MsElui

dont forget websites like freecycle or craigslist for free second hand furniture - if you dont manage to buy everything straight away

well done on reaching the end of week one and being so well organised.

TimFountain

I recall the first month or so when we moved here in '03 were crazy and very frustrating, as there is so much bureaucracy and form filling. It will all settle down after 3-4 months and then you will have the joy of the first tax filing, the first passport renewal, the first baby..... Oh and we hemorrhaged money like a sieve, it was flying in and out so fast we couldn't keep up with it.

Back in January I found a check for 365 UK pounds that I had never cashed. I called Norwich Union Insurance as I couldn't recall what the check was for. It turns out my wife lost a stone in her engagement ring and the insurers paid out. The trouble was that the check was in both our names and I couldn't pay it in at the time as we had separate accounts at that time. The nice lady on the phone said that they had cancelled the check as it was so old and were waiting for my call. They setup a bank draft and in 2 days I was 365 quid better off....

- Tim

mellybrown

BONUS!!!

sambapink

Well done Mel.. love how super-efficient you are - you put me to shame.. I've had application form for my SSN for 2 weeks, still haven't filled it in - Rubbish I am!!

Well done you!!

Folinskyinla

www.bedbathandbeyond.com

They ARE wonderful and easy to fall in love with.

pwhite8314

I rented from Cort during my first 3 months (just ended, I go back in a couple of weeks to get a real visa), they were fine. The cost was around $270pm for a 1 bed apt, but that was just for the basics, bed & bed stuff, sofas, side tables etc. Enough to get me by. During the 3 months I've been visiting Ikea off and on, so by the time they came for the stuff, the only thing I bought from Cort was the sofa for $200, which is quite a bargain. It's nothing special, but it's comfy and well made, and will do for a while.

I was a bit of an Ikea hoar in the UK (but chose wisely, some of their stuff really is cheap crap), so it's nice to carry on over here!

wisewol

Its great fun the 1st week , don't you think ? dont know about you but I am nearly 2 weeks in and now feel the need for a holiday !

augigi

Just on cars too - I found this cool thing called www.zipcar.com (I have no connection to this business) in Pittsburgh which I believe is also in Atlanta. You sign up for a membership (can use a foreign license) and then you just go find where the zipcar is located in your city, reserve it, and drive it for as long as you need. It's a great idea if you just need a car sometimes to get somewhere or pick up stuff until you get your own car.

I wish I found out about this before I rented a car my first two weeks - I only used it a few times when I needed it, but it cost me around $300 to rent a car.. bummer.

----------------

I am almost 4 weeks in (can't believe it's that long, gone so fast!). Now have a job, apartment, housemate, car, internet, cell phone, state photo ID, learner's permit, SS card and credit card. I just need the drivers license, driving history and credit history built up and I'm all set!

cindyabs

I want to thank you for reminding me about craigslist. Thanks to you I am now getting rid of 6 HUGE pampas grass plants. I put an ad in craigslist yesterday morning and got two emails about them, A guy is coming this afternoon to dig 'em up.

bevinva

We have sold so much stuff on there, and ending up buying some too.

cindyabs

need horse manure and top soil I shall "list" again,

bevinva

That's a thought, we took out an above ground pool and have a hole to fill!

meauxna

Love, love, love craigslist. I've sold houses, cars, crap galore, rented out apartments, found free stuff, amused myself no end, hired employees.. my list is nearly endless (haven't hired a hooker. yet.)

Oh yes!
Be sure to read the free stuff listings too.. I have not paid for compost/mulch for a few years now.. everyone's got leftovers!
I wanna come play in YOUR garden! Do you know the snow level went back down to 1000' this week?! That's COLD here!

cindyabs

Well God knows I could use the help,

As for the snow, at least no worries on drought.