What “extra services”

The cost of an interstate move is primarily determined by three things: distance, weight, and extra services rendered.

Distance and weight are easily understood, but many people are uncertain about fees for “extra services.”  These fees can mount up if you don’t know in advance what is covered by extra services.

Extra services are often required to ensure that valuable or cherished items are moved safely from one location to another. This may include dismantling, reassembling, and/ or crating and uncrating of items.

Items requiring additional attention may include:

- Artwork
- Trophies
- Plasma televisions
- Pool tables
- Grandfather clocks
- Antiques
- Pianos
- Hot tubs
- Exercise equipment
- Glass table tops

Since the van line provider assumes liability for the safe shipment of these items, it is often at their discretion whether these services will be required. Sometimes it is the customer that requests additional services for items that are especially important to them.

Another extra service which may be required is a shuttle. A shuttle is a smaller truck which is used to transport household goods to or from the home in places where the large truck is unable to navigate, or where damage to property might be possible.

Other additional services may be requested by a transferee including:

- Packing and/or unpacking
- Carpet cleaning
- Debris removal
- Maid services
- Storage

People may want to consider visual surveys of their household goods. An on-site survey will allow the surveyor to note any items that will require special handling and those charges will be reflected in the written estimate. A visit to the home will also give the surveyor an opportunity to anticipate the need for a shuttle. If the transferee believes a shuttle may be required at destination it is a good idea to mention this to the van line.

Don’t forget the “extra services” when you plan your next move.  Call us today for more information.

Something To Make You Smile!

A babies laugh just makes me smile. This short video will brighten your day!

New addition to our family!!

Dave brought home a baby kitten last week, only 7 weeks old.  We lost our two cats last year after having them for 12 years, it was really sad.  We had talked about getting another cat so Dave surprised me with this little one.  I’ve named her Molly McFarland, she has more energy than Dave and I put together and what a cutie.  Lucy is actually a little afraid of her, when Molly walks up to Lucy, Lucy starts to back up not sure what to expect.  She is the focus of attention right now with the grandkids, they can’t seem to not pick her up when she’s around.  Something about kitties, you just fall in love with them.

Broccoli Salad

This is a great salad to take to any bbq. People will ask you for the recipe and there won’t be any leftovers! The key to this recipe is the Apple Cider Vinegar.

• 3 heads fresh broccoli (cut up)
• 1 lb bacon (cooked and crumbled to small pieces)
• 1 cup sharp cheese shredded
• 1 1/2 cups mayo
• 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Mix everything together except the bacon and cheese and refridgerate for 3-4 hours. Add bacon and cheese right before serving. Yum!

Time For Fun!

Found this comedy duo and the middle section is the best. It’s about a 5 minute video, perfect for a work break! Enjoy.

Artichoke and Spinach Dip

This is a simpe and easy dip to take to any pot luck or summer BBQ. For the garlic I use the frozen cubes from Trader Joes. It’s a great time saver! Use crackers or bread for dipping.

To read reviews of this recipe from allrecipes.com click here.

INGREDIENTS

4 cloves garlic (or 4 frozen garlic cubes)

1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

DIRECTIONS 

In an 8×8 inch baking dish, spread the garlic, spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo-style pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm.

The Macaroni Grill in Alderwood Mall

Last night I took my daughter Jenny to the Macaroni Grill in Alderwood Mall.  Robin does this more than I do.  Going out with your adult children is a wonderful experience.  It allows for great one-on-one conversation with someone who – not to long ago – you were hold their hand and playing in the park.  Go do it with your kid soon!

Macaroni Grill -

Pros

·         Dinner prices at Macaroni Grill are reasonable

·         Large portions, good for sharing

·         Nice selections on kid’s menu

Cons

·         Macaroni Grill can be very noisy

·         Lunch prices high for an everyday lunch

Robin and I have been to Macaroni Grill many times over the years, and we always enjoy it. The food is good and consistent, the service is usually attentive and friendly. Macaroni Grill’s bread rivals some of the best in town. I’ve seen folks order a loaf to go.

On this trip we Jenny ordered the shrimp alfredo.  There were only two shrip that I could see but it seemed to be creamy and to Jenny’s liking. Robin has enjoyed the calamari at Macaroni Grill which is always tender and fresh, and the pesto sauce is a welcome addition to the traditional marinara served.

The Spahgetti and meatballs at Macaroni Grill was good and garlicky, but also a bit salty. I don’t like gimiky things so the meatballs with cheese stuffed in them did not impress.

For dessert try their chocolat cake.  It’s ooey-gooey and decadent. After eating as much food as they serve, one dessert is more than enough for two to share.  If you don’t mind the usual wait for a seat, I recommend the Macaroni Grill at Alderwood Mall.  P.S. I do miss the singing waiters!

The Frozen Chosen

Have you heard about this? Homeowners with home equity lines of credit (HELOCs ) are getting a rude surprise: They’ve been told by their lender that they can no longer take money out on their credit lines because sinking home prices have put them ‘upside down’ on their mortgages.

A short while ago, a very large nationwide lender sent letters to 122,000 customers telling them they could no longer borrow against their credit lines because the total debt on the home exceeded the market value of the property. The lender says it is using computer modeling to determine which of its customers would have their cash spigot shut off.

In this market of unstable house prices, lenders are hedging their bets against further loss by freezing the HELOCs of maxed out borrowers. In the past, lenders provided borrowers with credit lines equal to 100% of the value of their homes. But the past is the past and today is a very different economic environment than yesterday.

Suddenly lenders do not want to be to be left holding the stick for borrowers who have pulled all of the value out of their homes. As home prices continue to fall and credit markets are crunched, lenders will provide money much less freely. Lenders are returning to previous credit rules by forcing borrowers to keep at least 20% of the value in their homes.

Recently you could get a HELOC for 100% of the value of your home. Today your credit line may be capped at 80% of your home’s value. If you’ve already been granted a HELOC that goes above this margin it may be frozen.

Homeowners who took out credit lines for home repairs or other long term, large scale financial transactions may be in big trouble. You may be half-way through home repairs when your credit line is frozen. Leaving you with half a kitchen, half a bathroom, etc.

What about homeowners who utilize HELOCs as an emergency fund? With the new lending policies, if you have sub-par credit or own less than 80% of your home’s value, you may not be able to access the money. This may force a lot of homeowners to reconsider their financial strategies. Do you maintain an emergency fund or do you rely on the value of your home in case of an emergency?

To learn more about the freezing of HELOCs, call us today.  Waiting could find you in the freeze!

Being Green Pays!

Everyone has seen the reusable grocery bags. They are everywhere! Even Costco and JC Penny have them, which is kind of strange, but still these bags are everywhere!

I do my grocery shopping at Fred Meyer and they will give me money back for using a reusable grocery bag. Every bag I use I get a credit of of five cents each time I I use it. So in the end, the bag pays for its self and I could end up making money off this bag!

You can make your own "grocery totes" there are free patterns everywhere. My friend has a etsy store and has sold a few grocery totes with really cool fabric to have more personality. I was kind of lazy and took a Fred Meyer bag and then sewed a piece of scrap fabric over the center section. I love Fred Meyer, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t need to be a walking advertisement for them.

I use my "personalized" grocery bag more than I thought I would. When we travel I put all our car snacks and must haves in there. It’s great and thing don’t roll out all over the back seat!

New Cell Phone Law While Driving

Effective July 1st, 2008 it will be illegal to talk on your hand held cell phone while driving in teh state of Washington. The good news is it’s only a secondary offense, for now. What that means is the police can’t pull you over just for talking on your hand held cell phone but if you are breaking another law while talking on your hand held cell phone they can give you a ticket for your cell phone too. To read the actual law click here.

Basically they are pushing us towards using handsfree headsets which is good because I need more electronic equipment in my house! I don’t have a hands free device but I sure hope they are generic and will accomodate any cell phone. I’m tired of having to buy new car chargers and wall chargers every time I get a new phone!