Tips For Moving To A New Neighborhood

December 29th, 2010

There are two ways you can choose to look at a move: either as a necessary, but rather stressful event or as the next grand adventure in your life! Now, I don’t know about you, but the adventure option sounds much more enjoyable to us. Why focus on negative thoughts when this could very well be the best thing to ever happen to you? Alright, so to get down to the business of making this whole ordeal exciting and fun, let’s look at some interesting ways to embrace your new life.

Claim Your New Home Town

There was once a time that any new member of the community would be greeted by the neighbors with offerings of baked goods and warm welcomes. Sadly, today’s busy lifestyles seem to have made that tradition all but extinct. So, rather than sitting around waiting for the community to come to you, get out there and get involved in the community. new neighbors Do some searching into the different types of charity and volunteer organizations to see if there is one that you may enjoy participating in. If there is, go and introduce yourself. They’ll be thrilled to have the extra help and you’ll likely make some great new friends.

Get familiar and comfortable with your new surroundings by exploring the town. Learn where the local grocery store is and make it a point to shop there rather than making a run to one of the bigger national chains. Find out if there is a local coffee shop or book nook where you can go to relax and get to know people. If you enjoy fitness and sports, check out what programs are available. You may find a weekly kickboxing class or a community golf course. Or, if you enjoy being crafty, look into calligraphy classes or sewing groups.

The point is that it is up to you to create your own adventure. Even the smallest of towns will have something to offer if you’ll only look. Visit the local chamber of commerce and make some rounds to the small businesses in the area. This is where you can find the best information about upcoming community events and groups that may interest you. Most people will be more than willing to point you in the right direction if you simply introduce yourself, explain that you are new to the neighborhood, and tell them you are really excited to get involved with the community.

Don’t worry so much about people viewing you as an “outsider” or what not. That mentality is very rare these days as most communities are made up of people from all over the country. Chances are that at least half of the new people you’ll meet are not natives of the area themselves. The people who are natives are generally accustomed to having new people move in and relish the opportunity to share their own story of living in the area. So go ahead and get out there—there is no time like the present!

Stress Free Moving – Here’s How

December 16th, 2010

If you have never faced the major task of moving from one home to another, you are likely to be in for a rude awakening. I’ve moved several times in my life, each time with more collected stuff than the last, and I’ve gotta tell you if I never have to do it again it will be too soon. Did you know that moving is one of the top 10 major stressors people have to contend with? Yeah, it’s right up there with marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, and a major shift in careers. So how do you stay sane during this transition?

First, I can tell you what not to do. Don’t be so naïve to think that everything will just fall together all on its own the day the moving trucks arrive. Those trinkets are not going to neatly wrap themselves and jump in your moving boxes all on their own. Neither will anything else in your home, except perhaps your dog which will be the one thing that doesn’t need to go in a box. You must organize this shindig if you want to come out on top.

moving stress

Don't move like this!

Moving the Right Way…Without Stress

  • Start by making a list by rooms. Decide which rooms of your new home will house specific items from your old one. Are you splitting a shared bedroom or combining two into one? Are there items you need to get rid of? Put it all on paper and make a plan.
  • Start packing now. You do not need your summer wardrobe hanging in your closet in the dead of winter, so go ahead and get it in your moving containers. Any non-essentials like books, DVDs, knick-knacks, and framed pictures can be packed and ready to go days, or even a couple of weeks before the move.
  • Label your moving boxes by the room their contents are destined for first, and then with a brief description of what each box contains. This way you’ll know exactly which room to take the box to when you arrive and you won’t have to unpack 10 different boxes to find your silverware (Tip: ZippGo provides box labels made from 100% post consumer recycled paper free with every order).
  • Pace yourself and take breaks. If you start early and make steady progress then you will get everything done in time. Don’t try to reduce the entire contents of your home into 50 neat moving containers in one single day. Set a goal for each day leading up to the move and stop when you’ve met it.

The Business of Boxes

That all sounds well and good, but where are you going to find 50 moving boxes just like that? Well, ZippGo can not only bring plastic moving boxes to your door, but they also keep you feeling good because your move doesn’t sap the environment of its precious resources. Every ZippGo moving crate is made from recycled plastic and we are in the “reuse” business. Our clean, sanitary, environmentally friendly plastic moving boxes are used and reused more than 500 times. You pack and move, then ZippGo will come and get the containers when you are finished. Talk about stress free! Call us today for more details on a stress free move. You’ll be glad you did.

Top 10 Ways to Conserve Water at Home

December 7th, 2010

Water conservation is an important way to lower the demand for water, as well the added benefit of saving on your water bill. Water conservation is easier than you may think. There are a few simple ways that will rev up your water conservation without making too many changes in your normal daily routine. Take a minute to follow these steps and you’ll be doing your part to ensure that clean water will be available to future generations.

  1. Watering the lawn. Curb appeal is definitely important, but here’s something most homeowners aren’t aware of. Most individuals water their lawn up to 30% more than is actually necessary to achieve a healthy, green lawn. How do you determine how much water your lawn needs? I’m glad you asked. First, step onto your lawn to see just how moist the soil is. If the ground seems wet, or the grass springs back after being stepped on, then it is getting more than enough water. If you have an automatic, timed watering system, reset the timers so that you are watering few days, instead of daily. Here’s another tip. Landscape your yard with plants that are native to your area. You’ll be surprised at how much less work and water they will require for survival.
  2. Leaky faucets and pipes. That annoying little drip can be a lot more serious than you may think. Even a slow leak can cause an excess of up to 600 gallons of water to be. If you find a leak on the connection of two pipes, try replacing the washer for a quick fix. Be sure to fix any leaks immediately. Checking pipes and plumbing on a regular basis only takes a few minutes and can play a big part in water conservation. Another trick for checking leaks is to read your outdoor meter, then turn off all water in your home. Recheck the meter after a few hours. If the meter has changed, you have a leak somewhere.
  3. Washing the car. When using water outside, remember to turn the hose on only when you need it. If you are washing your car, fill the bucket up only half way, instead of to the top. Only turn the hose on when you need to rinse the car off, instead of letting it run the entire time. If you are watering plants, try filling a watering can instead of dragging a hose from planter to planter. When finished, turn the water of at the house. Those nifty gun type nozzles attached to your hose aren’t leak proof and can drip a large amount of water over time.
  4. Showers. We all love our hot morning shower, but conservation can happen there as well. Invest in water saving shower heads. Your shower will still flow at a comfortable level, but you’ll be reducing the amount of water you use by almost half! Another quick way to conserve water in the bathroom is to only turn the faucet on when rinsing your toothbrush. Don’t keep the water running while brushing your teeth.
  5. Washing Clothes. Only run the washing machine when you have a full load. Running the washing machine for a half load or just a few pieces of clothing can waste a lot of water. At the very least, set your washer to “small load” if you must wash only a few items.
  6. Waiting for the hot water. You may not have thought of this one. Don’t waste the water out of your faucet while you wait for the hot water to start flowing. Instead, try capturing the water in a watering can to use on your indoor plants, or into a pot for the noodles you’ll be cooking later in the day.
  7. Washing the dishes. When washing your dishes by hand, fill each side of a two sided sink. Use one side for soapy water and the other for clean water. This is a much better choice than to just let the water using running water to rinse each of your dishes.
  8. Bathroom tips. Toilets aren’t the most fun to talk about, but a low flow toilet can greatly reduce the amount of water used with every flush. If you don’t have a low flow toilet installed, check for leaks. You can do this by adding food coloring to the tank. If there is a leak anywhere on the toilet, color will appear with in 30 minutes. Remember to flush after 30 minutes as the food coloring can stain the toilet.
  9. Kitchen sink disposal. Try and use the kitchen sink disposal less, and think about creating a mulch pile. The kitchen sink disposal uses a ton of water every time it is ran, so use the garbage can more, and try creating a mulch pile for your plants.
  10. In the kitchen. Try keeping cool drinking water in the fridge instead of running the faucet and waiting for the cool water to run. Don’t let the faucet run to rinse vegetables, instead use a pan or bowl of water to do so. Also, try and fill a bowl of water if defrosting meat, or plan ahead and set it out so you don’t have to run water over frozen meat to help the defrosting process.

Recycle or Reuse? Stepping Up Your Green Game

November 29th, 2010

I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that recycling is better than discarding altogether. Still, recycling items such as plastic water bottles, cardboard moving boxes, and glass containers requires a good bit of energy. It may save unnecessary waste from finding its way into the landfills, but what of the natural resources required to generate the energy for the recycling process? What of the green house gases that are inevitable as fuels are burned to operate the recycling facility? Recycling may be better than throwing out, but when all things are considered there is still a better solution.reused and recycled can tabs

Yeah, you read that right. A green company just told you that recycling isn’t best. Now before you go getting all worked up into a tizzy, let me explain. Recycling is not a bad thing…it is a very, very good thing. In fact, ZippGo uses recycled plastic moving containers for its services. But we do not use a “new” recycled container every time a customer needs one. We use those babies until they simply are not serviceable anymore—about 500 times each, and only then do we send them to be recycled again.

That’s the key, now isn’t it? Why use all that energy recycling something when you can simply reuse it? As wonderful as reusing is for moving containers, you can reuse all manner of items. Consider the things you casually toss in the garbage or recycle bin and think of a better purpose for them.

Green Good vs. Green BEST

  • Green goodness is reusing your plastic grocery bags as a means of storage or transport of other items. Green BEST is ditching the plastic altogether and getting a canvas tote that you can use and reuse for shopping or toting anything around town.
  • Green goodness is passing your cardboard moving boxes on to the next family to reuse (if the boxes are up to it). Green BEST is renting reusable plastic moving boxes that last much, much longer (and we’ve got them right here at ZippGo).
  • Green goodness is recycling your glass jars at your local recycling center. Green BEST is using those jars as storage containers for your leftovers, craft items, piggy banks, or a plethora of other small items.
  • Green goodness is recycling your plastic water bottles rather than throwing them out. Green BEST is purchasing one sturdy water bottle to refill and reuse.
  • Green goodness is recycling your used batteries in a safe way that doesn’t harm the environment. Green BEST is purchasing rechargeable batteries to begin with.

Is it starting to make sense? Good!

Get Greener by Getting Resourceful

Even the clothes on your back require energy to make. Shop around garage sales and thrift stores for gently used items and save both the environment and your pocketbook. Eat more raw fruits and vegetable to reduce the energy spent on cooking. Use any item you can until it is irreparable and then recycle it. That is ZippGo’s stand on the matter and it’s served us well so far, not to mention the good it’s done for the environment. Will you join us?

Going Green…What’s in it for Me?

November 23rd, 2010

Going green….The term has become quite the buzz word, hasn’t it? Because of the seriousness of global warming and the deterioration of our earth, many of us have started to catch on. Not everyone completely understands what going green really means. Understanding the reasons behind our actions make dedicating to the actions an easier part of every day life.

Though there may be a lot of benefits of going green, the largest is the ability to save the earth.  Not all of the damages done to the earth can be reversed, but they can be slowed down or stopped so that we can enjoy what’s left of this beautiful earth we live on. In terms we can all understand, the air we breathe can be cleaner and more enjoyable. Pollution can cause asthma and allergies, so not having these problems make the simple act of breathing that much easier. Another reason is to improve heart health in everyone. There are pollutions caused by fossil fuels from cars that can be linked to heart disease. By utilizing some of the greener practices, such as the three R’s reduce, reuse, and recycle (which by the way…ZippGo is proud to be practicing everyday!), we can significantly cut down on the pollution that is threatening our planet.hands holding a green plant

Another personal reason to go green that you’ve probably not considered is to reduce infectious diseases. Yep, by reducing energy use, the spread of pandemics can be tremendously slowed since infectious diseases can spread through global warming. Another thing to think about is all the wonderful benefits natural sun light can give us. By cutting down energy use by opening up shades and letting in the sun without having to turn on a light can not only give you the benefits natural sun light can offer, but also cutting down on your energy use.

How about saving money? Most ears perk up at the sound of that phrase. By purchasing locally grown products, energy efficient light bulbs, or even alternative fuel options in cars you can greatly reduce your spending.

Another factor to look at when going green is how much of our natural resources can be saved. Did you know that for every ton of paper that is recycled: 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil and enough electricity to run an average house hold for 6 months is saved? Pretty impressive stuff. One aluminum can recycled can equal enough energy to run a TV for 6 hours. Another thing to look at is the more that is thrown away, the more space that is needed for landfills. If we continue down this path, there will be less room to live and more room needed to store our garbage. Yuck.

With the vast amounts of benefits from going green, it’s a wonder more people are not finding a way to live a greener lifestyle. Part of the problem lies in just not knowing what going green means, or how to begin. Armed with these ideas, consider the benefits of going green. What’s in it for you? A much happier, healthier, and cleaner life.

Going Green For The Holidays

November 22nd, 2010

Everyone finds ways to go green around the house, around the office, and even around town, but the holidays are often a time when thoughts of going green go right out the window. It does not have to be that way anymore with these great tips on how even holidays that are traditionally full of indulgence can bring the green out of us all.

The Big Meal

The first and most eco friendly way to enjoy a green Thanksgiving or Christmas is to think about the meal. Every year, friends and family gather around a table filled with more food than anyone can possibly eat in one sitting. Think about the energy in the kitchen that was used to cook that meal or even the non-environmentally friendly packaging each ingredient on the table was bought in. thanksgiving mealThe first change goes to the big bird gracing the center of the table. You can go a few different routs this year to green up your table. The bird can be forgotten and a more organically friendly meal can be served. If this is just not an option, and for most it would not be, make sure the turkey bought was organically grown. This means the turkey was raised with out the use of antibiotics and hormones, which is healthier for you and your entire family.

Trimmings, trimmings

The next part of the meal is the endless amount of trimmings that take up all that room in your belly. Try and visit a farmers market, or smaller produce stores and buy as much locally grown as possible. This cuts down on purchasing things that had to be shipped, driven and boxed in for you to purchase. Locally grown is also more flavorful since it can be picked last minute and sold straight to you instead of being packaged weeks before you even get your fingers on it. Another thought is to buy locally made pies and side dishes so you don’t have to use all that energy from kitchen appliances to make them. Don’t forget to take along your own bag for your groceries instead of picking between paper and plastic.

Setting the Table

The table is another great way to go green for the holidays. Try using cloth napkins instead of paper so that they can be washed and reused instead of paper napkins that are thrown away and tossed in a landfill. If the thought of paper plates and plastic silverware is an attractive thought, think about buying reusable plates and silverware that are made of recycled products that won’t end up in a landfill as well. The best option is to lay out your own flatware, since you already own it and you know that won’t be tossed out and ended up in a landfill.

Decking the Halls

For decorations, try and purchase ones that can be packed away and used year after year. girl and dog on ChristmasRemember to pick up a box made of recycled plastic to pack them in for just one more way you’re helping the environment (If your renting ZippGo moving boxes, let us know if your interested in buying one for storage). If you want a fresh approach to decorations, try going outside to collect leaves, pinecones and fresh flowers to lie around the house. This is the perfect time of year when color changes nature into a beautiful scene that your home would love to have displayed.

Odds and Ends

A few more interesting ideas you may not be aware of that can green up your holiday include donating your turkey fat, purchasing carbon credits and planting a tree. There is a Tucson based company that recycles the fat your turkey produces and turns it into biofuel. And if you have to drive or fly to see your family on this special holiday, think about purchasing carbon credits to make up for the drive or fly. Also, one of the best ways we can give thanks to our planet for giving us the great gifts that are placed on our table is to go out and plant a tree. You can turn it into a family tradition that the planet won’t soon forget.

Raising Up A Green Generation

November 16th, 2010

For most movements or decisions to completely permeate society, it generally takes more than one generation to catch on. Why? Well, to put it simply…regardless of overwhelming proof of the polar ice caps melting, the need for alternative energy, pollution, and a shortage of space to dispose of our ever increasing waste, some people are just stuck in their ways.

So, although it is vital to raise awareness about the state of our environment to everyone, it is equally important to raise up a new generation that will be kind to the earth. As children, we were taught very little, if anything, about recycling, conservation, and living green.

What Should We Teach Our Children About Going Green?

The best way to teach, of course, is by example. Some things are worth explaining though. Offering solid reasons for our choices shows our children that we are making a conscious decision to do things a certain way. Especially when our efforts seem to take more time or are a bit of an inconvenience, it is worth explaining that we do these things to help our planet.

Environmentally friendly girl

A green kid is a happy kid!

Always include your children in your conservation and recycling efforts. Doing is part of learning and the more your children are able to participate, the more ingrained “green living” will become.

Here are a few solid ideas to help you raise up a generation of green enthusiasts:

Steer Clear of Water Bottles

Yes, water bottles are recyclable and convenient for kids to carry to school or take along to sporting activities, but the fact is that only 1 in 10 plastic bottles actually makes it to a recycling center. The rest end up in our streams, rivers, and landfills. Just by teaching your child to choose a reusable water bottle, they will be developing a habit that will most likely lead to more environmentally healthy choices; such as carrying reusable lunch containers, as opposed to paper bags. One small habit can expand into many.

Be a Ghost Buster

This is an easy one, just because kids like to talk about ghosts. Teach them about ghost energy in your house that is secretly draining power and wasting electricity even when appliances are turned off. According to Energy Star, close to 40% of an average energy bill can be attributed to ghost energy. Small appliances, such as cell phone chargers, your DVD player, your toaster, and your coffeepot all should be unplugged when not in use. Your child can help by reminding you, or helping to unplug the items that are not in use.

The Water Police

Most of us are aware of our need to conserve water. There are lots of ways to involve your little greenies in water saving efforts. Play a few rounds of “did you know” with your children and they’ll quickly become the water police in your home.

  • Did you know that a standard washing machine uses 40 gallons of water for each load? An easy no-brainer way to conserve water is by washing less. Hang up your bath towels and use them again. This alone will greatly reduce the amount of wash you do.
  • Did you know that over 80% of the energy used by your washing machine is from heating up the water? It really doesn’t get them any cleaner to rinse them in any temperature but cold, and washing in cold is just fine for average loads.
  • Did you know that a five minute shower uses 1/3 of a bathtub of water? With this in mind, figure out whether it’s more economical for your family members to take baths or showers. If you’ve got a family member who can’t resist taking 10 or 12 minute showers because it feels so good in the morning, maybe you should switch them over to baths. Let your children help you figure out that little experiment.

These are very basic tips for encouraging eco-friendly behavior in your home. As your children grow older, they’ll be able to help make new assessments and even find their own ways to conserve.

Our planet is already incredibly vulnerable. Teaching your children to care for it properly is a must. Visit our website often. We’re full of good ideas to help you live green; and when it comes time to move green, keep us in mind. Instead of using cardboard boxes for moving, check out our environmentally friendly plastic moving boxes made out of 100% recycled plastic. Yep, we’re doing our part too.

The Cheapest Way To Get Moving Boxes

November 11th, 2010

Okay, so let’s face facts…Times are tough. The economy still hasn’t recovered and many of us aren’t looking to spend a lot when it comes to moving.  You might be moving for one of many reasons, but whatever the reason, let me tell you…it’s often much more expensive than you think. There are some basic expenses that you’ve probably already thought of:

Man stuffed into car with cardboard boxes

Don't get moving boxes this way!

  • The moving truck or van
  • The deposit or money involved with getting into your new place
  • The huge trip to the grocery store to stock your new home or apartment with food
  • The utility hook-up fees

What About Boxes for Moving?

If you are trying to save money, you may be considering going the “old fashioned” route and collecting cardboard boxes for moving from your local grocery store. It’s got to be the cheapest way to pack your belongings, right? Well, you may think so, but in reality…no. Let’s break down what’s actually involved in collecting your own boxes.

  • Numerous trips to the local grocery store, Sams Club, WalMart or wherever you choose to try to locate these boxes. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and be able to score 20 boxes from the same place, but guess what? You don’t have your moving truck yet because you’re in the packing stage of the game, so you can only fit 8 boxes in your vehicle….fail.
  • Sometimes you’ll be able to get boxes that are already broken down. This sounds like a good plan, since you’ll be able to fit all 20 of them in your vehicle at once. Cheap and convenient, right? …Wrong. Now you’ll have the added expense of purchasing packing tape to put the boxes together. Think you’ll only need one or two rolls, so it will only cost a few dollars? Wrong again. The average price of a roll of packing tape with a dispenser is between $4 and $6, depending on where you go. You’ll be able to put together approximately 10 boxes with one roll of tape. Since an average move uses at least 50 boxes, you’ve just cost yourself at least $30 in packing tape.
  • Gas used collecting boxes. Unless you happen to work at a place that will supply you with boxes, you’re going to have to use gas and time for “box hunting.” A normal trip around your city to locate boxes could end up costing you at least a few gallons of gas. There’s an extra $10.

Are you tired yet? I thought so. I realize that the above analysis was pretty nit picky, but all things considered, it just makes good sense to move green. Each ZippGo moving box is clean, safe, made out of 100% recycled plastic, and is 27 inches long x 17 inches wide and 12 inches high. They have an attached lid that seals and locks with the Zipp ties we provide. No packing tape is needed and you won’t have to run around town looking for boxes.  We also include box labels made from post-consumer recycled paper and a custom moving dolly.  We’ll bring your green moving boxes right to your door and pick em’ up when you’re done!

ZippGo Green Moving Boxes vs. Cardboard Boxes

September 10th, 2010

We knew using ZippGo boxes for moving and packing is cheaper and greener than using cardboard boxes, but are they faster? We decided to put ZippGo boxes to the test, by doing a head to head competition with cardboard boxes. It should be no surprise who finished first, but wait till you see what we were able to do with all the extra time we had!

ZippGo Green Moving Boxes vs. Cardboard Moving Boxes from Ash S. on Vimeo.

How To Rip Off Your Moving Company

July 21st, 2010

Glad the catchy title of this post got you here, but we’re not really going to show you how to rip off movers. Movers are hard working people who I am thrilled to see when I am moving. What I am going to share with you are ways to significantly reduce the number of hours your movers spend at your home while reducing your liabilities.   Moving home can prove to be an expensive undertaking. The final cost of doing this can come as a huge shock if you are not careful. If you have just invested a lot of money in your new home this is not the time for further huge expenses.

One way that you can save money is by doing as much of the preparation work as you can. Moving companies can charge you a fortune for packing. If everything isn’t ready when the movers arrive it can also waste a lot of time; this is not what you want when paying by the hour. Start getting ready at least a week before the move and begin packing those things that you are not going to need before the move. Try to avoid packing anything that you are going to be hunting for before moving day as this can get frustrating.

green moving company

Moving is so much faster.

Another factor in paying less for your move is making good choices when it comes to deciding where to buy moving boxes. You should be able to pick up some cheap boxes or even some free moving boxes. The problem is that these don’t tend to be very sturdy and there is a good chance that your belongings could get damaged during transit to your new home. One solution to this is to use reusable plastic crates for moving. The great thing about these green boxes is that not only are they crush proof, tear proof, and water-proof, but they also speed up your move by almost 50% and are incredibly better for the environment. Green box moving will help you reduce the price of your move by decreasing the amount of time moving companies will bill you for.  As well as being cautious when buy moving boxes you should also pay a bit of attention to how you pack things. Make sure you pad any breakables securely with old clothes or newspaper. Using petroleum based bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts is not good for the environment, so its always better to use recycled moving supplies.

By the time the movers arrive you should already have everything stored away in your moving boxes. Try to avoid a last minute scramble to get things ready; this will only add to your stress levels and moving is difficult enough without this added pressure. Your last hour or so should be spent saying goodbye to your home and neighbors and not spent packing moving boxes and trying to find room for half your stuff. If you pack well in advance you will have had more time to consider your moving supplies and realize if you don’t have enough. Suddenly finding that you have nowhere to put things is not the ideal scenario – especially with the moving truck parked in your driveway.

It is probably best to choose a local mover if you are trying to save money on your relocation; shop around and ask for an hourly rate in writing. Try and get a recommendation for a mover if you can; ask friends and family for advice. You can also check web services like Yelp or similar online communities; pick a mover that has received positive feedback. Don’t always assume that the cheapest quote offered is the best deal. If the mover takes twice as long and breaks your stuff in the process, you won’t be saving any money.

Another issue you will want to consider is insurance. You could even go to the extreme of buying moving boxes made of steel and still find that items can get broken or lost in transit. If you are using cheap moving boxes then there is a big risk of things getting damaged. If you choose a mover that offers insurance then at least you will be covered financially for your loss.  These are just some tips to follow to reduce the costs associated with moving homes. A little preparation can go a long way. What kind of experiences have you had with moving companies in the past? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.