Who Needs Self Storage Units?

Self storage units are secure, low cost and a great way to make life simpler. There are many reasons why people store items away from their home or business premises.

One reason is for temporary storage between homes. Perhaps you have sold your home but haven't bought or built a new one yet. If you are staying with friends or in a motel while you wait for your new home, a self storage unit is a great way to keep all your furniture and belongings safe.

Or perhaps you are about to travel. Your luggage allocation only allows for clothing and a few other personal items. So what do you do with all your stuff if you're travelling overseas for an extended time? Mum and Dad probably don't want to store it all in their garage, so the best solution is a self storage facility to keep your belongings in long term. You'll be able to have fun on your big OE, knowing that everything you own is safe and secure.

Self storage units are also the ideal place to store valuable items that you don't feel comfortable with having in the home. Valuable items, both large and small, will be safe and secure in a monitored and alarmed self storage container. Another reason why people use self storage facilities is to prepare for a house sale. A decluttered home looks bigger and sells faster, so storing your extra furniture and boxes away from the home makes good sense.

Many homes come with garages for the family car. The idea is that the car will be more secure and last longer if it's stored in a garage. However, some families can't fit the car in the garage because the garage is full of sports gear, tools, bikes, camping gear, boxes, games, gardening gear, spare furniture and things that just cannot be thrown away. One way to solve that problem is to rent a self storage unit for all the stuff in the garage and put the car back where it's meant to be.

Business people love self storage units. They're a great way to keep archived documents and records at a low cost. Commercial space is much more expensive than the rental on a self storage unit, so it makes good business sense to keep documents in the security and controlled environment of a self storage unit. Many units have specially designed facilities for storing documents, including racks for easy storage and retrieval. Shop owners also find self storage containers extremely helpful. They're a great way to store shipments of new stock that are not quite ready to be put on the shelves.

Finally, when the kids leave the nest, they don't usually take all their stuff. If you throw it away, you'll never be forgiven. So the ideal solution is to put the kids' stuff in a self storage unit until they have space to look after it themselves. Then everyone's happy!

Guardian Self Storage Units is a provider of clean, safe, flexible and affordable self storage options for all your personal and business storage needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Euan_Armstrong

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6232907

Meaghan Ramsey: Why Thinking You're Ugly is Bad for You

About 10,000 people a month Google the phrase, “Am I ugly?” Meaghan Ramsey of the Dove Self-Esteem Project has a feeling that many of them are young girls. In a deeply unsettling talk, she walks us through the surprising impacts of low body and image confidence—from lower grade point averages to greater risk-taking with drugs and alcohol. And then shares the keys things all of us can to disrupt this reality.

Why College Students Value Self Storage Units

College students are notorious for their uncanny ability to acquire vast amounts of "stuff" in their door rooms and apartments. When they move back to their parent's home for the summer or graduate into a new home, some of the belongings they have accumulated may not fit or be welcome. That is why every college student (and parents of college students!), should consider self storage as a way to ensure the safe storage of their student's stuff.

Self Storage for Students:

Looking for somewhere to store all the collegiate memorabilia you've accumulated over the year? Perhaps your parents won't appreciate or allow some of your coveted college "decorations"? Self storage provides the perfect solution. With self storage, your parents don't even have to know what sort of out-there collections you've amassed--in fact, no one does. Part of the security of self storage units is that you are the only person who has a key. So you and you alone control who has access to your belongings.

Many self storage facilities use closed-circuit video surveillance systems to monitor the comings and goings of all customers and associates. Plus, modern storage units are equipped keypad-controlled access and individual door alarms, providing additional levels of security.

For college students traveling for a semester abroad, a self storage unit provides a great alternate to moving everything back home. Simply store your items at a storage facility near campus and when you come back from traveling, you'll have everything you need to re-establish your college home. The beauty of a storage unit is it provides an excellent option to keep your things safe and secure--allowing you to travel and explore the world without worrying about whether your parents are 'helping you' get organized by throwing away a bunch of your things.

Self storage is not just for your school's summer and winter breaks, however. Many students securing jobs out-of-town after college are faced with the prospect of having to throw out many of their prized collegiate possessions because of apartment size and storage restrictions. If you cannot bear to part with your collection of memorabilia, and know that you will regret selling it when you eventually purchase a home with enough room to house it, securing your belongings in your own self storage unit is the perfect way to keep your things out of sight, but certainly not out of mind. You'll find residential storage to be a great way to remove clutter from your home.

When the summer is over, or you finally can afford that big apartment, you can pick up your things from the self storage facility and bring them home to enjoy.
Self Storage for Parents:

Your home is your haven and having a college student at home for the summer can definitely create a little chaos. Add boxes of 'school stuff' that litter his/her room or worse your prized garage, closet or attic space--and you're organized home just got a little "unlivable."

Using a self storage unit to keep these items close to school (and out of your house!) is a great way to save your own home's organization, while allowing your student to keep his/her belongings and save the effort of lugging all that stuff home! It also gives your student the opportunity to assume some responsibility. He/she will be responsible for moving in and out of the unit--and while the items are stored, he/she will be the only one with the key to his storage unit. Giving your child the responsibility to store his valuables while away at college is good 'training' as a future homeowner, as he/she learns the lesson that clutter can be remedied without having to throw away priceless memories.

Self storage is the perfect solution for both parents and college students. Self storage units provide a safe, secure, and affordable way to store every valuable belonging--even when it's that famous bottle cap collection.

Mr. Kleindienst is a self storage company executive. He works for Safeguard self storage, a self storage facility that offers various self storage units.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kurt_Kleindienst

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1644352

Top Tips To Consider When Searching For The Right Self-Storage Facility

More people are searching for the right self-storage facility that can house their belongings, especially since both people and businesses are downsizing to save expenses. This has caused a boom in the self-storage market which can be found in almost any area where you live or plan to move to. Even small towns will have a self-storage facility that can be utilized for business or personal needs. With so many choices for storage it is important to know about the business where you will be storing your valuables. Here is some insight into the self-storage facilities that are available.

Consider The Usefulness Of A Storage Unit

In the past storage facilities consisted of companies that would pack your belongings and store them for a cost. This was very restrictive and costly, so people started looking towards places where they could store their goods more economically while allowing them the freedom to easily control when they had access. In the beginning people would search for an empty garage or warehouse that was looking for some added income, which eventually turned the self-storage facilities into a thriving business. People wanted to know that the space that they were renting was secure and that they could come and go without the worry of additional costs. The self-storage facilities provide this and more.

Take A Guided Search For A Self-Storage Facility

Since there are so many facilities available that have self-storage it is important to find a reputable company that will take care of your property. When you start searching for the right facility it means asking some direct questions about the policies and procedures of the facility, along with checking out business ethics and terms. The area in which the facility is housed, as well as the facility itself is a good indication of whether your items will be safe. But there are other means of security that should be questioned such as video cameras and alarms. What are their policies on people coming and going? Both of these areas should be checked into. In addition to this, you want a company that is customer friendly.

The Keys To A Self-Storage Agreement?

An agreement is a contract between the self-storage facility and yourself stating that they are renting you a space the size that you require and in exchange you will pay a monthly fee to guarantee that space is yours to use. The agreements spell out the terms of your rental of the space and will include such things as what happens if you do not pay your rental fee or if you terminate your agreement what will be charged for usage. Most reputable companies will not charge you for additional fees, but may require a deposit or first month's rental fee up front.

It should also be noted that in some cases if you do not pay your fees after a certain amount of time that the storage facility has a right to hold your belongings until payment is received, or until you waive the right to the contents in the storage unit.

Ben Wells is a self storage expert, managing several Self Storage Facilities in the western United States. He also contributes articles with tips for organizing and moving and self-storage at several websites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_A_Wells

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6848824

Useful Tips For Storing Items In Self Storage

Self storage is very beneficial to many people these days. Thanks to these rental units, families and business owners today can keep their valuable belongings in a safe place for as long as they want and at a price they can well afford.

When using these self storage units, however, it is important to know how to pack your items properly and organize them. This will make sure that you keep your personal belongings in good condition and allow you to easily access them if the need arises.

Packing tips

The packing process should not be that difficult if you have the right materials and you know how to organize your stuff. Use sturdy boxes if possible because sealed plastic bags are prone to mildew buildup when moisture creeps in. Apart from the boxes, the other materials you will need are a marker, packing tape, scissors or cutter, paper, bubble wrap, towels and Styrofoam.

When packing your items, fill boxes to capacity to avoid breakages. But keep in mind not to make them very heavy. What you should do is to divide the heavy items into several boxes. Make sure to put the heavy ones on the bottom first and fill the top part with lighter items.

Fragile or breakable items including antiques will have to be wrapped individually. Use plain paper and not the newspaper to avoid staining ceramics, glasses and mirrors. Do fill in gaps using bubble wrap, paper or towels to keep the items steady during transport and storage.

Labeling all the sides of your boxes is also very important for easy identification of the contents. Mark breakable items as fragile.

Organizing tips

Organize your boxes in the self storage unit in a way that you can access your items easily. Create an alley in between the stacks of boxes particularly in the center, sides and the back part so you can move around if you need to access items every now and then.

If you don't want the boxes to touch the floor space, you can first put protective sheeting or boards on the floor. This will protect your items from moisture buildup.

When stacking your boxes, put the heaviest ones on the bottom first to avoid damaging items in the other boxes. The lighter ones should then be placed on top. Stack boxes of similar sizes to save on space.

As for furniture, keep them away from the walls. Metal objects should also not rest on other items that are prone to damage.

If you have large appliances to store such as drawers, fridges and washing machines, you can also fill them with small boxes and other items to maximize available space.

Finally, you can use moisture absorbers, deodorizes and vermin bait if you doubt the environment at your preferred storage facility. But you can always ask the management first about the pest control system they implement within their premises.

Keep in mind that you will only enjoy your peace of mind if you have packed your items well and organized them properly in the self storage unit.

For information on self storage units visit MyStorageWorks.com, a leading self storage company in the Maryland and Pennsylvania area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6510653

Moving Furniture to a New Home Or Self-Storage

Moving furniture to a new home or a self storage unit is a job that takes more than one person and some preparation. With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks from professional removers to help you make the move easier and trouble free.

Take the time to measure your largest furniture items, like beds, wardrobes and sofas to ensure you can fit them in the storage space you have rented or through the doors in your new home. Remember to measure the stairs because narrow stairs with a tight turn may stop you manhandling that huge bed in to the room.

If your furniture does not fit, then dismantle the big items before the move day.

Size and shape makes a sofa difficult to move. Professional movers neatly remove the material on the base o9f the sofa and feel inside the arms. Often they are bolted to the frame and can be removed with a spanner. The same goes for bulky armchairs.

Remove cushions and loose covers for transportation and storage. Any covering that cannot be removed needs protecting with a removal blanket or thick plastic to avoid hand prints, scuffs and scrapes.

Tables and chairs, especially those with glass, marble or granite tables should be dismantled with the top separated, wrapped and marked with a fragile sticker. Wood tables need careful handling and protection to stop scratches and warps.

Wrap table and chair legs with bubble wrap and then tape cardboard around the padding.

Fill up any dresser or chest drawers with small, light or fragile items cushioned in tissue or bubble wrap. Tape plastic wrap around the drawers so nothing can fall out when they are lifted. Do not over fill drawers as the weight makes lifting difficult. Carry dressers and chests with drawers taken out as they are a lot lighter. Protect the frame with plastic bubble wrap or a blanket to look after the finish.

Dismantle a bed frame to make moving easier. If you have a divan bed, take out the under bed drawers to lighten the task. Mattresses should be wrapped in a mattress cover or heavy plastic, like a sofa.

Pete Simpson is a home removals and business removals professional who also has interests in a self storage business based in London. He has written this guide as part of several packing, removals and self storage articles aimed at helping students, householders and businesses save time, effort and money. Find out more about self storage in London at http://www.lockaway.co.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pete_Simpson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3665212

Self Storage - Tips and Tricks For Packing And Moving

Self storage facilities are used by thousands of people today. Whether you are relocating or are trying to free up some space in the home or in the office, making use of self storage facilities is a good idea. Apart from providing enough space for your belongings, they also offer the much needed security for your belongings, convenience and value.

But, before you make the big move, it is important for you to learn some essential tips and tricks of packing and moving. Self storage tips and tricks will not only ensure that your move is a hassle free one, but it will also ensure that your valuables and belongings are stored safely. Let us take a look at some of the essential self storage tips and tricks for packing and moving.

1. Proper planning is the key to success. When you plan your move properly, you will have an effective and an efficient storage experience. If you are planning to use a space on a frequent basis, choosing a larger unit may be more convenient.

2. Plan your storage space. If there are items which you will be accessing on a regular basis, they can be placed right in the front.

3. allow for walkways

4. When filling boxes, make sure you put heavier items at the bottom of the boxes. Completely fill the boxes with the lighter items on the top.

5. If the boxes are of uniform size, it is going to be easy for you to stack them in the storage unit.

6. There are certain items which may be prohibited and not allowed to be kept in storage facilities. Read the contract to determine which items are not allowed.

7. For easy identification, label all the boxes.

8. Allow for ventilation by leaving small gaps between the wall of the boxes and your items.

9. When choosing a lock for your unit, make sure you choose a high quality lock such as a disc lock.
These are quite hard to break and will ensure that your belongings are safe.

10. Make an inventory of all the items you have placed in storage. Keep the inventory in a safe place.

11. When packing fragile items such as glasses and dishes, use packing paper to wrap them up individually. Nest bowls and cups and stand saucers, platters and plates on the edge. Place wrapped glasses near the top of the box. Use packing material to fill all pockets. Label all boxes with fragile items and do not place other heavy boxes on the boxes containing fragile items.

12. Concrete floors can become cold and damp and for this reason, clothing items must be stored on hangers. If you do not have hanging cartons, fold the clothing items carefully and store them in cedar chests and dresser drawers.

Following these simple self storage tips and tricks will ensure that you have a pleasant storage experience. In addition, it will also help you determine the unit size that you will need for all your storage items making the whole thing more cost effective and convenient for you.

Are you considering Plymouth self storage? Visit our website and we will help you find the perfect Plymouth self storage unit for all your storage needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jasmin_Z

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6559044

10 Reasons Why Renting a Storage Space is Better Than Your Attic

Have you taken a peek into your attic lately? If it has been months or even years since you poked around in that crowded attic of yours, perhaps it is time you considered using a storage facility. Storage facilities are a fantastic solution for anyone looking to "de-clutter" their life.

If you know that Martha Stewart would have a heart attack just from looking into your attic then maybe it's time you took that step forward and start re-claiming your life and your belongings.

There are several reasons why renting a storage space is better than your attic. For your benefit, we listed them out here below:

1. Storage units are easily accessible. When you rent a storage space, you will not have to duck under two by fours or walk on the rafters to find something specific. Everything you need is right there in front of you.

2. You can never be certain what is lurking in your attic. Rodents, have field days in your attic, making their nests out of your belongings. At a storage facility, you can rest assured that your treasures are free from pests.

3. Your attic is not always protected from bad weather where as a storage unit is safe and secure from the outside elements.

4. You can free up some space in your home. Who would not love a little extra room? With a storage space you are guaranteed to free up plenty of space.

5. You won't have to worry about parting ways with your prized belongings. Old baby clothes and toys that you are holding onto for keepsakes will be better protected in a storage facility than in your house.

6. Your things will remain protected from criminals. In the world we live in today you can never be guaranteed that you will not be robbed. Because of the security measures taken at most storage facilities, you can be certain that you will have less of a chance for theft.

7. You can de-clutter your life and begin to feel organized. A little organization never hurt anyone and when you move some of your belongings to a storage unit you will feel the relief that organization brings.

8.If you ever decide to move, you will not have to worry about making sure you have gotten everything out of the attic. When a sudden relocation for your job is sprung on you, you do not really want to worry about cleaning the clutter in your attic that is why keeping your things in a storage space is the best solution.

9. You will never again have to climb a tiny wobbly ladder and crawl through a crammed attic to find something specific. No more bending over backwards looking through your stuff- with a storage unit, you will always be able to find just what you are looking for- it is always easily accessible to you!

10. Your belongings will be protected should there ever be a fire in your home.

Paul Darden is owner and CEO of AA @ Ben White, the only Austin self storage facility with a 24/7 onsite management team. Darden specializes in the brokering, marketing, feasibility studies, and developing of self-storage personally brokering over 130 self-storage facilities throughout the southwest to both national and regional self-storage operators. If you are looking to move and if you need public storage in Austin, Texas visit http://www.aabenwhite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Darden

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1754843

Why You Should Consider Self Storage

Moving requires a great deal of effort and never enough time or space. If you are going to be moving into a smaller home, you may be wondering what you are going to do with some of your things. You probably know that as soon as you get rid of anything, you are going to need it. Because of this, you are probably thinking about using self storage.

You need to carefully consider the size of storage that you are going to need. After all, the larger the unit, the more money you are going to have to pay. If you end up getting rid of some things after a few months, you can always downsize to a smaller self storage unit to save some money. However, don't get rid of anything that you know you are going to need. Depending on what will be stored in the unit, you may also want to check into climate control. This way, you won't have to worry about it being too hot or too cold inside your unit.

Now, you are going to need to think about the different characteristics that need in a unit. You need to think about how much money you are willing and able to spend each month. You also need to think about location. Location is very important when it comes to your storage. You also need to think about things such as climate control, 24 hour access, and of course, something inside a gated area.

Next, consider how much money you can afford to spend and what you are looking for in a storage unit, you can look online for ideas. If you find a storage facility near your home and it has everything that you need, you can stop by to look at a unit in person. If everything seems okay, you can ask to look over their contract. If you like what you see, go ahead and sign it and you should be able to start moving your things and right away.

It is important to understand that you are going to need to supply your own lock. If you don't already have one, you can usually buy one for less than $10. Because you will be providing your own lock, you will be the only one who has a key. This will give you peace of mind regarding leaving your possessions in self storage. You can leave your items for as long as you like as long as you are keeping up with your monthly payments. Beware, however, if you fall behind on your monthly payment, you may lose the things that you have in storage.

For more information on Self Storage visit http://www.mystorageworks.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8748557

Mac Barnett: Why a Good Book is a Secret Door

Childhood is surreal. Why shouldn't children's books be? In this whimsical talk, award-winning author Mac Barnett speaks about writing that escapes the page, art as a doorway to wonder — and what real kids say to a fictional whale.