Are You Committing Any of These Storage Unit Mistakes?

If you have a self-storage unit, you are probably anxious to start tossing your boxes in there and getting them out of your home. But, before you do, consider the following storage unit mistakes. You want to make sure you are avoiding these mistakes at all costs, as they will end up costing you in the long run.

Mistake #1: Forgetting about a climate controlled unit.

Did you know that some items are sensitive to temperatures? If you have forgotten to consider a climate controlled unit, you may be in for a surprise when you open your storage door and find your furniture warped or your electronics damaged.

It is important that you evaluate the items you are storing and then decide whether or not a climate controlled unit is right for you.

Mistake #2: Choosing to throw unlabeled boxes into your unit.

One of the worst things you can do is take a bunch of unlabeled boxes and just throw them into your unit. First, you will be creating clutter and you will make it impossible to get to your items. Secondly, you will never know where to look for items when you need them. An unlabeled box means you will have to sift through it just to identify what is inside.

Advice on Monitoring Your Climate-Controlled Unit’s Temperature and Humidity Levels

When you place your items in a storage unit that is supposed to be climate controlled, do you really know if it is? Think about it for a moment. What if the climate controlled unit is too hot, too cold, or too humid? Your items are at risk when the temperature and humidity levels are not kept where they need to be. To prevent this from happening, you need to make sure that you are monitoring your storage unit’s climate. Not sure how? Below, we will help you learn how to do so effectively.

  1. Use Temperature and Humidity Monitors

When you want to monitor the temperature and humidity level of your storage unit, you need to place a thermometer, hydrometer, or other type of measuring device inside your unit to ensure that everything is correct.

The thermometer itself will tell you what the current temperature is and you can write down on a piece paper to keep a log, if you choose. The hydrometer is responsible for monitoring the humidity level within your storage unit. You can choose to purchase manual read gauges or you can choose to place a digital meter to keep track of the temperature levels.

On average, your storage unit should be somewhere between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity level should be somewhere between 35 and 45 percent.

5 Things You Need to Do Once You Move

Moving your belongings from one home to another is a big undertaking, but even once you have moved the items, you still have work to do. If you thought you were finally at the top of the mound with all tasks under you, you are in for a surprise. While many of the things you need to do are minor, they still need to be completed. Let’s go over what some of those things are now.

  1. Get to Know Your New Home

The first thing you will want to do when you move is take some time to learn more about your new home. This will come in handy when you unpack your boxes in step two.

You should walk around the home and learn where the storage spaces are, evaluate how much room you have to work with, and think about how you want to decorate.

If you simply unload your boxes and have no rhyme or reason, you will find your home is quickly cluttered and unorganized.

5 Cities to Live in if You’re 35 or Younger

If you are 35 or younger, you have a lot of life still left in you and you likely do not want to be stuck in a city where everything is focused on activities that are for an older crowd. You want to party. You want to have fun.

Below, we will go over some of the best cities that you need to live in if you are 35 and younger. These cities are made for you and will provide you with the entertainment you need to keep you on your toes. Let’s take a look.

  1. Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ is one place that is great for those 35 and under because it offers a lot of opportunities and careers. The median income in this city is $50,000, which makes a nice living for any couple, single, or family.

Throughout the area, you will find many beautiful, luxury hotels that can accommodate your every need.

  1. Chicago, IL

It is no surprise that Chicago has made the list of best places to live for anyone 35 and younger. This is because this city has A LOT to offer you.

From local city events to museums, architecture, and beautiful scenery, you will enjoy everything that Chicago has to offer. Oh, and don’t forget to try one of the infamous deep dish pizzas while you are here.

5 Best Cities to Move to for Retirement

If retirement is right around the corner for you, you may be looking for the best place to settle down in. Many retirees will either move to a new city or they will purchase another home, so they can travel back and forth throughout the seasons.

Retirement is a time for you to be able to relax and enjoy life without the worry of waking up and going to work. Below, we will go over some of the best cities to retire in and who knows, you may even decide you want to give one of them a shot.

  1. Austin, TX

This is not the first time that Texas or Austin has popped up on a list of one of the best places to live. It is no doubt that this large city is ideal for any retiree. The city is full of delicious food to try, friendly cowboys around the corner, and many different hiking trails for a day adventure.

  1. Franklin, TN

Franklin is no Nashville, but you do not need Nashville when you have Franklin. The city is the perfect place for retirees and will provide you with many different day, night, and weekend activities to enjoy. In fact, the city puts on many different festivals and art walks throughout the year.

Franklin does not come with a large price tag either and it is quite affordable. With the state of Tennessee carrying a low tax rate, there is no reason why you should not give this small city a shot.

4 Tips to Help You Downsize from a Home to an Apartment

Many people have chosen to downsize from a home to an apartment and this means that a lot of the stuff that you once had in your house cannot go with you to your new space. It may seem like a big task to downsize your home, but it can be done. In fact, we will go over some tips to help you complete the task with ease.

Tip 1: Take Time and Inventory Your Items

Yes, it seems like a tedious process and yes, it might be, but it needs to be done. You need to know what items you have in your home and where they are. You could simply go room by room and pack up what you want from each room, but this would take more time and you may end up with duplicate items or you may accidentally toss out items you want.

Start out by choosing one room and inventory everything there is in it. You should write down what items are going with you and which ones you plan to toss. If you do not keep a list, you will quickly be consumed by the process.

Tip 2: Measure Your New Apartment

How will you know if your new couch will fit in your apartment? You won’t without measurements. It helps to measure each room in your new apartment. This way, you know what items will fit in there. For example, if you have an entire bedroom set, you need to know which of those items will comfortably fit in the master bedroom of the apartment. You may find that you need to leave an item or two behind for the sake of space.

4 Organizational Tips to Help You Save Time in Your Kitchen

Is your kitchen unorganized and cluttered? If so, it is okay because most people have a cluttered kitchen and just don’t have the time to organize it. But, we will provide you with some organizational tips below that will allow you to save time when you are in your kitchen. And, the best part? It takes no time to implement these tips.

Start with a Declutter

The first step you want to take is to declutter your drawers and cabinets. Yes, this will be a tedious project and best done on the weekend, but it will allow you to keep things organized from this point on.

When you do declutter, get rid of items that you have not used or do not plan to use within a couple of months. While it may be hard to get rid of these items, it will alleviate some of your stress when you dig through your drawers.

Keep Like and Used Items Together

What we mean by this is that you should keep items you use all of the time together. For example, if you commonly use your spatula, large spoon, and butcher knife, keep them together in a small utensil holder on the counter top. You will be able to easily access them when you need them and do not have to go on the hunt for them.

Also, make sure that you store items that are similar with each other. For instance, keep all measuring spoons together in one section of your drawer and all utensils in another.

4 Common Injuries Sustained During a Move

Unfortunately, when you move your items from one home to another, you are bound to get hurt, especially if you are not doing it properly. Many homeowners make the mistake of rushing around and this leads to carelessness and missteps to protect your body and your family. Below, we will go over some of the most common injuries that occur on moving day.

  1. Cuts and Scrapes

Cuts and scrapes are probably one of the most common, if not the most common, injury that occurs during a move. You may accidentally move your hand the wrong way on a box and cut it or you may try to open a box with a sharp knife and slip.

These types of injuries are preventable and you can avoid cuts and scrapes by making sure all sharp objects are wrapped properly and of course, taking your time when you do move items.

  1. Slip and Falls

A slip and fall can occur for a number of different reasons from the ground being wet to missing a step on a staircase or even a spilled drink in the house. You should always be cautious when carrying items and check the pathway to make sure it is clear BEFORE you begin moving items.

You can prevent injuries like this by wearing shoes with grips and closed toes.

  1. Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains occur when you lift items that are too heavy or you move the wrong way. These can be prevented by slowing down and avoiding lifting items that you know are too heavy for you. You should always ask for help when you need to move furniture or heavy boxes.

A sprain can occur too when you slip inside your home or go down the staircase wrong. You must pay attention when walking to prevent these kind of injuries.

  1. Pulled Muscles

Lastly, pulled muscles occur most commonly in the legs, back, and neck. These injuries happen because homeowners often lift items incorrectly and place too much pressure on their muscles. To avoid pulled muscles, always use your legs to lift instead of your back and never lift an item that you think is too heavy for you.

To avoid these four common moving day injuries, you need to make sure that you are practicing safe moving and that you are utilizing the help you have and of course, dollies to move the items.

Moving Sale? How to Properly Price Your Items

If you are planning on having a moving sale, it is important that you properly price your items, otherwise, no one is going to purchase them. If you are unsure of how to price your items for your upcoming sale, we will go over some of the ways below.

  1. Know What Items You Plan to Sell

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to their moving sale is that they price items too high for the average buyer. To prevent this from happening, go through all of the items you plan to sell. If you find something that you are still attached to or something that would be worth more than something you would find at a yard sale, put it to the side and do not sell it.

You want to make sure you offer items for sale that you are actually ready to sell. If you are still attached to an item, you will likely price it too high for someone to purchase.

Rent a Cargo Van or Pick-Up Truck: Considerations and Tips

If you are planning a small move or you simply need to transport a few items to a friend’s house or your storage unit, you do not need to rent a large moving truck. It wouldn’t make much sense to rent a 14-foot moving truck to simply move a washer or dryer. If you do need to move a few things, you may find that renting a cargo van or pickup truck is a much better option for you then the large truck. Below, we will go over some considerations and tips to help you choose which option is best.

Cargo Van Rentals

Cargo vans provide you with the additional room you need to move furniture and large boxes without being large and overpowering. If you have ever tried to drive a large moving truck, you know what we are talking about. The interior of the cargo van is spacious and will allow you to keep your items close by as well.