How to Say Goodbye to Coworkers and Neighbors Before You Move

Whether it is for work, family, or cost of living, every year, 40 million people move from their homes. This means millions of people have to say goodbye to their friends and coworkers every year.

Breaking the news can be hard on everyone involved. There will be tears and heartfelt goodbyes. Saying goodbye does not need to be a painful affair.

Here are some ways to say goodbye to make parting a little easier.

Examples of How to Say Goodbye to Friends

Saying goodbye to your friends will be difficult. These are people you have come to view as an extension of your family.

Tell Them Right Away

Since your friends are no doubt important to you, when you go to move, you need to give them time to process the news. So, it’s important to tell them right away instead of putting it off.  

If you tell them right before you leave, the chances are that they will feel hurt and think you don’t care about them. Your friends will feel under-appreciated. When you tell them earlier in the process, it gives you time to say goodbye. It will make it easier for everyone to accept that this is happening.  

Tell them in Person

Your friends are an essential part of your life. Like any critical information you share with people, you want to do it in person. Your friends will appreciate the gesture.

Telling them over the phone or social media might put a strain on things before you leave. You want to make sure the last few weeks/months you spend with them are happy ones.

Spend Quality Time

A great way to make the goodbye process a little easier is to talk about all the fun you had together. You can re-visit the places you have fond memories of with each of your friends. Once you leave, you will be able to cherish the old memories and the new memories you created before you left.  

Throw a Party

Throwing a party is a great way to have fun with your friends while making the transition a little easier. This may be the last chance to talk to one another and really get all your emotions out. The party doesn’t have to be anything fancy or large, it could be a small get together.

Examples of How to Say Goodbye to Coworkers

Your coworkers are people you are guaranteed to see almost every single day. They have an impact on the atmosphere where you work and how you each interact in that work environment.

Goodbye Letter/Email

A great and easy way to let your colleagues know you are leaving is to send out a goodbye email/letter. Depending on how close you are to each of your coworkers, you may want to send out different types of emails.

You could write a more generalized email to coworkers you don’t know as well. At the same time, make more personalized emails to coworkers you spend a lot of time with. This will show everyone in the office you cared about the contributions they have made.

Sending goodbye messages will show your colleagues that you are professional and polite. When you leave, there will be a more positive atmosphere.

Tell them in Person

For colleagues you are close to, you may want to tell them in person instead of sending a message. You can talk about the projects you worked on together or funny moments you shared.

This would be a great time to take them out to lunch as a final farewell.  

Connect Through Social Media

Moving doesn’t have to be a finalized goodbye. After all, we live in a day and age where the internet is in full swing. Many social media outlets allow you to stay in touch with both your friends and coworkers.

You may be sad that you won’t see them every day, but at least you can remain in contact with anyone you care about.

Packing It up

Saying goodbye is never fun; you want to avoid it at all costs. You will think if you don’t say anything you won’t really be losing these people from your life.

That’s why it is essential to say the appropriate goodbyes. You can enjoy the time you have left with your friends and coworkers. This will make the transition a little bit easier for everyone.

If you want more moving tips, visit our blog.  


Keeping Fragile Items Safe: How to Pack a Computer for Moving

Moving is always an ordeal. Even the most low-impact moves take several hours on average, and that doesn’t factor in packing time and other prep. With everything else to consider during a move, the last thing you want to worry about is breaking things in transit.

Electronics are particularly susceptible to damage. Considering most of us rely on our computers for important tasks, it’s important to decrease the risk of damage whenever possible.

Luckily, there are some ways to ensure your computer’s safety. Keep reading to learn how to pack a computer for moving.

How to Pack a Computer for Moving

There are a few key steps in this process. We’ll cover each one in detail so you don’t accidentally miss something crucial.

Back Up Before You Pack Up

Backing up your data is imperative. No matter how thorough you are with your packing, there’s no way to guarantee your computer’s safety one hundred percent.

Losing your data can be much more than a simple inconvenience. These days, a lot of important information exists exclusively in digital form. That’s why you need to make sure to back up all of it before packing your computer.

Even if you’re not planning a move, backing up your data is something you should do periodically.

Use the Original Boxes

Though this is not always possible, if you have the original packaging for your computer, use it. It is your best option. The boxes your computer came in are specially designed to prevent damage during transportation, making them ideal for your move.

Even if it’s not an option this time around, make a mental note and set the boxes aside the next time you buy a computer or other new tech.

Get Proper Packing Supplies

If you can’t use the original boxes, you should do your best to recreate the same level of security. To do this, you need to get the right supplies.

Here’s what you need:

  • A box twice the size of the computer
  • Bubble wrap
  • Packing paper
  • Heavy-duty packing tape
  • Labels
  • Marker

The large box is to ensure that the computer remains as far away from the walls of the box as possible. This way it doesn’t sustain any damage if the box is dropped or bumps into anything.

  1. Place extra tape on the bottom seam of the box to assure that it is sturdy and will hold the computer.
  2. Wrap your computer, monitor, and keyboard separately in multiple layers of bubble wrap.
  3. Secure the bubble wrap with tape.
  4. Place crumpled packing paper on the bottom of the box to act as a cushion.
  5. Fill the rest of the space with crumpled packing paper until you can’t fit any more inside. You want these to be as tightly packed as possible.

Once you’re confident that you’ve adequately filled the space, it’s time to tape up the box. Don’t skimp on the tape. Get high-quality packing tape and double tape the openings.

Finally, mark the box as “fragile.” This will help if you’ve got friends, family, or professional movers assisting with the move.

One more important note: If you’re packing an older style desktop computer with separate parts like speakers, monitor, tower, etc., pack all the pieces individually. Putting them in their own boxes keeps them from banging into each other. Other than that, use the same technique described above.

You’re Ready to Move

Now that you know how to pack a computer for moving, you’re ready to go. As you can see, it’s not a difficult process. As long as you’re careful to follow all the steps, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Of course, the best way to keep your belongings safe is by having someone who really knows what they’re doing take care of it. If you’re interested in getting some professional help with your move, follow this link.


Top 5 Food Trucks in Tampa to Eat at This Summer

Mark it down in your Summer plans to eat at some of the best food trucks in Tampa.

Food lovers flock to the warm streets of Florida to take a bite out of life and authentic meals. The locations might change daily, but the flavors remain as tasty as ever.

Here are five top food trucks in Tampa to eat at this Summer.

Riddle on the Griddle Grilled Cheese

This fun food truck specializes in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches made on their original “pony bread,” made from a dough with a whole grain taste that isn’t heavy or dense.

Their sandwiches are sure to provide you with the feeling of a comfort food from home.

South Pacific Grill

This local food truck in Tampa delivers Asian and Hawaiian inspired treats made fresh daily by Hung Nguyen. Patrons can devour a mixed Hawaiian plate or add a ‘Small Bites’ option and share with a friend.

You’ll find them in a different place during the lunch hour, Wednesday through Friday and Sunday.

Burger Culture

This is one of the best food trucks in Tampa. They serve up grilled cheese, bison, lamb, sliders, and burgers.

Since they’re open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday, you have plenty of opportunities to find their truck and grab a bite to eat.

Surf and Turf Truck

This seafood cuisine truck provides patrons with a beach-like experience. They create delectable grilled cheese sandwiches, crab and lobster rolls, and tasty vegetarian options.

You can try them during certain times all week or order catering online.

Los Comparres

A no-frills taco truck where you get more food for your buck. The meat is tender, and the hot sauce is spicy.

They’re open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday for food lovers to come and enjoy.

Hott Mess Food Truck

A comfort food truck that has patrons coming back for more. You can indulge yourself with tater-tots, hot dogs, platters, and more guilty pleasures.

Stop by for lunch or dinner Wednesday through Sunday to see why they’re a hot spot.

Other Food Trucks in Tampa Worth Mentioning

There are some mobile cuisines on the rise in 2019 exciting new features every day. Here are some additional food trucks in Tampa worth trying:

  • Wicked ‘Wiches
  • Renny’s Oki Doki
  • Gone Bananas
  • Ramen & Waffles
  • Tree Dog Roots

Not all of the best eateries are mobile. If you’re one of the 350,000 people living in Tampa, you know it’s a food lover’s city. No matter where you go, you’re likely to find an authentic and delicious meal.

To discover top eateries that aren’t food trucks, but are definitely worth trying, click here.

What Are You Waiting For?

With an array of delicious cuisines available, the only thing you have left to do is pick one and go. If you’re a local or thinking about moving to the area, enjoying the best food trucks in Tampa all summer should be on your culinary bucket list. Armed with this list and your wallet, you’ll be pleasing your palate and satisfying your appetite in no time.

Contact us today to learn how Browning Moving and Storage can provide you with a cost-effective moving solution, so you have more money for the fun things in life.


Take It Or Leave It: 6 Great Tips On Downsizing To a Smaller Home When You Move

37% of American homeowners would rather have a small house than a large one. If you’re one of these Americans and are downsizing to a smaller home, it can be a challenge trying to determine what you need to bring along with you.

Moving is a stressful time, so take the time to reduce some stress before the big day. Here are six great tips on downsizing to a smaller home.

1. Start Planning Early

When you leave things until the last second, you won’t make the best decisions. Early on in the moving process, take inventory of everything you have and note which items won’t fit in your new house.

When you have a clear list of what you have and where each item needs to go (either to your next residence or sold to someone else), you won’t be scrambling around trying to put things like oversized furniture into your smaller home.

2. Clear out Your Wardrobe

You may have accumulated a large collection of clothes over the years, but do you really wear every single piece? Go through your drawers and closets to determine which garments you don’t wear anymore. Donate your unused clothing to charity.

3. Get Rid of Old or Large Furniture

You may have an old couch that’s very comfortable, but it may be too large for your new place. Don’t try to make it fit; not only will it make the room look smaller, but it will probably detract from your new environment.

4. Eliminate Duplicates

It’s particularly easy to collect duplicate items in the kitchen. Go through everything from cookware to utensils to eliminate things you don’t need.

If you have numerous spatulas, large spoons, oversized stock pots, multiple sized cookie sheets, this is the time to pare down and only take with you what you need.

5. Reduce Things From Rooms You Won’t Have

If you’re relocating to an apartment or townhome, the chances are you won’t have a garage, basement, or office. Virtually everything in those spaces should be sold or donated unless you know you have space available for them in another room in the new home.

Consider selling these items at a yard sale or online. Outdoor tools and solid office furniture bring in more money than old sofas.

6. Use an Off-Site Storage Unit

When you’ve gone through and determined everything you want to keep and find that you can’t fit them in your new home, then you might want to look into renting an off-site storage unit. This can be a temporary solution while you work out if you’re going to sell them or make more space in your new home.

Use These Tips for Downsizing to a Smaller Home

When you use our tips on downsizing to a smaller home, you won’t have too much difficulty bringing the things you need to your new residence. With proper planning and resource allocation, your move will go quickly and smoothly.

If you’re moving soon and need a professional mover, get a free quote from us today.


The Complete Checklist For Moving

Moving is a common event in the lives of modern adults. In fact, tens of millions of people make either a short or long-distance move every year. The fact that it happens all the time doesn’t make the process any easier.

Uprooting your entire life for even a short-distance move proves intensely stressful for anyone. You live with the constant worry that you’ll forget something important.

To help you reduce stress and make moving a little easier, we’ve put together this checklist for moving. Let’s dive in!

1. Decide What to Purge

It’s an understandable impulse to focus on figuring out how to pack everything for the move, but that’s not necessarily the best strategy. Not everything you own warrants inclusion on the truck.

Take an inventory of bulky items like furniture and appliances. If some of them are nearing the end of useful life, consider replacing when you arrive at your new home. After all, a five-year-old washing machine with two major repairs behind it probably isn’t worth the trouble of relocating.

2. Deal with Crucial Documents

Decide early on how you plan to deal with crucial documents. The last thing you need is birth certificates, passports, automobile titles, or deeds going missing or getting destroyed in transit. You can go a few different ways with documents, such as:

  • Transport them with you in a secure document box
  • Create digital backups
  • Transport them ahead of time and store them in safety deposit box

Transporting them with you often offers people the most peace of mind, but secure digital backups are always a good idea.

3. Pack an Essentials Box

Even the most ideal move will leave you tired. So, when you finally arrive at your new home, the idea of unpacking a bunch of boxes won’t prove an appealing prospect. You can avoid the worst of the first day unpacking with an essentials box.

An essentials box contains things that everyone will need, such as toiletries, medications, charging cables, and a change of clothes for everyone.

4. Confirm Utilities at Your Destination

Before you leave for your new home, contact the utility providers in your new town or city and confirm they’ll turn on the utilities at your new address before you arrive.

While you can probably live without Internet access for a day or two, you’ll absolutely want electricity, water, and temperature control.

5. Consider Pro Movers

Consider hiring professional household movers. In addition to speeding up the moving process, professional movers often provide secondary services such as packing, crating, and storage. These secondary services can streamline the process and reduce the odds of property damage during the move.

Make Your Checklist and Get Moving

While moving is a common experience for adults, relocating your entire life rarely gets easier. Following our checklist for moving can help take the worst edges off the stress of the process.

Browning Moving & Storage specializes in local and long-distance moves for households and commercial enterprises. For more information or a preliminary quote, contact Browning Moving & Storage today.