Using Green Moving Boxes: Recycling, Reusing and Dumpster Diving

If you are moving, now is the time to make a positive change in your life.  Moving is a great chance to alter old habits into new greener ones. Just in the Untied States, 40 million people move every single year, so you can imagine the gathered damage we can do in the long term if we do not take small steps to try to make our moving greener. One very easy way to make moving greener is by investing in green moving boxes.

Moving boxes are a very important part of every move, and incidentally the costs can be expensive. Especially for some of green options (and non-green options for that matter). For that reason, I have included different green options that will work for any budget.

Rent a Green Box

Price Range: $100 to $250 

Renting reusable boxes has become a popular green option for moving. The link about is to a location in California, but there are locations all over the United States. If you wish to find one in your area, just Google "rent green boxes for moving in (your area)". Plenty of results will come up. 

The green boxes are usually offered in three different sizes. The boxes are delivered right to your home, and when you are done using them they pick up the boxes as well.

Between each move the boxes are cleaned, so you don't have to worry about receiving gross used boxes. These boxes are used around 400 times before they are recycled, so they are more durable then any cardboard option. 

Most Green Boxes You Rent Will Look Something Like the Picture Above

Buy Used Cardboard Boxes

Price Range: $38 for single room 

There are many companies that sell used cardboard boxes, and the hardest part can be choosing one. You can search through different sites to find the best price, but I have found this company is the best site to buy boxes.

The process of buying used cardboard boxes is pretty simple. When you order the boxes they are delivered to you via UPS or Fedex. After that the boxes are yours to use for the move. When you are done with boxes you can either recycle them or save the recycled boxes for another move. 

Old Fashion Dumpster Diving 

Price Range: Your Time, Energy and Personal Hygiene 

 Boxes from the dumpsters or back of stores are the cheapest moving boxes available. If you are familiar with a small business or two in your area, I recommend asking them if they will give you some of their used boxes. Asking beforehand means that you will probably have to visit less places in search of boxes. It also probably means less actually dumpster diving. 

Dumpster Diving: Not for Everyone 

 

Advertising FSBO Property - Eliminating The Middle Man

Real estate is a valuable investment yet many don’t realize just how valuable until the time comes to sell or buy property.  Once those high numbers start floating around, you may realize just how important the decisions are that pertain to your property.  You shouldn’t settle when it comes to selling or buying real estate. This means not just allowing any old person to sell the property.  If you cannot find someone that will meet your needs as an agent or broker, you should consider selling the property by yourself.  When you choose the route of advertising your FSBO home on your own, there are several things to take into consideration. 

There are many sites that make advertising FSBO property just as easy as using a real estate agent or broker. They will use online tools for advertising and the only one that won’t be available to you, the owner doing the listing will be the national registry for properties, the multiple listing services.  Otherwise, their methods of advertising are all methods you can use as well.  An agent will probably use many different sites to create a buzz about your property.  You are able to find  and use these sites as well. Many are free and are great places to place your property.  The public uses these sites to search for houses and they will find yours.  It is always a smart idea to know the legal terms to place in your ad so that a buyer cannot hold you responsible, just as an agent does in their listings.  An agent is covered by language such as encouraging the buyer to verify inspections, measurements, and documents on their own. That you, as the seller, cannot be held liable for the exact information but you are writing it to the best of your knowledge and understanding.  These are terms that a seller should place in any advertisement for their property.  This allows the seller to list their own property but helps keep their liability down if a measurement is wrong or a tax number is off.  It is a drawback when advertising FSBO property but one that can be amended if done correctly. 

The legal side of selling your own property and advertising FSBO property is one of the drawbacks that keep many intelligent people from doing it on their own. They may feel they may make a costly mistake that could cause them to be sued later on.  This is the case yet with a couple hours and maybe a consultation with a lawyer, it can be avoided.  When you begin advertising FSBO property, you should be prepared for the phone calls and emails that come from placing the property for sale.  You want to make the sale and you want to do it on your own to avoid paying more fees to another party.  Some real estate agents may not earn their commission if your property sells itself.  Properties that are well-kept and in a great location are easy to sell and you can realistically do it on your own.

Research the laws of your state and know the legal terms to use in the advertising so you are covered from future problems.  Don’t let the idea of advertising your FSBO real estate on your own keep you from reaping the greatest benefit and profit from the property. 

The Basics Regarding Cheap Self Storage

Self storage facilities grow increasingly popular year after year. They provide an economical way to get items you want to keep, but don’t need in the imminent future, safely out from under your feet. Self storage units are easily accessible, many having 24-hour key pad access, allowing you to remove or add items at your convenience. 24-hour security is also available, and ensures your belongings will be kept safe and undisturbed.

With the increased demand for self storage, many companies have risen up to meet the demand. With so many self storage companies to choose from, you want to take advantage and ensure you find cheap self storage. Especially if you’ll be using the storage unit long term, you want rates to be one of the key factors in choosing your storage provider. As long as they provide the size, access, and security you need, you can shop among various storage unit facilities to find truly cheap self storage.

When you visit a storage site looking for cheap self storage, make sure you get quoted rates in writing. If you will be storing your items for a long period of time, ask if discounted rates are offered for long term rental. If they do, you want to get these quotes in writing as well. If they will, ask them to secure this quote in writing for a number of days, so that when and if you come back, you can count on that rate staying the same.

It is standard for storage unit companies to require a security deposit prior to unit rental. This deposit is refunded when you vacate the unit, provided the unit has not been damaged in any way. Be sure to ask about security deposit prices when seeking quotes. These deposits can sometimes be very expensive, and some companies will lure you in, not mentioning the deposit until you are well into the rental agreement. Finding cheap storage units that have both low monthly rental fees along with a reasonable security deposit will be most cost effective.

Another way to save on cheap self storage is to use online billing payments. Many companies offer discounts to those who sign up for automatic withdrawal payments. This will not only save you a little money, but also make it so you don’t have to worry or think about your self storage unit payment each month. If you choose to pay monthly, be sure you know the date your rent will be due each month and get your payment in on time in order to avoid late payment fees.

While you want to find cheap storage units, you also want to find secure ones. This is not only a matter of gates and security personnel. It is also an issue of any given unit’s structural integrity. While you can shop pricing online and receive quotes via email, you never want to select a site without visiting it first. Be sure that the buildings are sturdy and secure, able to hold up even in serious storms. Be sure that doors seal tightly, preventing bugs and critters from moving in with your belongings. You also want the unit to be strong enough that it cannot be easily damaged or broken in to.

If you follow these simple tips, you will be able to find cheap self storage that will properly house and protect your belongings as long as they reside there.

Decluttering the Garage: Bike Rack for Garage Edition

The garage is frequently the most cluttered area in our homes. Besides storing our cars, the garage often becomes home to our tools, garbage cans, recycling bins and our recreational equipment. Fortunately, there are great ways to manage this clutter if you can find the time to do it. I have found taking one project at a time has helped me to slowly reclaim the space in my garage. The latest project to declutter the garage was quite rewarding for the amount of time spent.

A ceiling mounted bike lift is a recent addition to our home after realizing that a huge amount of my garage space was occupied by me and my husband's bicycles. The bicycles new home off the ground has given us a more convenient spot for a our recycling bins, and freed up some much needed storage space.

We hesitated on getting the bike hoist, because we were concerns that we would not use the bikes if they were placed inconveniently. The bike pulley system is quite easy to use though, and hasn't deterred us from riding our bikes yet. We only ride our bikes once or twice a week though. If you ride your bike on a daily basis I could see the ceiling bike lift becoming a bit of a pain. Before getting one, I would recommend considering how often you ride your bike.

The bike rack pulley system is very easy and fast to use. It takes about 5 minutes all together to take the two bikes down then place them back up after the ride is complete. Lifting them requires very little muscles, so do not worry if you do not have phenomenal upper body strength.

Not all Bike Hoists are Created  Equal: How to Choose a Bike Rack for Indoor Storage 

When I first began my search for a bike lift, I realized quickly I had no idea exactly what to look for. I had no idea what materials or brand would make the best system or even what the average garage bike lift should consist of.

The bike hoist is usually made of a pair of hooks that are raised with a rope. One hook is usually attached to the handles, and the other is attached to the seat.

Picture of a Bike Hoist System

Two ensure that your garage bike rack lasts a long time, I recommend going with systems made with sturdy materials. The last thing you want is for a bike to randomly fall down on your head while you are in the garage. The ceiling mounts should be made of steal, not plastic. The rope should be made of nylon which has a very long lifespan and strong endurance for ropes. I recommend getting hooks that have plastic or rubber covering to avoid scratches on your bike, but that is more of an aesthetic concern then a structural one.

How to Install an Indoor Bike Rack 

Installing the bike rack took me about an hour and a half, but I am not the most mechanically inclined person. It required lots of measuring, planning and drilling, but the results were worth it in the end.

For the bike rack installation you will need a Phillips head screwdriver, a tape measure, a ladder and a drill with a 1/8" bit. If you have a finished garage you will need a stud finder as well.

Step 1 (for those with finished garages): Use your stud finder to find where to attach the bike rack. This step is VERY important. If you do not attach your bike rack to a joist, the bike will topple down on you once you pull it up to the ceiling.

Step 2: Planning. When you choosing which way to situate the rack, keep in mind the back tire of the bike should be facing towards the pulley rope. If you do not do this your handle bars can be entangled in the pulley rope which is extremely time consuming to deal with.

Step 3: Drilling. Mount the bike rack to the ceiling with your drill. This is always the part that makes me a little bit nervous, but it really is a cinch to do.

Step 4: Measuring. You will need to measure the space between the handle bars and the back of the seat for each bike. The separation of the hook should match that distance for proper storage of the bike.

Step 5: Mount your bikes! Attach one hook to the handles, one to the seat then pull. It is very easy to do, and congratulations on getting this far.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Self Storage

6 Steps To Prepping For Automobile Storage

Storing your baby, I mean automobile, is sometimes an unfortunate necessity. After you have chosen a self storage facility for your car, it is time to get your car ready for storage. Whether you are storing the vehicle for a week or for months, you'll need to make sure that your vehicle is in tip top shape for storage. Skipping these steps may cause your vehicle damage while it is tucked away. 

1. Check Fuel Systems- Your car needs fresh fluids before you store it away for a while. . You will want to change the oil, filter, anti-freeze, power steering fluid, transition fluid and brake fluid. Change all of these one to three weeks before storage for optimal results. 

2. Gas Tank- Your vehicles gas tank will need to be filled with high quality gas, and just sitting the gas will gradually evaporate during the time it is in storage. A full tank of gas will last up to a year if your storage facility has a temperature below 80 degrees regularly. If it is an outdoor vehicle storage facility, you may need to fill the gas about every 7-8 months. Sta-Bil or Pri-G, gasoline stabilizers, will slow down how fast the gas is used up. 

3. The Battery- I would recommend removing your battery from your vehicle when you drop your vehicle off at the automobile storage facility. Extensive damage can be to your car if battery acid escapes, and can be a very expensive problem to deal with. If you are not that worried about it, you should still disconnect it. 

4. Tires- Check your tires air pressure, and inflate them to the perfect air pressure. To help stop moisture from degenerating your tires you can consider covering the tires with plastic. Large black trash bags work great for covering tires, but they make plastic covers for tires if you want to invest in them. The plastic covers will easily slip on. Big black trash bags you will need to manhandle somewhat, and you will need a lot of duct tape to make it work.  

5. Breaks- Before you store your vehicle, make sure to disengage the parking break. THIS STEP IS VERY IMPORTANT! Your breaks can get really messed up if your parking break is on the whole time. If you have a manual transmission, the gears should be in neutral. 

6. Paperwork- Everyone's least favorite part!  Insurance and registration will both need to be adjusted according to your state's regulations. Check with your insurance company and your state's DMV for specific instructions.

A GREAT TOOL FOR FINDING 

AUTOMOBILE STORAGE