8 Ways to Manage Depression About Moving

What Causes Depression

Depression can come from hereditary, biological or psychological problems. With depression about moving, you are experiencing depression caused by environmental factors. Temporary depression can be set off from what life happens to bring us, and unfortunately, some of us have to move even when we don't want to.

For some people, relocation can bring about excitement, anticipation and exhilaration to start over in a brand new place. Many others are apprehensive to leave the familiar, sometimes into areas where we don't know anyone. I have personally experienced both ends of being super happy or super sad about moves, and I can tell you it is never good or bad as anyone makes it out to be. Life goes on, and eventually you will establish a routine that feels normal again.

Just to be on the safe side, we want to encourage anyone who is considering harming themselves or feeling particularly miserable to contact professional help immediately. People at The National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 are always available to talk to free if you are need.

How to Handle Depression About Moving

1. The first thing you should do is realize what you are experiencing is not unusual at all. About 6.7% adults above 18 in the U.S., or 14.8 million people, are experiencing depression at anytime. You are not alone, you are not strange and there are ways for you to deal with your depression. Whenever you are feeling like no one has ever felt as bad as you are feeling, remember how many people out there are experiencing the same feelings of despondence, helplessness and sadness. 
2. One easy way we can all fight off depression is by exercise. It can be simple as going on a walk around the neighborhood or a more elaborate effort to go to the gym. Your body releases hormones that fight off stress when you exercise. With major depression, you may not feel like it, but just make yourself do it. You'll feel a lot better afterwards. I know it is a lot easier said than done, but you can do it. 
3. Another thing to consider is to getting help with your move. Whether it be from a professional moving company, family or friends, lowering stress levels can be helpful to fight of depression. Sometimes it can be nice just to have some company if you are depressed, and seeing someone who is outside of your routine will make you realize life isn't that bad. 
4. Not EVERYTHING needs to be perfect. Let go. Control freaks (you know who you are) can have an especially difficult time with moves. Moves are chaotic. Even the best planners and moving professionals find them to be a not-so-pleasant part of life. Realize that somethings going wrong will not be the end of the world. 
5. Turn a negative into a positive. A common problem for depression is to get caught in a negative thought cycle. You think of one negative thing then the next thing you know you are dwelling on a whole list of negative things. The next thing you know you've spent hours dedicated to being stuck in this harmful cycle. The next time you feel yourself going into one of these cycles, make yourself do something positive instead. When you are done doing the productive/positive action you can feel the satisfaction of what you got done instead of moping. 
6. Keep a list. One common exercise cognitive psychologists give out is to keep a list of negative thoughts, especially very general ones. Some examples of this are "I am bad at everything", "I am a horrible person", "I'm never going to get everything done". Your job is to go back to this list and write why these views are extreme, and how they are not true. Even though you may feel these statements with such strong conviction at the time, when you go back to them when you are less depressed you'll see that they are not as true as you thought. 
7. Consider professional help. If your depression is getting in the way of your everyday activities, it is time to get some professional help from a psychologist. They can help you through with medication, exercises and therapy. 
8. Can't afford a psychologist. Whether you don't have the time, health insurance or energy to go to a psychologist, it doesn't mean you can't get any help. There are lots of books out there that can help you get over your depression. One book I recommend, that is very well renowned (this is not a marketing effort on my part), is here. I personally used this book to help me get out my depression after moving, and some of the exercises in there really did help.

I wish you good luck on your move and dealing with depression. Remember that you are not alone, and you are capable of getting through this rough patch of your life! Stay positive. 

Organizing Your Self Storage Unit

Many of us use self storage as a way to be more organized inside our homes. It lets us move some of our junk to a different location, so that we can manage the rest of our stuff in our homes. 

The problem begins when the mess we had at our home is just transferred into another mess in a storage unit. At first, this may not seem like a problem. If you ever need to find anything from your storage unit, you will quickly begin to see why organizing your storage unit can save you a lot of time and headaches. Not to mention when/if you want to move your stuff out of storage, having it a mess will make the move a lot more stressful and time consuming. Moving is stressful enough without adding more steps to make it more difficult for us.

1) Boxes- Bring new boxes or bins with you. If any boxes in your storage unit are damaged or have sensitive items in them, you will want to transfer your items into a new container. In a storage unit without climate controlled, you may want to consider putting items in plastic bins with tops to avoid mildew or mold.

2) Bring a trash bag- This is a good chance to honestly go through your storage. What stuff are you just holding onto for no reason? What stuff do you need? Try to clear your storage of some unneeded items to either donate, sell or toss. This will eliminate excess clutter inside your storage unit.

3) Labels- If you didn't label stuff when you moved everything into your storage unit, now may be a good time to label at least some boxes. Take a peak inside the boxes, and create a short description of items in the box or what room the items go in.

4) Have the goal of moving into a smaller storage unit- Take stuff home, throw it away, sell it, anything to clear out the mess. You can save some major money if you down-size to a smaller storage unit. This type of project will take a lot of work, but your efforts will be worth it when you see the new organized storage unit. Also, it doesn't hurt when your storage bill comes in lower than before. 

5) Take everything out. Just like cleaning out your garage or closet, your self-storage unit clean-up can be turned into an elaborate project with great results. You can take everything out of the garage than put it back in a more organized matter. This will also give you a chance to decide if you want to get rid of stuff.

6) Take smaller steps. If you aren't ready for a day-long project of re-organizing, each time you visit your self-storage unit take a half hour to clean and straighten the unit. Make neat stacks where this is disarray. Put items in boxes that should have been in boxes in the first place. Each time you make a visit, you will come back to a slightly more organized storage unit. 

7) Take some items home. If your storage unit seems like it is just too much to handle, take a selected number of items home. If you have the space to store some stuff, you might as well use it. Lots of storage unit owners do not have this option due to limited space. Some of us have basements or closets we could fit a box or two. 

Don't Let Your Efforts to Organize Turn Into a Mess

1-800-PACK-RAT Vs. PODS

When it comes to the portable storage industry, PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT are among the leading companies. Both companies offer a viable and affordable alternative to the burdensome process of hauling your goods across the state or country. They claim to have experienced drivers and professional movers who will ensure that your goods are safe and that the entire process is a smooth and easy one. Yet as we know, such promises often ring hollow so instead of believing the respective sales spiel of each company, we take a closer look at each and compare them to one another.

Experience
This is one area where both companies excel. PODS was founded in 1998 and to date has delivered more than 2 million containers. PODS now offer services to 48 states and also serve customers in Canada and Australia. 1-800-PACK-RAT was formed in 2001 and currently provides services in 62 markets across America. In 2010, it was named as one of the top 15 fasted growing franchises in America by Franchise Times.

Storage Unit Construction
Although both companies have containers with strong steel frames and aluminum skins, PODS has the edge here because its containers have polymer on top and this enables light to shine in and reduce instances of damp. The main advantage possessed by 1-800-PACK-RAT containers is the built-in rack that can be used for hanging clothes. PODS containers have a roll-up style door while PACK-RAT doors swing open. Both containers feature sturdy and durable locks.

Container Size
Again, it appears as if PODS has the slight advantage here as it offers 3 different sizes to PACK-RAT's 2. PODS containers are 8x8x16, 8x8x12 and 8x8x7 (all dimensions in feet). PACK-RAT has a 12 foot container (equivalent to 10x10 foot storage room) and a 15 foot container (approximately the same as 10x15 foot storage room). Both companies offer helpful advice on determining the container size you'll need for the big move.

Service
This is one area that will differ greatly depending on the experiences of individual customers as both companies have legions of satisfied consumers and a number of angry ones too! What we can tell you is that PODS will deliver the container even when you're not home and also offer a 3 hour delivery window. PACK-RAT offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee and pledge 24 hour delivery. While having a 24 hour service would seem to be the best option, we feel that having a smaller delivery window is actually better plus you don't need to plan your day around the arrival of a PODS container.

Verdict
Judging by the above criteria, it would appear that PODS has a decided edge overall. It has more options when it comes to container size, is slightly more experienced and the fact that it delivers when you're not home (if you choose) makes it more convenient. 1-800-PACK-RAT is a fine moving and storage company with many admirers but by all accounts, it trails PODS in the industry and the above information explains why. However, with millions of deliveries between them, you can be sure that whichever company you choose, you'll be dealing with a trustworthy and professional organization. Be sure to use a promo code to save 5% off either company you decide to go with.

Be sure to use a Pack Rat coupon or Pods coupon to make your move a bit cheaper.

Finding Self Storage in NYC

Self Storage New York City: Where to Start

Living in New York can be quite overwhelming in good and bad ways. There is a plethora of energy, diversity and choices to be made on any given day. Depending on your mood and situation, all the choices can be a good or bad thing. 

Finding self storage in New York can feel short of a nightmare. If you have only a little time to choose due to a move, a renovation, or other circumstances, you may have the desire to just choose whatever unit is closest. The difficulty in just transporting the stuff to the unit is enough frustration for anyone, so you want to save some stress in the selection process.

The thing is, like all business in New York, you may find yourself paying a lot more for a lot less. It is best to at least find out the features, like security and climate-control, in the storage unit before you choose where you are going to put your valuables.

Self Storage New York City: Tips on How to Choose a Storage Unit

The following are some features of self storage you may want to consider when choosing a self-storage space. If they do not state in their contract or show you, make sure to ask about anything you are curious about. If those in charge won't be polite to you when they are trying to get your business, imagine what they are going to be like if there are any problems. 

• Accessibility- You will want to know when you will be able to get to your stuff if you need to.
• Cleanliness- Self-storage units come in a wide variety of cleanliness depending on the individual who runs the facility. If you have time you may want to check the place out, and what your unit looks like before committing. 
• Security- You will want to find out if there is security on the storage unit. A good storage facility will have 24-hour surveillance. 
• Proximity- This may seem obvious, but you will want to choose one that is conveniently located to you if at all possible.
• Space- Make sure that you choose the right amount of space for your stuff. Going to big or too small can both be disasters!
• Climate Control- If you are storing anything that can be damaged by extreme temperatures, you are going to want to get a unit with climate control. 
• A smoke detector- This may seem like something everyone should have, but not all storage facilities do. Make sure that they not only tell you that there is a smoke detector, but actually show you where the smoke detector is. 

Do you have any tips or tricks for fellow New Yorkers looking for a self storage unit? Let us know! 

Is Moveline Transforming The Moving Industry?

Moveline claims to be a moving company with a difference. It was founded in Southwest Virginia and formed due to a Modea and Lawrence Transportation Systems merger. The plan was to create an online marketplace which would allow the very best moving companies in the United States to exchange shipments of customer goods. This idea was nixed in favor of building software products to enhance the moving experience for customers. Proponents of Moveline claim that the company has revolutionized the moving industry. This organization was only set up in 2011 but it has already gained national recognition.

How Does Moveline Work?
The whole idea behind Moveline is to make the moving experience less stressful for customers. The company enables you to download a special app that helps you record footage of the goods you wish to move. This video inventory should come with a description of where you are planning to move.  You can then use Skype to contact one of the company’s Move Captains who will answer all your questions during the session. Within 24 hours, Moveline will send you a detailed inventory which you analyze and change if necessary. After final confirmation of the inventory and the dates you are planning to move, you will receive quotes from the companies in the Moveline network.

Moving Companies & Captains
Moveline claim to only work with the top businesses in the industry. Every company involved with the process must pass strict quality standards with a 10-point screening test in place. The performance level of each company is monitored and Moveline use customer reviews and feedback as part of this process. The Move Captains hired by Moveline stay with your move until final delivery and will even help you file insurance claims if necessary.

These individuals are experienced moving experts and will be your main contact throughout your move from first inventory to the final piece of paperwork. Their role includes finding you the best deal and managing communication between you and the moving company/insurance company/other third parties. Moveline promise that their Move Captains will always be on hand to answer questions or solve problems that arise during the move.

Easy Booking
The cost of each move includes the wrapping and packing of furniture, shipping and unloading. Additional services such as professional packing, storage and the transportation of special items will cost extra but these prices will be clearly outlined before the move. You should receive quotes from a minimum of 3 moving companies and you can compare them in terms of price, feedback score and availability. The move is reserved by entering your credit card information though the money is only taken 2 days before the scheduled move. You approve the final transaction and Moveline keeps all records. Please bear in mind that the prices are set by the companies and not Moveline which merely provides you with estimates.

There is no doubt that Moveline offers a unique moving experience and really takes the hassle out of moving. Having the ability to quickly and easily draw up an inventory and take your pick from a number of available companies is a fantastic option. The fact that companies are rigorously tested also provides you with peace of mind. Although Moveline is young and not yet fully established, it seems only a matter of time before its method of delivery becomes the favored choice of millions of Americans on the move.

Our Role In The Rise Of Self Storage

With almost 2.5 billion square feet of self storage space in use, it’s clear that the United States has a love affair with self storage. From the outside, it would appear as if the self storage industry carries all the elements of failure. For instance, its base is in commercial property which has been badly hit during the global financial crisis. Most facilities are located on the outskirts of towns and cities in areas that could hardly be described as welcoming. Tenants are not forced to pay a deposit in many cases; they are able to rent by the month and can leave at anytime. For a normal business, this would represent all the ingredients of dismal failure yet self storage companies thrive.

Why Self Storage Facilities Are Successful
The most obvious reason why such companies continue to expand and enjoy increasing profits is because demand is increasing. The average American worker is mobile and constantly on the move. This means they need somewhere to store their possessions while other affairs are put in order. Perhaps more importantly, the goods that are stored can’t be consumed nor will they rot. This includes porcelain ornaments, metal garden furniture and children’s toys kept for sentimental reasons only. Economists once assumed that such goods could be disposed of without any guilt yet people rarely throw away such items. In fact, they are willing to pay to keep their possessions hoarded away safe and sound.

It is also a mistake to believe that short-term contracts also mean low profits. Although goods are stored on a month by month basis, most Americans keep their items stored away for several years at a time. It could be that the freedom offered by self storage facilities is the reason behind this behavior. As long as the monthly rent is paid, facilities don’t care what you store (within reason) and they certainly don’t care about the length of time items are stored for.

While other landlords hate dealing with the issue of non-paying tenants, self storage facilities hold all the power. If you don’t pay your bills, they are legally allowed to keep hold of your goods until you settle the debt. Fail to do this within a specified period of time and they are allowed auction off your goods to cover their losses. There is even a television show called Storage Wars which highlights these auctions. In many cases, goods are sold for rather high prices and companies easily cover their lost rent revenue and then some.

A Prosperous Future
Even though self storage has a less than savory image, its popularity continues to grow and this trend will continue in an era of rampant consumerism. Despite grim warnings from various philosophers who state that we are all in danger of becoming tied to our possessions, an increasing number of people are willing to pay cash to keep things they don’t really need nor want. A more sensible option would be to organize a yard sale and get rid of these unnecessary items but sentimentality and an unwillingness to ‘let go’ means that self storage’s star will continue to burn bright.

Small Ideas to Save Big When Moving

Whenever you are planning a move, there are going to be costs involved and those costs will go up the further away you move, so you may be wondering what are some ways in which you can save on moving. While there are many considerations that can be looked at in order to figure out various ways to save some green backs in your move, there are also a number of small ideas that can all add up to make one big dent in the total cost.

These small ideas will not take you much time to come up with. In fact, some of these small ideas may even save you some time when you are moving so it is worth it to you to try to come up with some. All that is required in order to come up with these small ideas is a little bit of your time and a little bit of your imagination. Here are some small ideas that can end up saving you big when you move:

•    Boxes and Shipping Materials: Whenever you move, you will certainly need a lot of moving boxes and shipping supplies such as packing tape, bubble wrap, and even packing peanuts. You can save yourself a great deal of money by getting a lot of this stuff for free. There are multiple stores that you can visit in order to obtain an almost endless supply of boxes. As for packing materials, there many large businesses that will not simply throw away packing peanuts and bubble wrap, but will instead recycle them. If you take a little time and go around to some different business and ask them if they have any of that stuff lying around, you may be surprised at just how much you can get for free.

•    Make the Most of Your Rental Truck: Rental trucks when moving are a must and they can represent one of the biggest costs as well. Sure the truck itself might only be $19.95 per day to rent, but then you get hit with a mileage fee, like $0.89 per mile for example. You also have to remember that whatever fuel comes out of the truck, has to be replaced. If you drive off the rental lot with a full tank of fuel in the rental truck, then the rental truck has to come back with a full tank. With that in mind, be sure you are getting the most out of your rental truck with the way you pack it. If you can pack everything into the rental truck and only have to make one trip, you will save yourself a considerable amount of money. One trip means less mileage and fuel uses for a savings that can be quite significant.

•    Move on a Weekday: Almost everybody who moves almost always does so on a weekend. This is mainly because they want to be able to rely on some friends to help, but you can often save yourself money by moving on a weekday. For one thing, you won’t have any trouble finding a rental truck like you might on a weekend as hardly anyone moves on weekdays and that is when the truck rental lots are at their fullest. They may even offer you a better deal on price or mileage. Additionally, you will save money on the driving itself. Because you will be moving and driving while the majority of America is a work, you won’t have to deal with all that stop and go weekend traffic and you will be able to easily save yourself on fuel charges because you will use so much less.

•    Don’t Move it All: Before you move all of your stuff take some time and really go through what you have. Do you really need everything to go with you? Often times, people find that they not only have some excess junk to throw away, but they also come up with a good pile of stuff to sell, like at a garage sale or moving sale. The sale you have will allow you to raise some quick cash and you can use those proceeds to help you offset your moving costs. Any leftover stuff from your sale can be donated and as long as you get a receipt you can write that off come tax time. Also, with less stuff means you can use fewer boxes, fewer packing materials, and maybe even a smaller rental truck. Once again, you save some money.

•    Play as Many ‘Friend Cards’ as You Can: If you have a lot of friends that you typically do favors for then moving is the time to lay down some ‘friend cards’ and call in some favors of your own. See how many of your friends have trucks and/or SUVs and then compare that with your stuff. While this obviously won’t work for a cross-country move, if your new home is only a couple of miles away then your friends will likely be more than happy to lend a hand and their vehicles. Instead of buying them all fuel, you can reward them for their efforts by buying them some pizza and beverages at the end of the move. The end result is no moving truck to worry about, which will save you money on fuel, mileage, and the actual rental fee itself. The only drawback with this method is that you may owe a couple of your friends a favor when it is all said and done.

As you can see, some small ideas can add up to be a really significant savings for your move. You will spend plenty of money on your move as it is and it is certainly in your best interest to apply as many small ideas to that move as you possibly can, especially if the ideas will save you money. Simply use your imagination and you will find that there are many small ideas that can end up saving you big time money.

Save 5% off PODS moving and storage units by using a PODS coupon.

5 Steps to Get Organized This Winter

Many people wait for spring cleaning to re-organize and rejuvenate their homes. My theory is that the winter is the best time to do our spring cleaning. We're going to be stuck inside a lot due to the cold and bitter weather, so it is good to make sure the place we are stuck in is spic and span. Not to mention the cold and dry air frequently will make all the dust that has been sitting around go up in the air which can be bad for allergies and breathing.

In addition, winter cleaning allows us to more effectively allocate our time. During the winter we can put outdoor projects aside and truly focus on the inner workings of our homes. This way when spring comes we can focus more on outdoor projects that will allow us to enjoy the beautiful weather we've been waiting for all winter.

Here are 5 steps to clean and organize your home for a winter cleaning ritual. 

1) Dust behind, below, above and around everything. Dust is a common enemy that most of us are always fighting. Left long enough it can even give an unpleasant odor to a home and cause damage to furniture. We recommend using cleaning dusters that actually pick up the dust instead of spreading it around. One good dust once or twice a year that goes around all decorations, pictures, furniture, computers etc. will really make a difference to your home. 

2) Throw away, recycle, give away stuff that you don't need anymore. We all hold on to stuff we don't need, and it can be great to purge ourselves of unwanted items. If you have a hard time getting rid of things for sentimental reasons, make yourself go around with a small grocery bag that you must fill with stuff to get rid of. You'll be surprised how quick this bag will fill up, and you may find yourself wanting to do a couple more after. 

3) Wet-vac. You can rent or buy a wet-vac to clean your carpets with. Washing your carpets is an annual stuck that will get rid of dirt, dust and other nasty build-up in your carpets. When you dump out the dark, dirty water you'll be surprised what kind of stuff lodges itself into our carpets. 

4) Store stuff. Do you have a room, garage or basement filled with items you don't need that are cluttering up your whole home? Or is stuff just laying all around the house. Consolidating the items all into one place can be very helpful. Also, storing items you don't need, but aren't ready to part with can be a great option. 

5) Create a new cleaning rule, ritual, chore. Each year it can be helpful to create a regular chore that makes our annual chores less tedious. Or to reassign chores to partners or children to help you out with the work load. One good rule we could all benefit from is not wearing our shoes in the house. Shoes track in mud, pesticides and all manner of nastiness that we don't want on our floors. Use your imagination to come up with a rule that will work great for your home. 

Pods Review and Coupon

PODS is a company that provides moving and storage facilities to customers in the contiguous 48 US states, Canada, and Australia. PODS is actually an acronym that means Portable On Demand Storage. What makes PODS unique as a storage operation is that they use custom containers in a range of sizes that are stored and cataloged like larger shipping containers. The PODS site notes that “To date, the PODS network has completed more than 250,000 long-distance relocations, exceeded one million deliveries and has nearly 140,000 PODS containers in service.”

The name brand PODS themselves are storage containers that come in three sizes – 8 x 7 x 7 feet, 8 x 8 x 12 feet, and 8 x 8 x 16 feet. These PODS are moved by truck and then stored in an arrangement similar to shipping containers that you’d see in a port or other shipping hub, except that PODS are stored in secure local storage centers throughout the countries that PODS serves.

PODS offers a variety of services based on their unique white storage containers, centered around two main components: moving and storage. The basic idea is that a customer can place a container on their property as storage for as long as they need to, and then they can move the container by truck – either locally or long-distance – to the customer’s new home or business to be unloaded. The amount of time the container is stored is dependent on the customer’s need as well, with the additional option of secure storage in a PODS facility until the container is needed again. 

As noted before, PODS offers both home and business options for their containers. As the containers remain secure no matter their contents, storing files or other business materials off-site in a PODS container might be a viable way to free up office space in a smaller business set-up. Additionally, storing older or unused files or equipment can also free up some space for simply the cost of storage and space rental.

PODS was founded in 1998 and is currently based in Clearwater, Florida. Founder Peter Warhurst was a part of a larger family storage business and wanted to expand. He invented the PODS containers, which are built out of plywood over steel frames, with a lightweight rolling steel door and a durable polymer top that is translucent, allowing ambient light to pass through during the day. Warhurst also invented the hydraulic lift system known as PODZILLA, which is employed to move containers.

PODS was later acquired by Atlanta-based capital group Arcapita in February 2007 for $451.4 million. This began a series of partnerships for the company that have helped it grow, as well as streamline its processes. In terms of streamlining, a 2008 partnership between PODS and Wabash National centered around Wabash taking over construction of PODS containers. The newer Wabash-built containers are built to be completely recyclable. The larger-sized containers, at 12 and 16-feet, have been certified to withstand winds of over 110 miles per hour, even when only partially loaded.

In addition to business partnerships, PODS also supports various charity endeavors. Their biggest charity partnership of late has been with Toys for Tots, which collects unopened toys for needy children. As George Spowart, PODS vice president of marketing, said in a public statement, “This collaboration makes perfect sense.  Our large network of locations in 149 U.S. markets are ready to provide PODS containers to over 400 Toys for Tots collection locations.”

In addition to the Toys for Tots partnership, PODS has also provided containers to aid with disaster relief, including relief during Hurricane Katrina, the Malibu fires, and the recent floods in Iowa. Often, PODS will provide containers across the country to aid disaster victims and in many other types of emergency situations.

The charitable aspect of the company is just another part of PODS’ skill at presenting a community-friendly public aspect. With a family-friendly face – not to mention a website full of pictures of smiling families and other customers – PODS likes to present themselves as a member of the community, essentially another neighbor.

In recent years, some communities and counties have passed ordinances specifically dealing with where containers can be placed, as there are size and spacing requirements for placing a container that might impact neighborhoods negatively. These ordinances typically involve fees for placing a PODS container on a public street when a sufficient driveway space is unavailable. Some local governments have also instituted a permit-based system for the placing and storage of PODS containers.

Future plans for PODS involve expansion into other countries, with the recent sale and establishment of the first United Kingdom franchise, as well as increased technology for tracking containers in both the moving and storage process through a wireless GPS system via a partnership between PODS and Sprint Nextel. This GPS system will also be used to track trucks, and give drivers directions when needed for moving or deliveries.

You can mention PODS coupon 'R101' in order to save 5% off storage and moving fees.