As time draws closer to our interstate move (2 weeks from today), I thought I would share some of the things I have learned and/or done to make this an easier task.
Note: the length of time you have to prepare for a move is key to some of these tips...the longer you have, the better off you are.
1. Start packing early, but beware that you don't pack anything you will need. If you are moving in the summer, pack your winter clothes, your Christmas decorations, etc. If you have a ton of dishes (yes, I am guilty of that) pack your surplus, keeping only your everyday set out. You get the idea.
2. Glean boxes anywhere you can. Moving boxes are expensive if you buy them new. Try your classifieds, craigslist, freecycle, your local grocery store, copy store, even the liquor store. Get creative. I got a bunch of boxes from a neighbor who is a teacher. At the end of the school year, the teachers got in orders of books for the coming year. Those boxes were perfect for packing my books.
3. Packing paper ideas can be just as creative. Save old magazines and newspapers. Ask your friends for their newpapers, too. Call the local newspaper office and see if they will let you have the ends of their newspaper rolls.
4. If you are moving yourself, look into all of the moving truck companies. I initially thought I would go with U-Haul, but when I looked into Penske, I found that I could save hundreds of dollars. I also got an additional discount because I am a AAA member.
5. If you have any sort of food stockpile, start planning menus around what you have. Use that up so you don't have to pack it. I have been buying only milk, eggs, cheese, butter and occasional fresh fruit for the last 3 months!
6. Invest in a tape gun. I can't tell you how much easier it is to seal boxes with a tape gun than picking the end with your fingernail, holding it, cutting it with scissors, etc. You will save so much time!
7. Get your new address as soon as possible. Knowing where I was going, I got a PO box. Although you may choose to have your mail delivered to your new residence after you move, if you have some sort of address, you can save a lot of headaches. My PO box only cost me $26 for 6 months!
8. Change all of the addresses of your magazine subscriptions. Most of these you can do online. Remember that magazines often need 6 weeks to process address changes.
9. While you are changing addresses, change it with USPS, too.
10. Inform your utilities, auto insurance and other bills that you are moving. You don't want to be billed for things you don't use, you want to make sure your car is insured in your new place and you don't want to miss a payment if other bills are delayed.
11. Label your packed boxes well. In big letters, list the contents and the room where the box is going. Later, you will be glad you don't have to go through 10 boxes labeled kitchen just to find your can opener.
12. Take stock of your belongings and purge. If you haven't used something for 6 or more months, do you really need to move it? Have a garage sale, use ebay or your local classifieds or freecycle to get rid of things you don't want anymore. Your local thrift store may also benefit from your surplus.
13. Refill prescriptions as close to your move date as possible. In my case, I have a son who is on 5 different meds. I am going to have to find new doctors and get new health insurance (ugh) I don't know how long that is going to take, but certainly don't want to run out in the meantime. Talk to your doctors and see if they will give you extra refills.
This is linked to
Thursday-13 and
Frugal Fridays.
Just look at all of the options. You can use this to plan all of your meals by uploading any recipes you have already posted! This will save my tons of time. Let me know if you have already heard of them and if I am really way behind. 
This delicious dinner was based on a cheat. Yup, I used a Suddenly Salad Caesar flavored pasta mix for the base. 
With the move and all, my brain is scrambled. I have sat for the last half hour thinking of different stories to record and all of the them are a jumbled mess. In case you have no idea what I am talking about, one of my 2009 resolutions was to start recording family stories so that when the last of the older generations are gone, the family lore would live on. I think I am going to have to take a break for the next few weeks. Most of my family history journals are packed and, as I said, I don't seem to be able to put my thoughts in order. Instead, today, I am going to share a few photos. It seems like no matter when or where it is, our family loves to take pictures of people on a couch. 
These are my sons, years ago, in front of a blue chambray couch.
Here are the boys with their new sister a few years ago on an earth-tone couch.
Finally, here is a picture of me and my brothers, taken about 8 years ago on a pink couch. The brother on the end is going to be a daddy this week (if the baby cooperates) ~ hard to believe.
I was raised on Miracle Whip and married a strictly mayonnaise man. Gradually, I stopped buying Miracle Whip and converted to mayo, but I didn't really ever love it. Then, about seven years ago, I decided to try making homemade mayonnaise and I found my true sandwich spread. Admittedly, there have been times when I have reverted back to store bought, but in my opinion, homemade is best. It only takes about 5 minutes to make!!
I tried a different recipe this week and I like the results a lot better. The muffins rose taller and tasted just a little bit better. Here is the recipe I used. I adapted it from Allrecipes.com. 
Heat greased griddle. Cook muffins on griddle about 10 minutes on each side on medium heat.
(Here, I had problems, because, as I have stated before, my griddle has one temperature: too hot. I browned both sides for a few minutes and then baked the muffins in the oven for 8 minutes at 350 degrees.)
Visit the Krazy Kitchen for Stretch your Dollar wednesdays 
Yes, you read the title right; french fries for breakfast. This is a scrumptous, easy, frugal way to start or end the day. 
You can stick it in the fridge at this point, if you want to make it the night before. Otherwise, whisk the eggs and milk together and pour over the fries mixture. Bake 350 degrees for one hour or until done.
$5 Dinner Swap is here. 
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