Water Conservation (continued) - Water Infographic

Our post on water conservation 'Top 10 Ways to Conserve Water at Home' proved very popular.

One of our readers, Melanie liked it so much, she responded by offering an info graphic she created, for us to share with all of you.

The infographic is here in the original post link: http://www.lochnesswatergardens.com/pondblog/how-much-water/


You can find more info on Mel's Pond Blog:

Melanie Palmero,
Loch Ness Water Gardens
www.LochNessWaterGardens.com

With our thanks to Mel!

The Real Cost of Corporate Relocation

Relocating an entire company or just some departments to a new location can be a stress factor for the HR department that has to deal with the business processes of relocation but also with a serious hidden cost attached: stressed-out transferees, lost productivity and even transferred employees who leave the company shortly after a relocation.

In today's workplace every penny counts, but it can cost much more (in money spent, employee time and productivity) to hire and train a new employee than it does to retain a quality worker.

Therefore an HR department responsible to chose a relocation package should be very careful in choosing the right corporate relocation service as well as being very careful when reducing employee benefits and costs as part of the relocation process.

Often moving to a new location means not only moving the employee but also his entire family. If there's no spousal and children support, what will that do for the morale of a transferred employee? There's a direct correlation between retention and changes in corporate relocation policies.

Knowing and understanding the employees necessities in case of a relocation takes place and making life easier for them can make a huge difference between having a stressed-out employee that doesn't focus anymore on his work because he has millions of things to take care of due to the relocation, missing deadlines (that cost money) losing productivity and motivation along the way affecting the entire department and demotivating co-workers along the way, and a happy employee that has everything covered by a professional relocation company that offers relocation services tailored to his every need, so he can concentrate on what he does best: his job.

An HR department need therefore to choose the right employee relocation package, one that attends every possible need to a high standard. Employers should alleviate the relocation stress with home sales assistance, school searching for children, spousal assistance (that often includes helping finding the spousal a new job as well), language and cultural training, visa assistance and other associated services that make sense for that particular employee.

At the end of the day the employee should feel good about the decision to move, about his new home, his new life, and valued as an employee. This will reduce the hidden cost associated with the relocation and turn the move into a successful change for both the company and the employee. 

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox.

We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

Office Relocation Planning Guide

A lot of companies move to smaller offices in order to optimize their expenses. One of the first details to discuss when moving an office is the cost. Naturally, office relocation costs are very likely to be much higher than home moving costs. In order to avoid spending more than necessary make a good project plan and stick to it. One of the things that can be really beneficial for you is if you make a moving timeline to guide you through the relocation week by week.

Although it may sound tempting to try, think twice before considering to make the move yourself. The work of movers is sometimes quite underestimated from which companies that wish to move their offices suffer harsh problems when moving – missing to follow deadlines, inefficient organization, lack of complete logistic planning, fines, financial and material losses and many more. If you want to save money when relocating your business office the best way to do that is think about using the help of movers. They have routine and experience in office moving so they can do the same job like you but in less time, more efficiently and most probably – even less costly.

Usually companies move their offices to save space and thus – money from rent, but if your case is different like you are opening another department at your company you need to take those details in mind, too. If your office relocation is taking place to another location with the same size floor area or smaller you may want to ship only one part of the equipment to the new place. This means that equipment you don’t want to use can be either sold for second hand uses or kept in storage.

If this is your case, ask the movers where there is a convenient storage on a location near you and the details of renting one – what period will you need it, how much will it cost you and what will the cost be for carrying there the things you tell them. Of course, then you will need to also plan a budget when taking your equipment from storage and bringing it to the office again what will your expenses be. Questions on pricing can be numerous when planning office relocation in order to avoid making guesses get a quote. In the meantime movers will most probably come to your office, especially if it is bigger, with cubicles or you are moving several offices. They will review what is to be moved and calculate your costs. Their work is based on precise details and you can request to know what each of their services cost.

Office Relocation – Planning an Office Move

Another thing movers can do for you: plan how long will the period of your office relocation last. This is important because if you have for example two months between moving out of your current office and moving in to your next one you should think about the date on your new renting contract. Then define the renting contract termination date. And at the same time arrange the day of moving in – make sure there you have planned well the time for move in and move out – otherwise you may end up paying a rent for a place you are no longer using. And for offices, especially larger ones, the amount can be considerable. Try to begin your office relocation at least 6 – 9 months before your lease contract expires. And again, the bigger the move, the sooner you should get on with it as then more people will be involved and the preparation will last for a longer time.

Office Relocation – Planning an Office Move to Get Best Value for Your Business

For your office relocation, plan the duties of each person who will participate, distribute them in time and follow their implementation. Especially for larger companies moving has to be well managed in order to avoid stress and meet the deadlines. One of the things to do before moving an office as well is to set the moving documentation straight. This means that you should contact a legal expert and do this job together. When the moving begins review the paperwork well and don’t sign anything you don’t understand. Trust your logic and your intuition, asking any question you feel like. You can read more tips on office relocation here.

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. 

We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

House or Apartment Moving Checklist

Moving is a lot of work – no question about that. Organizing it and putting the activities to perform in the right order though can diminish stress and save you time (and sometimes even money). When you have an apartment to move there are a lot of things to take care of. This guide contains a checklist that will guide you during your moving and you can vary it however you feel comfortable.

Moving Your Apartment Checklist

Here is the checklist itself. Every major task to be performed is broken down into specific steps. And of course you can also find a list of things to move at your home.

Begin the organization

1. Plan your moving in detail.  You can use your mobile to make lists and take notes or look for a reputable moving company.
2. Arrange the change of your address – this means post office, bank, school/ daycare, doctor, dentist, SARS, etc.
3. Be flexible in your arrangements. Plan some extra time in situations where you can expect some delay. For example if you foresee a possible traffic at the time of arriving at your new neighborhood arrange another time if possible.
4. If you want to leave part of your things at a storage separate them before packing and arrange their transportation first. That should give you more space to pack the rest.

Organize the packing

1. Make an inventory sheet with what you are going to pack. Get rid of the rest – donate, give away or sell – however you decide.
2. Pack room by room to avoid confusion between your belongings when unpacking.
3. Prepare your packing materials. You can purchase them at a store or online or ask the movers if they can provide you with some.
4. Do not pack valuable items like jewels – take them with you on moving day or place them in a deposit box for their safety.

List of things to get rid of before moving out

• Anything broken, torn apart and worn out
• Clothes that don’t fit
• Broken shoes
• Perishable food
• Trash
• Flammable materials
• Gas (in the lawn mower or car if it is being shipped)
• Chemicals

List of things to pack for moving

Corridor/ Entrance-hall

• Shoe shelves
• Shoes
• Shoe polish
• Shoe brush
• Cabinet
• Wall mirror
• Hangers
• Jackets

Living room

• Table
• Chairs
• Couch
• Armchairs
• TV
• DVD
• Computer/ laptop
• Laptop case
• Radio
• Floor lamp
• Camera
• Cupboards
• Books
• Bookcase
• CD’s
• Curtains

Bedroom

• Bed
• TV
• Sheets
• Blankets
• Pillows
• Pillow cases
• Wardrobe
• Clothes
• Hangers
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Vacuum cleaner
• Alarm clock

Children’s room

• Bed
• Pillows
• Pillow cases
• Sheets
• Toys
• Books
• Textbooks
• Clothes
• Desk
• Chair
• Computer
• Desk lamp
• Window curtains
• Alarm clock

Kitchen

• Table
• Chairs
• Curtains
• Electric appliances
• Cupboards
• Hand towels
• Table cloth
• Cups
• Glasses
• Dishes
• Bowls
• Cutlery (knives, spoons, forks)
• Knife sharpener
• Cutting boards
• Vegetable peeler
• Cooking utensils (pots, pans, serving plates, ladle, tongs)
• Cookware set
• Measuring cups
• Can opener
• Any decoration – statuettes, figures, etc.
• Wastebin

Bathroom

• Rugs
• Mat
• Shower curtains
• Medicines
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Hairbrush
• Toiletries (soap, shower gel, shampoo, hair conditioner)
• Cosmetics (body lotion, cream, face moisturizer, make up)
• Hair dryer
• Towels
• Scale
• Waste bin
• Clothes basket
• Drying rack
• Broom
• Mop
• Detergents
• Garbage bags

Garage/ Storage

• Fire extinguisher
• Tools (hammer, wrench, etc.)
• Lawn mower
• Flash light
• Batteries
• Christmas decoration
• Spare car/ lawn mower parts

Other

• Home decoration
• Cat/ dog/ other animal and its accessories
• Plants
• Wall paintings
• Antiques
• Boxes

Documentation

• Birth certificates
• Passports
• Mortgage/ doctor/ dentist/ school/ daycare/ vet records
• Car papers
• Insurance contracts
• Loans contracts
• Tax papers
• Credit cards
• Contracts with utility companies (at your new home)
• Moving insurance papers
• Your inventory sheet
• Parking permit
• The truck driver’s phone number (he should also have yours)

Finding the right mover

1. Of course it all begins with getting a quote. This is how you can estimate which price is good for you. Also contacting a mover will allow you to see if their work is professional.
2. Remember that a mover has to be not only registered and licensed but also with a good reputation. Check for the performance of a moving company at The Professional Movers Association of South Africa (PMA) is the premier association for over 90 top national movers in South Africa. They are available at: (http://www.pmamovers.co.za) or Hellopeter (www.hellopeter.co.za). 
3. Read some company reviews to save time and money – a new survey proves this point right.
4. Preferably hire a mover with more experience. It won’t automatically guarantee you a perfect moving but it is one of the preconditions.

Moving

1. Pick things up from the drycleaners and return DVD’s and books to the library.
2. Make an “open first” box with some essentials you will need on the first day at your new home.
3. Prepare all of your moving documentation in one file. When the movers arrive read before you sign. And don’t pay any money without a document that is binding. It may seem like obvious but sometimes it is exactly those little things that can be missed.
4. Make a floor plan and give it to the movers. When unloading that is one of the ways to direct them where to place every box.
5. Before you leave check every premise in your home to make sure you haven’t forgotten something. 

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. 

We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

Motivate Yourself, Even When You Don’t Want To!

What do you do when your job is relocating you, and you absolutely hate the thought of moving? Maybe you really love where you live now, and you have never considered leaving. Alternatively, perhaps your significant other is moving and you want to be supportive, but you really dread the thought of going. Well, sometimes, moving is a decision made for you, but that does not mean it has to be a drag. Maybe you have never thought about packing up and heading to the location where you are headed to, but that does not mean it can’t be positive!

Research the Area
You may be so busy being negative about the move that you don’t even realize that the area may be perfect for you. If you are an outdoor-enthusiast, look for all the parks in the area, or see if there is a beach nearby or somewhere to go skiing. If you enjoy walking, running or cycling, you can always go to explore your new city to discover tons of mapped routes.

You may also want to find out about their area’s museums, art galleries, restaurants, shopping opportunities and even yoga studios. The more you know about the place you are going to, the more you will have to look forward to. You can even create a list of everything you want to do and see when you get there.

Clean House
No, this has nothing to do with getting out your mop and vacuum either. This is all about getting rid of everything you don’t need or want anymore. You can donate, sell or trash it, just get it out of the house. Sometimes it just feels refreshing to reduce the number of belongings you have, whether your home is cluttered or not. Plus, you can always buy new stuff when you get to your destination, which gives you something to look forward to.

Pack Early
Maybe all you need to get excited about the move is to just start the process. Little things can be packed well in advance. Plus, when you leave things until the last minute, it is nearly impossible to feel excited and look forward to the  move, because you will be stressed, rushing around trying to get everything done.

Buy Yourself Something
Fair enough, you really do not want to buy a bunch of new stuff that you will just have to pack and move. However, you can buy something new that you won’t use until you arrive at your destination. This could be a new suit for work, running shoes to hit the trails in or some yoga clothes to wear when you check out that studio you saw online. Knowing that you have something new that you get to use or wear when you arrive at your new home gives you one more thing to look forward to!

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. 

We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!

 

Moving in the Event of Breakups and Divorces

In a perfect world, both parties involved would realize that their breakup or divorce represents a positive new chapter starting in their book of life. They would be able to part as friends, and one or both would move out with no complications. Unfortunately, this is the real world where emotions tend to dominate these situations and things can be pretty tense. As if moving isn’t stressful enough, when you add the burden of a breakup or divorce on top, it is easy to feel unbelievable overwhelmed, anxious or depressed; sometimes a combination of all three.

Well, while the two of you may not be meeting for brunch as friends anytime in the near future, there is no reason why moving has to be more stressful than it already is.


One Person Moving Out

Are you the one moving out? If so, there is probably a good chance that the breakup was also your decision. Of course, maybe your significant other made the decision, but it is their place so you need to leave. Whatever the case is, you should make a point to move out quickly.

Sure, you probably want to find the perfect place, but you are just adding fuel to the fire, and waiting for an explosion, if you overstay your welcome. Rather than living where there is tension and making things uncomfortable for the two of you, consider putting your belongings in storage and either crashing at a friend’s house or getting a hotel room. Many budget-friendly hotels will take week or month-long reservations, and have small kitchenettes in them, with laundry facilities on the premises.

When you do move, you need to practice proper exit etiquette. Ideally, your now-ex won’t be there. This will reduce the risk of unnecessary stress and tension. Whether you are having friends help or are hiring movers, be respectful of their belongings. You wouldn’t want  them destroying your property, so make every effort to make a peaceful and clean exit.

Both Moving
If you are both moving out, the game changes a little. There are a lot of responsibilities that should be shared, and like it or not, you are going to need to communicate. You might want to hire a mediator, if you are selling your property. Otherwise, you could even use a neutral friend to help you create lists of who will be handling specific responsibilities.

You should agree upon a move out date. This does not mean that you have to move on the same day; ideally it will be separate days or things can get a little chaotic. You will want to make a list of everything that needs to be done, so there is no confusion. This could include turning off utilities, hiring a cleaning service or gathering school records for the kids.

Decide who will be getting pieces of furniture, appliances, collectables, old photos and everything else. Ideally, you will designate separate areas to pile your packed boxes. For example, one person can use the spare room while the other uses the garage. This will help reduce clutter, which can also escalate stress.

Breakups, divorces and moving are all hard enough on their own, but when you combine two, there is the potential for disaster. Planning ahead, being organized and communicating will help avoid complications and increased tension. 

Are you moving soon or in the near future? Moving the traditional way puts an unbelievable amount of trash and other waste into our landfills which are harmful to the planet. Consider getting green plastic moving boxes from us at Rentabox. 

We’ll deliver them to you and pick them up from your new address so you don’t have to worry about it. With Rentabox, moving can be a streamlined, pleasant experience all the way around!