Packing Tips for April

If you’re doing a move this spring, here are a few simple packing tips for odds and ends to make your relocation process easier.

Packing Jewelry and Small Valuables: 

Remember most moving companies will not take your valuables unless a high value inventory is done.  Make sure to move these items yourself.  For a few dollars, you can purchase jewelry bags which will help avoid your jewelry from getting tangled up.  You can get these bags from a jewelry store, or even stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, etc.

Packing Screws and Hardware:

Keep all of your screws and hardware in plastic bags.  This will help your setup time when you get to your new home a lot easier.  It’s a good idea to tape the plastic bags real well to the item that has been disassembled, ( screws taped to the back of the headboard, etc).  Make sure to tape the hardware well.

Packing Electrical cords:

If you’re not very handy with electrical items, a good idea would be to label cords (so you know which end the cords go into and come out of each component).  You can use colorful tape to identify locations or even post it notes to help you with reconnection of your items.  Most moving companies will not disconnect or set up electronics, so make sure you do this well in advance, and save yourself the headache.  You can also take pictures of the connections to verify your work.

After the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA)

Congratulations on surviving the end of the “Mayan Calendar” and the United States “Fiscal Cliff”.  This article will focus on some domestic business tax issues resulting from recent legislation that may affect your moving company and/or other local businesses.

Business Tax Provisions

Many popular but temporary tax extenders relating to business are included in the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA).  Among them are Code Sec. 179 Small Business Expensing, Bonus Depreciation, the Research Tax Credit, and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

1. Small Business Expensing – The ATRA extends through 2013 enhanced Code Sec. 179 Small Business Expensing.  The Code Sec. 179 dollar limit for tax years 2012 and 2013 is $ 500,000 with a $ 2,000,000 investment limit.  The rule allowing off-the-shelf computer software is also extended.

2. Bonus Depreciation – The ATRA extends 50 percent bonus depreciation through 2013.  Some transportation and longer period production property are eligible for 50 percent bonus depreciation through 2014. To be eligible for bonus depreciation, qualified property (must be new) must be depreciable under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System and have a recovery period of 20 years or less.

3. Research Tax Credit – The ATRA extends through 2013 the Code Sec. 41 Research Tax Credit, which expired after 2011.  This incentive rewards taxpayers that engage in qualified research activities with a tax credit.  Most moving companies will not qualify for this credit.  If your company is considering this tax credit, you are encouraged to hire a research tax credit consultant to assist with your research tax credit application.  There is a high IRS audit incidence rate when this tax credit is claimed on a tax return.

4. Work Opportunity Tax Credit – The ATRA extends through 2013 the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which rewards employers that hire individuals from targeted groups (i.e. hard-to-employ workers) with a tax credit worth up to $ 2,400 per qualified worker.

More Business Tax Extenders

A number of other business tax extenders expired after 2011 and they are extended through 2013 under the ATRA.  They include, among others:

v  Employer wage credit for activated military reservists

v  100 percent exclusion for gain on sale of qualified small business stock

v  Reduced recognition period for S Corporation built-in gains tax

v  S Corporations making charitable donations of property

S Corporations

The income of an S Corporation (S Corp) generally is taxed to the shareholders of the corporation rather than to the corporation itself.  A domestic corporation must use Form 2553 to make an election to be an S Corporation.  There can be no more than 100 shareholders in an S Corp.

1. Eligible Shareholders for an S Corp include individuals and certain trusts.  However, a Roth IRA is not a qualified shareholder.  Ineligible shareholders could invalidate the S Corp Election.

2. Shareholder tax basis is necessary for owners of the S Corp to take losses from an S Corp on the shareholder’s tax return.  This is a significant audit issue for the Internal Revenue Service.

3. Debt (for example a loan from the shareholder to the S Corp) may count for shareholder basis however the debt must be “Bona Fide Debt”.  That means there is a loan document, there is a formal transfer of money and there is interest on the loan.

4. S Corp shareholders that work in that business can become the subject of the Reasonable Compensation issue.  Some shareholder/workers will try to maintain a low salary to reduce the payroll tax liability.  During an IRS audit, the auditor may review comparable salaries for other workers or try to determine what a reasonable salary for the services being provided is. 

Illinois

1. The combined Illinois corporate tax rate is 9.5% for the years 2012 thru 2014.

2. Net Operating Losses (NOL) – as you may know the use of an Illinois NOL against taxable income from a different tax year was suspended beginning with the year 2011 which was the same time the state increased the Illinois income tax rates.  That restriction limited the value of the NOL.  Due to recently passed legislation, companies are now allowed to use a maximum of $ 100,000 of their NOL’s for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.  Taxpayers file Illinois Schedule NLD to claim the Illinois Net Loss Deduction.

3. If a business receives a Notice of Proposed Deficiency or is contacted by an Illinois tax auditor and there is a dispute regarding the audit results, the business can request an Informal Conference Board (ICB) review.  This hearing would be the step before the appeals court.  One benefit to this type of hearing is that you may be represented by any person of your choice (such as a Certified Public Accountant) – your representative need not be an attorney.  Taxpayers file Illinois Form ICB-1 to request an Informal Conference Board Review.

Please consult with your tax advisor before acting on these or any income tax topics.  Your tax advisor can ensure you receive the maximum tax benefits considering your filing status, income tax rates, etc.  You can also visit the Internal Revenue Service website http://www.irs.gov/ and the Illinois Department of Revenuehttp://tax.illinois.gov/  for more information on these issues.

Thomas L. Broderick is the Treasurer of Pickens-Kane Moving & Storage Co. in Chicago, Illinois.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), a Chartered Global Management Accountant (C.G.M.A.), holds Federal Securities Licenses #6, #63, and #65 and holds an Illinois Insurance License.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Risk Management Trust from 1996 to 2012.  He has also served as president of the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce for the years 2007 through 2009.  In 2012, he was named the chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council at St. John Fisher Church in Chicago.  Many individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations consult him for various accounting, investment, insurance and tax issues.

Note 1:  Illinois CPA Society Fiscal Cliff Update Meeting on January 17, 2013 was used as a resource for this article.

Note 2:  CCH Tax Briefing (Special Report) dated January 3, 2013 was used as a resource for this article.

Revised: January 25, 2013

The best place to store your medicine is in a cool dry place, out of a child’s reach.  A safety box or locked cabinet is generally a good idea.  Many people tend to store their medicine the bathroom, which is probably one of the worst places you can store medicine, especially when it comes to tablets and capsules.  The warm muggy temperature can cause aspirin to break down into acetic acid (vinegar) which can irritate the stomach.

If you store your medicine in the kitchen, it’s best to store away from the stove, sink, and any hot appliances.  In some cases medicine can become toxic if stored improperly.  It’s best to read the labels that are attached from the pharmacy or if over the counter medication, storage recommendations from the manufacturer.

Tips For Storing Medicine:

Always keep your medicine in its original container.  Keep the national poison control programmed in a phone or posted 1-800-222-1222.  Each year, nearly 60,000 children under the age of 5 end up in the emergency room due to medicine ingestion, so always remember to keep safety caps on properly.

Don’t leave cotton in the medicine bottle, as this can bring moisture to the container.

Check for expiration dates, and discard any medications that have been expired.

Always keep medications out of the reach of children.

It’s best to throw away any unused medication using the recommendation Procedures from the Food and Drug Administration.  Remember to be safe with the storage of your medicines, as this will keep you and your family safe.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution at any point during the year but especially during tax filing season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to tax return preparer fraud.

 “Tax payers should be careful and avoid falling into a trap with the Dirty Dozens,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman.  “Scam artists will tempt people in-person, on-line and by e-mail with misleading promises about lost refunds and free money.  Don’t be fooled by these scams.”  Shulman is the 47^th commissioner of the IRS and his term ends November 9, 2012.  IRS Commissioners are nominated by the President and confirmed by the United States Senate for a term of up to 5 years.

 Illegal scams can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal prosecution.  The IRS Criminal Investigation Division (CID) works closely with the United States Department of Justice to shutdown scams and prosecutes the criminals behind them.

 The following is the Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2012:

 1.  Identity Theft

 Topping the Dirty Dozen list is identity theft.  In response to growing identity theft concerns the IRS has embarked on a comprehensive strategy that is focused on preventing, detecting and resolving identity theft cases as soon as possible.  In addition to the law-enforcement crackdown, the IRS has stepped up its internal reviews to spot false tax returns before tax refunds are issued as well as working to help victims of the identity theft refund schemes.

 Identity theft cases are among the most complex ones the IRS handles, but the agency is committed to working with taxpayers who have become victims of identity theft.

The IRS is increasingly seeing identity thieves looking for ways to use a legitimate taxpayer’s identity and personal information to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund.  Typically, identity thieves attempt to get fraudulent refunds early in the income tax filing season.

 An IRS notice informing a taxpayer that more than one return was filed in the taxpayer’s name or that the taxpayer received wages from an unknown employer may be the first tip off the individual receives that he or she has been victimized.

 The IRS has a robust screening process with measures in place to stop fraudulent returns.  While the IRS is continuing to address tax-related identity theft aggressively, the agency is also seeing an increase in identity crimes, including more complex schemes.  In 2011, the IRS protected more than $1.4 billion of taxpayer funds from getting into the wrong hands due to identity theft.

 The IRS has announced the results of a massive, national sweep cracking down on suspected identity theft perpetrators as part of a stepped-up effort against refund fraud and identity theft.  Working with the Justice Department’s Tax Division and local U.S. Attorney’s offices, the nationwide effort targeted over 100 people in 23 states.  Over 900 criminal charges were included in numerous indictments.  The IRS also visited money services businesses and check cashing operations to make sure these businesses were not facilitating identity theft. 

 Anyone who believes his or her personal information has been stolen and used for tax purposes should immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit.  For more information, visit the special identity theft page at www.IRS.gov/identitytheft.

 2.  Phishing

 Phishing is a scam typically carried out with the help of unsolicited email or a fake website that poses as a legitimate site to lure in potential victims and prompt them to provide valuable personal and financial information.  Armed with this information, a criminal can commit identity theft or financial theft.

 If you receive an unsolicited email that appears to be from either the IRS or an organization closely linked to the IRS, such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EETPS), report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov.

 It is important to keep in mind the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.  This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. 

 3.  Return Preparer Fraud

 About 60 percent of taxpayers will use tax professionals to prepare and file tax returns.  Most return preparers provide honest service to their clients.  But as in any other business, there are also some who prey on unsuspecting taxpayers.

 Questionable return preparers have been known to skim off their clients’ refunds, charge inflated fees for return preparation services and attract new clients by promising guaranteed or inflated refunds.  Taxpayers should choose carefully when hiring a tax preparer.  Federal courts have issued hundreds of injunctions ordering individuals to cease preparing returns, and the Department of Justice has pending complaints against many others.

 Every paid preparer need to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and enter it on the returns he or she prepares.

 Signals to watch for when you are dealing with an unscrupulous return preparer would include that they:

• Do not sign the return or place a Preparer Tax identification Number on it.
• Do not give you a copy of your tax return.
• Promise larger than normal tax refunds.
• Charge a percentage of the refund amount as preparation fee.
• Require you to split the refund to pay the preparation fee.
• Add forms to the return you have never filed before.
• Encourage you to place false information on your return, such as false income, expenses and/or credits.

For advice on how to find a competent tax professional, see Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer on the IRS website.

 4.  Hiding Income Offshore

 Over the years, numerous individuals have been identified as evading U.S. taxes by hiding income in offshore banks, brokerage accounts or nominee entities, using debit cards, credit cards or wire transfers to access the funds.  Others have employed foreign trusts, employee-leasing schemes, private annuities or insurance plans for the same purpose.

 The IRS uses information gained from its investigations to pursue taxpayers with undeclared accounts, as well as the banks and bankers suspected of helping clients hide their assets overseas.  The IRS works closely with the Department of Justice to prosecute tax evasion cases.

 While there are legitimate reasons for maintaining financial accounts abroad, there are reporting requirements that need to be fulfilled.  U.S. taxpayers who maintain such accounts and who do not comply with reporting and disclosure requirements are breaking the law and risk significant penalties and fines as well as the possibility of criminal prosecution.

 Since 2009, 30,000 individuals have come forward voluntarily to disclose their foreign financial accounts, taking advantage of special opportunities to bring their money back into the U.S. tax system and resolve their tax obligations.  And, with new foreign account reporting requirements being phased in over the next few years, hiding income offshore will become increasingly more difficult.

 5.  “Free Money” from the IRS & Tax Scams Involving Social Security

 Flyers and advertisements for free money from the IRS, suggesting that the taxpayer can file a tax return with little or no documentation, have been appearing in community churches around the country.  These schemes are also often spread by word of mouth as unsuspecting and well-intentioned people tell their friends and relatives.

 Scammers prey on low income individuals and the elderly.  They build false hopes and charge people good money for bad advice.  In the end, the victims discover their claims are rejected.  Meanwhile, the promoters are long gone. The IRS warns all taxpayers to remain vigilant.

 There are a number of tax scams involving Social Security.  For example, scammers have been known to lure the unsuspecting with promises of non-existent Social Security refunds or rebates.  In another situation, a taxpayer may really be due a credit or refund but uses inflated information to complete the return.

 Beware.  Intentional mistakes of this kind can result in a $5,000 penalty.

6.  False/Inflated Income and Expenses

 Including income that was never earned, either as wages or as self-employment income in order to maximize refundable credits, is another popular scam.  Claiming income you did not earn or expenses you did not pay in order to secure larger refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit could have serious repercussions.  This could result in repaying the erroneous refunds, including interest and penalties, and in some cases, even prosecution.

 Additionally, some taxpayers are filing excessive claims for the fuel tax credit.  Farmers and other taxpayers who use fuel for off-highway business purposes may be eligible for the fuel tax credit.  But other individuals have claimed the tax credit when their occupations or income levels make the claims unreasonable.  Fraud involving the fuel tax credit is considered a frivolous tax claim and can result in a penalty of $5,000.

7.  False Form 1099 Refund Claims

 In this ongoing scam, the perpetrator files a fake information return, such as a Form 1099 Original Issue Discount (OID), to justify a false refund claim on a corresponding tax return.  In some cases, individuals have made refund claims based on the bogus theory that the federal government maintains secret accounts for U.S. citizens and that taxpayers can gain access to the accounts by issuing 1099-OID forms to the IRS.

 Don’t fall prey to people who encourage you to claim deductions or credits to which you are not entitled or willingly allow others to use your information to file false returns.  If you are a party to such schemes, you could be liable for financial penalties or even face criminal prosecution.

8.  Frivolous Arguments

 Promoters of frivolous schemes encourage taxpayers to make unreasonable and outlandish claims to avoid paying the taxes they owe.  While taxpayers have the right to contest their tax liabilities in court, no one has the right to disobey the law.  Some of these schemes are:

1. The filing of a tax return or payment of tax is voluntary
2. Wages for personal services are not income
3. Taxpayer is not a citizen of the United States, thus not subject to Income Tax laws
4. Taxpayers can refuse to pay income taxes on religious grounds by invoking the first amendment

 These arguments are false and have been thrown out of court.

 9.  Falsely Claiming Zero Wages

 Filing a phony information return is an illegal way to lower the amount of taxes an individual owes.  Typically, a Form 4852 (Substitute Form W-2) or a “corrected” Form 1099 is used as a way to improperly reduce taxable income to zero.  The taxpayer may also submit a statement rebutting wages and taxes reported by a payer to the IRS.

 Sometimes, fraudsters even include an explanation on their Form 4852 that cites statutory language on the definition of wages or may include some reference to a paying company that refuses to issue a corrected Form W-2 for fear of IRS retaliation.  Taxpayers should resist any temptation to participate in any variations of this scheme.  Filing this type of return may result in a $5,000 penalty.

 10.  Abuse of Charitable Organizations and Deductions

 IRS examiners continue to uncover the intentional abuse of 501 (c) (3) organizations, including arrangements that improperly shield income or assets from taxations and attempts by donors to maintain control over donated assets or the income from donated property.  The IRS is investigating schemes that involve the donation of non-cash assets – including situations in which several organizations claim the full value of the same non-cash contribution.  Often these donations are highly overvalued or the organization receiving the donation promises that the donor can repurchase the items later at a price set by the donor.  The Pension Protection Act of 2006 imposed increased penalties for inaccurate appraisals and set new standards for qualified appraisals. 

 11.  Disguised Corporate Ownership

 Third parties are improperly used to request employer identification numbers and form corporations that obscure the true ownership of business.

 These entities can be used to underreport income, claim fictitious deductions, avoid filing tax returns, participate in listed transactions and facilitate money laundering, and financial crimes.  The IRS is working with state authorities to identify theses entities and bring the owner into compliance with the law.

 12.  Misuse of Trusts

 For years, unscrupulous promoters have urged taxpayers to transfer assets into trusts.  While there are legitimate uses of trusts in tax and estate planning, some highly questionable transactions promise reduction of income subject to tax, deductions for personal expenses and reduced estate or gift taxes.  Such trusts rarely deliver the tax benefits promised and are used primarily as a means of avoiding income tax liability and hiding assets from creditors, including the IRS.

 IRS personnel have seen an increase in the improper use of private annuity trusts and foreign trusts to shift income and deduct personal expenses.  As with other arrangements, taxpayers should seek the advice of a trusted professional before entering a trust arrangement. 

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

There were over 142,000,000 individual income tax returns filed regarding the year 2010 (most recent data available).  Most of those income tax returns were electronically filed.  The 142 million tax returns represented a 12% increase in tax returns filed compared to the year 1999.  Although the electronic filing helps the IRS with the increase in volume, it presents other challenges for the IRS as noted in this article. 

Please consult with your tax advisor before acting on these or any income tax topics.  Your tax advisor can ensure you receive the maximum tax benefits considering your filing status, income tax rates, etc.  You can also visit the Internal Revenue Service website http://www.irs.gov/ for more information on these issues.

Thomas L. Broderick is the Treasurer of Pickens-Kane Moving & Storage Co. in Chicago, Illinois.  He is a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), Chartered Global Management Accountant (C.G.M.A.), holds Federal Securities Licenses #6, #63, and #65 and holds an Illinois Insurance License.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Risk Management Trust from 1996 to 2012.  He has also served as president of the West Central Association Chamber of Commerce for the years 2007 through 2009.  In 2012, he was named the chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council at St. John Fisher Parish in Chicago.  Many individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations consult him for various accounting, investment, insurance and tax issues.

Note 1:  CCH Federal Tax Weekly was used as a resource for this article.

Note 2:  Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department notice dated 02/16/2012 was used as a resource for this article.

Revised: October 19, 2012

Protect your moving company and your customers from theft during a move

Theft in the moving and storage industry has been, is now, and will always be a concern and a potential for loss.  Whether its internal questions of employee theft of shippers goods, to theft of equipment and pads, to theft of a vehicle, trailer, or fuel, there are things any moving company can do to lessen the risk of loss through theft.

Screen and Train your employees:

This doesn’t always have to be through an employment screening company.  There are free options on the internet to check someone’s criminal record.  Finding a pattern of retail theft could be very good to know about someone who you may be sending into a shipper’s home.  Make the calls to previous employers because it’s not unheard of for someone to fabricate their work history.  When it comes to training, make sure drivers (and movers) are taught good habits when entering a shippers home (for example, what to do if a purse or money is lying around), and how to load the truck in a way to bury things like TV’s or electronics so they aren’t easily accessible.  Having periodic meetings on security issues are just as important as safety meetings.

Secure Your Vehicles to avoid Theft:

Whether on your lot, at the job site, or on the road, secure your vehicles from theft.  It can be as simple as having locks on all the doors to avoid theft.  Now I know that locks can be cut, but if you have a truck or trailer loaded in your yard back it up to another trailer and block the side doors with trucks to make sure that no one gets into it.  Use pin locks on trailers and never leave keys in the trucks. Having a well lit parking lot also can be a deterrent against thieves, or rogue movers who want to steal equipment or walk boards out of empty trucks.  The same types of rules apply on the road.  Lock it up, park in a busy well lit lot, and never leave the keys in a vehicle (even for a few minutes.)  When at a shipper’s location, especially in urban areas, make sure if the truck is unattended, lock it.  Thieves can grab something off the back of a truck like a tool box and walk away in seconds.  With the price of fuel being so high, stealing fuel has become prevalent in many areas.  A good way to protect yourself against fuel theft is locking caps on fuel tanks. This is the most effective method of protection.  If locking caps aren’t available, don’t leave tanks full of fuel in your parking lot.  If your moving company is in a cold climate, you have to leave at least a quarter tank when it gets cold, but don’t make it a habit of filling up trucks at the end of the day.  A fuel thief that scouts your location for a week can see the pattern and prey on your full tanks of fuel.

These are just a few tips on how to protect your moving company from theft.  Remember to inspect to protect.

 Apartment Decorating

Knowing how to decorate your apartment can make a room look less cluttered and more spacious. These apartment decorating tips should help you save money and make your rooms look like a million bucks.

Keeping The Apartment Décor Simple: 

When decorating walls, less is more.  Putting too many things on the walls can be overwhelming; try just a few paintings or pictures, or a bold mirror (or bold piece of artwork).  This can do the trick.  There are a lot of DIY art projects online these days.  A good place to find home décor is www.pinterest.com, you can find a new new decorating styles easily here.

Know what to spend your money on when it comes to furniture:

If you’re looking for items that you can build yourself, or for a reasonably priced table, bookshelf, or storage cabinet, etc, a good place to find these items are at stores like IKEA or Target.  Stores like this are great places to shop for trendy and affordable pieces to fit any budget.  When it comes to items like appliances, couches, or beds,  you want  something that is going to last a long time, and not have to replace within a few months.  Make sure to look for the best quality, (and look out for sales).

Finding Items at Different Sales:

Great places to look for furniture and home décor are garage sales, yard sales, estate sales, and Craig’s list.  Most of these places will help you find everything you need at a price you can afford.  You can always get furniture and make it look new by using a slip cover or paint job(for much less) than furniture stores, if the resources are unavailable for you, and still have the brand new look and feel.

Decorate your aparment by adding color to your room: 

A great way to decorate is by adding color to the room, whether you use a throw rug, throw pillows, and curtains.  Having items match in the bathroom, and having your rooms scheme match, also will make your apartment more put together.

Using Collectible items to decorate your apartment:

If you own a collection, this is a very cost effective way to decorate.  Use your collection as a focal point, whether you use a storage container, curio cabinet, shadow box.  This can make your decorating very affordable.

Whether you DIY, or go to a sale, you can minimize the amount of money to decorate with the right resources.  Take advantage of some of these money saving tips and have fun decorating your new pad.

Laundry Room Storage

There are many different options for laundry room storage.  The trick is to make it feel less like work.  There are many ways to sort and dry your clothes and have your laundry room more organized.  Here are some ideas to help reorganize your space.

Stacked Washer and Dryer- These units are wonderful, especially if you have a small space for your laundry room.  This gives you more space in your laundry room for storage shelves, hanging racks on the wall, etc.

Pegboard With See through shelving-  This is an option, which can hold wire shelves, and will allow you to hold laundry supplies, including, soap, fabric softener, bleach, and other products you may use.  Using good sturdy containers can make your room more organized, whether you hang them on a wall, pegboard, or put the containers in a shelf.

Open Shelving- This is a good option to store overflowing laundry baskets, so It is out of the eye of guests in the home, it also keeps the air a little cleaner from odor and mildew.

Fold out Drying racks, and hanging Ironing boards-This is a great solution to give you more room off the floor, because you can just fold them out and put them back as needed.

Go High with Shelving Units- Building your shelving units high allows you more space to either build more next to them, or utilize the empty space for other things. 

Baskets and Containers- Baskets and Storage containers are a great way to stack and store items, you can choose from many colors, textures, and create the design you want in your laundry room.

There are many things you can utilize and do to organize your laundry room, these ideas here are just a few of the simple tricks that will help you on your way.

This segment outlines how to pack dishes, stemware and light-weight small appliances to minimize breakage.

Summer is just about over, and it’s time to get yourself, family and home back into school mode.  This time of year can be chaotic for most, especially after playing and late summer nights.  Now that the days will be getting shorter, it will be getting darker soon, and school is around the corner (or has already started for some). These helpful tips will get your home and family ready for the new school year.

Get Everyone’s Schedule on Track:

During the last 2 weeks of summer, you should get a schedule together for your whole family.  This includes snack times, meal times, homework, bath, activities, and sleeping.  Do not try to introduce this the night before school, or you will have one chaotic morning.  Allow yourself and family some time to get accustomed to a new routine, including your little ones.

Organize your paper piles:

This is a good time to get a filing system together, and have a place for all of your paper work.  The more organized your home is, the easier it is for your family to develop an organization system for themselves, (including papers, homework, clothes, etc).  Make sure all the proper documentation is in order for schools and coaches too, including medical exams, physicals, immunizations, proper registrations necessary for school, etc.

Clean those Closets out and Shop:

Go through your closets, get rid or donate items including shoes, clothes, junk, etc that you, (or your children) will no longer need, use, fit, etc.  This will help you get a wardrobe necessity list together, so you will know what your child will need for school.  As far as school supplies go, it’s a good time to shop in July and August for back to school items, most schools will give you a list of supplies your child/teen will need for the upcoming school year. 

Create a Calendar of Events:

Post a family calendar for everyone to see on a fridge, near the phone, or in a central place.  You can use an actual calendar, or white board, that will include lunch menus, assignment sheets, activities, sport practices.   I put everything in my phone, but it’s always a good idea to have a back up calendar.

Plan The Night Before:

You can make your mornings easier by planning a  menu the day before, making lunches the night before, some people will even shower the night before, laying out clothes, shoes, etc.  I like to do crock-pot meals early morning so that way in the evening there is less time worrying about dinner.  You can do a weekly menu, so your’e not trying to come up with different ideas the day before.  Another way to get organized is make a couple meals on the weekend and freeze them so all you will have to do is heat them up during the week.  Cutting your fruits and vegetables ahead of time will save you time for snacks also. 

All of these tips should help you and your family get ready for the new school year, and have it be your most organized year ever!

Driving a moving truck is way different than driving your own personal vehicle.  It takes a lot longer to get from point A to B.  Allow yourself more time and space for reaction.  If you’ve never driven a moving truck before, here are some things you should know:

Turning the truck:  Trucks make wider turns than smaller vehicles do, make sure you know where curbs are.

Height of the truck:  It is important that you know the height of the vehicle you are driving before heading out on the road.  There are obstacles you might face for instance: bridges, underpasses, drive thrus, gas stations, communities with low branches, etc.  Make sure you know where you are traveling before you get yourself in trouble (or cause damage to the vehicle).

Backing Up the vehicle:  Have someone guide you when it comes to backing up the truck.  There is window you can look out of behind you, and backing up using your mirrors takes some practice.

Stopping the Vehicle:  Always allow yourself more time to brake.  Trucks need more time to brake than a personal vehicle does.

Required licensing:  Certain trucks sizes require certain license requirements.  Make sure you have the correct license to drive the rental truck prior to your move.

Safety:  Always obey all traffic laws, whether Its using turn signals, obeying the speed limit, turning on headlights, using safety belt, etc.

Parking the vehicle:  Make sure you know where you can and cannot park to avoid getting a ticket. Certain places will not allow truck parking.

Insurance coverage;  Know what your personal insurance policy will cover in regards to your truck rental.  If the rental facility offers additional insurance (and they will) take it out if your personal insurance doesn’t cover your rental truck.  You don’t want to pay for an accident out of pocket.

Again allow yourself enough time when moving. It’s a good idea to have someone with you, especially if you’ve never driven a moving truck before.  Get to the rental facility early, and make sure you have all of your documentation, insurance coverage, license, etc ready and on hand.