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Moving Tips

Moving to NJ From Out-of-State Checklist and Tips

Many people find a small local move challenging and plan a few weeks in advance. Moving to New Jersey from another state requires even more preparation and planning even if you’re coming from the next state over. That doesn’t mean your out-of-state move has to be stressful or difficult. There are plenty of steps you can take to make your NJ relocation a walk in the park.

Visit the Area

Ideally, you’ll be able to physically visit your future home so you can get a good feel for the neighborhood, nearby amenities, and so on. Unfortunately, traveling out-of-state isn’t always affordable. However, if you can squeeze it into your moving budget, seeing the location first hand is always a great idea.

If you can’t physically visit your new home, the next best thing is to find digital resources. Your new town or city might have its own social media account. If not, they will at least have their own website where you can check out the calendar of events, announcements, and so on. You can also “walk” the neighborhood with Google Maps to find the nearest park, grocery store, library, and whatever else is important to you. The more you research, the more  you will feel comfortable when you actually make the move.

Prepare a Moving Calendar

While you might only need 2-3 weeks for a small, local move, you should start preparing for your interstate move at least a month in advance, if not longer. The best way to make sure you get all your tasks done is to first figure out your move date and then count backwards at least 4-6 weeks. If you know you’re going to be busy with work or travel during that timespan, make sure to give yourself even more breathing room. Find and circle the date on the calendar – that’s the day you start with your moving tasks!

Don’t just fill in the calendar haphazardly. First, create a list of all the tasks you need to complete. For example, hiring professional movers, packing, shutting off utilities, purchasing packing supplies, changing your address, etc. Make sure to personalize these tasks to match your needs and prioritize them based on how many days you have until moving day. If you plan on hiring a moving company, you should book them at least a month before your move date, especially if you plan on relocating between May through September.

Create a Budget

Moving out of state isn’t cheap. The average cost of hiring professional movers for a long-distance relocation is close to $5,000. Unlike local moves that charge you an hourly rate, out-of-state movers generally offer a flat rate fee based on the distance, weight, and volume of your move. Ultimately, it means the further you move and the more stuff you have, the higher your final bill. The price only goes up if you include additional services like storage, packing, unpacking, and buying packing supplies. 

Even if you decide to do a DIY move, you’ll still need to pay money for a truck or container, moving supplies, and other expenses like gas, tolls, parking, and more. Plus, you’ll have to load and unload the truck yourself. At best, you’ll be sore for the next few days from lift and carrying heavy boxes and furniture, but at worst you could seriously injure yourself.

Speaking of budget, don’t forget to include costs outside of the actual moving process like some takeout food for the day or two after you move into your new NJ home, new decorations, and even new furniture. 

Choose a Professional Moving Company

If you can spare the money in your budget, hiring a moving company can make your transition to your new New Jersey home a lot easier. Every move is unique, which is why the most reputable New Jersey movers will walk you through the entire process and come up with personalized moving plans based on your needs and budget. Before you call, figure out what you might need as part of your moving plan. Most movers offer services like packing, storage, and more. If you need a full-service experience where movers do the packing for you, make sure to mention it!

Always do your research before hiring the company. Look up online reviews on a variety of sites including Yelp, Google Business, and the Better Business Bureau. Licensed and insured movers also provide their Department of Transportation number, which allows you to search the number to make sure they are up-to-date with their licenses.

Create a Moving File

Filing all documents related to your move is one of the best ways to stay organized and sane. Sure, it’s not fun and is just another thing you have to remember, but you’ll be grateful you have everything in one place. Documents you should store here include:

  • Moving related documents like your estimate, bill of lading, inventory 
  • All personal documents related to you, your child(ren), and/or pets. This includes birth certificate, school records, pet-related documents (vet records, etc)
  • All related bills and utilities that you will need to call to either cancel or update your address

While you can access many of these documents online, it’s still a good idea to have a hard copy version just in case something happens, especially for places like your doctor’s office. If they don’t have a digital portal, call to get a copy of your health records emailed to and print it out. When you find a new doctor, you can hand over your health history on the first day.

Declutter

The less stuff you have, the cheaper your move! Take a look at everything you own and filter out anything that you have used in the past year. Chances are, you won’t miss it! After that, try out the 3-second rule, where you must decide in three seconds if you’ll keep an item in your hand or not and you can’t change your mind after. 

If you end up with a lot of things to get rid of, consider hosting a garage sale. Not only will it help get rid of our unwanted items, it’s also a great way to pad your moving budget. Donate whatever leftover items you have that are in good condition. If you still have a few things left after all that, post it on a local buy nothing group.

Pack Early!

Packing is by far the most time-consuming task. Don’t leave the packing to the last minute. If you want to ensure all of your belongings get to your new home in one piece, you’ll want to set aside a few weeks to pack properly. That includes some prep time to ensure you have all the materials you need including boxes of various sizes, packing tape, padding for fragile items, and packing paper to fill up any gaps in the box.

Split up the packing by section or room and start with the location with the least essential items. That might mean your garage, attic, basement, or guest room. Make sure to label each box appropriately with the room the box should go into as well as basic details on what is inside the box. If you have any fragile items in the box, make sure to write FRAGILE so the movers know to handle them with care.

Don’t forget to pack an essentials bag while you’re at it. Think of this bag/box as what you would take to a two night stay at a hotel and include all these items. The last thing you want to do after you have moved into your new home is dig through boxes to find your toothbrush.

Make all Necessary Travel Arrangements

Moving long distances means figuring out how you’ll get from your old place to your new one. And no, you can’t hitch a ride with the movers. Depending on how far you’re moving and whether you are moving with kids or pets will determine your travel strategy. If you’re relatively close to your new location (a couple hours out), you can simply drive to your new location with no issues. For anything further, you might want to plan out meals, bathroom, and other breaks, especially if you’re moving with young children.

For those who live cross country, a flight will be the fastest and easiest option. However, if you prefer driving, don’t forget to make hotel reservations and plan an itinerary to see some cool things along the way during your road trip. This might not be the best option if you have kids or pets, but it’s great if you’re single.

Move to New Jersey with NJ Great Movers!

If you’re ready to make your move to the Garden State, NJ Great Movers can provide all the information and help you might need. We provide standard long distance moving services along with other add-ons like packing, unpacking, storage, and more. Reach out to us and we’ll walk you through the process.

Categories
Moving Tips

Handy Post-Move Guide Your First Week in Your New NJ Home

Whether it’s your first home or your third, moving into a new place is both exciting and stressful. All the tasks that lead up to moving day can be overwhelming, but the process doesn’t end when all of your boxes are brought into your new place. In fact, the settling in process can sometimes take just as long and be as stressful as the move itself if you don’t have a plan in place.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can simplify the process so long as you have a checklist and/or guide in place to help prioritize your tasks. It doesn’t matter if you’re downsizing or upgrading your home, these steps can make the week after a move more manageable.

Check All Your Boxes

Hopefully, you planned your move out and created a detailed inventory of all everything you’re bringing with you…right? If you didn’t, you should still have a general idea of how many boxes you packed and their contents. Of course, it’s better to have a full inventory of everything, especially if you hire professional movers. That way you can keep track of everything and immediately see if anything is missing or damaged. Ideally, everything should get from one place to another in one piece, but there’s always the chance that something happens along the way.

Your first order of business is to make sure all of the boxes are accounted for. If something is missing, notify the crew immediately and check the truck together to make sure it was unloaded. Once the movers leave, inspect the boxes for visual damage or other signs of mistreatment. Make sure you also check the contents of the box for broken or damaged goods and then note damage any you notice. You can then reach out to the NJ movers to resolve the situation. The best part is that even if you didn’t opt for moving insurance, you can still receive some compensation as your belongings are automatically insured $0.60 per item per pound. It’s not much, so if you’re moving a lot of high value it1ems, it’s worth it to pay extra for moving insurance.

Turn on Your Utilities

You really don’t want to be without water or electricity for any amount of time. The best time to have scheduled this task was before you moved into your new place. That way you would already have electricity and running water by the time you arrived. But if you haven’t done it, don’t delay. Call up your power and water providers as soon as possible and have it turned off. If you also have a gas connection, make sure to call your gas provider. In some cases, your electricity and gas provider might be the same company.

Once you have the main utilities turned on, you can then get your internet and/or cable provider up and running. You often cannot get these activated until you move into your new home since a tech has to do the installation. Make sure to set aside your whole day for the process as even when you receive a window of time, the tech might come earlier or later than expected.

Clean Your House (Or Hire a Cleaning Service)

Even if the previous owners of your NJ home cleaned before they moved out, it’s still a good idea to give your new place a deep cleaning. After all, you and the NJ movers will have tracked in a lot of dirt and debris while they’re unloading the truck. Before you unpack all your boxes, your first order of business is to find your cleaning supplies and give everything a good wipedown. 

If you don’t have the time or energy to clean yourself, hire a cleaning service! It is an extra cost, but they will have professional equipment and cleaning solutions to really get your new house squeaky clean. Make sure they pay special attention to things like the bathroom, cabinets, drawers, shelves, baseboards, etc. There’s nothing quite like a freshly cleaned house to improve your mood.

This is also a great opportunity to inspect your house for any issues like water damage, leaky pipes, pest infestations, doors that don’t close right, etc. Make a note of any issues you find and then do some research to find a great plumber, electrician, exterminator, or handyman to help you fix it as soon as possible.

Locate All the Shut-Off Valves

It’s fundamental that you know exactly where the shut-off valves are located now so that if you need to turn anything off, you’re not scrambling to find it in the future. Different houses will have different layouts and placements, but you should have shut-off valves for water and electricity. If you have a gas stove, there will also be a valve for your gas. 

Each line should have a few separate valves so locate them all. For example, your toilet will have a separate valve from your kitchen sink. On the other hand, you’ll have a circuit breaker for your electricity that should have multiple switches. Check each of the switches and label them once you figure out which room/area they cover. If your breaker trips in one room, you’ll know exactly which one to turn on to get the power back.

Unpack Essentials

You might want to just relax once you’ve made it to your new home, but you should absolutely start unpacking essential items as soon as possible. Focus on the bedroom and bathroom if you only want to do the bare minimum. For your bedroom, assemble your bed if necessary and unpack your bedding so you can prepare your bed for the night ahead. You should also take out your clothes for the next day so you don’t have to rifle through your overnight bag.

After that, unpack your bathroom box and take out the shower curtain, towels, and any toiletries you might need. There’s nothing quite like a warm shower after a hard day’s work to wash away your stress. Of course, you also want to have a roll of toilet paper ready, some hand soap, and a plunger, just in case.

If you have more energy, unpack your kitchen boxes. You don’t have to cook on moving day, but it is nice to have a home cooked meal the first week in your new New Jersey home. There’s no need to unpack everything, but you should take out a pan, a pot, some dishes, silverware, and a chef’s knife. You might also want to unpack a few of your favorite snacks and drinks (especially your favorite coffee).

Childproof Your Home

Babies and toddlers love to get into everything and they don’t really know what items are dangerous and what are not. To prevent them from potentially hurting themselves you will need to go through and childproof your new home. This is a series of steps to identify typical household hazards and eliminate the potential threats.

Start your child proofing process in the room your child will spend most of their time. This will likely be the nursery. Leave two items in the crib – your baby and a fitted mattress sheet. From there, secure the changing table so it doesn’t accidentally tip over, cover up any electrical outlets, and add cordless blinds and window guards.

After that, move on to the other rooms and make sure all electrical outlets within their reach are covered and have childproof locks on cabinets or closets that might contain cleaning supplies or other chemicals. If your child likes putting everything into their mouth, block off areas that have small items like nails, screws, plastic bits, etc.

Finish Unpacking

Once you have all the pressing tasks completed, take your time and finish unpacking. Much like packing, unpacking can be done in stages so take your time. Go by room and unpack boxes that have somewhat important items in them and work your way to least important/decorative. 

You can get the job done quickly by hiring professional unpackers , but it will cost you money. Your next best bet is to invite friends and family over for an unpacking party. That way you can chat, share memories, enjoy some food and drink, all while getting the job done. Of course, the second way will take longer, but it will be a lot more fun for you and your family!

Recycle Your Packing Materials

Unpacking will leave you with plenty of materials you won’t need. Many boxes will be in such bad shape that you won’t be able to reuse them. Regardless of the shape these boxes are in, you will need to break them all down so they are flat either for recycling or storage. You should only keep boxes that are in good shape and only if you believe you will be using them in the near future. Otherwise, consider reselling them on sites like Facebook or Nextdoor or, if you notice someone moving in your neighborhood, offer your boxes to them. 

Besides boxes, you’ll also have a glut of other supplies like bubble wrap, packing paper, newspapers, and so on. These can come in handy in the future, so hold on to the ones that are still in good condition. You can hang on to these for the next time you move or even have them on hand if you have plans on buying fragile items from a local store.

Greet Your Neighbors

You’re the new kid on the block so once you’ve settled in, you should take some time to get to know your neighbors. Not only is it good manners, it can also help you start your relationship with your neighbors on the right foot. Make sure to bring everyone in your family if you can. Even if your kids are a bit shy, it’s good for people to know what to expect. These first introductions don’t have to be long!

Once you have done the initial introduction, consider having a housewarming party and inviting your neighbors. That way, you can get to speak with them in a more relaxed environment. And if they have children that are similar in age to your own, invite them over as well so your kids can potentially make some new friends.

Enjoy Your New Home

Finally, make sure to enjoy settling into your new home! Take advantage of whatever features it has that you might not have had at your old place whether that’s a beautiful backyard, a larger kitchen, more space, whatever! And don’t forget to decorate your new place to fit your style. Paint your walls, pick some nice curtains or throw pillows for the living room, and choose some artwork!

Are you making a move to a new place in New Jersey? Then give NJ Great Movers a call! We can help with every aspect of the move including unpacking. Just let us know what you need and we’ll walk you through the process.

Categories
General

How to Move Out After a Breakup

Breaking up is never easy, but it’s especially hard if you live together. Moving out after a breakup gets complicated as you will need to resolve issues such as dividing up shared belongings, organizing the house/apartment on move out, and deciding custody of children if you have them. Even if you broke up on good terms, figuring out the logistics of the move can lead to some heated arguments if not planned properly. And while you might not be able to completely alleviate the stress and tension, there are a few things you can do to make the move a bit easier on both of you.

Keep Your Emotions in Check During the Move

This is easier said than done. If your partner and you have decided to end your relationship, chances are emotions are running high even if both parties agree to the break up. This can make it difficult to discuss the logistics of moving, leading to unnecessary squabbling and ultimately more hurt feelings.

If possible, get a hotel room or stay with a friend for a few days to put some distance between you and your ex. While it might not be feasible to move out immediately, you should do your best to try to wrap things up as soon as possible. After your emotions have cooled a bit, discuss the move strategy with your ex to figure out next steps like when you are going to move your things out, etc. If you can’t afford to live by yourself, reach out to your network to see if there are any friends or even co-workers looking for a roommate. It might not be ideal, but you at least want a short term solution until you can figure out a long-term solution.

Divvy Up Your Belongings 

For many people, this is one of the hardest parts of breaking up with someone you lived with. The longer you live together, the more you share everything from bank accounts to furniture. Naturally, you’ll want to keep anything that belongs to you like your laptop, cellphone, clothes, etc. However, for the shared items, consider creating a list of your top wants and have your ex do the same thing.

If you notice a lot of overlap, take a second look at your list and see if you can whittle it down to a few big ticket items and certain sentimental items. You can always buy new things and it might even be better for you in the long run as you won’t have a constant reminder of your ex.

There are times when you might want to get a mediator or lawyer involved most notably when dealing with children and pets. With a child, you will need to go through court and hire a lawyer to handle custody hearings. When it comes to pets, you definitely want to have a third-party present to hear both sides and provide a fair judgment.

No one wants to part with the family pet, but there are plenty of extenuating circumstances to consider such as how closely a pet is bonded to one person or the other, financial security, how much time the person has to take care of the pet, and so on. If you end up keeping a pet that your ex adopted, you can go to the vet to fill out a pet ownership transfer form.

Remember, this step should focus on dividing up your mutual belongings and should not be used as a way to take revenge on your ex. More importantly, make a clear list of all the items that you will be taking with you and leave a copy with your ex. It might even be a good idea to have them sign the document agreeing to the list. That way, should they decide to change their mind, you have a physical document with their signature.

Hire Professional Movers for a Hassle-Free Move

You want to make the move as quick and painless as possible, which means reducing the amount of trips you need to make. Hiring movers might not be cheap, but it will help you get everything out quickly and easily. Even if you don’t have a new home yet, you should try to get your stuff out as soon as possible. Many professional moving companies offer short and long-term storage options for decent rates. You can even hire them for packing services if you don’t have the time to pack everything yourself!

Before you call the movers, make sure to create an inventory of everything you’re taking with you and label all the boxes. Have your ex double check your list to make sure you aren’t taking anything that you didn’t agree on beforehand. Once everything is settled, schedule movers as soon as possible. Ideally, you would want to move on a day when your ex is not around. If that’s not possible, then having a moving crew there can serve as a nice buffer if your ex tries to give you any trouble.

Enjoy the Moving Process and Stay Positive

Break ups and moves are hard. There’s no more appropriate time to lean on your support network than when you have to do both at the same time. Don’t be afraid to let the waterworks go in front of your loved ones and let them pamper you. You might not feel like it, but a little TLC can go a long way to healing. Suggest a spa appointment or even a short vacation out of town if you can manage it. If your budget is stretched thin, then consider a night in with your friends. You might feel broken and fragile, but it’s usually better to go out and enjoy yourself instead of being depressed by yourself.

If you don’t have any friends or family available, then find ways to make yourself feel better. Don’t neglect your health. Make sure you eat well, exercise, and get some fresh air. Now is also a great time to try out some new activities and maybe even make some new friends. Don’t jump into dating right away, but it’s never a bad idea to make new connections with other people.

Move Into Your New Place

Once you’ve found the perfect place it’s time to move in and that means decorating! While it might feel weird at first being on your own (or with a roommate) it’s the perfect opportunity to create a space that lifts your spirits. Avoid putting up any keepsakes from your previous relationship just yet. You might want to hide those under your bed or in storage for a few months. Instead, use this opportunity to experiment with new styles and colors. Splurge a little with some fancy sheets or a nice floor lamp. A new place means endless possibilities so don’t constrict yourself! Focus on adding things that make you happy.

Once you’ve moved in, don’t forget to reward yourself. Small things such as buying your favorite coffee or getting a massage after unpacking can positively impact your mental health. More importantly, it will create positive associations with your move, making it a little easier to get over your ex.

While this might be one of the most difficult times in your life, it doesn’t have to be more difficult than it already is. Following these steps can make the breakup a bit easier on you and your ex.

If you’re ready to move out, make sure to hire knowledgeable and professional movers who can handle your belongings with care. As tempting as it might be to go with the first company you find, make sure to do your research and get multiple quotes so you can find the movers that match your budget and needs.

Categories
General

5 Exciting and Fun Things to Do Before Moving

Even when you’re moving into your dream house, the actual moving process can be grueling and emotional. The months before a move are busy, even when you hire professional movers and are super organized. While moving can be stressful, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun to make the process a bit easier. If you need a break, the following activities can help refresh your batteries so you can get back to moving with gusto.

Throw a Party Before Moving to a New City

Whether you’re moving to a new city or a new state, organizing a going away party can be a nice distraction from all the packing and planning. Sure, it’s not particularly fun to say goodbye to good friends and neighbors, but a party is a great opportunity to see everyone in one place and spend time with the people who matter.

You don’t need additional stress during your move, so plan to make this party very informal. Reach out to your closest friends and neighbors and have a laid-back get together on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Make sure you have some drinks and snacks, but you can also ask guests to bring something as well. At the end of the party, make sure you exchange your new contact information. Heck, you can even mix business with pleasure and have the moving-away part after your friends have helped you pack for the day. If you’re hiring movers, you can encourage your guests to take some items that you don’t plan on bringing with you.

Visit Your New and Old Places

Unless you really hated your area, chances are there are a few spots in town that you love. Maybe it’s a cozy diner, a small museum, or a quiet green area in a park. Wherever it is, take some time out of your hectic moving plans to enjoy your neighborhood for the last time. Don’t rush yourself either! Take your time and truly relish the experience. That might mean clearing up a day or two in your busy moving schedule, but it will be worth it!

If your schedules align, take one or two friends on a greatest hits ‘tour’ and visit your favorite places. You could even take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of your old haunts. If that’s not your style, why not be a tourist in your town for the day? If you live somewhere like NYC, chances are you probably avoid tourist locations like the plague. Now is the time to take in all the attractions and enjoy them! It’s a great way to recharge your battery for the tough relocation ahead.

Capture Beautiful Memories Before You Leave

Leaving your old home can be an emotional experience, especially if you have a lot of good memories in it. It’s hard on everyone, but doubly so for children as they have come to associate the house with comfort, love, and warmth. Fortunately, your upcoming move doesn’t have to be a somber affair as long as you believe your new home will be even better.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to forget all about your old house. If anything, to make the transition easier, you should capture some memories before you leave. Maybe that means making a farewell video where each member of the family tells their favorite story or memory linked to a particular room. Avoid scripted takes as you want authenticity!

If you’re not into video, take some time to take some pictures as you move out. Later on, you can arrange these pictures, along with others you have taken during your stay at your old house, into a photo album. If you have kids, let them contribute to the album as well so everyone will have fond memories to look back on.

Speaking of memories, if you can bring a memento from your old place to your new one. This might be a bit harder if you live in a rental as you could be charged for not leaving the apartment in good condition. Choose something that is meaningful and either add it to the photo album/scrapbook or add it to your new home. This way, every time you look at the memento, you’ll be reminded of good memories.

Reward Yourself  in a Way You Choose

If you hire trustworthy movers, hopefully your residential move will be perfect from start to finish. Many people will wait until after the move to treat themselves, but there’s no rule saying you can’t take a much needed pre-move break. In fact, it’s a great way to keep your motivation high, especially during the height of moving.

It might be tempting to try and push through all the tedious packing and organizing, but take some time to relax. Maybe that means catching a movie with some friends, going out for romantic dinner with your significant other, or attending a concert. If you’re moving alone, it could be as simple as taking a luxurious bath or relaxing in bed watching your favorite show. Whatever it is, you want to choose an activity that will recharge your batteries. The point is to do something you love and enjoy. You’ll be less stressed the next day and you might even be able to get everything done faster by taking a break.

Create a Proven Floor Plan to Avoid Mistakes

When moving into a new place, you have the opportunity to truly transform it into the home of your dreams. Sure, there might be some limitations, especially if you decide to move into an apartment. However, there are still plenty of ways you can unleash your creativity and create a cozy dwelling that reflects your personality while also guaranteeing maximum comfort. And you can start planning all of this out before you even move! In fact, you should create a floor plan before you move, that way you can avoid costly mistakes such as:

  • Incorrect furniture size – there’s no point in spending money moving heavy furniture if it won’t fit in your new home. A detailed floor plan will tell you which pieces you can keep and which ones you can donate or throw away.
  • Poor furniture placement – you’ll have to know the exact dimensions of your house and furniture for this, but it’s well worth the effort as you can figure out where to place each item to maximize open areas and traffic flow
  • Rearranging furniture after move in – why spend time rearranging furniture after you move in when you can simply have the movers place items exactly where you want it? With a floor plan, you can tell the movers exactly where you want each item to go. Not only does this save you time, it also reduces the chances of you or loved ones getting injured because you’re trying to move heavy items.

In order for the floor plan to work as intended, you need exact measurements of everything. Make sure to include quirky wall layouts such as round sections or slanted walls. Also make sure to note the location of all windows, doors, and doorways as you don’t want to block any of these areas with furniture. While you’re at it, you should also look for the location of electric outlets, ceiling lights, and heating vents on your floor plan. When you have all the information, draw the rooms to scale. It usually works best when you use graph paper and represent one foot with two squares on the graph paper.

Once that’s done, measure all of your furniture and decide which ones you want to move into your new home and see whether they will fit. Draw the outlines of your furniture onto another piece of graph paper using the same scaling method as you did for the actual house/apartment. From there, cut the furniture shapes from the paper and start arranging on your floor plan. Pay special attention to the flow of traffic and how you can break up a large room into different ‘sections.’ Sure, you can always rearrange furniture later on, but a good floor plan can save you time and reduce unnecessary stress. Plus, you can keep the plan for future use if you ever replace your old furniture.

Hire the Best Professional NJ Movers

The moving process can be grueling and stress-full, but these tips can hopefully help make it a little more bearable. Another great way to reduce stress is to hire professional movers who can help load and unload your belongings and even arrange your furniture based on your specifications. Working with the pros means you don’t have to worry about broken items or injuries. And that’s a great way to start a new chapter in your life!