Movers Who Blog Giving Back, Leadership, Moving, News, Our People, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

Giving back to veterans in TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® communities with Movers for Military

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-Written by Erik Sargent

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we are all about giving back to the people in our community and helping to move people forward in life. This is especially true with our veterans, and we make sure to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and allow us to do what we do each day.

Each fall, multiple franchises from across the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK system run our Movers for Military campaign, where locations partner with local organizations to help collect and deliver essential care items to homeless veterans and veterans who are currently living in shelters. With a large number of employees throughout our system equipped with a military background, this is a cause that is extremely important to TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and we try to make a difference for as many people as we can.

“Any time we can help or assist veteran or service members, it is a good thing,” said Jeff Walker, a veteran and franchisee at our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Colorado Springs location. “It is a small way to serve our country.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations partner with local shelters and veteran organizations and use manpower and trucks to help with the collection and delivery of the items these veterans need.

“Last year was our first year doing Movers for Military, and I had only six collection sites and collected a total of 1,800 items,” said Stefanie Shook, the marketing manager at the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Pasadena location. “This year, I started to get a lot more interest in the program, and was able to expand to 27 donation drop-off locations and collect 6,770 items!”

Shook and the Pasadena location partnered with three different chambers of commerce, a realtor association, a printing company, four different credit unions, five hotels, two YMCAs, three cleaners, a local newspaper, a blood donor center, and a medical hospital to help expand their collection range.

For Eugenia Parlow – the regional sales and marketing manager for multiple TWO MEN AND A TRUCK locations in Florida – they also put a heavy emphasis on Movers for Military, and work hard each year to make an impact on the veterans in Florida. Parlow and her franchises partner with local chambers, radio stations, school ROTCs, universities, banks, golf courses, realtors, and other businesses, and are always looking to add additional business partners.Movers For Military Golf outing picture Larry

“We deliver boxes and set them up at collection partner locations, and a wish list is put on each box,” Parlow said. “In addition to the donation drive, we organize an annual golf outing, where 100 percent of the proceeds are given back to a local veteran’s organization.”

It’s a constant effort each year to make sure we are doing all we can to help these veterans who have given so much for this country and put their life on the line for our freedom, and the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK brand is happy to help out.

“These men and women sacrificed so much to give us our freedom, and it is only right that we protect them and help them when they return home,” Shook said. “Los Angeles has the largest population of homeless military veterans in the nation, with an estimated 4,000 homeless veterans living on the streets. Many of these men and women suffer from substance abuse, mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic medical problems. Post-military life can feel overwhelming to many veterans, and they often don’t know where to turn for help. The charity we work with is an amazing resource for our veterans, and we love spreading the word of the wonderful work they do!”

To find out more about how you can get involved and help with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s Movers for Military campaign visit https://twomenandatruck.com/.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Movers Who Blog Our People, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® enters the gaming world with “Mini Mover Mania”!

MiniMoverMania-SG-Sept2017-Detailed

Attention all gamers! Grab your mobile device, head to the app store of your choice, and check out the “Mini Mover Mania” game from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®!

While we are known as the “Movers Who Care®” and spend most of our time helping people move all across the country, we like to provide a little fun for our customers – especially the kiddos. The IT department at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s Home Office in Lansing, Mich., partnered with IT Capstone Experience students at Michigan State University to work on and develop a game to keep kids occupied and entertained during the moving process.

Developed for children ages eight and up, Mini Mover Mania creates a virtual, fast-paced game setting centered around the moving process. This game is no walk in the park, either, and gamers will have to use focus and strategy to earn points and advance in the game.

“Kids love games and TWO MEN AND A TRUCK loves kids, so adding Mini Movers Mania to the list of ways in which kids can interact with our family-friendly brand is a win,” said Dawn Kroeger, the marketing and communication director at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. “And, based on my experience, parents may find the new game entertaining as well!”

Here’s a breakdown of what gamers can expect when they download Mini Movers Mania:

-The name of the game is maneuvering through each course, trying to reach the end of each course with as many boxes remaining on your truck as possible.

-Your truck is loaded with boxes at the beginning, and sudden movements or jumps cause the boxes to fall off.

-Each course is layered with stops and elevations to create a challenge.

-Points are based on the time it takes you to complete the course and the amount of boxes you have remaining. Better results, more points.

-There are three levels of difficulty to choose from, creating a fun and engaging experience for all.

This game isn’t just a time-waster for a few minutes here and there, either. The more points you collect completing the various levels, the more you earn that can be spent in the store to unlock new vehicles and other perks to be used in-game.

Mini Mover Mania is now available in the App Store for Apple-based devices, as well as the Google Play store for Android-based devices, so everyone is able to join in on the action!

To find out more about how to get involved with this fun game for kids and other exciting activities we have developed to make the moving process more enjoyable for the young ones, visit TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s Moving with Kids page.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

Movers Who Blog News, Newsroom, Our People, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

Sinkhole Damages Plague Fraser Homes

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-Written by Erik Sargent

Misfortune struck on Christmas Eve in the Michigan town of Fraser and the effects are still being felt, and will continue for months.

A broken sewer line’s failure caused the soil and sand in the area to wash away, creating a sinkhole that spanned roughly 250 feet long and 100 feet wide on 15 Mile Road in Macomb County. Many people in the area of the sinkhole faced flooding in their basement, and a few houses were condemned due to structural failures, with people being forced to evacuate immediately.

Continue reading “Sinkhole Damages Plague Fraser Homes” →

Movers Who Blog Holiday Fun, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks

Tis’ the Season: How to Complete a Hassle-Free Holiday Move

The holidays are a time of gifts, giving thanks and more white elephant invitations than you know what to do with. But what if you also have a big move scheduled during the joyful chaos of the holiday season? You may be worried sick about how to fit packing, recitals, decorating and hiring movers all into a span of a couple of months – we hear you.

While moving during the holidays can present an additional layer of challenges, there are ways to make it easier than you’d expect. Learn what to do and more importantly, what not to do when preparing for a big move during the holiday season.

1. Get in Touch with Your Inner Giver

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When it comes to preparing to pack for a move during the holidays, less is more. This means that it’s best to eliminate as much unnecessary clutter and extra baggage before you start. There are several ways to purge your home of items in order to shave significant time off packing, ultimately saving yourself money with a shorter move.

Option #1: Host a Garage Sale

A garage sale is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of old items. It’s also a way to earn some additional cash to help with your holiday moving budget! Crank up the music and set out some snacks, your garage sale will be buzzing with eager customers looking for budget-friendly holiday gifts in no time.

Option #2: Donate to Charity

The holidays are the perfect time to donate lightly used toys, clothing and shoes to charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, churches and homeless shelters. You can also donate your unused food to organizations where non-perishable food items donated by those in the process of moving are used to fight hunger. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK has a program called Movers for Meals Think of it as a win-win, you’ll be able to save precious cargo space on your moving truck while giving back to the community.

Option #3: Give it Away

This third item may seem overly simplistic but it still works. If you have tons of stuff that isn’t worth the cost of transporting to your new home, give it away! Your friends, neighbors and relatives will love you, as will your moving company.

2. Do Minimal Decorations and Pre-Scheduled Events

Garage sale for moving season

 

The biggest concern when moving during the holidays is having to juggle the holiday traditions with moving must-do’s. The holidays are filled with decorating sessions, recitals, Christmas parties and lots of shopping. While you will need to sacrifice some holiday festivities, there’s no need to completely give up on your favorite holiday traditions. Instead of going all out, settle for a smaller, plastic Christmas tree with minimal decorations so you can easily transfer it to your next home. While decking out the entire yard with Christmas lights isn’t the best use of your time, you can still achieve the same feel by decorating just the front porch or balcony.

When attending holiday events, compromise on which ones are essential to attend such as Christmas mass or your child’s recital and skip the holiday happy hours with co-workers. You’ll save money and have more time to focus on the task of moving.

For more information on how to expertly weave in family-friendly holiday fun during a move, check out design expert, Libby Langdon’s holiday moving tips on cablemover.com.

3. Get Going on Hiring Movers Early

Moving during the holidays

Hiring a moving company should be approached with lots of research, competitive analysis and communication with the company. Given most moving companies may have limited hours during the holiday season, it’s best to book your company at least a month in advance. Once you’ve determined which moving company is flexible and willing to adhere to your moving timeline, check out the four factors below to consider when hiring the right moving company by Cablemover.

Tip #1: Research the Reviews

Tip #2: Don’t Skimp on Moving Insurance

Tip #3: Negotiate with Multiple Moving Companies

Tip #4: Licensing: Check the Credentials

Many people hiring movers have lost thousands of dollars by placing their trust in unprofessional and scammy moving companies. Since moving during the holidays is hectic enough, make sure to do your due diligence when completing this important task.

4. Don’t Rush into Unpacking

Quality time with family after a holiday move

Congratulations, you made it! Feel free to bask in the glow of your own accomplishment because you successfully completed a holiday move. Once moving day is behind you, it’s normal to want to dive right into unpacking and setting into your home. However, we recommend an alternative. If possible, hold off on unpacking the entire house until after the holidays. After the busy and action-packed season of moving during the holidays, allow yourself to relax and unwind.

As you can see, moving during the holidays doesn’t have to be an arduous endeavor. From when to start the process to balancing holiday fun with moving tasks, a hassle-free holiday move is all about your approach. The best part is, you’ll be all moved in and ready to start the new year in your new home!

If you’re ready to start the holiday moving process, make sure it’s seamless by checking out Cablemover’s customizable moving guide – from movers to timelines, our guide allows you to customize your move exactly how you want it.

This article was contributed by our friends at Cablemover.

 

Movers Who Blog DIY Projects, Holiday Fun, Home Decor, Tips and Tricks

Candy, costumes, and creative decorations … oh my!

Trick or treat walk with my dog

Written by Katie Peterson

It’s that time of year again! Fall is upon us, and the kids are already on premature sugar rushes; it’s time for Halloween! Your kids are mentally prepared, but are you? We’ve compiled the most useful and creative things to know so you’re ready for anything this Halloween season.

Candy

Candy always seems to be a stressor on Halloween. What if you leave a bowl out and the neighborhood kids take too much? What if you run out? What if your kids eat way too much while they’re out trick-or-treating? A really great way to save yourself from worrying about candy on Halloween is to be as prepared as you can.

Buy more candy than you think you’ll need and keep the receipts! You can return whatever you don’t end up using later.

If you can’t be home to pass out candy, placing a bowl out with one of these cute reminders should help encourage the trick-or-treaters to help you ration your candy for a while:

  • Roses are red. Violets are blue. We’re out trick-or-treating just like you! Please take one treat!
  • Take a treat! But leave the rest for other boys and ghouls!
  • Trick-or-treat, smell my feet, please take just one sweet to eat!
  • Although we’re not home to give you a scare, here’s a bowl of tricks and treats, take one … if you dare!

After Halloween is over, take full advantage of the candy on sale at the stores and begin stocking up for next year (assuming the candy isn’t the type to go stale). You’ll thank yourself when the prices rise again right before the holiday.

Costumes

Costumes can cause unwanted stress without the proper preparation. With these tips in mind, your kids will be safe, and you will be stress-free.

Depending on where you live, encourage costumes for your kids that will look good while still keeping warm. For instance, a genie outfit with high heels might not work out so well on a cold night of walking. And if you can help it, you don’t want your cute costumes (and the kids inside them) to be covered up with big coats while out for the night. A good solution for making your costume warmer is to layer turtle necks and leggings of the same color underneath.

For Halloween safety, fasten reflective tape to candy bags and add it as an accent to your child’s costume. No need to go overboard with this one, but as long as your child can be seen by cars in the dark, the tape will be worth it. Another good thing to keep in mind, utilize all sidewalks or walkways to avoid walking close to traffic. Be sure to keep an eye on your little ones and have them by your side to avoid any accidents.

To avoid last-minute stress before going out, be sure your kids try on their costumes a few weeks before Halloween to double check there aren’t any last minute adjustments or accessories needed. Make sure everything fits and isn’t broken beforehand so you have extra time to rebound if you find a problem.

 

Creative decorations

One of the best parts of Halloween is the decorating, but it can also be one of the most stressful and expensive. You’ve got to round up all the boxes from the attic, untangle the lights (and end up buying more when you find all the bulbs broken), and there never seems to be enough money in the budget for all the ready-made decorations at the store. Whether you are the house on your block to “Deck the Halloween Halls” or not, we’ve gathered some of our favorite DIY decorations that might scare the kids, but certainly not your wallet or gumption to decorate.

window decorations
Photo courtesy of http://www.woohome.com

Use the light from inside your house to create window decorations:

Grab big pieces of black construction paper, colored crepe paper, and scissors, and you’ve got all you need for this creative and easy decoration hack. The light from the room behind the paper is all the illumination you need to make a big statement on your street.

Reuse milk cartons to make a lit pathway for trick-or-treaters:

milk cartons
Photo courtesy of http://www.eighteen25.com

All you’ll need for this one are milk cartons, a craft knife, sharpie marker, and lights. Draw the ghost eyes and mouth on the empty milk carton, and cut a small round hole in the back for the lights to go in. After that, you’re all set to line them up and plug the lights in! (Just make sure the plug side ends up somewhere near an outlet or extension cord).

monster door
Photo courtesy of http://www.coolmompicks.com

Make your door a monster with whatever crafts you have lying around:

The best part about this DIY is, whether you have time to go all out with spider webs and sparkles or you just slap on streamers and eyeballs, the door monster will still come to life!

Create hanging ghosts:

ghost hanging
Photo courtesy of http://www.simplydesigning.porch.com

All you need for this project are a few Styrofoam  orbs from the craft store, cheese cloth, eye-hooks, string for hanging, and black craft paint for the ghost’s eyes. Just drape the cheesecloth over the orbs after you’ve painted on the eyes and start shredding the ends. A few of the ghosts grouped and hanging on your porch or from trees makes for some cute (and cheap) Halloween decorations.

Utilizing these creative DIY’s and tips this Halloween will save you money and stress so you can focus on what really matters… enjoying the holiday, however you’ll be celebrating! Have fun this year, and remember, this is a day when too much candy is the goal, as long as the majority is saved and shared rather than eaten!

What are your favorite Halloween tips and DIY’s? We’d like to hear them! Like us on Facebook for more helpful tips and updates. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!

Movers Who Blog DIY Projects, Holiday Fun

3 DIY Halloween costumes in 30 minutes or less

Written by Jessy Howe

If you’ve been following Movers Who Blog for a while now, you know what October means … it’s boxtume season! If you’re new here, “boxtumes” are Halloween costumes we like to upcycle from cardboard moving boxes. Not only do you end up with a completely unique costume, it’s also fun for the family and extremely affordable.

We’ve come up with three brand new costumes to make this Halloween season in 30 minutes or less right in the comfort of your living room. Similar to our DIY Disney Pixar “UP” house or Barbie box costume, these can be done in 5 steps or less. Halloween costumes don’t get much easier than this!

Motts Juice Box

DIY Juice Box Halloween costume by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

We guarantee this will be the cutest juice box costume on the block!

Supplies:

1 medium box
Yellow wrapping paper
Colored construction paper
Large white pipe cleaner
Elastic or ribbon
Scissors
Tape
Stapler

Step 1: Use scissors or a box cutter to remove the top and bottom flaps of the box.

Step 2: Cover the box in yellow wrapping paper securing it down with tape.

Step 3: Use colored construction paper to create the front design of the juice box. Tip! Print the Mott’s logo for quick application.

Step 4: Shape your large white pipe cleaner into a bendy straw and secure to the inside of the box using tape.

Step 5: Staple elastic or ribbon to the front and back of the box so it rests comfortably on your shoulders for a night of trick-or-treating!

 

Popcorn

DIY Halloween Popcorn costume by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
Nothing goes better with popcorn than the loot of candy you receive on Halloween night! This fun Popcorn costume can be dressed up with red Converse or a DIY popcorn headband for extra flare.

Supplies:

1 large box
Red wrapping paper
White duct tape
Yellow tissue paper
Elastic
Scissors
Stapler

Step 1: Use scissors or a box cutter to remove the top and bottom flaps of the box.

Step 2: Cover the box in red wrapping or craft paper and secure it down with tape.

Step 3: Create popcorn box stripes using white duct tape. When you’ve covered the box, place the words “Popcorn” on the front of your box, or search for a brand logo online if you have a favorite!

Step 4: Staple elastic or ribbon to the front and back of your box to act as straps for your costume.

Step 5: Have fun by completing your costume with tissue paper popcorn. Crumple one piece at a time to create textured popcorn. Shape it until you are happy and secure it using tape or a stapler.

 

Voting Ballot Box

DIY Halloween voting costume by TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

If you’re following this year’s election, consider going with a creative voting ballot box. You’ll be a topic of conversation, that’s for sure!

Supplies:

1 large box
Red wrapping paper
White duct tape
Blue and silver construction paper
Letter and star stickers
Elastic
Tape
Scissors
Stapler

Step 1: Use scissors or a box cutter to remove the top and bottom flaps of the box.

Step 2: Cover the box in red wrapping or craft paper and secure it down with tape.

Step 3: Create four vertical stripes using your white duct tape.

Step 4: On your blue construction paper, spell out VOTE using your stickers. Secure this banner down to cover the white stripe ends. Top it off with star stickers.

Step 5: Staple elastic to the front and back of the box. We decided to top off this costume with a tiny sparkly hat found at Party City. Use your imagination to represent the Red, White, and Blue on Halloween night!

 

We hope this sparks costume inspiration! If you decide to create any of these boxtumes, we’d love to see them! Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #TMTHalloween.

For more box inspiration, visit us on Pinterest!

Movers Who Blog Business Growth, DIY Projects

Creating your dream office space on a shoestring budget

Written by Charles Staky

 

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK first office
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®’s first “real office” at Mary Ellen’s mothers home.

As a small start-up, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®’s first “real” office was in a barn, which sat in the backyard of Founder Mary Ellen Sheets’ mother’s home. After moving to a new space, which we quickly outgrew, Melanie Bergeron, our President at the time, sat at the copy machine. We’ve lived in all sorts of offices, each unique and special, and sometimes challenging in their own way.

Moving into a new office space is often an exciting time for a company; however, it can be an expensive investment, leaving your interior design budget in a sad state. No one wants to spend eight hours a day working in a boring space they don’t enjoy. Here are a few things you can do to spruce up your business new home while saving some of your hard-earned money. And, believe us when we say, we speak from experience!

Find the right space

First and foremost when looking for an office space make sure it’s right for your setup, and that it comes at the right price. You want a space to fit your operation with room to grow. However, to avoid being buried under rent payments, be sure the space isn’t too expensive to handle.

If you go with a less expensive office you’ll find the savings can be put to use in other ways to make the space more livable. Shop around in different neighborhoods when searching for office space. If you’re an operation like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, which has unique needs such as space to park trucks, be sure the space you are looking at can accommodate.

Modern office space

Clean it up

You can decorate your office space in hundreds of different ways, and the same can be said for the layout you choose. One thing is for sure though, no matter the size or any other factor, your office space will feel larger and nicer if everything is organized. Not only will an organized office provide you with more workspace, it can also relieve added stress and save valuable work time for those in it. Prvacysense.net says the average employee spends about two and a half hours a day searching for information. But, if you run a neat and organized office that time could be easily shortened. Cleaning up your office costs you nothing, but adds value to how your space looks and how productive it is.

Be careful where you buy supplies

When stocking your new office, remember the supplies you buy don’t have to be top-of-the-line. According to the Office Depot website, ball point pens can cost you anywhere from $2 to $33 for a box of 12 pens. This can mean savings of more than $2 per pen. Paper can also vary more than $20 per case, while the cost of colored ink cartridges can vary by up to $25, depending on the cartridge. Be mindful of the supplies you buy, small cost differences in areas such as these can add up quickly.

Do you need a reception space?

If your business has a large volume of customers coming in and out, a reception area can be extremely beneficial. A simple coffee table paired with nice chairs at your entrance will do the trick. When customers make their way into your office, you have a welcoming space to accommodate them without breaking the bank.

Good culture = A happy office

It has been said time and time again that a positive culture is a staple of any successful business. But, here is a new way to spin it. If the office culture is enjoyable and your team is genuinely happy being around each other, your office space doesn’t need all the bells and whistles to keep everyone satisfied and working hard. So, before you stress about the newest office chairs or a food and beverage cart, be sure the people you employ have good attitudes and a passion for the company. In the end this trumps any amenity you could provide.

In addition to these ideas to keep cost down for your new business, browse resources such as Pinterest for endless inspiration on a budget. We’ve gathered our personal favorites here.

It’s important to remember most businesses start out small with limited money to spare on items such as professional designers and interior decorators for their office space. But, if you take pride in your business and work every day to exceed your customers’ expectations, soon your business will grow and your shoestring decorating budget will grow with it.

Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Preparing to Move

Downsizing made simple with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

Written by Jessy Herman

Whether you are simplifying your living arrangements or moving to a condo, downsizing is never easy. The thought of going through your many belongings can be overwhelming, but there are things you can do to simplify downsizing when moving to a smaller home.

As soon as you know you’re moving, begin cleaning out areas of your home which tend to have the most clutter. This includes the attic, basement, and garage. And while the thought of throwing items away can be hard to cope with, there are alternatives. For high-end possessions you won’t be taking with you, pass them down to a family member or try selling them at an antique shop or auction. This will help ensure they go to a good home and will remain well cared for. For all other items, have a garage sale, donate what you can, or simply put them in storage.

For more helpful tips, watch the video below!

Like us on Facebook for more helpful tips and updates. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!

Movers Who Blog College Moving, Preparing to Move

The pros and cons of living with friends

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK living with friends

Written by Katie Peterson

Living with friends is common among college students because of the convenience and fun factor of being around people you know you like. While there are many perks to living with friends this experience may cause more obstacles while living together than with a roommate you might not know as well. We’ve put together a list of the pros and cons of living with friends, as well as possible solutions to the obstacles that may come your way.

Pro: There is no need to “make plans” with the people you love to hang out with, they are already with you! It is much easier to coordinate plans, and you will always have someone right there to go on adventures with. Boring things you would normally do by yourself will become a fun and entertaining outing. Need to go grocery shopping? You’ve got a shopping companion! This is one of the most fun aspects of living with friends and you will make so many memories doing all the mundane things with your roomie.

Con: As much as you love your friends, living with them will uncover things you didn’t know before. No matter how well you think you know someone beforehand, living together will unearth habits, routines, and pet peeves you didn’t know before, which can lead to potential conflicts.

Solution: Be intentional about spending time with the friends you don’t live with and see every day. Taking time away from your living situation is important because it creates space in the roommate relationship, which is something even best friends need.

 

Pro: Close proximity will help strengthen your friendship. Seeing your friends every day means they know all about you and the happenings of your daily life. They become your family.

Con: If a problem occurs, you don’t have separate places to go in order to get space. Inevitably, fights can and will happen.

Solution: Be open and honest about your feelings and emotions. If you need some breathing room, speak up! Communication is the key to any successful relationship, and if yours is a friend/roomie relationship, it is even more important.

 

Pro:  You have already established a relationship before moving in. Obviously you like the person and enjoy hanging around them, so you can avoid the first awkward encounters you would normally have when moving in with a stranger. When you come out of your room in pajamas and crazy hair, there will be almost no judgement (almost).

Con: Because you are living with your friends and you have pre-established relationships, difficult and necessary conversations about rent, money, and rules may be hard to address. In worst-case scenarios, a friend might take advantage of the relationship in a tough situation because of your background (late on rent, leaves the place messy all the time).

Solution: It is important not to be too relaxed with responsibilities because of the personal relationship. Be assertive and honest with one another just like you would if you were living with a stranger. Even though you are friends, keeping the house clean and getting the rent in is important and should be treated professionally, not personally.

 

Pro: You have another person to share clothes, furniture, and chores with making life a little less expensive and a lot more enjoyable.

Con: Sharing is not something that should be assumed because of your relationship as friends, and not communicating your preferences can lead to tension.

Solution: It may seem like overkill, but creating a roommate agreement might be a good idea before moving in. This agreement could include which items are shared, a cleaning schedule, and which day of the month rent is due. The expectations are clearly laid out so no one is in the dark and you and your friends can be held accountable to what has been agreed upon.

 

The most important thing to remember when deciding if living with friends is something you want to tackle is that although you will have plenty of fun, you must be professional and responsible. Communicate and lay out the expectations early in order to prevent conflict, and spend some time away from your roommate if you need space. In the end, the hope is that living with your friends will be an experience leading to a stronger friendship and a fun living situation. Good luck!

Like us on Facebook for more helpful tips and updates. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward!