Great moving advice can be found all over the Web. We thought we would consolidate some of the best-of-the-best for your viewing pleasure. We’ve found everything from music and attire for moving day to tips for saving some major money this year on your taxes. A special thanks goes out to these writers, we appreciate your passion for making moving day a better experience.

• “The Moving Playlist: Volume One” – by Coleman American: http://www.colemanallied.com/blog/post/Coleman-Allied-Presents-The-Moving-Playlist-Volume-One.aspx
• “How to Handle Utilities During Your Move” – by Atlas Transfer and Storage: http://www.alliedmovingblog.com/2011/02/how-to-handle-utilities-during-your-move/
• “Preparing to Pack” – by Shelly Moving and Storage: http://shellymoving.blogspot.com/2011/01/preparing-to-pack.html
• “It’s Tax Time….Can you Write off Your Move?” by About.com: http://moving.about.com/b/2011/02/16/tax-time-can-you-write-off-your-move.htm
• And just for fun…if you were wondering what you should wear on moving day, here’s a safe option: http://gizmodo.com/#!5765631/a-tie-with-bubble-wrap-is-the-perfect-time-killer

As we move closer to the New Year, think about a New Year’s resolution that includes organizing a part of your home that doesn’t seem to function well with your lifestyle.

Check out some of the ‘how-to’ videos below for tips on organizing two specific rooms that are habitual problem areas -- closets and kitchen pantries!

Let us know how 'starting fresh' worked for you and if our tips helped you to sell your home or made move-in easier. We'd love to hear from you!

Believe it or not, there are very cheap and easy ways to recycle your existing décor to completely change the look of a room. Here are some quick tips.

1. Love a certain fabric or pattern? Frame it! From pillowcases and scarves to dinner napkins, don’t be afraid to re-use these household items by framing patterns for all to see!
2. Paint décor for consistency: Paint can be a great way to dramatically change the look of a room – if you’re painting an accent wall, consider using the extra paint to also paint some of your décor. Think about updating shelves, picture frames, or tables to add an extra splash of color in your freshly painted room.
3. Get inspired: Browse through communities like etsy.com or lonnymag.com to view handmade artwork, pictures and décor. Try to replicate some of the ideas in your own home!

Have other ideas? We’d love to hear them!

The holiday season is in full-swing, which is why Allied will be bringing you some must-have tips for pre- and post-move starting next week. It's all a part of our '12 Days of Cheap Home Improvement Ideas' series -- which will help you prepare your home for the holidays.

Whether you've just moved into a new home, you're trying to sell your home or prepping to sell early next year -- this series is for you!

Allied is please to announce its Van Foreman of the Month winners for May, June and July. This prestigious award is presented to the Master Mover who continually exceeds our customers’ expectations. These Van Foremen are not only dedicated to our van line, but have a proven track record of success in safety, hauling and customer experience.

May Van Foreman of the Month: Philo Frost Agent: Kent Moving & Storage, a Grand Rapids, Michigan moving company

June Van Foreman of the Month: Dax Mahaffey Agent: Citizens Transfer & Storage, a Tucson, Arizona moving company

July Van Foreman of the Month: Chris Casasanta Agent: Federal Warehouse Company, an East Peoria, Illinois moving company

Congratulations to our drivers and keep up the good work!

When calculating income taxes for your new state, be sure to gather the following information.

• How does the new state handle itemized deductions?
• Does the new state allow you to deduct state taxes?
• Has your state incorporated the latest federal tax changes?

 If you’re unable to find answers to the above questions, you can always contact your new state’s tax authority. For more tips, read:

• Tip #1
• Tip #2

Have other tips for moving state-to-state, leave a comment!

On October 8, 2010, hundreds of Allied agents gathered for the 2010 Allied Agent Convention in San Antonio, Texas. As a conclusion to this 3-day event, the Allied corporate leadership team hosted an awards dinner to congratulate the network’s top agents and recognize commitment to the moving brand. Below are the highlights:

Allied Award Recipients

International Awards:

• Customer Choice Awards – NC Texas Moving Services, Houston, TX (North America); TEAM Allied UK, London, United Kingdom (Europe); Allied Pickfords Japan, Tokyo, Japan (Asia Pacific)
• Top International Sales Europe – Pickfords LTD, United Kingdom (Europe); Allied Pickfords, Australia (Asia Pacific); G-Inter, Sao Paulo, Brazil (Central and South Pacific); Reliable Van and Storage, Elizabeth, NJ (North America)
• International President’s Award – Berger Transfer and Storage, Houston, TX; NC Texas Moving Services, Houston, TX; Westheimer Transfer and Storage, Houston, TX
• International Agent of the Year – Reliable Van and Storage, Elizabeth, NJ

Allied Special Products Award:

• Outstanding Sales Achievement – Federal Warehouse Company, East Peoria, IL
• Salesperson of the Year – Jackie Taylor, Federal Warehouse Company, East Peoria, IL
• Driver of the Year – Steve Wells, SPD Direct Lease Fleet
• Agent of the Year – Coleman American Moving Services, Midland City, AL

Safety Award:

• Safety Award - Westheimer Transfer and Storage, Houston, TX; Circle Moving and Storage, Long Beach, CA; All American Van and Storage, North Las Vegas, NV
• Senior Safe Driver of the Year – Alan Pinnigar, Quality Move Management, Calgary, AB

Government/Military Award:

• Most Improved Military Booking Award – Atlas Transfer and Storage, Poway, CA
• Customer Quality Award/Military “Packing Services” – Circle Moving and Storage, Long Beach, CA
• Customer Quality Award/Military “Destination Services” – Bailey’s Moving and Storage, Colorado Springs, CO
• Most Improved Government Booker Award – Berger Transfer and Storage, Addison, IL
• Government Agent of the Year – Simonik Transportation & Warehousing Group, Burlington, NJ

Quality Award:

• Rising Star – Jobbers Moving and Storage, Aberdeen, SD; Berger Kansas City, Shawnee, KS; Morse Moving and Storage, Romulus, MI
• Customer For Life Award – Siracusa Moving & Storage, Inc., New Britain, CT; Morse Moving & Storage, Inc., Romulus, MI; Morse Moving & Storage, Inc., Traverse City, MI; Blanchette Moving & Storage Co., Lewiston, ME; Clancy’s Transfer & Storage, Inc., Walla Walla, WA; American Moving Services, Lubbock, TX

Sales & Hauling Award:

• Outstanding Sales Achievement – Berger Transfer and Storage, Roseville, MN
• Most Improved Booker – Azalea Moving & Storage, Inc., North Charleston, SC
• Consumer Salesperson of the Year – Kevin Staley, Berger Transfer and Storage, Columbus, OH
• Biggest Growth Consumer Salesperson of the Year – Julie Pinkey, Berger Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
• Consumer Agent of the Year – Coleman American Moving Services, Inc., Dothan, AL
• Corporate Account Salesperson of the Year – Charles Farrugia, Westheimer Transfer and Storage Co, Inc., Houston, TX
• Corporate Agent of the Year – Rose Moving and Storage, Belleville, MI
• Outstanding Hauler – Berger Transfer and Storage, Roseville, MN
• Most Improved Hauler – Coleman American Moving Services, Inc., Dothan, AL
• Driver of the Year – Donald Carlisle, Beverly Hills Transfer and Storage Co, Inc., Gardena, CA

Agent of the Year 2009-2010: Berger Transfer and Storage, Inc.

If you are moving for a job, you could be able to deduct your moving expenses (not including meals). According to the IRS, there are two tests that must be satisfied in order for your situation to be considered.

• The distance test: Your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job was from your old home. See details: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html
  
• The time test: If you are an employee, you must work full-time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months right after you arrive in the general area of your new job. If you are self-employed, you must work full time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months and for a total of at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months after you arrive in the general area of your new work location. See details: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.html

There are some exceptions that can be made to the tests above, so be sure to review the IRS’ policy. To read more visit: http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455.htm

Moving to a new state can be pricey. That’s why it’s important to consider how you’ll be affected from a tax perspective. This topic is so important we decided to do a series of tax tips that could save you quite a bit of money in your new state.

Tip #1: Consider Moving to a State Without Income Tax

Not sure where you want to move? Think about moving to a state that doesn’t have income tax. This decision alone could save you tons of money each year. Here’s a list of states that impose no income tax:

• Alaska
• Florida
• Nevada
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Washington
• Wyoming

Moving yourself can seem like a good idea when you’re trying to save some extra money. If you’ve moved yourself before, you know the hassle can sometimes out-weigh the savings – but, in most cases when cost is your main concern, DIY-moving seems like the only option.

Even if you’re set on moving yourself – it’s important to think through all costs involved in order to make the right decision.

Many times, unforeseen expenses will creep into your DIY budget and, after the fact, you realize for only a little bit more money and a lot less sweat, you could’ve hired professional movers to do it for you.

Here are some hidden costs that should be considered when moving yourself:

After crunching the numbers, be sure to get a few estimates from full service moving companies like Allied, so that you can weigh your options. Any other costs you think someone should consider? We’d love your thoughts!