Moving

Once all the packing and moving is completed, now comes the fun part - settling in. For children and teens, this may be the hardest adjustment they have to make. Saying goodbye to old friends was difficult, and settling into a new neighborhood, a new home and new room can also be challenging.

To help ease the transition, check out these tips and suggestions to incorporate into the first few days after you've moved.

When you're in the middle of your move and you're determined to squeeze that Oxford dictionary into an already-full box labeled books, remember that either you or your spouse or the mover will have to lift it. And what about that garbage bag full of linens? It looks like it will hold...that is if it doesn't encounter anything sharp.

Before you start second-guessing your packing skills, read these top 20 tips for ensuring your stuff is moved without exploding, leaking or breaking.

I'll say this upfront: I don't recommend that you move a piano yourself, especially if you have to negotiate stairs or elevators or if you own a baby grand (or grand, for that matter!).

Pianos, while extremely heavy and awkward, are very fragile on the inside. But if you're set on moving a piano yourself, and you have enough helping hands, then here are some tips to ensure that you and your piano arrive in your new home, injury-free.

I had an email from a woman who was moving from one end of the city to another, and she wanted to know the rules about tipping the movers. It's a good question and one that not many people ask or are even aware that such a tipping practice exists.

While I've had my share of bad movers, overall, the majority have done their job well. And when that happens, I certainly compensate the movers not only because a good job should always be rewarded, but also because I may need their services in future and a good tip will usually guarantee that they'll go that extra mile should I need them to.

Find out how much to tip and when in this moving FAQ.

Do you tip the movers? If so, leave a comment by clicking below and let us know your personal policy. If you don't tip, we also want to hear from you.

Now that May is here and summer is just around the corner it's time to roll up your sleeves, pour a glass of lemonade and start preparing for your move, because not only is it the season for flip-flops, loungers and suntan lotion, it's also the time when everyone in the country is moving.

So if you haven't started planning your move and you're beginning to panic, you've come to the right place. Everything You Need to Know will guide you through the moving process a step at a time. You'll soon discover that moving isn't as hard as seems, it just takes some patience, a lot of organization and time to get everything ready. But hey, you're here, aren't you?

Now, let's get started!

Once you've moved to a new home, often you'll find yourself needing to install major appliances, including the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer.

While it may seem straight forward enough, we've put together a complete guide to installing all the major appliances that are more complex to hook-up than simply plugging them in. And if you follow the steps, you won't need to rely on a professional, saving you both time and money.

About three weeks ago, my husband and I tossed a coin to see who would be responsible for importing our car across the border for our most recent move. Obviously, I lost the bet. But it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be with most people describing reams of paperwork, endless trolling through regulations and a lot of hassle.

However, for me, that wasn't the case. So, to save you from all that frustration, check out my story on how I imported our car simply and easily.

When hiring a moving company, there are some things you need to know before you sign your contract, including extra charges you might be responsible for. One of my first moves, in my early 20s, involved a small upright piano, and while I knew it would be a little awkward to transfer onto the truck, I didn't realize that I'd be charged an additional fee to have it taken to my new home.

So before you're caught off guard by extra charges that tend to add up quickly and that might blow your moving budget, find out what kind of extra services might be charged to you in addition to the cost of your move.

For those of you contemplating a summer move or even if you're just looking at getting rid of all that stuff stored in your attic, why not organize a spring garage sale? Not only does it feel great to lighten your household goods, but just think of all that extra money! Okay, maybe it won't be enough to pay for the moving company...maybe not even enough to pay for all those moving supplies...but you can make enough to pay for an endless supply of lattes, just what you need for those upcoming packing marathons.

And really, you can't charge a fortune for that garden gnome or for Aunt Lucy's lava lamp that is still in its box, but by hosting a garage sale you can get the whole family involved and have some fun, too.

When preparing large appliances for your move, there are special precautions you need to take. Keep in mind that if you're not hiring a professional appliance mover and the appliance doesn't work when it reaches your new home, the mover will not take responsibility for it.

So, read the appliance manual first, then, whether you prepare the appliances or have a professional do it, take a look at this quick step-by-step guide in preparing your fridge, stove, washing machine and dryer for your move.