Over two weeks of competitor comparison posts, we talked quite a bit about how to save money, time and headaches when you move long distance. We also compared rental truck companies to U-Pack Moving.

Even with all of this information, you might still question which company offers the best moving discounts (and who can blame you). If you haven’t already gotten a free moving quote from U-Pack, now’s a great time (it’s quick, and there’s no-obligation). Just enter your move information, and you’ll get a quote instantly.

If you still haven’t decided, here are some other considerations:

The moving discounts truck rental companies offer may not be as big as you think. Of course, every little bit helps – but don’t forget to add additional expenses like hotel stays, on-the-go meals, fuel costs, fees, road tolls and insurance to your rental truck price. Even the best moving discounts likely won’t make up for the extra costs that aren’t included in your truck rental rate.

What happens if you need more space? We’ve covered the different types and sizes of moving equipment available; from PODS^® containers and rental trucks, to U-Pack’s moving trailers and ReloCubes^®. So what’s the takeaway here? More room is always available with U-Pack, and you only pay for what you use. That’s not always the case with other moving services. There’s no need to leave items behind due to space constraints (unless you want to).  

Driving across the country is easier in your own vehicle. Let’s face it. Rental trucks are uncomfortable, and not ideal for traveling with a family. If you haven’t already, take a look at how U-Pack compares to Ryder^®, Penske^®, Budget^®, and U-Haul^®. Why make a long-distance trip in a rental truck when you can enjoy a mini-vacation together along the way, while U-Pack does the driving?

Now, here’s my shameless U-Pack plug: U-Pack offers convenient moving services at discounted rates – they’re comparable to truck rental (but you can subtract the hassle). Your moving quote includes fuel, taxes, road tolls, and the driver. And of course, I can’t write about moving discounts without offering one. Use discount code BLOG11 for an additional $25 off your move. To save even more, talk to a U-Pack representative about off-peak moving days and terminal-to-terminal moving options. Get a free moving quote online or call 800-413-4799 – we’ll be happy to help with your move!

Check out the latest blog post from U-Pack customer Miki M. and her grandmother Regina as they near the end of their cross-country road trip to Oregon. Take a look at Miki and Grandma Regina’s stop in San Francisco too.

The last night of our moving vacation, we did it big...or at least our version of big. We had an amazing dinner at 5 Thais in Redding, California. Their mango sticky rice is nothing short of amazing! We then stopped at a charming motel. There wasn’t any ocean to be seen, but it was complete with palm trees, pool and jovial owners. After a quick trip to the grocery across the street for celebratory sodas, snacks and a few packs of dog food, we gathered by the pool. Central California was a tad too chilly for Grandma-ma and me to swim, but Danielle and Austin jumped right in! They were beyond amusing with their relative antics.

Grandma-ma and I soon settled in for a night of television and snacking. We went through our pictures and some yet unsent postcards. She worried a little bit about her furniture until I reminded her how flawless my U-Pack experience was a couple of years earlier. I described again how cute her new apartment was and told her how much I had missed having her around.

We made weekly plans to shop and visit. We talked décor and she pondered over all the usual items that needed to be replaced when moving: favorite spices, basic groceries and bath mats. As I grew more excited, Grandma-ma seemed to become a tad more nervous. It’s understandable. This was a big move: 3,000 miles away from the pharmacy and grocery she had frequented for over 15 years. But this is one of the reasons I chose ABF U-Pack Moving: I wanted us to have the freedom to enjoy our journey. I didn’t want to add to either of our stress levels by trying to drive a giant truck across the nation when I can’t even successfully parallel park my sports sedan! And, most importantly, I wanted to know without doubt that all the “things” my grandmother had worked so hard to earn over her lifetime were in good hands. And it worked out great!

Excellent question. And here’s the answer: Most people find that U-Pack is the cheapest way to move long distance.

While we’ll be the first to admit that occasionally there are exceptions, in most cases, the cost to move long distance with U-Pack is significantly lower than full-service movers, and comparable to truck rental. But, of course, with U-Pack an experienced professional does the driving. That means you get to enjoy the trip in your own vehicle (sounds great, doesn’t it?).  

Here’s how U-Pack works:

• We deliver a moving trailer or ReloCube(s) to your door.
• You load your belongings.
• We drive to your new home.
• You unload your belongings.

There’s no additional charge for fuel, or taxes. Just pay based on the linear footage your shipment occupies in the moving trailer, or the number of ReloCubes you use.

And here’s a perk that U-Pack customers love: There’s no down-payment or deposit. You can pay by credit card in transit, or by cashier’s check or money order when we deliver to your home. So convenient!

Getting a moving quote is easy – just call or click. No one comes to your home, or bothers you; just a quick, simple quote to show you what to expect. Of course, if you have more questions about how U-Pack works, feel free to call us at 800-413-4799. We’ll be glad to help!

Happy Moving!

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! We hope you’ll have your green on. We sure will!   

How about taking a break from packing to enjoy a parade? This infographic shows some of the nation’s most unique and historic St. Patrick’s Day parades. If there’s one in your area, check it out! And if you’re moving to the Kansas City area, you might want to build a float (in your spare time). The winning float entry wins tickets to Ireland!

Check out the latest blog post from U-Pack customer Miki M. and her grandmother Regina as their cross-country road trip nears its end.

Our moving vacation was nearing the end by the time we hit the road with San Francisco as our next stop. However, it was difficult to focus as we ruminated with sight and sensory overload. On this leg of our trip, we visited the best fruit stand ever (I’m not kidding)! I always make a point to visit the Moss Landing produce stand. We couldn’t help ourselves; so we bought a little more than road snacks. We collected three watermelons, 10 giant grapefruit, 10 pounds of oranges, a dozen artichokes, three pints of strawberries, onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms…the list goes on. It was all decadent, fresh, tasty, and under $20.00. Right?! The car was already crowded. We literally had fruit falling out of the luggage rack. The partial solution? To eat all of the fruit possible right then, of course.

Hello, San Francisco!

The best fruit stand, ever.

I think we were all on a natural sugar high by the time we hit the city. We saw the gorgeous houses stacked on top of each other, sparkling water and, I kid you not, a shiny person crossing the road. I’m not exactly sure what was going on, but a very thin person dressed in shiny garb, crossed the road and about blinded me. I hated to be that person, but I was on vacation, so I took a picture.

Then of course, we ate. That’s one of the joys of a moving vacation. Then we headed to the Golden Gate Bridge. I know every tourist does it, but it’s for all the right reasons—such a view and history! It was the perfect San Francisco day, full of light and fog. Grandma-ma and I strolled the garden with her little dog Randy. Danielle and Austin took Ivy for a walk across the bridge. Her little tail wagged for hours.

We took pictures together, shopped for souvenirs and gazed at the flag. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon. Shortly after, we hit the road again, eager now to make it home. By that time, knew Grandma-ma’s belonging were at their destination. ABF U-Pack Moving called to let us know that they were storing her ReloCubes at their hub, so there were no worries. Her 86-years worth of furniture, memories, china and mementos would be there when we arrived. Have I mentioned that I’ll love ABF U-Pack Moving forever?

Alaska is like no other state in the nation, and the fact that it’s surrounded by the beauty of unspoiled wilderness makes moving there an exciting adventure. But a successful move to Alaska in the winter requires serious planning.

What to expect from a winter move to Alaska
Expect it to be cold, dark, and have lots of snow. Winter temperatures in Alaska vary depending on whether you’re moving to an outlying area like Anchorage or an interior city like Fairbanks (where temps often fall below 30° for weeks at a time). With cold temperatures and long nights, it’s important to be adequately prepared.

Of course, we recommend NOT taking on the task of driving a moving truck if you’re moving to Alaska in the winter. Instead, save money by loading and unloading on your own, and let professionals do the driving! U-Pack offers a great, affordable solution. Now, you can catch a flight or make the adventurous drive in your own (familiar) vehicle. Much easier.

Things to carry in your vehicle
This is good information whether you’re driving your own vehicle during the move, or have a vehicle to drive once you get there. Even though the snow-covered grounds are typically well-plowed, it’s still crucial to have survival gear readily available in your vehicle. Your survival kit should include: water, power bars, waterproof matches, fire starters, road flares, signaling mirror, flashlights, extra batteries, bandages, aspirin, disinfectant wipes, small camp shovel, multi-tool complete with knife, rain jacket/pants, safety pins, space blanket, garbage bags or poncho, wool blanket and socks, cord/twine, medications, etc.

The appropriate attire when you’re moving to Alaska in the winter
Again, it’s cold, so expect to dress in layers for warmth. Invest in quality snow boots, wind resistant coats, base layers, etc. – a lack of preparation in extreme cold can take a deadly turn.

Mentally preparing for a move to Alaska
Have you ever heard of Seasonal affective disorder? It’s sometimes called “winter blues,” or “winter depression.” And it’s a true disorder, marked by “normal” mental health through most of the year, but depressive symptoms during the winter. It’s especially prevalent in Alaska during the winter, when sunlight is sparse. Consider purchasing sun lamps or light boxes to help combat the winter blues. Also, be social and find reasons to leave the house as much as possible – visit the local coffee shop, have dinner parties, or lunch dates on a regular basis.

And though it’s dark, spend as much time as you can outside, because Alaska winters are simply extraordinary!

Go U-Pack! It’s the ideal way to move to Alaska in the winter! Get a free, no-obligation moving quote today!

Heather is the U-Pack Blog’s newest Guest Blogger. We think you’ll enjoy her knowledge and helpful tips. Welcome Heather!

One thing’s for sure… Moving day is going to be busy. Keep reading: I’ll give some tips to help lessen the stress and make moving day easier. 

Organizing. When you’re packing everything up, organization is ultra-important. If you keep things organized, you’ll definitely thank yourself when it comes time to unpack! There are a few things you might want to keep on and to make organization easier: a good, quality tape gun, marker, labels, notepad, and basic tools.

Packing your boxes. Start with numbering your boxes and labeling them by room with a brief description of the contents. Write these down in list-form in your notebook in case you need to find something quickly. There’s not much that’s more frustrating that looking through a dozen boxes trying to find the one thing you need. I recommend packing the things you’ll need right away in well-labeled boxes, and make them easily accessible. Also, try using small, same-size boxes because they stack well and are easy to carry. Wardrobe boxes are another convenient option when packing up your closets; they can be loaded and unloaded easily which only helps in the long run!

Loading your stuff. When it’s time to load up your trailer or portable storage container you’ll want make sure to put the things you’ll need right away toward the front. Things like beds, bedding, toiletry items, towels, cleaning supplies, and kitchen supplies need to be easy to get to. It’s going to be a long day so you want to make sure and set up your beds first so you can get a good night’s sleep after all the moving! Heavy items need to go in first so you can stack lighter items on top of them.

Moving in. When it’s time to start unpacking and moving in, it’s best to try to put the boxes in the rooms the contents will go in. This will go far in keeping things organized and easy. If it’s an option for you, I prefer to leave the big stuff to the people who don’t mind lifting big stuff. I prefer to delegate where I want the furniture set up in lieu of moving it myself, and I like to unpack the boxes myself, that way I can put things where I know I’ll want them.

Remember to take breaks, drink plenty of water and order out for dinner, maybe a pizza? The less you have to worry about, the better!

And, to REALLY make moving day easier, Go U-Pack!  It’s the easy, affordable way to move long-distance. You load and unload and let U-Pack do the driving! Get a free moving quote and see how much you’ll save!

Spring isn’t just when people get started planning their cross-country moves, it’s time for BASEBALL! Major league baseball teams across the country are traveling to warm, sunny locations to start spring training – and you’re invited to watch! If you’re moving to Arizona or Florida, you’ve got a chance to see some your favorite teams in action. Check out our newest infographic about Baseball’s Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues.  

Florida’s Grapefruit League spring training officially kicked off on March 3^rd.  This year 236 games will be played in 14 locations across the state of Florida. The 15 teams playing spring ball in Florida are: the Braves, Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Astros, Marlins, Twins, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates, Cardinals, Rays, Blue Jays, and the Nationals.

Check out the latest blog post in the road trip adventures of U-Pack customer Miki M. and her grandmother, Regina:

Heading Up the Highway: In the ‘Home’ Stretch!

Moving from a renter to a homeowner is a big step in life.  I still remember the day we signed those papers that allowed us to quit writing checks to a landlord and start writing checks to a mortgage company.  It was a big, big day.

 One thing I learned very quickly was that owning a home brings with it both rewards and challenges.  As a renter you simply make your monthly payment, get insurance on your personal property and let the landlord do the rest.  As a homeowner, you’re now responsible for even the smallest details – repair, lawn care, insurance, utilities...everything.   While it’s exciting, it’s still a HUGE responsibility. Before you move into the buying phase, I think it’s always a good idea to check out a “should I rent or buy” calculator;  Yahoo! Real Estate and Bankrate.com both offer good ones.

 Since a lot of people we move are transitioning from being a renter to a homeowner, we hope this information and advice proves helpful – here are some things you can expect from homeownership:  

 Your mortgage payment almost always includes more than just the actual house payment.  You can expect to pay for a down payment, closing costs, interest charges, property taxes, utilities, renovations, maintenance, and homeowners insurance.  Normally these can be bundled in with your mortgage payment. 

 If you don’t pay at least 20% down, you’ll have to pay for it.  Most likely, if you don’t have a 20% down payment, your mortgage lender will require private mortgage insurance (PMI), to protect themselves if you default on the loan. 

 Mortgage interest is almost always tax deductible.  While I won’t go into the requirements here, this Investopedia article does a great job of explaining it.

 Your payment means equity.  This is a “feel good” reminder!  The mortgage payment you make each month ultimately goes toward the mortgage balance (at least partially when you consider interest).  That means that you’re building equity rather than endless rent payments with no future gain.

 Renting may be better if you’re not planning to live in the home long. If you have to sell (let’s say you transfer with your job), the experts say your property would need to appreciate at least 10% to cover the cost of selling.  That means you typically need to stay in a home at least three to five years to recoup your costs.

 We hope this helps with your big decision!  It’s exciting and challenging either way!

 Now, whether you decide to buy or rent, U-Pack would love to move you to your new home.  Call us today for a free moving quote!