• Craigslist: This service is great when you are moving for 2 reasons. 1.) You can search for people who are offering free boxes (people often just leave them outside of their home, on a first come, first serve basis). Boxes can get expensive when you are packing up an entire apartment, so this is a great option. 2.) If you need to sell some stuff (maybe you are moving from a 1 bedroom to a studio), Craigslist is a great option. People are generally pretty responsive and if you have good stuff to sell (i.e. in good condition and stain-free), it will generally sell pretty quickly. You can also make some quick cash to help pay for your rent or even a farewell dinner. 
• Truck Size Calculator: If you are moving yourself, the last thing that you want to do when you move is order the wrong sized truck. The worst part about this is that you probably won’t realize that it’s the wrong sized truck until it is fully packed. We found this free tool on MoveIdiot.com, which allows you to enter all the stuff that you are going to pack, and instantly get an idea of the size truck, trailer and storage unit you will need. You can check it out here: http://www.moveidiot.com/truck_size_advisor.php.
• Be Organized: If you plan ahead, you will be less likely to lose or misplace your stuff. Being organized can also cut down on last minute costs. Also, if you end up hiring movers, and you have already packed and organized your stuff, chances are that the move will cost less. The most helpful thing you can do is have an “important” box, where all the items you will need the day of the move get put so you can access them readily.
• Cut Down on Bubble Wrap: Bubble wrap can get costly, and the truth is that you likely have a lot of items that can serve as padding for your most fragile items, like linens and towels. Instead of wrapping everything in bubble wrap, try using some of the softer stuff that you have stored in your linen closet or newspapers are easy to “puff-up”! A lot of people also get rid of packing materials on Craigslist (along with boxes) that you can score for free. (I would be concerned about other people’s packing material due to bed bugs or other critters that might be hiding in it)
• Measure Your New Place: Before you spend the money moving all your stuff, be sure that all of your furniture will fit! If it doesn’t look like it will fit, take advantage of a service like Craigslist before you move!

What other money-saving tips do you have for people who are moving to the City?

Are you moving to San Francisco soon? Be sure to check out all of our apartments that are currently available for rent. 

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Enjoy!

1. Chicken Broth - Great for flavoring rice during the cooking process. Also used for making soups and sauces. Low sodium is a healthier option to full sodium as well as allowing a cook to determine what level of salt they would like their dish to have.
2. Flour - One of the most important bases for most baked goods. If you want to make cookies, cakes or pie crusts you will need flour. Flour is also a part of the basic breading process, which can give a nice crunch to everything from chicken cutlets to mozzarella sticks.
3. Oil - Oil will help prevent your veggies or protein from sticking to your frying pan. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a tasty and healthy base for making salad dressings. Vegetable oil does not have the great taste of Olive Oil but is a less expensive way to sauté your food, create dressings, or simply to add to your favorite boxed pre mixed baked treat.
4. Pasta - A simple dinner starts with any pasta. Simply boil salted water add your pasta, strain and serve with your favorite dish. These two types of pasta are among the most popular. You can also be creative and use pasta to create a casserole.
5. Tuna - add some of the condiments and spices listed below or others that you prefer and you have a great snack or meal. The sky is the limit with this inexpensive canned good. From tuna salad to tuna casserole, canned tuna is a great item for any pantry. Water packed tuna is a healthier option to the oil packed option.
6. Vinegar - Paired with oil, vinegar is the other base ingredient for a healthy, tasty salad dressing. It can also be used to bring flavor to your veggies or to dull excess salt in a dish. Try adding balsamic vinegar to Brussels’ sprouts and you may find a new love for a vegetable that has unfairly brought frowns to many children’s faces.
7. Seasonings - No pantry is complete without seasonings. Listed are some of the most basic and versatile seasonings. Salt and Pepper are the most basic, and most cooks will tell you essential for ANY cooking. Chili powder will help add some heat to your meal, garlic powder is a longer lasting way to keep garlic in your house, and vampires out. Vanilla extract is called for in many baking recipes and always handy to have around. Parsley, Basil, and Bay leaves are 3 dry herbs that can be used in a variety of ways, from soups, stews, or even combined with your canned tuna. Taco seasoning is useful to have around for flavoring your ground protein of choice for some south of the border kick.
8. Condiments - Mayo and mustard are great for making sandwiches. Ketchup is also good topping for meatloaf, corndogs or just dipping your French fries in. Soy sauce is a good substitute for salt in many dishes, as well as a needed ingredient for many Asian dishes. If you don’t have room for a full bottle, just keep a few packets the next time you send out for Chinese food in your utensil drawer. Hot sauce is a wonderful way to add heat to any dish you are making. Finally Cream of Mushroom soup is a good ingredient to have on hand for making a quick casserole to use up veggies and meat you may have in your fridge.
9. Rice - The perfect side dish and healthy starch. Easy and quick to cook its a great way to complete your meal.
10. Sugar - Needed for everything from baking cookies to finishing your chili or tomato sauce. Sugar is a must have for any pantry.
11. Peanut Butter & Jelly - Staples from college makes a great sandwich, you will never go hungry if you have PB & J and some bread in your pantry.
12. Bread Crumbs - Needed to make meatloaf, or for basic breading procedure for frying food. Bread Crumbs last a while, come in multiple flavors and are just plain handy to have around.
13. Tomato Products - If you have a few cans of diced tomato’s, tomato paste and or crushed tomato’s, you have pasta sauce. One of the ultimate comfort foods, Spaghetti and Tomato sauce, starts with a couple of cans or tomato products. Also useful for making chilli and a whole host of other tasty dishes.

Jason Swanson is the LPG Office Coordinator as well as the tenant MoveIn-MoveOut Coordinator.  Jason  worked for Lightner Property Group during his high school and college years on a temporary basis.  He graduated from San Francisco State in 2008.   Once out of school, he joined the Lightner team full-time in 2008, where he brings his vast experience, specifically with Lightner, along with lots of enthusiasm for all there is to learn. When he is off the clock, he LOVES to cook.



Art Swanson has made it a pleasure to be a Lightner tenant, and is the key reason I am choosing to stay in yet a third apartment on your property…He has always been courteous and actually goes above and beyond the call of duty by being polite and authentically interested in the tenants of the building.

Art Swanson is an award-winning San Francisco property manager and Chief of Property Management Operations at Lightner Property Group. Art has more than 20 years of experience managing properties in San Francisco. 

Many of us have tried to Green our lifestyle. Lightner Property Group has provided tips for renters such as the energy saving tips and encouraged residents to participate in San Francisco’s new composting program. If you are moving soon, you may wonder how you can Green your move.

Below are a few tips from Lightner Property Group that can help you be Green during your next move:

• Green Boxes: Instead of using cardboard boxes that you are just going to toss as soon as you get to your new home, try a Green box rental company. How it works: You order the number of boxes you will need, they deliver them, you pack and move and they pick the boxes up. A great company to check out is Rent a Green Box, which creates their boxes from post consumer recycled trash mined from local landfills. Check out their pricing to get an idea of estimated cost. According to the company, using Rent a Green Box will save you time, money and help the Earth.
• Salvation Army: Instead of disposing of your items, donate unwanted items to the Salvation Army. Remember the old adage: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Find a Drop-off location in San Francisco near you (list generated from Yelp).
• Craigslist: Similar to the Salvation Army, you can post some of your unwanted items on Craigslist. You can either sell it for a small profit to put toward your move, or list it in the free section. Either way, you are finding a new home for your unwanted items. Post items that you no longer want on Craigslist.
• Cleaning You Apartment: If you want to use Green cleaning products to clean your apartment before you move, you can check out products from Seventh Generation, one of the first self-declared “Socially Responsible” companies. Added bonus: the company donates 10% of its profits to the non-profit community, as well as environmental, health and responsible business organizations working for positive change.

Do you have other tips for Greening your next move? Share them in the comments section below!