MOVING IN FAQs: Here are a few tips for before and after your move

WHAT TO DO WHEN MOVING – BEFORE AND AFTER

There are many things to think about before and after moving into an apartment home. I have created a list of highlights to keep in mind so your big day isn’t so overwhelming.
BEFORE MOVE-IN

• Call or visit your current leasing office to figure out how much is due so your account balance is at zero upon move out. Don’t forget to ask if there are any requirements needed before you move-out, like cleaning.
• Schedule and be present for your move-out inspection at your current apartment community. Get a copy of the move-out inspection sheet after you and the appropriate staff member signs it.
• Get in writing how much money is due before you move-in. This would include your rent, security deposit and any other additional fees at your new apartment community.
• Call, pay and schedule the connection of power, gas, cable, internet and home phone line.
• Get renters insurance from your car insurance company or another company. Additionally, make sure they fax over a copy of your policy to the leasing office.
• Get quotes from prospective moving companies.
• Change your address with the United States Postal Service. You can do this in person or online, and it is best to do it at least 10 days before you move-in.
• Make sure you don’t have to work on the day of your move. If there are family members or friends helping you, follow up with them and make sure that their plans have not changed.
• Tell the leasing office what time they should expect you to pick up your keys and complete any paperwork before move-in.
• If you can, complete all paperwork before you move-in and pay what you can. It will save you time on the day of move-in. Who wants to think about money and paperwork on moving day anyways?
• Be present for the move-in inspection at your new apartment community and get a copy for your records after the appropriate staff member signs it.
• Get receipts or signed copies of all payments made from the point of payment of application, rent, security deposit payment, etc.
• Read your lease agreement carefully and ask questions before signing!

AFTER MOVE-IN

• Obtain a copy of your lease after the appropriate authority, most likely the Community Manager, signs it. Don’t just request a copy of the actual lease itself, but all of the addendum forms that accompanied it at the time of signing.
• Tape a paper with your name in your mailbox for the mail carrier in case his or her records hasn’t been updated yet.
• If there were any work orders/service requests made during your move-in inspection, call or visit the office the next day to ensure it was entered into their system and that nothing was overlooked.
• Now it is time to clean and unpack!
• Now that you have gotten all of those responsibilities out of the way, it is time to make the apartment home. For apartment living ideas, check out Apartment Therapy here. They have great tips large and small spaces.

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Check the Ingredients List in Your Packaged Foods! List of Ingredients to WATCH OUT For

10 Worst TOXIC ingredients in your processed food: 

Palm Oil:
When a regular fat like corn, soybean, or palm oil is blasted with hydrogen and turned into a solid, it becomes a trans fat. These evil anti-nutrients help packaged foods stay “fresh,” meaning that the food can sit on the supermarket shelf for years without ever getting stale or rotting. Eating junk food with trans fats raises your “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and lowers your “good” HDL. These fats also increase your risk of blood clots and heart attack. Avoid palm oil and other trans fats like the plague, and kiss fried foods goodbye too, since they’re usually fried in one of these freakish trans-fatty oils.

Shortening:
Ditch any food that lists shortening or partially hydrogenated oil as an ingredient, since these are also evil trans fats. In addition to clogging your arteries and causing obesity, they also increase your risk of metabolic syndrome. Choose healthier monounsaturated fats, such as olive, peanut and canola oils and foods that contain unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids instead.

'White' Processed Foods:
When a whole grain is refined, most of its nutrients are sucked out in an effort to extend its shelf life. Both the bran and germ are removed, and therefore all the fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Because these stripped down, refined grains are devoid of fiber and other nutrients, they’re also easy to digest — TOO EASY. They send your blood sugar and insulin skyrocketing, which can lead to all sorts of problems. Replace processed grains with whole grains, like brown or wild rice, whole-wheat breads and pastas, barley, and oatmeal.

Corn Syrup:
The evil king of all refined grains is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The amount of refined sugar we consume has declined over the past 40 years, but we’re consuming almost 20 times as much HFCS. According to researchers at Tufts University, Americans, for example, consume more calories from HFCS than any other source. It’s in practically EVERYTHING. It increases triglycerides, boosts fat-storing hormones, and drives people to overeat and gain weight. Adopt my zero-tolerance policy, and steer clear of this sweet “poison.”

Artificial Sweeteners:
Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), saccharin (Sweet'N Low, SugarTwin), and sucralose (Splenda) may be even harder on our metabolic systems than plain old sugar. These supposedly diet-friendly sweeteners may actually be doing more harm than good! Studies suggest that artificial sweeteners trick the brain into forgetting that sweetness means extra calories, making people more likely to keep eating sweet treats without abandon. Nip it in the bud. Scan ingredient labels and ban all artificial sweeteners from entering your mouth.

Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Benzoate:
These preservatives are sometimes added to soda to prevent mold from growing, but benzene is a known carcinogen that is also linked with serious thyroid damage. Dangerous levels of benzene can build up when plastic bottles of soda are exposed to heat or when the preservatives are combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Don’t risk it, people.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA):
BHA is another potentially cancer-causing preservative, but it has been deemed safe by the FDA. Its job is to help prevent spoilage and food poisoning, but it’s a major endocrine disruptor and can seriously mess with your hormones. BHA is in HUNDREDS of foods. It’s also found in food packaging and cosmetics. BHA has many aliases. You can look them up. Or you can follow my advice and DITCH processed foods altogether.

Sodium Nitrates And Sodium Nitrites:
No that’s not a typo. These two different preservatives are found in processed meats like bacon, lunch meat, and hot dogs. They’re some of the worst offenders, and they’re believed to cause colon cancer and metabolic syndrome, which can lead to diabetes. Protect your health by always choosing fresh, organic meats.

Blue, Green, Red, And Yellow:
The artificial colours blue 1 and 2, green 3, red 3, and yellow 6 have been linked to thyroid, adrenal, bladder, kidney, and brain cancers. Always seek out foods with the fewest artificial chemicals, especially when shopping for your kids. Look for colour-free medications and natural food products that don’t contain artificial colours like these.

MSG:
Monosodium glutamate is a processed “flavor enhancer.” While glutamates are present in some natural foods, such as meat and cheese, the ones exploited by the processed-foods industry are separated from their host proteins through hydrolysis. The jury is still out on how harmful MSG may be, but high levels of free glutamates have been shown to seriously screw with brain chemistry. Don’t fall prey to chemical flavor enhancing. Just play it safe and flavor your food naturally.

Others to look out for: 

Unacceptable Ingredients for Food

• acesulfame-K (acesulfame potassium)
• acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
• ammonium chloride
• artificial colors
• artificial flavors
• aspartame
• azodicarbonamide
• benzoates in food
• benzoyl peroxide
• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
• BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
• bleached flour
• bromated flour
• brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
• calcium bromate
• calcium disodium EDTA
• calcium peroxide
• calcium propionate
• calcium saccharin
• calcium sorbate
• calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
• caprocaprylobehenin
• carmine
• certified colors
• cyclamates
• cysteine (l-cysteine), as an additive for bread products
• DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono and diglycerides)
• dimethylpolysiloxane
• dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)
• disodium calcium EDTA
• disodium dihydrogen EDTA
• disodium guanylate
• disodium inosinate
• EDTA
• ethyl vanillin
• ethylene oxide
• ethoxyquin
• FD & C colors
• foie gras
• GMP (disodium guanylate)
• hexa-, hepta- and octa-esters of sucrose
• high fructose corn syrup
• hydrogenated fats
• IMP (disodium inosinate)
• irradiated foods
• lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides
• lead soldered cans
• methyl silicon
• methylparaben
• microparticularized whey protein derived fat substitute
• monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• natamycin
• nitrates/nitrites
• partially hydrogenated oil
• polydextrose
• potassium benzoate
• potassium bromate
• potassium sorbate
• propionates
• propyl gallate
• propylparaben
• saccharin
• sodium aluminum sulfate
• sodium benzoate
• sodium diacetate
• sodium glutamate
• sodium nitrate/nitrite
• sodium propionate
• sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
• solvent extracted oils, as standalone single-ingredient oils (except grapeseed oil).
• sorbic acid
• sucralose
• sucroglycerides
• sucrose polyester
• sulfites (except in wines, meads and ciders)
• TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)
• tetrasodium EDTA
• vanillin

How to Clean The Things Everyone Always Forgets to Clean #NewYearCleaning

I'm always more motivated to deep clean in January than I am in the spring. While I always clean the big things, like closets, these eight quick project ideas are a good reminder that small stuff counts too.

1. If you haven't cleaned your lamp shades recently (or ever), here's a smart, one-minute tip from The Creek Line House.
   
2. Rid your stylish coffee mugs of unstylish coffee stains with this baking soda recipe from DIY Cleaning Products.
   
3. Make this the year you start actually sterilizing your kitchen sponges. Here's one quick way to do it from The Kitchn.
   
4. I've never cleaned my mattress past a simple vacuuming, but this lavender & baking soda recipe from Make It Do is a great idea.
   
5. My bathroom faucets are currently sparkling, thanks to the paper towel & vinegar trick in the post from Plumber Surplus.
   
6. Right now, I use baking soda and vinegar to clean my garbage disposal, but I want to try these genius Lemon Vinegar Ice Cubes.
   
7. If you have baskets that look a bit dusty, try this tutorial from eHow on how to properly clean them.
   
8. If you keep meaning to clean your humidifier, but haven't done it, you should. It may be gross now, but it will be sparkling after you do the steps in thisApartment Therapy post.

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