of course, we're not talking about the really IMPORTANT documents that should never be shredded... like your birth certificate, passport, deeds of property or trusts, etc. We're talking your montly bills, tax receipts (not completed tax forms) older than 10 years, credit card statements and the like. From time to time, when there are a … (13 comments)
Over the weekend I received a phone call from another moving organizer. During our conversation, a discussion ensued regarding revenue levels for 2011. My goal for 2011 was to achieve a high, mid-level six figure gross revenue... and while I didn't reach my goal, I came close enough for me to be happy (not satisfied, just happy). She, on the other hand, had a goal of getting close to a six-figure amount. She achieved revenue slightly more than half that amount. My belief is that you have to dream big in … (13 comments)
$20 drawer pulls for only $2 Each!!
;)
;)
