At some point in everyone’s life they are faced with fact that they have too much stuff lying around and are in need of a self storage unit but which is best to go with, traditional or portable? While you can store your extra belongings in both there are certain advantages to going with a portable unit as opposed to going with a traditional unit.

Here are some of the advantages you will find with storing your stuff in a portable storage unit as opposed to the traditional way:

• Convenience: This is probably the biggest advantage. When you store your things at a traditional storage unit you have to own a truck, rent a truck, or borrow a truck from a friend in order to get your stuff to the storage unit. This can be an unwelcomed hassle. With a portable storage unit however, the portable storage unit company that you decide to go with brings the storage unit right to you and you can then fill it up at your leisure with no time constraints whatsoever.

• No driving: Not only does the portable storage unit company drop off your storage unit to you, they also pick it up when you have filled it up and take it to their climate controlled warehouse where you can store it for as long as you need to. Because they drop off the storage unit and then pick it up that means that you have to do absolutely no driving at all.

• Helps the moving process: many times people will store a number of items because they are moving to a new home and simply don’t know what they will keep and what they will sell or throw away. Once the move is complete and you decide you want to tackle the project of going through the storage unit you again have to either own a truck, rent a truck, or borrow a truck from a friend in order to get you stuff to your new place. Not so with a portable storage unit. When you are ready for your things, you simply call them and they will deliver you belongings to your new home and allow you to unload all the stuff when you want to. Then when the storage unit is empty, call them back and they will pick it up for you once again.

• Saves time: One thing you can never make more of and that is time. A portable storage unit may cost a bit more because they do all the driving, but if you think about all the time you will save, not to mention the gas money, it is still probably in your best interest to go with the portable storage unit.

All of this is not to say that the traditional self storage units have no more use, but they have met their match. Unless you only plan on storing a few items that can easily and conveniently be transferred to a traditional storage unit by you, then getting a portable storage unit is really a no brainer.

Save money on your next Pods portable storage rental by using a Pods promo code when you reserve.

The Best Business Online Storage Services

These days there are more and more files and documents that are vital to keeping safe to ensure that a business runs smoothly, so how do you find the best business online backup services? Data storage is vital to any company’s success and even though files and documents may not be used on an everyday basis it is important to make sure that they are readily available as a business can never be sure when the unforeseen will happen. Each and every year businesses lose countless files due to fire, flood, theft, and many other unforeseen incidents. Having your business files backed-up and stored with an online storage service is the best way to make sure that your business is always protected and never caught with its pants down.

These days there are many online services that can offer to store and protect any number of your files for you business but just as with anything else in life, some are better than others. While a simple Google or Yahoo search of business online storage services will yield you thousands of returns, there are three that stand you from the rest, have been around for a while, and have the reputation to be considered one of the best:

• Mozy: Mozy has affordable solutions when it comes to online storage for both individuals and businesses as well. Mozy is already being used by over 40,000 businesses worldwide. Their prices are set according to how many users will be storing information. If it is only one desktop, the charge is $3.95 per month plus $0.50 per GB and you can protect anyone on your server for $6.95 per month plus $0.50 per GB. Mozy keeps files and documents safe and double encrypted for maximum security.

• Carbonite: Carbonite, like Mozy, also double encrypts its files and between the two companies you will probably find none as popular. If you have a small business then Carbonite may be the solution you need for online storage. Carbonite starts at just $54.95 per year for unlimited storage and its customer service is second to none.

• iDrive: iDrive for businesses is also another great solution. Their prices for small to medium businesses start at just $9.95 per month and go up as high as $49.95 per month. It all depends on the size of your business and the level of storage that you need. Their flexible pricing schedule ensures that there is something for every business no matter what size it may be.

There are many others out there and if you find that none of these has what you want, then by all means search elsewhere. But for the price, the service, and the comfort, there are few companies that can offer you what Mozy, Carbonite, and iDrive do. While it is imperative to ensure that your important business files and documents are always secure and ready to be accessed by using a business online storage service, it doesn’t mean that you should have to spend and arm and a leg to do so.

Review the best free online storage sites.

Differences between PODS and PACK-RAT

When it comes to portable storage units there are perhaps two names that are more commonly used than any others; Portable On Demand Storage, or PODS and PACK-RAT. Both companies offer portable storage units that make a wonderful alternative to the hiring of a moving company or the hassle of renting a moving truck and all the mess that goes with it. Both have been around for quite some time and offer great services and value, so what are the main differences between the two?

Both PODS and PACK-RAT are tops in the portable storage industry but they do differ to come degree in some ways:

• Sizes: Both PODS and PACK-RAT offer different sizes for you to choose from but the number of sizes each company offers differs. PODS has three sizes to choose from that include 8X8X7, 8X8X12, and 8X8X16 all measured in feet. PACK-RAT offers two sizes that include a 12 foot and a 16 foot container. Each company offers you a guide online to help you determine how much can fit into each container or you can call a customer service representative and they will be happy to assist you.

• Storage unit construction: Both PODS and PACK-RAT feature steel frames and aluminum skins, but the PODS containers have a polymer top that allows light to shine in and the height is a bit taller than that of PACK-RAT’s. PACK-RAT containers feature a built in rack for hanging cloths that need to be moved. The doors on the units also differ as PACK-RAT uses a door that swings open and is lockable and PODS has a lightweight roll up style door that is also lockable. Again, the two are virtually identical but there are small differences.

• Number of locations: Though PACK-RAT is quickly closing the gap, there are currently more PODS locations throughout the United States. Still either company can offer you a cross-country move at an affordable price.

• The lift: The way that the two companies lift and unload their portable storage units also differs. While there is not one that seems to be better that the other, it is none the less a difference.

• Price: This is of course the number one concern on peoples mind no doubt. Price is indeed important but there is no set fee as each person’s moving and storing needs is different. That being said, there may be a situation in which PACK-RAT is more affordable and there may be a situation where PODS comes out with the price advantage. The only way to know for sure is to take advantage of the free quote system that both companies offer online. If you find yourself getting all discombobulated, then you can also call either company’s toll free 800 number and ask a representative for assistance.

For every fan of PODS, you will find a fan of PACK-RAT. Both companies offer award winning service and support but there are differences between the two. While the differences may seem insignificant to some, to others it may be the difference on which company they ultimately trust to move or store their stuff.

Save money on portable storage units with a Pods promo code or a Packrat promo code.

RV Storage Tips

One of the biggest investments you may have made in your life would be that of an RV and when it comes time for you to store your RV there are many things to consider. Many people simply park their RV on the side of their house or at their local storage unit facility and call it a day. These same people are surprised when several months later they go to use their RV and their rolling investment doesn’t want to start.

While there are no set rules for RV storage, there are certain factors that should be considered before you do so. Here are some tips for your RV storage needs:

• Consider a storage facility: First thing first, you may want to consider an RV storage unit facility to store your RV. Here you RV will be able to rest with plenty of space and best of all your drive way will be freed up of space and your house will be freed up of blight.

• Cover the tires: Any time you are not using your RV, especially when storing it, be sure to use tire covers. This will protect the rubber and keep your tires from cracking and dry rotting doe to prolonged sun exposure. You can go a step further and remove the tires while your RV is being stored and store the tires in a cool dry place that is free from sunlight, gasoline, and oil.

• Consider an RV cover: Many people will put a big blue tarp over their RV and consider it covered when in reality this can be doing more harm than good. The dark blue material will actually attract the sun’s heat and this could lead to heat damage. Because the tarp is not made to fit the RV, there will be many places for moisture and water to accumulate thus causing even more possible damage. There are many RV covers available nowadays that are costumed fit to your RV. These will repel water, actually reflect sunlight, and leave water no were to hide. These covers can be rather pricey, but also well worth it in your time of RV storage.

• Remove batteries: Remove the batteries from your RV after you have parked it for storage. Make sure that the batteries are kept clean and cool until you need them again. This will keep your batteries fresh and ready to go when you are.

• Gasoline: If you can it is best to drain your gas tank when storing your RV. When gasoline sits around for prolonged periods of time it actually gunks up and this can cause hundreds of dollars in repairs if not caught. If you cannot empty your gas tank before storage you can use a gasoline stabilizer, which is a chemical that you pour into your gas tank that keeps the gasoline from gunking up for several months.

Your RV storage experience shouldn’t be a difficult one, but you should be sure that you are properly storing your RV to ensure that your big rolling investment will continue to pay you dividends of fun for many years to come.

Car Storage Options

There are many reasons that you may want to store your car. Perhaps you have too many vehicles in your driveway and you need to free up space. Maybe you have a collector’s car and you do not want it exposed to the elements day after day. Whatever the reason is that you want to store your car, there are a few things that you should know before you do so.

It is important to note that there are different levels of car storage and each level will of course come with a different price tag. Here are some things to know about storing your car:

• Outside storage: If you have an extra car in your driveway that you do not drive all that often and you want to make space in your driveway, then an outside car storage spot is for you. An outside car storage spot is exactly what it sounds like. It is usually nothing more than parking space sized and many times there is even a parking space block to show you exactly where you will park your car. The pros here are a very affordable cost. The cons are of course that the car is exposed to the everyday elements such as wind, rain, sun, etc. If this is the route you decide to take, you should consider buying a car cover as this will help to better protect your vehicle.

• Inside storage, non-climate controlled: An inside car storage unit that is non-climate controlled is usually a space that the car is driven into and then there is usually a garage style door that closes giving the car garage style storage. Your storage unit can then be locked and your car will not only be protected from the wind, rain, and sun, but also from break-ins. The only drawback to this type of storage is that it can get quite hot inside a unit that is not climate controlled. Because this type of car storage totally covers the car, it will cost more money that the outside storage unit.

• Inside storage unit, climate controlled: Just like its non-climate controlled counterpart the car is totally covered in this type of car storage unit. The difference is that the unit is air-conditioned so that the temperature usually stays at a nice cool level. This type of car storage is usually use by those that have a collector’s car and do not want anything to happen to the vehicle including heat damage. This is obviously the most expensive type of car storage there is.

As a side not, you should always be sure to perform regular maintenance to your stored car even if you do not use it often. For example, regular oil changes at the interval of three to five months no matter how many miles are put on the car will help it run its best no matter how often it is run.

Storing your car can be a great alternative to clogging up your driveway or garage, but you should know what level of storage you require before you begin to look around. Always make sure to call several storage unit facilities and try to obtain the best possible price for your car storage needs.

Office Records Storage

Many times in business office records storage is a necessary evil. Having all of your records backed up can save you in the case of litigation, natural disaster, or anything else that can be unforeseen. But you need to make sure that you go about it the right way in order to ensure that you are protected, so what should you do?

You could store your records the old fashioned way by loading up boxes of paperwork or getting a few file cabinets, but how safe is that from the unknown? Should your office experience a flood for example, your records could be lost forever. This is in addition to the extra space that the boxes and file cabinets will take up. At some point in time you may have to face the fact that you need a little bit of help with your office record storage needs.

There are many companies that specialize in office records storage and they can help you store your records whether your records are online, on paper, or both. Here’s how many of these companies work:

• Provide an assessment: Most companies that specialize in office records storage will come in and asses your record keeping needs. They will work side by side with you and show you what you are doing that is working and what you are doing that is not working. This is sometimes free and sometimes there is a fee it just depends on who you go with. Once the company sees what they are working with they can accurately tell you what level of service you will require.

• Organize: An office records storage company will go through with you and tell you what needs to be saved, what needs to be shredded, and what needs to be backed up both online and on paper. Many times there are documents that simply don’t need to be kept and these companies can help you to pinpoint what is not needed so that it can be sent to the shredder.

• Store your records: Once the company has determined what type of storage you need they can then offer you a solution as to how to store it. Many companies offer a service where they will store for you your records online and they will also store any paper documents in a secure and temperature controlled environment. Many times it will be necessary foe the company to actually scan paper documents that are then stored online as well as on paper.

• Provide you access: Once all of your records are stored the only job left of the office record storage company is to provide you access to the records should you ever need it.

Sometimes it is just better to hire a professional and there is no one more able to handle your office records storage needs than a company that does it on a daily basis for many different clients. If you are sick of tripping over the file cabinets and boxes full of unorganized papers, you too may want to call in the experts.

Find climate controlled self storage units nationwide at EasyStorageSearch.com.

Tips for Moving with Pets

They may not be able to tell you but when you move with pets your little furry friends are just as nervous and anxious as you are. When you think about it they are probably more nervous as to what is happening because they have no idea what is going on. All that they do know is that the world they have always known –your house- is rapidly emptying and they are being shifted into a new and scary environment. But there are a few things that you can do to make this new transition as smooth as possible.

Follow these tips when moving your pets and they will surely thank you:

• Secure your pets: All pets should be crated when you are moving them, especially if it is a long distance move. Make sure that the crate is a well ventilated one and that you put in your dog or cat’s favorite toys so that they feel more comfortable. You can also put in their favorite blanket should they have one. Never leave the crate loose in the vehicle and treat your pet as though it were a child and be sure to use the seat belt and buckle the crate in.

• Update tags: Make sure that your pet has an updated tag for its collar before you move. If your pet doesn’t usually wear its collar they need to for the move. The new tag should have all the information of where you are moving too and not where you are moving from. This way if an anxious pet takes off once you arrive they are more likely to be returned safely to you.

• Prepare your new home: Before your pet ever steps one paw in your new home you should have the home prepared for your pet’s arrival. For a dog, prepare a bed and a play area and for a cat place the litter box where you want it to be and introduce the feline to it as soon as you arrive. Show your pet where it’s food and water dish are and have a little something in the bowl. This makes the move much easier on the pet as the animal comes into a new environment but does so with many familiar things.

• Keep your pet out of the action: On moving day, keep your pet in a quiet room and close the door. Any place that will not have any traffic and as little commotion as possible is best. If you pet has a familiar bedding, place it in the room with the animal to make it feel more cozy.

• Show lots of love: When you move with a pet, remember they may think you are going to leave them behind. Show them a little bit of extra love and reassure them that they too get to go to the new home. Though you may be stressed out trying to move, make sure it doesn’t come out in your voice as a pet will key right in on this and become stressed itself.

Remember, your furry friends have feelings too and it is very important to take those feelings into consideration when you are moving with pets.

Get quotes from the top moving companies.