How to Find A Pods Coupon Code

You’re shopping for a Pods portable storage unit and you find the perfect container. You get a great price quote and proceed through the virtual checkout line. In the final stages of the purchasing process, you notice a little field requesting a pods coupon code. Of course, you don’t have a coupon code.

Have you ever wondered where you find these coveted coupon codes? When you find yourself codeless at that crucial moment, you can’t help but feel like you’re on the outside of an inside joke. They’ve dangled the discount carrot in front of your face, but you failed to seize it.

Believe it or not, there is a way to ensure you always have a pods coupon code to type in those little boxes. Taking advantage of online pods coupon codes can lead to great savings and excellent discounts. Typically saving you 5 to 10%, pods coupon codes are worth a little bit of time and effort to seek them out. You just need to know how to find them.

Pods coupon codes aren’t listed on the site for which the discount is offered. That would just be too easy, right? Because of this, you have to go elsewhere to find the desired code. However, to find one, simply do a search for the desired pods code in your favorite search engine.

For example, if you’re looking for a Pods coupon code, simply search for “Pods coupon code”. If you’re looking for a Pack Rat coupon code, search for “Pack Rat coupon code”. However, you may have to sort through the listings to find the most up-to-date coupon codes.

However, the best way to maximize the savings you can enjoy from using pods coupon codes is to search for them before you begin your shopping. These days, there are many sites that exist merely to document and update the most current coupon codes. By searching these sites before you begin your shopping, you can seek out items and vendors that offer the most substantial discounts.

Also, always sign up for newsletters from your favorite vendors and coupon sites. Coupon sites will keep you updated on the latest discounts and retailer newsletters often include limited time coupon codes. These subscriptions will keep you in the loop on the latest coupon codes delivered right to your inbox. No searching required.

When you reach the point in the check out process when you’re asked for a pods coupon code, simply enter the code into the field. From there, the discount should be automatically applied to your order. You’ll receive instant savings on moving and/or storage using these super convenient portable boxes.

It’s easy to be inside the discount loop when you know how to find pods coupon codes. They are easy to find and readily available. With just a few minutes of shopping for codes, you can enjoy fantastic discounts when shopping online.

Find the latest Pods coupon code at PodsPromoCode.com. Savings on Pods portable storage units will be 5-10%.

Tips to Help You Find the Best Self-Storage Facility for Your Needs

Choosing a self-storage facility is not a casual decision. By choosing to use a given facility, you are entangling yourself in a serious contractual commitment, one that you might find hard or at least inconvenient to disentangle yourself from, should you be dissatisfied for one reason or another. There are, however, some handy tips that can help you avoid a scenario where you end up making the wrong choice.
First, you need to look security. You need to really look at the security features offered at the self-storage facility you are considering. Ideally, the self-storage facility should have enough security to ensure the safety of your stuff, but preferably not features which might hamper your access to your stuff when you need it.

Secondly, you need to go for a storage facility that is practical. For example, while you might need a self-storage facility that offers cold storage facilities if you have perishables to store, the same facility might prove to be superfluous (and probably too expensive) for non-perishable items. At facilities where there are more perceived features, the unit rent for ALL units (whether you receive those perceived features or not) tends to be higher. A facility that offers the most basic units is likely to be cheapest.

Lastly, you may want to consider the facilities location. A savings of $5 per month on unit rent may not be the deal you think it is if you end up spending an additional $10 per month on gas to get back and forth. Plus, it is always reassuring to have your belongings closer to you.

Remember, the nearest self-storage facility or the first self-storage facility you come across may not necessarily be the best for your needs. You need to shop around and compare features/benefits.

How to Write a Self Storage Classified Ad

It’s amazing to think that in this age of overwhelming technology, texting, and the internet that newspapers and classified ads haven’t become completely obsolete. There are lots of advanced ways to advertise a self storage facility these days, but you probably aren’t going to buy a banner ad on the web.

Believe it or not, the classifieds are still a great way to advertise your self storage facility. But so many classified ads are so poorly written that they’re a waste of everyone’s time, money, and ad space. Writing a successful classified ad isn’t rocket science, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

If you’re looking to place an ad in the classifieds, it’s important to put a little thought and effort into what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it.
Here are few tips on how to write a self storage facility classified ad:

Leave Your Contact Information

Sounds like a no brainer, right? It’s amazing how many people place classified ads and don’t leave the reader anyway to get in touch with them. Whatever the means, be sure to give your interested readers a way to pursue your advertisement.

Proofread

The newspaper should tell you when your ad will run and for how long. Be sure to follow up and ensure that your ad is printed in the proper section and that it’s printed correctly. The simplest error can give your short and sweet classified ad a completely different meaning. If there are typos, follow up with the newspaper.

Keep it Short but Detailed

Classified ads aren’t free so there’s always the temptation to keep it short and to the point. It’s true that readers don’t have the attention span to read a small novella in the ad section, but you don’t want to leave out important information. Include information that is sure to pique the interest of your readers. Words like ‘rare’, ‘brand new’, etc. are usually winners.

List a Price or Rate only if it’s a Steal

List your rental rates with pride. Also, give your readers an idea of your position on the price: if it’s negotiable, say so, if it’s not, let them know.

Create a Sense of Urgency

If you’ve taken the time to place a self storage classified ad, you’re probably ready to take action. You want to rent empty units with haste. Let your reader know that you’re ready to act and they will to. Phrases that encourage readers to act quickly will help you get more response.

Use Keywords Over Generic Phrases

Be specific with titling your ad. Paying for bold type and specific wording is worth it. Saying ‘Affordable Self Storage’ or ‘First Month Free’ is more attractive to classifieds readers that generic phrasing. Let them know exactly what you're offering.

When writing a self storage classified ad, it’s important to include as much information as you can in very few words. Tell your readers what you have for rent and what’s in it for them. The power of the classifieds to help everyday people exchange goods and services is still alive and well.

You can also place self storage classified ads on dozens of high quality internet websites for free. Go here for a directory of the best free classified sites. You should also consider listing your facility on a directory of self storage facilities.

Storage Pod Pricing is Flexible Enough to Fit Your Budget

Once upon a time, if you wanted to move, you had to rent a truck. Renting a moving truck meant driving to the truck rental store, picking it up, bringing it home, loading it yourself, then driving it to your destination, unloading it, and then delivering it to the nearest truck rental. It’s exhausting just talking about it.

Once upon another time, if you wanted to store a few things, you had to rent a storage unit. Renting a storage unit meant loading your stuff into a truck (either your own or a rented truck), driving it to the storage facility, and then unloading it. It’s enough to make you want to leave your stuff by the road for the garbage truck.

However, with the invention of storage pods, all of these storage and moving headaches have been made much simpler. These brilliant little inventions make storing easier because the storage company delivers the container to your home, you load your things, then they come and get it. They store it for you until you need your things again.

Just imagine what storage pods have done for moving. When you use storage pods to move, you load the pod, and then the storage company picks up the container and delivers it to your new home. Most of the time, it’s waiting for you when you get there. How cool is that?

Because storage pods are a more advanced way to store and move your belongings, storage pod pricing is a little different than traditional methods as well. In a nutshell, the cost of your storage pod will be determined by the size and location of your container as well as how long you’ll be using your pod.

Storage pods come in a variety of sizes and dimensions to suit the needs of every pod user. In fact, there aren’t very many items that you can’t store in a pod. However, smaller pods cost less than bigger pods. Therefore, people with more stuff will invest more in their storage pod system. But traditional storage units are priced the same way. You can also rent multiple storage pods of need be.

Location is another factor in storage pod pricing. Storage pods across the company are priced differently for various reasons. If you’re using a storage pod to move, the cost will also be determined by how far that pod will need to travel to reach your new home. If it’s just around the block, it will cost less than moving coast to coast. To get an idea of storage pod pricing in your area, go to your storage pod rental company of choice and type in your zip code to get a quote.

Duration is also an element of storage pod pricing. Renting a storage pod for a few months will cost less than renting for a few years. However, that’s a factor when pricing the rental of pretty much anything. Even video rental fees cost more if you keep it for an extra week.

Storage pod pricing is determined by three main factors: size or quantity, location, and duration. These three factors allow you to mix and match the terms of your storage pod rental to fit your budget. You will love the convenience, ease, and affordability of storage pods.

Be sure to use a current pods promo code to save 5-10% off the cost of a Pods portable storage unit.

When Stuff Takes Over, Atlanta Self Storage Facilities Can Help

Atlanta home owners and renters alike know that sometimes your stuff can get the better of you. As you go through life, stuff just seems to find you. Hand me downs, inherited furniture pieces, and holidays galore mean that it doesn’t take much at all to find yourself up to your ears in stuff.

But unless you’re a minimalist, most people don’t mind having a lot of stuff. Stuff personalizes your home and helps you express who you are. Stuff is a part of life and part of who we are.

However, there comes a time when you realize stuff has taken over your house and it’s just letting you live there. When you reach that point, it’s time to get an Atlanta self storage unit.

With a self storage unit in Atlanta, you don’t have to choose between which hand-me-downs and family heirlooms you want to keep and which ones you want to get rid of. You don’t have to decide which items are more important to you than others. You don’t have to admit that you love some of your stuff and only like the rest of your stuff.

With an Atlanta self storage unit, you get to have it all. You can keep your precious things and reclaim your sanity and your home. Self storage units create a win-win scenario for you and your stuff.

You might be thinking that the stuff you put in a self storage unit is labeled second-class stuff. When your mom finds out that her mother’s 19th century buffet that’s been handed down for years is in storage, you’d think that she’d be upset. But you might be surprised.

With a self storage unit, especially in Atlanta, you can feel confident that your stuff will be taken care of just as if it were still in your home. In Atlanta’s hot, muggy climate, many self storage facilities offer air-conditioned and climate controlled units that will keep your precious antiques and valuables in top condition. If you have something truly special that just doesn’t fit in your home, just make sure that you go visit it every once in a while and give it the care it needs.

Also, Atlanta self storage facilities are perfectly secure. Even the facility staff probably won’t have access to your unit. You can relax knowing that the only person that will touch, move, or see your stuff is you. Your self storage unit and the facility itself should be locked tight.

Everyone has more stuff than they need. There’s no need to feel bad about displacing some of your stuff to a storage unit. Your stuff will be safe and protected. And if you do need access to the contents of your Atlanta self storage unit, you have the key and you can remove one thing or everything any time you want.

Atlanta self storage is a great solution when you have furniture, clothing or other items that you have to keep but you just don’t have room for it. There’s no reason to feel like a guest in your own home. Self storage facilities in Atlanta are here to help.

No More Watery Graves for Your Stuff with Seattle Self Storage Facilities

Seattle is arguably the wettest place in the continental United States. Have you ever watched a movie set in Seattle? If you have, you might have noticed that it is always raining. When it’s not raining, it’s fogging. You could say that people in Seattle are okay with everything being a little—damp.

But the truth is that most people don’t like wet stuff. Wet stuff is messy and if it stays wet for very long, it’ll probably be ruined. Moisture spells death for most stuff.

However, people in Seattle are like everyone else across the country. They have too much stuff.

You could say that a person’s age is directly proportional to how much stuff they have. Assuming that they aren’t a pack rat, your average adult is going to have accumulated a fair amount of stuff in their day. If you add a spouse and kids into the mix, you’re talking about a lot of stuff.

What’s to be done with all that stuff? In no time at all, the average Seattle home is packed to the gills with stuff. That is not to say that there’s no need for all that stuff, but maybe it isn’t used every day. Stuff gets crammed in closets, under beds, in the garage. Worst of all, a serious overflow of stuff might get stored in the shack by the back fence.

There’s nothing worse than opening a box of winter clothes or retrieving a beloved piece of furniture only to find that it’s damp and mildewed or warped and ruined. It’s enough to ruin your day.

Because almost everyone in Seattle needs extra storage at some point in their lives, Seattle self storage facilities are the way to go. Not only do they help solve your storage problem at home, but they also keep your stuff safe and protected until you need it again.

When you get an affordable self storage unit in Seattle, your stuff woes will come to an end. Many Seattle self storage facilities have climate and moisture controlled lockers. When your stuff is cool and dry, it lasts longer. You won’t have to worry about ruined heirlooms or soggy boxes when you employ the use of a Seattle self storage unit. It’s time to retire the leaky back yard shack as a storage solution.
Not to mention, Seattle self storage facilities enable you to safely and securely store your belongings. Many Seattle self storage facilities have security measures and each unit is carefully locked and secured by you. Each time you return to your storage unit, you can feel confident that your things will be exactly how you left them.

Best of all, many Seattle self storage facilities are capable of storing larger items like cars, boats, bikes, and other motorized vehicles that would surely perish in the rain. With a self storage unit, you won’t have to choose between your car, your boat, or garage space any longer.

Seattle self storage facilities provide much needed solutions for city-wide storage issues. Keep your items dry and protected and love living in a clutter-free home.

Your Car Will Love Houston Self Storage Facilities

Many people in Houston—and many cities, for that matter—face a similar dilemma. It happens to everyone. All it takes is a little bit of time and before you know it, you’re up to your ears in stuff. We’ve all been there.

Between birthday parties, weddings, Saturday morning garage sale excursions, trips to the antique fair, and window shopping, it’s easy to accumulate a lot of things in a short amount of time. Even if we don’t really need the stuff, it’s still so very hard to get rid of it.

Here’s where the real dilemma comes in. If you aren’t going to get rid of it, you have to find a place to put it, right? No matter how big a home is, many of us still manage to accumulate more things than the house can hold. Before long, the garage becomes a storage warehouse. The cars end up sleeping on the proverbial couch, otherwise known as the driveway.

Then, the time comes to reminisce about the days when you could park your cars in that three car garage like ‘normal’ people. It’s a common tale.
Luckily, in a city the size of Houston, Texas, there’s a solution for everything. People in Houston with a stuff overflow situation are in dire need of a self storage facility. All those things that are taking over your home—and your life—can find their very own home at a second location.

Many people in Houston disregard self storage for a number of reasons. First of all, they think it’s too expensive. Contrary to popular believe, Houston self storage is actually quite affordable. For just a few extra dollars a month, you can get a storage unit for that extra stuff that’s displaced your car and spilling out of your hall closet.

Second, they worry about having limited access to their stuff. True, your stuff isn’t as available to you in the self storage unit as it is in your garage. But many Houston self storage facilities allow 24-hour access to your storage unit! And if they don’t, it’s probably just as well. Who really needs their Class of ’89 letterman jacket in the middle of the night?

Third, they keep thinking, “Why do I need Houston self storage unit when I’m getting ready to have a garage sale?” Garage sales are great and they do solve the I-have-too-much-stuff problem. Garage sales, or donating the stuff to charity, giving it away, or throwing it all in a bonfire will help clear some much needed space in your home. But then you must decide what to get rid of and what to keep. Most people would rather walk on hot coals than endure such agony.

In Houston, self storage facilities create a win-win scenario for those suffering from too much stuff. You can find a safe, secure place for your things that won’t bombard you closets, garage, and under your bed. Also, you can enjoy a more spacious, organized home until you’re ready to get rid of some of your stuff once and for all. Best of all, your cars can enjoy being tucked into the garage every night. With Houston self storage, everybody’s happy.

Las Vegas Self Storage Provides Many Benefits

Las Vegas, Nevada isn’t just a place for gambling, entertainment, and other such merriment. Sin City has maintained its worldwide reputation as the ultimate party town, but it’s also a major center for business.

Many companies and industries have conventions, meetings, and events in Las Vegas because of its capacity to host large amounts of people with relative ease. Because of the constant hustle and bustle of business and commerce, business men and women are always coming and going from the fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.

Las Vegas is also a popular spot for the retired community and long term vacationers. Lots of people don’t necessarily want to live in Las Vegas, but they enjoy it enough to want to spend a season or even half the year there. That being said, it’s not uncommon for people to buy vacation or retirement homes in Las Vegas only to spend part of the year living in them.

So what do they do with the house the rest of the time? Lots of part-time home owners in Las Vegas—whether they’re business people, retirees, or vacationers—get smart and save money by renting their homes when they’re not using them. This is where a little Las Vegas self storage comes in handy.

Furnished rentals are great. They save everyone time and money. But lots of people feel more comfortable living in someone else’s home if they’re able to furnish that home with their own things. People putting their homes up for rent in Las Vegas don’t want to move their stuff across the county twice a year, so a lot of them rent self storage units.

Las Vegas self storage units are a life saver. Many of them are climate controlled, so valuables that might not do so well in the dry Las Vegas heat are protected in self storage units.

Self storage facilities are also safe and secure. Business people that only spend a few months in Las Vegas each year can feel confident that their much needed valuables will still be in their self storage unit when they return. Even if you’re gone for a year, the contents of your self storage unit will be just as you left it.

What about the entertainment community in Las Vegas? Yes, all those talented people actually have homes in Las Vegas, they don’t perform 24/7. But what if a show decides to go on tour? Las Vegas self storage facilities have come to the rescue of many a performer. Travelling entertainers simply rent a self storage unit, secure their belongings, and they’re on their way to share their talent with some other town. And because all roads lead to Las Vegas, they’re stuff will be safely waiting for them when they return.

Not a Las Vegas performer, business person, retiree, or vacationer, but just have too much stuff? Las Vegas self storage can help you too. Clear out that cluttered garage and self storage facilities will be your friend for life.

Orlando Self Storage Units Can Have Home-like Appeal

Even the most organized person can run into the issue of too much stuff. No matter how you pack it, organize it, or store it, every house has a limited amount of space. Everyone is in danger of accumulating more things than your house can actually hold.

Organized people actually have a head start. With an organized home, even if it’s packed to the gills, you’re more likely to know what you have and whether it’s worth keeping. Disorganization usually breeds the worst kind of clutter: useless clutter.
When your reach the point where your house, your closets, under the bed boxes, and garage can’t hold even a paper clip, it’s time to get a self storage unit.

In Orlando, Florida, there are literally tons of self storage facilities to choose from. Many will have features like climate or humidity control that you can choose from to give your things a little added protection from the Florida climate. But best of all, they can give you some relief from the clutter overload you’re living with at home.

If you’re an organizational junkie, organization doesn’t have to end with your Orlando self storage unit. You can still employ your organization skills to ensure you get the most out of your self storage unit.

Organizing your self storage unit in Orlando has lots of benefits. First of all, you’ll be able to find what you need when you venture back to your self storage unit to retrieve something. There’s nothing worse than tripping, falling, and smashing your fingers while you unsuccessfully search for something in a dark storage unit. A little organization can make this process much easier.

Also, organizing your Orlando self storage unit will help you get more bang for your buck. When you throw your items into your unit and they land in a jumbled mess, your unit is going to fill up quickly. Then the self storage unit, that seemed like it was big enough to hold all of your things, only has enough room for half of it.

Self storage units in Orlando can hold a lot more stuff than you think. There’s no reason in the world why you shouldn’t use every inch of that storage container. Carefully organizing and packing your self storage unit can help you fit all of your items in a single unit without having to incur the cost of renting a second space.
Stackable shelves, drawers and clear plastic containers can all be very helpful in organizing and packing your Orlando self storage unit. Shelving allows you to use space all the way up to the ceiling rather than relying only on floor space. Floor space runs out quickly and when you have a lot of stuff, you need all the space you can get.

Of course, for the true organization guru, labeling your boxes, shelves, and items only adds to the fun of packing a self storage unit in Orlando. This way, instead of your self storage unit merely acting as a container for your over flow of stuff, it will feel like a distant extension of your home.

Deciding If You Need Climate Controlled Self-Storage

A trend which has fast caught on in the self-storage industry is the emergence of climate controlled self-storage facilities. Climate controlled self-storage facilities were developed mostly in response to complaints that goods stored in non-climate controlled self-storage facilities were getting damaged by moisture and humidity, which brought about molds and mildew. Climate controlled self-storage facilities are built with specialized features to prevent moisture and the problems it comes with, including and especially mildew and molds. Although climate-controlled self-storage facilities represent advancement in self-storage, they might not be necessary for everyone. Furthermore, space in these climate-controlled self-storage facilities is typically more expensive than in non climate-controlled self-storage facilities.

When deciding whether or not you need climate-controlled self-storage, your main consideration is likely to be the type of goods you plan to store. If, for example, you are looking for a self-storage facility to store goods that are not affected by moisture and related conditions, then going for climate-controlled self-storage may be superfluous. On the same note, even if the goods are affected by moisture and related conditions, but are in a reliable moisture proof packaging, then going for a climate-controlled self-storage facility might still be superfluous for you.
Another factor you might consider is how long and in what season of the year you need self-storage. If, for example, you are just looking for a self-storage facility to store your household goods for a day or two between moves or over the weekend to create space for house decoration during a dry summer, then a climate controlled self-storage facility might be superfluous for you -- even for goods that are likely to be affected by moisture-related conditions, as a couple of days is not usually enough time for these conditions to start taking their toll.

Find self storage near you at EasyStorageSearch.com

How to Promote Your Self Storage Website

These days just about any business – large or small, or even an independent contractor, has a website. So, that means a lot of competition faces you as you try to find clients out on the Internet. As a result, you must look to ways to make your website stand out from the others. Here are some methods you can employ to do just that:

Search engines and SEO. First off, you need for people to know you exist. So, get your website listed on the most popular search engines out there – Yahoo, Google, MSN, and so forth. You can go to the site individually to do this, or you can go to SubmitExpress to do them all simultaneously. You want your site to be SEO – that is, search engine optimized. That way, if someone goes searching for whatever it is you do, your website will be among the listings they get. There are many components to having a properly SEO’d website, but the following basics will get you started.

• Meta Tags. Make sure that you include a META tag in your homepage header. The most important ones are Title, keywords, and description. These tags make it easier for the search engines to index and rank your site.
• Keywords. Along those same lines, put plenty of keywords in your header and in the first paragraph of your body text. Also include plenty of your keywords in your hyperlinks.
• Links. Linking your site with other similar sites helps with search engine a lot. Contact the webmasters of other self storage sites and ask them if they are interested in swapping links with you. Since they want their site to be optimized as well, they’ll probably agree.

Website Directories. There are also all kinds of directories on the internet including search engines directories (Yahoo, MSN, etc.) and more specialized ones. Submit your self storage website to as many as possible. Most are free to list with, but others charge a small fee. Many of the paid directories tend to be of higher quality, thus search engines value their links more, thus it’s a good idea to list with them. Some of the better directories include GoGuides, maxlinks, and RankDir. And one of the best directories out there is Best of the Web. Many professionals consider a link from this site vital to achieving high search engine rankings.

Blog. One of the more effective means of attracting visitors to your website is to start and maintain a blog. Blog about what it is you do, and be sure to post to it regularly. A simple thing like that can generate a lot of hits to your site. You can start a free blog at Blogger.

Article Marketing. Another great way to spread the word about your site is to write and distribute articles related to your industry. Are you a writer? Try writing some articles or short stories or even movie reviews and get them posted on other websites. Are you an architect or engineer? Try getting some jobs you’ve done listed on professional websites that talk about recent projects of note. Or, maybe write some articles about projects in your area. Even if they’re not about projects you’ve done, it’ll get your name out there. You’ll also get yourself known as an expert in your field, so people will be more likely to come looking for your services because they trust you. You can provide a direct link back to your site in author boxes at the end of your articles. A very cost effective means of widely distributing your articles is by using Isnare, which send your articles to hundreds of directory site for about $2.

Classified Ads. Yet another means of getting the word out about your self storage website is to post ads on free classified websites. The most famous ones are craigslist, backpage, and kijiji, but there are hundreds of other ones out there now. Post to as many of them as you can, starting with the ones that have higher page rank. Visit a directory of free classified sites to see a complete list along with the pagerank of each.

Videos. Also, think about making a promotional video. You can either do one yourself, or hire a firm to create one. Simply by posting it on some of the free sites like YouTube you can generate enormous interest in you and your business. You can also create a viral video, which is a brief video that you can attach to an e-mail and send out to prospective clients. It’s called a viral video because it can be easily spread by forwarding it on to others.

Offline Promotion. There are also things you can do in the real world to promote your self storage website. For example, you can print up flyers about your site and give them out or post them at the library, bookstore, coffee houses, and other public locations. You should definitely get some business cards made as well because they’re such an easy way of spreading the word about what you do (as well as your contact information.) You never know when you’ll run into a potential client or customer, so have a business card with you at all times. You can get some really professional, inexpensive ones at Vistaprint.com. Be sure to include your e-mail address and website on the business card.

With plenty of patience and persistence your website will be ranked by the major search engines and people will begin to visit your site. Now be sure to give them a meaningful experience and deliver quality service and they’ll return. They’ll also gain more customers for you by telling their friends about your great website.

Big Self- Storage Companies vs. Smaller Self-Storage Companies

Anyone looking for self-storage facilities is likely to be spoiled for choice between the many companies that offer this service. While there are thousands of companies that offer self-storage facilities, in many cases your choice is likely to boil down to choosing between a big self-storage company and a smaller self-storage company.

On the whole, bigger self-storage companies are ideal if you are looking for a lot of self-storage space, as they are more likely to have available units – especially if there are several chains in your area. Furthermore, due to wider capital bases, bigger self-storage companies are generally able to purchase the latest and most recently updated security and surveillance tools on the market, which can go a long way in ensuring that your goods are safe and sound when you aren’t around.

On the other hand, some of the smaller self-storage companies, in a bid to build up their brands, may offer complimentary services, which ultimately might make them cheaper than bigger self-storage companies. One of the most popular marketing techniques being used by smaller self-storage companies include offering removal services -- where the company provides a free truck or van to help you move your goods to their self-storage facility -- that could significantly lower your total cost of moving. Big and established self-storage companies, on other hand, don’t usually feel compelled to offer such complimentary services; however, some are trying to compete by referring customers to movers in their area during their self-storage purchase.

Smaller self-storage companies may also offer more personalized customer care, which big self-storage companies -- due to their size -- find difficult. In fact, many people who use the services of big self storage companies come away feeling as if their business wasn’t appreciated and cite advanced security and surveillance benefits as the only reason they would consider returning.

But, as technology becomes more affordable and smaller self storage companies are able to invest heavily in it, they will continue to give the big self storage companies a run for their money -- putting themselves in an equal position when it comes to such features.

Find self-storage units near you at EasyStorageSearch.com.

Reasons to Use Storage Pods

Storage pods are an ingenious invention put on the market in recent years. Previously, if you had some extra stuff hanging around your house, your only option was to get a storage space. The problem with that option is that the space may be too big and too expensive for your needs.

Fortunately, someone have a unique idea and decided to give people a new choice. Storage pods are convenient for those who need them. Here are a few reasons that a small storage pod available from a local moving and storage company may be the right choice for you.

• Storage pods may be a good choice for you if you are not planning to stay in one place for very long. For instance, if you have recently sold one home and are living in an apartment until your new home is available, a storage pod may give you just enough room to keep your belongings safe until you're ready to move.

• You don't have enough extra stuff to put into a regular sized storage unit. If your extra stuff will fit into a small closet, then a storage pod may be the perfect fit for your stuff. Why spend extra on unneeded space?

• You are renovating your house. If you want to get some things out of the way while you remodel an area of your home, the temporary storage pod may be a great option for you. They can take your stuff and put it in a place where it will be safe. Then when you are ready to have them bring it back, the process is much simpler than unloading the full-size storage unit.

• You are lazy. Maybe you don't feel like taking your stuff down to a storage unit and then unloading it. A storage box is dropped off at your home, you fill it up, and the company comes and takes it back to the self storage facility. This is a lot simpler than rounding up a bunch of friends to load your truck and then unload it at a storage facility.

• Your wife told you to get your junk out of the garage. You love all your junk but your wife does not. What choice do you have? You know that the storage unit would be too expensive, and your wife would object. An easier and less expensive compromise is to rent a storage pod. Just don't forget to make the rental payments, or you will lose your stuff.

Once you have chosen the company that you want to rent your storage pod from, call them and make arrangements for pick up. Gather all of your belongings and make sure they are boxed and organized. When the storage company comes, inspect the pod to get an idea of how you will place your items in the box. Then, load the box. The storage company will come back, load the storage pod, and take it away to the facility. It really is that simple. Be sure to use a pods promo code when you order your storage pod and you will save at least 5% on the cost.

How to rent a storage pod.

Deciding on the Right Self-Storage Unit Size

Getting the right sized self-storage unit is a concern for most people who are looking for self-storage, since you typically don’t see the units before renting one – especially now that it is possible to rent a unit online, without stepping a foot inside the facility beforehand. Although approximation works in many cases, it is wiser to actually take measurements, as many things have this uncanny tendency to appear smaller or bigger than they actually are. While getting a slightly bigger self-storage space isn’t bad, paying for it might be if cost is a concern for you.

Most self-storage units come in almost standardized sizes, making the selection of the right self-storage unit size easier, but it still might be hard for the average person to determine what might be too big or, worse yet, too small to fit all of their stuff. On the smaller side, there are the 10 foot by 5 foot self storage units, which may be ideal for storing furnishings from a dorm room, studio, or 1 bedroom apartment. Then there are the 10 foot by 10 foot self storage units that, when properly packed, may be ideal for storing furnishings from a 2-3 bedroom apartment. There are also the larger 10 foot by 15 foot and the 10 foot by 20 foot self storage units, which may be ideal for storing furnishings from a house.

When deciding on the right self-storage unit for your needs, it might also be wise to think from a long-term perspective. This means considering whether your storage needs are likely to increase or decrease with time, and whether -- in the case of a projected increase -- the self-storage facility will allow you to easily transfer to a larger unit.

Considering Using Pods

After complaining to a friend about the hassle of moving, I’m considering PODS for my next long term move. Think about a typical move:

1. Go pick up a moving truck.
2. Load everything into a moving truck.
3. Unload everything into a storage unit.
4. Return the truck.
5. Weeks or months later, go pick up another moving truck.
6. Load all your stuff back into a moving truck.
7. Unload the truck into your new place.
8. Return the truck.

By using PODS (Portable On Demand Storage), you can cut the process into two steps. All you would have to do is load the unit and then unload it. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had some very bad luck with moving truck rentals. Several times, even though I’ve made a reservation online, they don’t have the size of truck I’ve reserved. In a few instances they haven’t even had an alternative available. I would love to avoid that step in my next move. When considering the cost of using a service such as PODS, I’ll keep in mind the time and frustration you’ll save…it might be worth it! And by using a PODS promo code, I know I'll get a 5% discount off the cost!

Nine Essential Moving Tips

How many times do you have to do something to become an expert? I’ve moved 9 times in the last 9 years….an average of once a year. You’d think by this point I’d be a pro, right? Well, this last move was by far this worse. Probably because it’s the first time I moved out of a house. It’s amazing how much you accumulate living in a house.

Here’s some issues I encountered, yes even in my 9th move, hopefully you can learn from them.

1. I under estimated the amount of stuff I had. When you live in a home, don’t forget about things in the basement, the attic, shed in the backyard, and in my opinion…the deadliest of all, the garage.

2. Loose items. Those random items that you don’t really pack take up a lot of space..things like brooms, snow shovels, and bikes.

3. Going cheap on the truck. A 24 ft truck just sounded enormous. I in no way thought I’d need anything that big. Instead I got a 16 ft rental truck and ended make two trips. It ended up costing even more because in addition to the cost of renting the truck, you pay a fee for each mile.

4. Hired help. You can find help on sites such as craigslist, but you never really know what to expect. One of the helpers I found avoided carrying anything heavy…which is really why I hired him. I felt uncomfortable confronting this guy, so he really didn’t end up helping much at all, but I had to pay him anyway.

5. Books. It’s tempting to just sit at the bookshelf and fill a box with books, but that is going to end up being a very heavy box. Only fill a box half full with books and then put light items such as towels or Tupperware.

6. Used boxes. I got all the moving boxes I used for my move second-hand. Be selective about the quality of the box and what you put in it. Some of my heavier boxes were falling apart due to the weight. Also, when so many boxes say “fragile” , it’s hard to know which ones really mean it. I’d consider getting colored packing tape to differentiate the truly fragile boxes.

7. Where is….? Don’t think you’ll remember which box certain items are in. Think about what you’ll want right away in your new place….towels, cleaning supplies, a few kitchen items. Put those in a box and somehow mark it so you can just open one or two boxes to get what you need instead of going through all your stuff.

8. Cold water. Isn’t it always hot on moving day? Moving into a new place you won’t have cups or ice readily available. I made this mistake on a day in the 80’s. All I could do was drink from the kitchen sink. Get some bottled water and have it handy!

9. Stacking boxes. My nice stereo, which I’ve moved a handful of times, got damaged in this move. Even though I had it padded with bubble wrap, that doesn’t necessarily protect against weight. I think a heavy box (like a box of books) was placed on top of it. Keep this in mind when stacking boxes.

Selling Your House Yourself

So, you are thinking of selling your house yourself. It’s a project, but it can mean significant savings. Before you decide whether to sell your own home, you should consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

By selling your own house, you can save thousands of dollars. There’s no brokerage fee or commission to a realtor- all the proceeds of your home or your own. Of course, this is the best benefit of selling your own home. You also have total control of the transaction. You don't need to worry about someone else making errors. You're always available for showings answering inquiries, etc.

However there are some disadvantages to selling your house yourself. After all you must rely on your own instincts you don't of the education or experience of a realtor. When you're selling your own home, all of your marketing and advertising costs, come out of your own pocket. This can add up in a hurry. However, there are several online programs that can help you list your own home for free. Keep in mind, though, when you as a free service, you won't be able to access multiple listing services and you will have to seek out buyers one at a time.

Another mistake many people make in selling their own home is not knowing how to price the house. You don't want under price and lose value, but if you price too high you won't be able to get buyers, especially in a tight real estate market.

There is a lot of paperwork involved in selling a home. Remember you will need to handle the legal and financial forms on your own. Another problem, you can run into is buyers often think that if you're selling your home yourself and not paying commission, they should be saving money. This can make negotiations difficult.

Perhaps one of the most difficult things of selling your house on your own is disconnecting yourself emotionally, try to remember you're selling a house not a home. If you can’t remove your emotions from the building, you will have a much more difficult time selling it on your own.

Before anyone looks at her home make sure you clean everything thoroughly. Remove all clutter and distractions and pack up and put away most of your personal possessions. A buyer will be more likely to see themselves living in the house, if your personal belongings are put away.

Don't forget the outside. Make sure all the landscape is looking fresh and neat. Finish any small repairs that need to be done. A new buyer certainly doesn't want to look around and see nothing but projects he has to tackle winning moves in. Even if you don't use a realtor you're still going to need some professionals involved in your transaction. You need to be prepared for a first-time buyer. You may need to help your buyer choose a mortgage broker, broker as well as all other details right through the closing. It's a good idea to make connections with a mortgage broker before you begin to show the whole. They will often have a list of approved clients that haven't found a house yet, so this can be a great way to find a qualified buyer. Your broker can also estimate closing costs for your home and help you with financing tips for marketing, such as no money down, interest-only options and other financing strategies.

Make sure you know who you are marketing your home to. Who is your most likely buyer? Is a first-time homeowner, an empty nester or a family? By figuring out who your ideal buyer is, you can make the most of your advertising budget.

You need to advertise your home. Classified ads, a sign in the front yard, free home listings, and a brochure box all will help you get the word out that your home is for sale.

Your buyer has the right to have your home inspected. It's a good idea to have the home inspected before you ever advertise it for sale. You're obligated to make any major repairs, so it's a good idea to them all before you ever begin to show your home.

When you're selling your house yourself, be prepared for closing once an offer is made. You need to take it to your lawyer. If you don’t like the offer, don’t just turn it down. Make a counter offer. Don't be afraid to negotiate in ways other than dollars and cents in a tight real estate market. Maybe you can leave the window treatments or appliances. You're better off making a few concessions than to wind up with another six months of mortgages payments on a house you no longer want to live in.

It is possible to sell your own home, effectively. You just need to have a few tricks of the trade up your sleeve before you start.

One more thing: you should consider getting help with selling your home yourself at ForSaleByOwner.com. You can also create a free home listing at FREEhomeownerlistings.com.

You can use a current pods promo code to save 5-10% off the cost of a Pods portable moving and storage unit.

How Much Do Storage Units Cost?

In our mobile society, people move to different homes or to different cities more often than in the past. This has created an entire new industry, because people need a place to store their belongings, either temporarily or for more long-term time frames. The self storage unit industry was born.

There are a variety of different companies that provide places where people can store their goods. Some of the bigger recognizable names in the industry are U-Haul and Public Storage. There are also independently owned storage operations. Storage facility units can be movable storage boxes that can be picked up from your home and stored in an enclosed facility that are about the size of a bedroom closet. Fixed storage units are also available with a garage-like door and enough room to fit the entire contents of your home, a car, or even a boat.

Determining the cost of his storage unit is entirely up to you. Because rates for these units vary widely around the country, you will need to do some legwork by comparing the rates and amenities for different storage companies in your vicinity. Typical rates for the smallest removable storage box are $40 per month, but again, rates do vary around the country. Once you've done your comparisons, it would be wise to visit the facility to see where your goods will be stored firsthand before you sign any rental or lease agreement. You will need to decide what options are most important to you because extra amenities cost more money. Here are some tips to consider:

• Do you want your goods to be stored in a facility with extra security like security cameras? Some companies have electronic entrance gates, security cameras, and the 24 hour employee at the facility. Others simply have a locked gate and the high fence. You will pay more for extra security.

• What size unit will you need? Do you only have enough belongings to fit in a closet? If that's the case, the smallest unit will suffice. You will need a larger unit. If you have most of belongings from your house. Some people choose a large unit, only to find out that if they stack things carefully, they have more room than they need. This situation can be avoided by organizing your stuff before you procure your storage unit.

• Will you need utilities in your storage unit? Some storage units offer a climate controlled environment and electrical service. Some people have items that need to be in a temperature controlled environment. If this is you, get a space that has heat and electrical service available.

After you've completed these steps, you should have a good idea of the unit size needed, the amenities you want, and the best price per month. Before you sign any lease or rental agreement, be sure to read the fine print. If you have to move your stuff out of the unit, you want to make sure that you will not pay some kind of penalty fee.

Find and compare self storage units near you at EasyStorageSearch.com. Save 5-10% on Pods portable storage units by using a current pods promo code.

Need to store your boat. First consider boat storage basics.

Benefits of a Toll Free Number for Your Self Storage Business

Are you concerned about the accessibility of your self storage business to customers in this tough economy? Are you worried that your customers will not place an order and will not communicate with you by phone because they are unwilling to spend a few dollars to make a call?

If you have these concerns, consider the merits of a toll free number to make you more accessible to your clients. Contrary to what is generally believed, getting such a number is not an expensive investment. For as little as $10, you can get 100 monthly minutes and for twice that, you can receive 500 minutes per month. If you have a more active business, you can get about 2,600 (almost 50 hours) for as little as $50.

Due to its affordability, you can now level the playing field with large self storage businesses. Much of the success of your business depends on your image and the professionalism you project. Toll free numbers attract customers to your business because they give it an air of professionalism. They also increase the customer’s confidence in the security of financial transactions with your company. With a toll free number, you can create a virtual office in your home-based business.

One of the greatest benefits of a toll free number is the ability of your company to increase its customer base because you can now sell your goods and services to those who live outside the area in which your business is located. People do not need to hesitate before contacting you and there is no longer an advantage for them in dealing with local businesses.

You can also provide better customer service. Should a customer have questions or concerns about a product, they can call without hesitation, providing your business an opportunity to build a relationship with or troubleshoot with clients. Otherwise, those long-distance clients who have issues with your products or services may just remain silent, never to be heard from again.

Perhaps one of the most critical benefits to having a toll free number is its portability. If you have to move your business for some reason, you can still be reached by your customers, without any interruption in the services that you provide. A related benefit is that you can be mobile in your day-to-day business activities, as your toll-free number can be forwarded to your cell phone, pager, email address, and even you home phone.

Another perk to having a toll free number is that you can have a plan in which you only have to pay for the usage and the calls made to your number. Thus, your bills don’t shoot up if just a small number of calls come in. They only go up once usage of your toll free number goes up as well. This is great news for small, start-up businesses that do not yet have a large customer base.

Toll free numbers are also easy to set up and come with a lot of features and bonuses. These include the capability for audio conferences, professional voice announcement feature, call screening, call recording, call forwarding, auto attendant, and many other features.

Most significant, however, is that having a toll free number is a guaranteed means of staying in touch with your customers. This will keep you attuned to their needs and will boost customer service. Taking good care of your relationship with your customers is a surefire way of keeping them and enticing more to expand your clientele by way of referrals from your old customers. By making it easier for your customers to reach you, you get to stay up-to-date on trends in the market. Obviously, customers love toll free numbers because they wouldn’t have to spend anything to get certain information or to comment on your goods and services.

Get an affordable, professional toll free number and improve the professional image of your self storage business.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Self Storage Unit

When you have the need to use a self storage facility, you also need to make sure you ask the right questions in order to make the best decision on a self storage facility that will meet your requirements. Whether you are storing your household goods, precious belongings or need extra storage space for your office or business, making an informed choice at the start can save you headaches later on. Your first step in making the choice best suited to your needs is to either speak in person or on the phone to the manager of the self storage facility and find out some facts against a checklist of questions.

What are the critical elements you need to consider in a self storage facility?
There are five critical areas that you should think about when you are choosing a self storage facility. These are:
1. Size
2. Security
3. Costs and insurance
4. Environmental control
5. Access

Do the size options at the self storage facility meet your needs?

Size matters, especially when you are looking at placing things that are valuable enough to pay for storage. Self storage units come in a variety of sizes, so the first thing you need to find out is the size of the units available at a particular facility. Picking the wrong size unit can either cause you headaches on the day your moving things in or be uneconomical if what you’re storing is much smaller than the unit size. Here is a quick guide on common self storage unit sizes and their storage capabilities:

Self Storage Unit Size and Typical Storage Capacity
5x5 – size of small bathroom 30 file boxes on shelves or a few bits of furniture

5x10 – size of large closet 84 file boxes or furniture from one room

5x15 – size of a walk in closet 130 file boxes or furniture from three rooms

10x10 – size of a mid-sized bedroom 180 files boxes or furniture from four rooms

10x15 – size of small garage 295 file boxes or furniture from fives rooms

10x20 – size of car garage 379 file boxes or furniture from 2 bedroom house

10x25 504 file boxes or furniture from 2-3 bedroom house

10x30 – size of a 1.5 garage Contents of 3 bedroom home plus misc items


If you’re still not sure, make an appointment with the self storage facility manager to come and view the options available. As a double check to your own assessment, ask the manager what size unit they recommend. It is best to take along a floor plan/size estimate of your items so the manager can help you decide on the size you need.

Ensuring your goods are secure at all times while in a storage unit

The levels of security that different self storage facilities have on offer also differ along with the size. This may be because they specialize in the types of goods they store. The level of security that you need for your household belongings and goods will also differ depending on their value (both sentimental and replacement cost). Ask the manager of the self storage facility what their security arrangements are for the facility as a whole along with the individual units. You can also check to see if you can add your own security, such as padlocks to the unit. Lastly, ask who will have access to the units and if the facility can also gain access (in an emergency) which personnel would hold the key or access information. As the levels of security will probably also impact on the costs, you want to make sure that your not over or under valuing the goods you are storing. If your storage needs are for a business, most likely you will require a facility that runs state of the art security across its site.

Comparing costs and insurance options to fit your self storage needs

Whether your self storage needs are short or long-term, the costs will need to fit your budget. Some factors that will impact on the costs at each self storage facility are size of the unit, security of the unit and facilities and whether or not the unit is climate controlled. Each contributing factor that adds to the cost should be balanced against the amount of goods you need to store, value of the goods and level of risk your willing to accept during the storage. When you’re interviewing self storage facilities to determine the best value for your needs, find out the following:
1. Your size requirements
2. Your security requirements
3. Costs for each size of unit available, if you require more than one unit will the facility offer you a discount? Check to see if two smaller units are more economical than one larger unit. Are there different costs for climate controlled units?
4. Short and long term rates, also if you can rollover and reduce costs if your goods are stored longer than expected
5. Are there any costs for accessing the facilities? Are there any extra costs for accessing the facilities after hours?
6. Is insurance covered in the lease or do you need to buy a separate insurance policy? If insurance is included check the fine print to ensure it covers events such as fire, floods and natural disasters.
7. Does the storage facility offer moving services as well? Will this reduce the overall costs of storing your goods?

Environmental control of your self storage unit

Each type of climate comes with its own problems for goods in storage. Too damp and your goods can be exposed to mold and mildew, too hot and dry and your goods could crack and warp. When your discussing the options available at a self storage facility, be sure to ask whether or not they have climate controlled units available and if they do, will you be able to have control over your particular unit/s with an independent control. The other kind of environmental issue you may face are pests such as rodents, ants and cockroaches. Ask the facility manager what their pest control measures are or whether you will be responsible for any pest control in your own unit? Do they have a facility wide pest control procedure in place?
Check also with the types of goods that are NOT allowed to be stored at the self storage facility. This may include any flammable or hazardous materials.

Access when you want it at self storage facilities

Even with the most careful planning, sometimes there is something you need urgently and find that it’s in storage. Ask the self storage facility manager whether or not you will be able to gain after hours access in an emergency along with what their normal and weekend operating hours are. This way you know that if you are caught short – you can get what you want, when you want it. Lastly, ensure that you will be able to get hold of personnel who can help you on the day that you are moving your goods into the facility. Ask for the managers cell phone number as part of the contact information you have for the facility.

Knowing what your needs are and what self storage facility options are available to you, ensures that your goods can be stored safely, securely and that you have peace of mind during your lease.

Find Denver self storage or Chicago self storage or Nashville self storage or anywhere else nationwide at EasyStorageSearch.com.

How Much Do Storage Pods Cost

A question I am commonly asked is how much do storage pods cost? The convenience storage pods offer is undeniable. Instead of having to load your belongings into a moving truck, then perhaps a storage unit, then another moving truck, and finally your new home - with storage pods you simply load the container once and unload it once. The company can either store your belongings for as long as you'd like or deliver them right away to your new home. And this can all be done locally or across the country.

But how much do pods cost?

The answer is of course dependent on a number of factors. First is the size of the storage pod you choose, which of course in turn depends on the amount of stuff you have to move and/or store. Then there is the matter of the moving distance involved. And if you will be storing your stuff the cost will be greater the longer it is in storage. The best way to get an accurate quote on the storage pod cost is to go right to the source and ask them. Go to http://www.pods.com and enter the details and you'll get quote in about a minute. Oh, and be sure to use the Promo Code R101 and you will save 5% off the 1st Month storage rental or 5% Off long-distance moves.

How to rent a moving truck

With increasingly high transportation costs, more people are choosing to move themselves when they need to relocate. Moving a home or office requires a lot of planning and one of the most integral components is the moving truck. Getting a good bargain on a moving truck can really help keep costs down. Read the following for some useful advice on how to rent a moving truck.

The cost of a moving truck can be calculated and estimated on a number of factors which includes the size of the vehicle and the distance you will be driving it. Nationwide companies may charge a little more than your local moving truck rental company, but they offer hundreds or thousands of locations, which makes one way rentals possible. All you need to do is to keep the factors of reliability and safety of your goods in mind. Whether you are planning to do a local move or interstate move – the moving truck must perform when you need it to. After all, the prompt delivery and safety of your goods is what you’re striving for. To rent a good moving truck you can always refer to local directories and even browse online sites that detail moving truck rentals. No matter which company you go with, the steps for renting a moving truck will be as follows.

Select a moving truck size. With a variety of sizes and rates offered by moving truck companies, you must first decide what size moving truck you need. After all, the primary factor determining the cost of the rental truck is the size of the truck. Common truck sizes offered by the major moving truck rental companies are x, 16’, and 24’. Of course you want to rent a truck that will hold all of your belongings, but renting a truck that is too large just wastes money. If you are moving locally, keep in mind that you may have to make more than one trip with your moving truck.

Estimate the cost. The cost of renting a moving truck is usually comprised of four factors: truck rental rate, mileage rate, insurance, and fuel. The low rental rates you see advertised are just part of the overall cost you will incur by renting a moving truck. Rental rates are typically quoted on a per day basis. However, you will almost certainly have to pay an additional fee based on how many miles you drive the truck. These rates may seem low, such as 19 cents per mile, but really add up for longer hauls. Of course you must fuel the moving truck, and with most trucks getting around 10 miles per gallon, this component of the total cost will be significant. The final fee you may choose to pay is for insurance. Paying this ensures that you will not be financially liable for the truck or other vehicles in the event of an accident. Remember that weekdays are comparatively cheaper as compared to weekends and similarly summers are more expensive than winters when renting a moving truck.

Make the reservation. Most moving truck reservations are made online these days. The major companies have easy to navigate websites that provide rates for different size trucks and for local and one-way moves. You will be required to leave a deposit in order to confirm the reservation. A word of caution is necessary here - when you do make a reservation for a moving truck, what you are actually reserving is a rate, not a truck. I’ve moved numerous times over the past ten years and several times I have arrived to get the truck only to realize that they didn’t have the truck I reserved. In most cases they had a larger size truck than the one I wanted, but in one case they didn’t have a truck for me at all. As you can imagine this was a major inconvenience for me on the day I was supposed to move out of my apartment. I won’t mention the name of the company, but I will say I had to haul all of my belongings by another method.

Pick up the truck. When you go to pick up the moving truck, you must show your drivers license and sign the rental documentation. Remember that large moving trucks have a larger turning radius than the car you probably drive on a daily basis. So be sure to leave room to keep from plowing into other vehicles, etc. Also remember the truck will be much taller than your car, so don’t visit any drive-through windows with short clearances.

It’s best to do a bit of research first. Get quotes from different companies on the rental rate and mileage cost, and then decide which company is the best for your move. Keep in mind that all moving trucks are not created equal. Some companies maintain fleets much better than others, so look for a company that has newer trucks. This will make your move easier and more comfortable. Finding a good moving truck rental company gives you peace of mind and allows for an easier relocation whether it is an office or home furniture and household items.

Tip 1: Once you have the above information, do some searching with the moving companies’ name online and see if you can find any customer service reviews. Remember the cheapest moving truck may not always be the best way to go. If your truck breaks down during your move, the rental company will bring you a new truck to use, but you must transfer all of your belongings from the old truck to the new. The rental company will not help with moving your belongings at all. Lastly, make sure you have the phone number of the rental truck company should anything go wrong on the moving day.

Tip 2: Renting a hand truck and furniture pads to help with your move are a really good idea. These items can greatly speed the moving of boxes and heavy furniture as well as protect your valuable furniture during transport.

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How to Pack for a Move

Even if you’re just moving down the street, the prospect of packing up your entire household can be daunting. It’s so stressful that many people put it off until the last possible minute, which is a recipe for disaster. Instead of letting anxiety and dread take over, make this move the best one yet by taking an organized approach to your packing. While not an easy task, it’s much more bearable when you break it down into three stages.

Stage 1: The Seldom-Used Stuff
Whether you’re packing up over a period of hours or weeks, this category includes everything that you won’t need any time soon—and probably haven’t used in months. In fact, some of it may still be in boxes from your last move! This includes off-season clothing, seasonal decorations, old photo albums, financial records from the past decade, that fondue set that’s been sitting there since your wedding…you get the picture. Anything that you haven’t touched in at least two months—and that you won’t need within the next couple of weeks—makes it into this category.

Stage 2: The Need-It-Soon Stuff
You can pack these things a day or two in advance to make moving day easier and less chaotic. Need-it-soon stuff includes all of the items that you generally need on a daily basis but can live without for a day or two. For example: your clothes. Pack everything up except one or two changes of clothes. Kitchen items tend to fall into this category as well. When you’re in the midst of organizing yourself for a move, you probably won’t be doing much cooking—delivery, please!—so pack up your pots and pans, silverwear, plates, glasses, etc. For the day or two when you’re in between houses, use paper plates and disposable utensils.

Stage 3: The Need-It-Now Stuff
You shouldn’t pack items in this category until the day of your move.
Some need-it-now may stuff may include hygiene items, pet supplies, a change of clothes, daily prescription medication—and don’t forget to leave a roll of toilet paper. It’s always a necessity. Also, remember to leave a vacuum and other cleaning supplies so you can do a once-over before turning your house over to its next occupants.
Your boxes should be loaded into your moving van in the above order as well, with seldom-used stuff in back and need-it-now stuff in front. This way, you won’t have to dig around for immediate necessities in a hot (or cold) moving van.

More tips for a stress-free move:
• If you have time—and you should, unless your boss told you to report for duty in another state tomorrow—weed out your possessions either before or as you pack. In addition to the moving boxes you’ve got set up, make two additional piles: toss and donate. Haven’t used that camping gear in…well…ever? Donate that and any other usable items to a charitable organization. Some stuff is beyond redemption, however, and there’s no use dragging it to your next house. Just dump it.
• Not having enough boxes on hand leads to delays and promotes frustration. Double whatever number of boxes you think you’ll need, and about a week before your move (or earlier if you can motivate yourself to get started), designate one room to store boxes and other packing material.
• You can buy boxes, of course, but if you want to save a few bucks, hit up area grocery stores and ask if you can have their empty boxes. They may be flattened already, but that actually makes them easier to transport. And it takes just seconds to reassemble them at home.
• In a pinch, you can use kitchen linens to cushion breakables. Place pot holders between layers of glasses and wrap fragile items in hand towels and cloth napkins. Bonus: you won’t have to wash newsprint off of everything when you reach your destination.
• Mark every box carefully—on top and on at least two sides—using a two-step approach. First, identify the room or area where the box should be delivered (“kitchen,” for example). Then, indicate what the box actually contains (“pots and pans”). This way it’s easy for the movers to quickly determine where to dump the box, but it also lets you know whether you need to open it right away or sometime next week.
• Make a concerted effort to either eat or toss the majority of items in your fridge and freezer. Depending on how far you’ll be moving, it can be tough to keep cold things cold on a moving truck.


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Moving overseas? Tips for a successful move abroad

Whether you’re moving overseas permanently or for a temporary period of time one of the biggest headaches is organizing your belongings. Naturally, you would like the furniture or personal effects you own to arrive at your destination in one piece. There are a few simple rules you can follow that can help to do this.

Step One: What’s being moved and what is being left behind

Whether you’re moving overseas permanently or short-term, the first step you need to take is to go through everything you own and decide what to keep and what to get rid of. It is important that you do this before you arrange for the moving company to come in and make a quote. If there are items you will use up to the last minute but will not take with you, mark them clearly, so your moving consultant knows not to include them in the space requirements or quotation.
The next stage depends on whether you are moving permanently or on a temporary basis. Temporary moves may mean that you can leave items behind in self storage facilities. However, it is always important to consider what items are time-relevant i.e. if you’re storing your children’s toys and they will be three years older when you return, it’s not really worth the expense of storing these items.

Permanent moves will require a good hard look at what you own, love and don’t really need anymore. You can save yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars by taking a realistic approach when sorting through your belongings. After a few overseas moves and quite some domestic I take the approach that if it’s not sentimental and I haven’t used it for more than two years – it’s time to say goodbye.

When deciding on what to take with you, you will need to get a good idea of the type of accommodation that will be available to you in your destination country. You may be leaving a house with good square footage to move into a much smaller apartment. In Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and parts of the Middle East accommodation rates are at a premium and you may not have the budget to acquire the same space you have now.
If you need to leave some of your furniture and belongings behind, or want to store your belongings while you work out the logistics in your new country – try self storage units and facilities. Your moving company may have this service available or you may find a reasonably priced local self storage company who can help you with your requirements.
Lastly, take the time to research the customs website of your destination country. Some may have restrictions or warnings about the types of goods that will require inspection (adding costs) and possibly fumigation. For example, if you are taking plastic containers overseas and also have a large amount of wooden furnishings you may be subject to fumigation at the receiving port. Plastic absorbs the chemicals from the fumigation and will not be suitable to hold any future food products.

Step Two: Logistics of your move overseas

You will need to engage a moving company; your best option is to work with one that can also arrange for customs clearance and delivery at your destination. Many companies have overseas affiliates or subsidiaries making the transition of your belongings less impeded.
Work with a company who has experience with your destination country, each country has their own customs regulations and you need someone who can advise you from experience. Also ask if they can arrange the insurance for your belongings.
The next stage will be to have an agent from the moving company come in and assess the space you will require i.e. part of, full use of either a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller loads, usually the moving company can arrange for your goods to share a container with someone else who has space – saving you money.

For both insurance and documentary purposes you will need to prepare a full inventory of all the belongings you are moving. This comes down to counting how many CD’s, DVD’s, books etc you own. Along with the quantities you will also need to assess the value of each of these items so that you can ensure the insurance will cover the worst case scenario.

Note that fridges and freezes are not recommended to be moved overseas. Electrical items may not be insured, especially the more fragile items such as TV’s and stereo systems. Check with your insurer and your moving company.
During your inventory process, it is a good time to decide whether you need to airfreight any items for immediate use, pack certain more valuable and fragile items in your suitcases or take another serious look at just how much stuff you’re keeping. Remember also that you can use the option to use a self storage unit or keep belongings with family and friends (who don’t mind looking after them).

Step Three: Moving day

Warning never take logic for granted! You will not be able to move food overseas so ensure that you have already removed all of these types of items before the packers arrive. Secondly, check your house and ensure that all teapots, coffeepots, jugs, plant pots etc are all empty of their contents. It has been known for packers to pack these items complete with liquid and contents inside.

Mark clearly any items that you do not want to be packed or even better move them all to one room, garage or location with a sign saying that they are not to be packed.
If you are allowed to pack your belongings you will need to ensure that the packing meets shipping standards. A handy tip is to mark the boxes with the type of destination room you want them to go in, i.e. study, “tommys room”, storage etc. When you’re ready to receive your belongings at the other end post signs on the doors of the receiving rooms i.e. study, “tommy’s room”, storage.
Items such as towels, blankets and sheets make great padding and protection for more fragile belongings. If you are doing the packing you can follow a simple rule – heaviest items on the bottom, most fragile on the top with a good thickness of padding between the sides, bottom and top of the boxes. Lastly, remember that a person at some stage is going to carry the boxes – 40kg of books in one box is not advisable!

With some planning, logical and preparation your move overseas can be made a lot simpler. There will be so many logistical items you will be working on to make the move, so it’s important you contract a moving company that can remove as many headaches as possible.

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Choosing the Best Moving Company

Moving a home or office requires a lot of planning and the most integral role throughout the process is that of the moving company. Getting a good bargain on the moving company can make your whole move easier without burning a hole in your pocket. You can talk to your friends and relatives who might have hired a moving company to find a reliable one, or read the following for some useful advice on how to find a good moving company.

The cost of a moving company can be calculated and estimated on a number of factors which includes the size of the vehicle and the distance it will cover. Nationwide companies may charge a little more than your local moving company, which might have lower rates and suit you better. All you need to do is to keep the factors of reliability and safety of your goods in mind. Whether you are planning to do a local move, interstate or even international move – the moving companies’ reputation, reliability, prompt delivery and safety of goods is what’s important. To find a good moving company you may refer to local directories and even browse online sites that detail moving companies. With a variety of services offered by moving companies, you can get a full service moving company, a pack-only moving company, a drive-only moving company, or even a trailer rental for you to pack and drive your own belongings. A lot will depend on whether you are doing the whole move yourself or require the help of moving professionals. The costs of moving trucks and professionals come at different rates depending on what you require.

There is different pricing for each moving company depending upon the nature of goods being moved, the distance covered by the truck and the size of the haul. So it’s best to do a bit of research first, get quotes from different companies on the cost and insurance, and then decide which company is the best for your move.

Tip: Once you have the above information, do some searching with the moving companies’ name online and see if you can find any customer service reviews. Knowing your goods are being safely handled or that the moving truck will be reliable is extremely important during a move. Remember the cheapest moving company may not always be more economical over the longer term if your goods are damaged or lost. Lastly, make sure you have reliable cell phone numbers of key people in the moving company should anything go wrong on the moving day.

Comparing the price quotes will give you a good idea on the actual cost, but make sure the prices quoted include insurance of your goods. Insurance is necessary in the event of accidents and loss of goods. If the moving company does not offer insurance, be sure to obtain your own insurance though another company.
The cost of a moving company depends upon whether it is making a one way trip or round trip, and whether you are booking it for a weekend or a weekday. Weekdays are comparatively cheaper as compared to weekends and similarly summers are more expensive than winters. You may also be required to make a deposit at the time of obtaining a moving company, depending on the moving company terms and conditions.

To make your move easy, remember to:
• Keep the Bill of lading that is given to you by the moving company as it is a legally binding note of contract between you and them.
• Read the quote which is on your contract as well as the agreed upon rates. Also be sure to read the moving company’s liability of your goods, delivery date and insurance claim clauses.
• If you are packing your goods, pack them properly to eliminate damage and breakages. With better moving boxes and wooden crates easily available, it is best to pack delicate glassware and other items in Styrofoam.

Finding a good moving company gives you peace of mind and allows for an easier relocation whether it is an office or home furniture and household items.

Choose the best moving company for you at EasyStorageSearch.com, where you can also find self storage units to assist with your move.

Using the Right Moving Boxes Makes Moving Easier

Whether you are moving to a new city or just across the town, moving and packing becomes a chore. The main requirements that come up are finding good moving boxes, truck rentals and careful packaging that will keep your delicate items and other goods safe while being transferred. Packing is not fun but an essential component of your move and good quality moving boxes are important. Professional moving boxes are heavy-duty cardboard boxes with corrugated patterns in different sizes, which is used to facilitate and ease a safe moving process.

Box type. Super strong packing boxes with protective bubble wrap or cellulose keep your delicate items such as glassware and dishes safe. But if you are looking for the best boxes, professional moving boxes become your best bet. For non fragile items, the single walled corrugated cardboard boxes are best to pack your electronic goods, television, clothes etc. while for fragile items its best to use the double lined, bubble wrap moving boxes with extra fillings of Styrofoam, to keep glass, dishes and art pieces safe.

Box strength. Usually the moving boxes are tested for strength and durability by a test known as Edge Crush test and the ECT of the box is printed on the side of the box flap, which you can check and buy accordingly. Professional movers use boxes tested for at least 200 lb or 32 ECT but there are cheaper versions also available for casual moving. You can also use huge cartons and office file boxes to keep goods that may not break or if you are shifting locally. But, long distance moving may require professional moving boxes tested for strength so that accidental opening or breakages do not happen.

Box size. Moving boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can pick according to your requirements, so check out the professional moving boxes sizes:
• Small Kits-- best to pack records and books or other heavy weight items.
• Medium --18”x14”x12” are best to pack your kitchen ware goods.
• Large--20”x20”x15” can be used to pack linen and bulky items.
• Extra large--23”x23”x16” packs TVs, toys, tall lamps and other bigger items.
• Dish pack or Kitchen boxes-- 18”x18”x20” are used to pack your kitchen items and dish boxes with a lot of packing paper to keep fragile items safe.
• Wardrobe large box--24”x24”x40” are double lined and extra wide with hanging bars for keeping your clothes pressed.
• Frame box--41” x 6”x 26” are strong enough for shipping, packing large picture frames, delicate mirrors and any other flat thin items.
• File boxes-- 16” x 12.5” x 10” are good to pack your office/ home office supplies.

For safe transit, its best to use boxes that are suited for manual handling, so choose the size to match the goods being packed inside it. Also, if you are packing yourself, ensure that each moving box is a safe lifting weight for whoever is going to move your goods.

The best aspect of moving boxes is that these are recyclable and eco friendly, being made out of cardboard so you don’t have to worry about adding to the waste, after the move. If you are on the look out for buying strong moving boxes, you can either look up your local Yellow pages or directories but now even browsing online will help you as there are many companies listed which sell moving box kits that saves you a considerable amount of money.


Tip: When you are moving household goods or furnishings long-distance, always check the insurance terms and conditions on whether your belongings need to be packed by professional movers in order to be insured. This usually relates to overseas moves where packaging has to meet shipping standards in order to meet insurance conditions.

Find the lowest price moving boxes on EasyStorageSearch.com.

How to choose the size of a self storage unit?

Choosing a self storage unit can be a daunting task and needs to be looked into minutely as your household goods and precious items need a proper storage space. There are many reasons why people need a self storage facility but moving, relocation, death in the family and inheritance can lead to a requirement of a safe, secure unit where you can just stack the extra items while you also have the freedom to access it anytime you want to.

There are a variety of self storage units available and most people tend to over estimate and get bigger units that they actually need. There are a few points that should be kept in mind, before signing the lease of a storage unit such as:
- Do you actually require a climate controlled unit for the things that you are planning to store?
- What is the actual size of a storage unit that you need?
- Is the place secure?
- Have you looked up the conditions and agreement before you lease?

You need to be sure of the size the size of the self storage facility that should be rented. As there are a variety of self storage units in different sizes available to suit each personal and commercial requirement, knowing about each one is essential for you to plan in advance. We recommend that you go room to room or in any case write up an inventory of the items you want to store. For large items you want to put into a self storage unit, measure the height and width for accuracy. If you are storing a large amount of items such as furniture, drawing up a floor plan with measurements will help you to decide on exactly the right size of self storage unit for your needs.

The following is a guide to the sizes of self storage units and how much each type of unit can usually store:
1. The smallest is the 5x5 unit which is about the size of small bathroom and can hold about 30 file size boxes on shelves. It can also accommodate a few chairs and miscellaneous items.
2. The next is the 5x10 which is about the size of a large closet. The size is perfect to contain 1 room’s furniture or 84 file boxes without shelves.
3. The 5x15 self storage units is about the size of a walk in closet and is able to hold about three rooms of furniture but if you intend using only boxes then it will have about 130 file size storage boxes without shelves.
4. The 10x10 storage units are the size of a middle sized bedroom and are able to hold furniture of nearly 4 rooms along with miscellaneous items. You can either store 108 files on shelves or 168 boxes without shelves.
5. The 10x15 is a small garage sized storage unit has the capacity to hold 5 room’s of furniture or 295 file size boxes without shelves.
6. One of the bigger units is the 10x20 which is about the size of a car garage. It can hold the furniture of a 2 bedroom house without the small appliances or other items. You can also store about 379 file boxes without shelves.
7. The 10 x25 storage unit is perfect for storing the goods of a 2-3 bedroom home or 504 file size boxes without aisles.
8. The 10 x 30 units is a huge space about the size of a 1.5 garage which can easily accommodate the contents of a 3 bedroom home along with all the miscellaneous items.

If after reading the above guide, you are still unsure of what your self storage unit size should be – take your inventory with you and ask for the assistance of the personnel at your chosen storage company.

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