With Spring finally arriving, many people will be turning their attention to Spring Cleaning, which in turn means Garage Sale Season. The secret to a successful garage sale is in the preparation. Do your work in advance and enjoy the pleasing profits. Make sure you arrange the date well in advance and before you do anything else, call your city to get informed on permit requirements for a garage sale. Below are 13 garage sale tips that we at believe will help you host a successful garage sale.

1. Make sure to check with the weather network for good weather.
2. Try to hold it on a non-holiday weekend.
3. Place a classified ad or promote it on social media.
4. Go through every single room in your house. Include everything you want to get rid off.
5. Start talking about it with your family and friends. The more items you have for sale, the more people will show up.
6. Clean up, wipe off, and wash down anything you want to sell. Make the displayed items look presentable.
7. Get your friends and family to help you if you expect to get a large amount of visitors. In this case a pizza and refreshments can go a long way.
8. Make sure to print colorful flyers with clear direction to your address. You may even include some of the showcase items on the flyers.
9. Be creative with your large nicely printed signs and place them around the neighborhood.
10. Put a price tag on every single item with a marker on a masking tape. Make table-displaying items for a $1 or less to attract people and always leave room for bargaining. Do not overprice your items, remember you want to get rid off them.
11. To attract people, showcase the most valuable items such as furniture, antiques and collectible right in the upfront. Make sure you set up your cash right at the entrance with lots of change.
12. Make sure people have enough parking spaces. You might want to consider moving your own vehicle to make more space for visitors.
13. Mingle with the crowd, be pleasant, and don’t forget people are there looking for a good bargain.

Don’t forget, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure!

Facts

• Australia is the 6th largest country in the world at over 7.6 million square kilometers.
• Australia is home to 23 million people.
• Australia boasts a diverse range of wildlife and nature and there are many species of animals and plants that are indigenous only to Australia.
• Life expectancy is high and stress is relatively low when compared with other countries in the world.
• It was founded by immigrants from the UK – many of whom were convicts.
• Australia remains a very popular expat destination and is considered to be one of the best places in the world to live because of its low population density, high standard of life and the unpolluted atmosphere.
• According to the Human Development Index (HDI), Australia is ranked 7th out of a total of 174 countries with this ranking being based upon high scores in GDP, life expectancy, literacy and education.
• According to the Mercer Cost of Living Index, Australian cities have continued to fall in the ranking due to the depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar: Sydney (31), Melbourne (47), Perth (48)
• According to the Mercer Quality of Living Index, Australia has 5 cities in the top 50: Brisbane (37), Canberra (30), Adelaide (27), Melbourne (16), Sidney (10)
• English is the official language spoken in Australia.
• The population consists mostly of Caucasian (92%) and Asian (7%) with Aboriginal and other cultures accounting for just 1%.
• Northern Australia is tropical, with hot and humid weather and seasonal monsoons.
• Southern Australia experiences a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Summers are long and hot while winters are cool and occasionally wet.
• Western Australia is hot and dry in the summer and cool in the winter with temperatures often falling as low as 7 or 8°C.
• Rainfall is low throughout the country which is why there is often danger of bush fires.
• Even in today’s economic crisis, unemployment is low.

Information for Expats

• Expats are strongly advised to pay for health insurance. This costs in the region of $80 CAD per month and does not include optical or dental care.
• Pets entering Australia will need to be placed into quarantine for a period of up to 120 days and some breeds of dogs are not eligible for importation into Australia at all.
• Depending upon where you obtained your original driving license you may need to re-sit your driving test in Australia before you are permitted to drive there.

Links – Visas, Jobs & Education

• Visas http://canada.embassy.gov.au/otwa/visas_and_migration.html
• Career Development Association of Australia http://www.cdaa.org.au
• My Future http://www.myfuture.edu.au
• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations http://www.deewr.gov.au
• Centerlink (Government Approved Job Search) http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/individuals/work_index.htm

Passport
Make sure your passport has at least six months validity from your planned return-home date (yes, return date, not your departure date). Carry extra passport photos just in case your passport is lost or stolen and you need to replace it while you’re away.

Visas
You should find out well in advance what rules and regulations apply to obtain a residency permit, work permit or working visa by contacting the foreign mission (embassy, high commission or consulate) of the country where you want to work. Some countries require your prospective employer to sponsor you before your work permit or visa can be issued. Be aware that a tourist visa may not allow you to undertake any form of work, including voluntary or unpaid activities. Remember to also check the visa requirements of countries you might be transiting on your way to your final destination.

Important Documents
If you intend to stay overseas for an extended period, it’s recommended that you take your personal records with you, including certificates relating to:
– Birth, Name Change and Marriage
– Citizenship
– Divorce and Custody Arrangements
– Police Checks
– Educational Qualifications

Insurance 
If you already have a job lined up, you need to check with your new employer whether you’re covered by their insurance and what, exactly, you are covered for. If your new employer covers you for medical, make sure you understand exactly what is covered. If you’re not covered, you may need to look into long-term travel insurance. Do not wait until you are ill to sort out healthcare, or you could end up with a costly and avoidable bill.

Do You Homework
Research your destination. Visit forums and expat community resources to help get a feel for the area. Also, familiarize yourself with local regulations and customs. If you are relocating for work, insist on a pre-visit and check out all the different areas before you commit to a house. It’s worth seeking out a good relocation agent.

Don’t Rush Into Buying Abroad
Take time to visit the area to see where you would like to live. Don’t be rushed into decisions and ensure you are familiar with local real estate protocol. Do not feel pressured to use your property developers or real estate agent’s legal contacts either. Seek 3rd party advice if you feel it is necessary.

Settling-in Expenses
Before you leave home make sure you have enough money saved to get set-up in your new country. If you have a job lined up, your employer may help with some of your relocation expenses. Be really clear about what they will cover and when, sometimes they don’t pay for expenses upfront so you may be out-of-pocket in the beginning. Don’t forget to take into account exchange rates and potential financial implications of moving overseas.

Banking
If you’re staying in a country for an extended period of time, you may want to set up a bank account in that country. Your bank in your home country may be able to help with recommending banks overseas or give you some advice on what personal documentation you may need to provide to set up a bank account in another country. Consider contacting a bank in your new country in advance for similar advice. Also be sure you research the taxes that will be applicable to you in your new home.

Driving
It can be worthwhile getting an international drivers permit from NRMA. An international drivers license allows you to drive overseas without further tests or application, provided your domestic license is still valid. You will also need it in most countries if you intend to rent a car and it can form part of your personal identification evidence and save you flashing your passport all around town.

Voting
When you go overseas there are requirements you must meet in order to remain on the electoral roll, and in some cases to avoid a fine. Just because you aren’t home doesn’t mean you don’t have to vote and you in some countries you will fined if you fail to vote. If you do vote while living overseas, retain evidence you lodged your vote as required and on time.

Notify the Appropriate Parties You Are Leaving
Notify any government agencies, service providers, family, friends etc. that you are leaving. Forward your mail as well. Canada post has a great service where they notify anyone that sends you mail for you.

Integrate!
Integrate into your new local community. Learn the language. Eat and drink like the locals. Take in the culture and do not isolate yourself.

Starline Overseas Moving had the pleasure of hosting Ernst & Young this past February to complete the physical portion of our FAIM audit. After weeks of anticipation, we are pleased to announce that Starline Overseas Moving has been approved for a full renewal.

FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) is the most rigorous and only quality certification program dedicated exclusively to the international moving industry. The program was developed by taking the best practices from the top large, small, private and public international moving companies from around the globe. 

This year’s audit was based on ‘The FAIM Standard 3.0’ defining clear and consistent quality requirements which a company has to comply within its operations and services to customers. The quality requirements cover every aspect of the administration and performance of an international move. The audit completed this year too into account every facet of a moving company’s services, procedures, staff training, vehicle and warehouse maintenance.

With our full renewal successfully completed, we look forward to servicing all of our client’s international moving needs at the highest standard known around the globe.

Did you complete a prank yesterday for April Fool’s Day?

Our Starline Overseas Moving team got quite the laugh this year. Our Vice President, Nate Edwards had his office filled with balloons. We hope he enjoys his work space as much as we do.

Happy April Fool’s Day from your friends at Starline Overseas Moving.

After months of tension, negotiations between West coast dockworkers and their employees have successfully been able to reach a tentative contract at the end of last month. The labour dispute had halted international trade including some international moves at seaports along the coast worth approximately one trillion dollars.

The successful agreement came after almost nine months of negotiations that turned heated this past fall season. Dockworkers and their employees were blaming each other for the various problems of getting imports to consumers on scheduled deadlines. Their prior six year contract expired July of last year.

The new five year deal, confirmed by International Longshore and Warehouse Union spokesman Craig Merrilees must still be approved by the 13,000 union members. These members work the 29 ports from Seattle to San Diego and handle approximately one quarter of all US international trade.

Many groups of retailers are thankful the negotiations have been successful. Some major companies were beginning to warn consumers that their goods might be delayed for upcoming holidays such as Easter.

Although the two sides have reached an agreement, with the assistance of the Secretary of Labour it will probably take a few months to clear up the massive backlog of cargo that is currently lined up.

If you’re planning to travel or relocate overseas to Russia, The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) is reminding individuals that all foreign visitors must report the cities, towns and other inhabited areas they are planning to visit while in Russia.

The new rule came into effect as of January 26, 2015 by the Federal Migration Service of Russia. All visitors also require proof of an invitation to visit any locations in Russia along with information of the person or organization that has invited the visitor. For more information please visit the Russian Federal Migration Service site.

            A recent study featured in CNN Money highlighted the top 10 countries employees would move abroad to for employment. The Network and The Boston Consulting Group gathered more than 200,000 responses for their online survey. The survey findings are fascinating.

            For instance, 90% of respondents from France and the Netherlands said they would work abroad. While less developed economies including Jamaica, Ghana and Pakistan were also more willing to transfer to more stable economies in other parts of the world.

            On the other hand, less than half of the German, British and American respondents were willing to uproot themselves from their current location. One of the reasons being respondents were worried about the type of quality of life they would have if they transferred. The BCG survey found the top 3 countries Americans would move to if they needed to for their work would be the UK, Germany and Canada.

            Location also makes a huge difference when it comes to selecting a new place to live. The top 10 countries where respondents say they would move abroad for work is:

            If 2015 is the year you are considering moving to or from Canada consider giving Starline Overseas Moving a quick call. We have a variety of options for relocating your personal goods including professional packing services, storage solutions and an assortment of moving services to make your next move a smooth transition.

Season’s Greetings!

This holiday season we have chosen to save a few Christmas trees by sending you some warm holiday wishes electronically! Please click on the following link below to enjoy a special presentation made just for you!

Happy Holidays from your friends at Starline Overseas Moving.

Happy Holidays Greeting Card

Thinking of relocating to South Africa but want to visit the country first with your family? Before booking your flight tickets ensure you are up to date with the South African immigration rules. South Africa is in the midst of implementing new immigration rules which apply to children.

As of October 1st, 2014 the documentary rules for traveling with children has changed. This means that adults traveling with children to South Africa must carry unabridged birth certificates for all accompanying children regardless of whether or not it is their biological children.

These changes affect all types of visas and permits. Additionally, unaccompanied minors must travel with letters of consent and contact details from both parents in addition to letters and identity documents of the persons receiving the children in South Africa.

South Africa made the strict changes last month to reduce the amount of child trafficking as part of the beginning of their immigration overhaul. For more information please visit the FIDI site.