Armor Storage

Moving is like an emotional rollercoaster. You experience the highs of excitement knowing you’re in for new opportunities and challenges. There is so much to explore and learn. You’ll meet new people, see new things, and find new hobbies. 

On the other hand, there is also the stress of putting new roots in the ground. Will you make friends? How long will it take you to make the new place your home?

Some people are pros at moving. People in the military, for example, move a lot and have it down to a science. It’s almost like they have a mental checklist of things they need to do. For others, though, moving is highly disruptive. You may have lived in one place your entire life, so the thought of moving can be quite daunting. 

Whether you’re moving for the fourth time or the first, there are things you can do to make things go more smoothly. A big part of any successful move is learning as much as you can about where you are going and picking the right spot to live. What you’ll look for depends a lot on where you are in the stages of life and your priorities. 

Doing the research and choosing where to live often have the biggest impact on your happiness. If you’re trying to make the most out of your move, here are 9 tips for researching your new neighborhood. 

1. Getting Your Commute Right

Studies show that people with shorter commutes are happier overall. Finding an easy commute is critical if you have a stressful job or obligations that require your attention outside of work areas. 

Choose a neighborhood close to work. It will pay off in spades even if it means living in a smaller place or making compromises on priorities that are lower on your list. 

The last thing you want to do is live in a larger house and then sit in the car for hours each day. It’s not worth it. 

2. Research Public Transportation Routes

Just like your commute impacts your happiness, so will not having to drive. Find out what sort of public transportation options your new neighborhood has and whether it’s a viable option for your work commute. This will save you a ton of time and let you read or watch movies while you’re on the way to work and traveling home. 

Most towns these days have bus and tram options to serve workers. 

3. Schools, Schools, Schools

If you have kids, this is THE issue. Finding the best schools in your new neighborhood shoots to the top of any list for families with children. Luckily, there are now more tools online than ever to steer you in the right direction. 

Yes, better schools mean higher housing costs, but the money is worth it knowing your children are getting a great education. Also, buying real estate near highly-rated schools pays off. Your home value will increase because those spots will always be in high demand. 

4. What Hobbies Do You Have?

Do you like to play tennis? Do you want to join a gym? 

When you’re researching your neighborhood options, look for places close to the things you like to do. This is crucial to you continuing to pursue hobbies and other interests. When things are too far away, it’s easy to shrug your passion off and stay home more than you’d like. 

Map the distance from where you want to live and then track how long it will take you to get to your class or favorite spots. 

5. Pet-Friendly Parks

Having pets is a huge obligation and should be a big part of your move research. If you have a dog, for example, you’ll want to know where all of the dog parks and other dog-friendly areas are around where you live. 

Also, while you’re at it, check out whether there is a good vet near you and where you can go to buy any pet supplies you need if you don’t have time to wait for an online service to deliver products. 

Take your dog’s welfare into account early because if things are too far away, it’s too easy to say you’ll go some other time. 

6. Make a List of Interest Points

Whenever you move, there are always going to be things that catch your eye that you normally wouldn’t do back at your last place. There are going to be parks, restaurants, clubs, museums, and other activities that you can visit and enjoy in your new neighborhood. 

Make a list of interest points while you’re doing your research so you don’t forget the places that catch your eye. You’re not going to be able to do everything in the first week or month that you’re there, so having the list is an ideal way to remember all of the things you want to try. 

7. Get Healthcare Sorted Early

You never know when you’re going to need medical care, so the earlier you get this stuff sorted, the better. 

Right now, doctors are booked full of clients in a lot of places. You may be surprised to discover that you’re on a waitlist if you’re trying to find a family physician for you and the kids. Find a good doctor, or more than one, and get on their lists as soon as possible. 

Likewise, research the nearest hospitals and know where to go if you have an emergency. It pays to know where the important resources are in your area, so you cut down on the time it takes to make a decision when it’s important. 

8. Find a Storage Facility If You Need One

Moving is chaotic. A house full of boxes and mess while you’re trying to work or sort the kids’ school only adds to the stress. One of the best things about storage units is that you can better manage the chaos because not everything is in your living room all at once. 

You can lease storage large or small enough to fit whatever you need in there while you make your way through organizing your new space. Usually, you’ll have no trouble finding a spot near your home that’s a short drive away. 

9. Find Social Media Groups

OK, so social media is controversial, but one of the best things about social media platforms these days is the groups and marketplace forums they offer. You can find like-minded people, buy things at a bargain, and sell anything you find out that you don’t need after you’ve unpacked. 

People create neighborhood groups that only people who live there can join where they post about activities and meetings you will want to know about. It’s typically worth all of the madness that comes with the territory, and you can always filter out any kooky members so you don’t see their posts if you don’t want to. 

The more time you put into researching your neighborhood, the easier your transition will be. You can fill your calendar with things to do before you even get there. It’s a fantastic way to hit the ground running and settle in more quickly. 

Find places where you can do what you love, and also look for new things that you want to try. If possible, make connections early on. A good friend in a new neighborhood is like having a key to unlock the door to your new life.

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If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

For first-time self-storage users, the learning curve can be steep. It’s a bit more complex than just putting things inside your unit and then leaving them there. There’s more to learn to get the most of your money and make your storage unit the most effective. 

Right now, storage units are helping millions of people across the country handle moves, store seasonal gear, keep things safe for military personnel posted overseas, and more. You can find a high-quality storage unit in your area at a bargain to help you augment your space and manage your things. They keep you more organized and clear the clutter that so often ends up in garages, basements, and other areas of your home. 

For small businesses, self-storage units are a terrific way to manage inventory. You’ll pay a fraction of the cost of renting a commercial space. Still, there are things you should know that will keep your things in pristine condition and make your life easier whenever you need to move things in or out. Here are 13 simple starter tips for self-storage newbies. 

1. Climate-Controlled Units Are Worth a Look

Whether you’ll need a climate-controlled unit depends largely on where you live and what you’re keeping in your unit. If you have anything sensitive to temperature swings going in your unit, then ask about climate-control options.

Climate-controlled units are typically more expensive than units without air conditioning, so know that going in. You’ll pay more, but the cost is well worth keeping your things away from mold or warping in the heat. 

2. Store Things Off of the Ground Whenever Possible

The ground and the walls are where most of the moisture builds up in storage units. Although the facility you’re storing at should employ their own moisture prevention measures, what you do inside of your unit can be just as important. 

The biggest thing that you can do is to keep things off of the floor. If you’re keeping items in there long-term, put them on wooden pallets or cinder blocks. This allows air to flow underneath your property and prevents water buildup. 

The same goes for walls. Keep things off of the walls, even if ever so slightly. 

3. Keep an Inventory List

The only people who regret renting a storage unit are those who pay every month and don’t know what they’re getting in return. That happens, most often, when people can’t remember what they’re keeping there. 

Tracking your property with an inventory list helps you remember what you’ve got in there and why. Whenever you move things in and out, update your list. 

An updated inventory will help you decide whether next month or next year if you still need the storage unit. It’s easier to end the lease if you find that you’re not keeping as much as you thought, and it’s a nice reminder of the value you’re getting from maintaining your lease if that’s what you decide. 

4. Clear Containers Are Your Friend

Boxes are easy and relatively affordable but clear, air-tight plastic containers are a better way to store things. You can see what’s inside of each container without opening it. Also, labels make it easier to remember where things are, and you can typically stack the containers. 

5. Leave a Path

Most people will tell you to keep the things you’ll frequently need in the front of your unit. It’s good advice, but what they usually miss is telling you to keep a path to things in the back. 

Don’t be that person who has to climb over a mountain of furniture or boxes of shoes to get to your photo albums in the back. Leave a path through your things for easier access.

6. Put Some Shelves Inside

Typically, your storage unit will be completely bare. You can take advantage of vertical space, though, by setting up some low-cost shelving units inside. Shelves make it much easier to store small things and stay better organized. 

You can also store things outside of boxes (like inventory for your small business, or shoes, sports equipment, etc.)

7. Ask About Deals!

Remember, you can’t get a better deal on your lease unless you ask. A lot of storage facility owners and managers will have promotions for certain professions, students, moving specials, and other discounts. Check out their websites for any information on promotions. If you can’t find any, it can’t hurt to ask!

8. Don’t Rent Too Far From Home

One of the biggest mistakes that self-storage newbies make is renting too far from where they live. This might be fine if you’re moving, but if you plan on going to your unit regularly, you’ll likely live to regret it. 

Thankfully, most areas will have a storage facility close to you. Even if it costs a bit more, you’ll get more value having it close by. 

9. Know What Not to Store

Don’t keep any exposed food, hazardous items, anything flammable or combustible, and ask your management about prohibited items. Some storage units prohibit things like fireworks, weapons of any kind, and valuables like jewelry. 

Also, don’t put anything living in your storage unit. Some people think that storing a plant for a short while is no big deal. However, it’s dark, and the air is restricted inside. Temperatures can swing widely depending on what time of year it is. Plants in storage units can die very quickly, so think of another option if you need to move them. 

10. Consider Liability & Safety

Self-storage facilities are usually very safe. There are access control measures like keypads or cards, and many have 24/7 security on-site. However, you shouldn’t keep anything inside your unit that is irreplaceable or high-value. Jewelry, birth certificates, family heirlooms, and other precious items belong in a safe deposit box or a safe at home. 

Before you put anything valuable in your unit, look at your insurance policy to see what they’ll cover in the event of loss and check your lease to see what responsibility your facility assumes.

11. Make Your Unit an Extension of Your Home Storage

People love using self-storage units to manage home storage space better. For example, you can keep bikes there in the winter and store coats in the summer. Changing out seasonal gear saves you space at home and reduces clutter. 

12. Heaviest Items Go on Bottom

Avoid smashing things by keeping the heaviest stuff on the bottom when stacking boxes or containers. Even if you think it’s only going to be there short-term, it’s a simple way to prevent property damage and keep your things in good condition. 

13. Plan Your Move-in

You’ll save time and frustration by planning your move-in before you start. People go into their unit without a plan and end up having to rearrange everything multiple times to get everything to fit or end up hating going to their unit. 

With a plan, you stay organized and know where everything is. Based on your unit’s size, put some time into thinking about where everything should go before you start lifting any boxes. 

These tips will get you started off on the right foot and get you the most out of your unit from the beginning. Doing it right will give you peace of mind knowing your property is safe and will say in good shape no matter how long it’s in there. 

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If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Are you looking for ways to keep your kids’ stuff organized? If you’re tired of finding toys in every drawer or constantly hounding your kids to clean their rooms, then you’re in the right place. 

Families are great but talk to any parent, and they’ll tell you about the struggle to stay organized. Kids love “things.” Just take them to Target or some other store, and most kids will beg you endlessly for toys, markers, or some other trinket. They act like getting that one thing is life or death, no matter what it is. The problem is, they usually play with something once or twice, and then it ends up in a pile with the rest of the Legos or Barbie toys you’ve collected over the years. 

Staying organized makes it easier for your kids to stay clean, and you’ll get more use out of the money you spend buying things for them. Instead of screaming at them to just “clean up!” they will have a system in place and know what to do when it’s time for their chores.

Here are some fantastic ways to keep your kids organized with effective storage solutions available to everyone. 

1. Use the Space Under the Bed

Beds in kids’ rooms are often underutilized. It’s either an empty space or a messy catch-all for everything they don’t want to pick up. Instead, you can use the space under the bed as a terrific storage spot. Buy some clear plastic storage bins. Usually, you can find some with wheels that slide in and out or stack easily. 

2. Use Labels!

Whether it’s those plastic storage bins or shelves in the closet, using labels is helpful for everyone. Once a kid can read, they can decipher labels and know where to put things when it’s time to stay organized. They can have a space for shoes, hair products, coats, toys, and whatever else is cluttering up their rooms. You can buy a custom label maker or just use something like masking tape with a marker. It all depends on how much time you want to use and how visible the storage is. 

3. Consider a Storage Unit for Seasonal Items

One of the challenges of staying organized as a kid is that you’re often limited to smaller spaces. They don’t get to decide what goes in the basement or the garage. A lot of families have considerable organizing success by renting a storage facility to keep seasonal items like winter clothes. It gets the stuff out of the house, which means there is less to organize. You could even store winter toys, bikes, and scooters, along with other things your kids don’t use all year. Just pop over to the unit when you need them and change them out for something else you can stow away for a while. 

4. Purge Regularly to Get Rid of Stuff

Kids accumulate things and then grow out of them. Eventually, you’re going to have a child with clothes, toys, books, and other stuff they are too old or mature for. It’s time to get rid of that stuff! You can always donate them or pass them along to a friend with younger kids. But if not, don’t be afraid to just throw it all away! It might be hard to let go, but you’ll feel so much better once you’re through. 

5. Door Racks Are a Big Help

Does your kid have a lot of shoes? There are racks that hang on the back of the door, with room for a ton of shoes. It’s a great, discreet way to manage storage and stay organized. They’re affordable and easy to find only or at your local home goods store. 

6. Chore Charts Work

Staying organized isn’t all about stuff. A routine is a big part of the structure that kids need to feel productive and learn responsibility. You can DIY a home chore chart or buy one of a million charts online that outline what they need to do before school, when they come home, and on the weekends. For most kids, staying organized is a habit you need to develop. They’ll resist initially, but once they get in the routine, work will become automatic. 

7. Build a Shared Family Calendar

It might not work for little kids, but as you kids get older, schedules need to sync to make things run smoothly. Build a free online family calendar through your phones and other devices where you and your kids can create and edit events. This will help you know who needs to be where and manage all of the logistics of sports, clubs, jobs, and other kid commitments. 

8. Do Things On Time

It may not seem like a big deal, but kids love routines. They like knowing that breakfast is a family thing on the weekend or that chores must be done before playtime after school. Create a routine and stick to it. Have dinner at roughly the same time every evening. Do chores all together as a family on Saturday morning. It will help you keep things organized, and children feel more secure when they know what to expect. 

9. Trust But Verify

Most parents want to help their kids become more independent. It’s nice when your kids start telling you what time soccer practice is on Thursday. Just remember that they’re new to this. They may not always get it right. Just in case, make sure to connect with their teachers, coaches, and other people to stay on top of their schedules. The last thing you want is that end-of-semester freak-out when you realize they’re way behind on their schoolwork. Follow up with their commitments and stay up to date as much as possible. 

10. Reward Good Behavior

Children, like adults, respond best to positive reinforcement. When your child does the right thing, even if you had to ask them a million times, tell them that you’re proud of them and that you know they can stay organized. Help them keep up the good work, whether it’s picking up their toys or getting good grades at school. They’ll come to recognize that certain behaviors (in this case, staying organized) is the way to unlock compliments and other forms of praise. 

11. Don’t Wait Until Morning

Mornings are usually rushed when you have kids. When you’re trying to get to school or drop the kids off before you head to work, there is not much wiggle room for forgotten chores or missed assignments. Ideally, all of that stuff will happen at night before bed, so mornings are less stressful.

After dinner, you can check in with your kids to make sure they’re doing their homework, the bag is packed, lunches are ready, and all other chores are complete. Then, you and the kids will go to bed relaxed, knowing everything is sorted for the next day. Then, all you have to do is grab things on the way out the door. 

Keeping kids organized will help them focus better, do well in school, and feel confident knowing everything is in its place. With kids, the challenge of staying organized is multi-faceted. It would be best to keep stuff organized and track things on a schedule. It takes time and commitment on your part to see that they develop the habits now that will make them successful in the future. Keep at it, and eventually, everyone will get it!

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If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

There’s a lot to discover about self-storage units and how they can make your life easier! More and more people learn how storage units keep them organized and save space at home every day. You can finally clear out your garage or basement and make way for home projects you’ve always wanted to complete. A storage unit makes it possible. 

With more space, there are endless possibilities. You’re not bogged down by clutter. With a storage unit, you have a flex space you can use for long-term safekeeping or as off-site storage where you can keep winter clothes, kayaks, bikes, and other equipment for the weekends. 

There’s a lot more to self-storage than dusty units and furniture from mom and dad. Now, people are finding ways to use self-storage to make life more manageable and get more out of their homes or apartments. Especially for people living in urban areas, self-storage opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to creating a space you love in smaller homes. You don’t have to fit everything with you at all times. You get to pick and choose what goes where for an affordable price. 

If you’re considering a self-storage unit, we’ve put together this list of 11 fun facts to help you decide. Now, there are more options than ever, and you get to choose how a storage unit can make your life easier. Let’s take a look!

1. Those Auction Shows Are Real

Have you ever seen the reality TV shows where people bid for the contents of abandoned storage units? They’re real! Auctions happen, though not always how they’re depicted on television.

Many of them happen online, so the people aren’t standing there outbidding each other before a big reveal. Usually, in an abandoned storage unit auction, people bid online and make their way to the unit within a prescribed timeframe. It can be both a lot of fun (sort of like a treasure hunt) and some people do viable business in this space. 

2. Moving Is the Top Reason People Use Storage Units

While, yes, people are renting storage units more and more to better manage their space at home, moving is still, by far, the biggest reason people rent them. The past two years have been an incredible time for migration in the United States. People are moving a ton, and often are leaving big cities for places a bit more relaxed. Using a self-storage unit is the perfect way to eliminate stress before a move. You can spend the time you need finding the perfect new home without worrying about where you’re going to put your stuff. 

3. There Are a Ton of Storage Facilities!

According to some sources, there are more than 40,000 storage units across the U.S. If you’re looking, it’s more than likely there’s a good facility right near you. You will also probably have a ton of choice when it comes to the size of unit you can choose, security features, climate-control choices, and more. 

4. Renting a Storage Unit is More Affordable Than You Think

A lot of people refrain from even looking at storage units because they’re afraid it will cost too much money. However, they’re usually pleasantly surprised when they find out just how much renting a unit will cost them. You can find a great deal on a storage unit during off-peak season as well. As with anything, ask about promotions before you sign a lease to make sure you’re getting the best price. Some storage units will also help tenants who need to get out of their lease by letting new customers assume the rest of their term. If you’re looking for something shorter-term, this could be the way to go. 

5. That’s A Lot of Square Footage

Experts estimate that there are more than 1.7 billion square feet of storage unit space in the country. That’s incredible when you think about it. Even though there is so much space, storage space is still in very high demand. There are more facilities going up all of the time to meet customer demand. As of 2015, more than 90% of storage units in the county were occupied, and the number has only continued to go up from there. 

6. The Military Loves Storage Units

As you might imagine, military members are big storage unit customers. They’re always changing stations or moving their family to a new base. It’s certainly an interesting lifestyle. You can never settle in one place for too long before you’re getting orders to transfer somewhere new. The same goes for government employees posted overseas working in embassies and consulates around the world. Typically, the government will arrange for a storage unit or provide some sort of stipend to help cover the costs. 

7. Storage Units Are Like Time Capsules

When your company is paying for a storage unit while you’re on assignment or traveling for months, opening up your unit or taking delivery of your household goods is sort of like opening up a time capsule. If you’re gone from your things for a few months, it’s easy to adjust to living without what you may have thought was must-have stuff. People become used to having the things we use, and it’s always interesting to go back and remember what we put in storage at the time. 

8. Americans Use the Most Self-Storage

We live in a consumer society in the United States, so it may come as no surprise that the U.S. is the biggest self-storage user anywhere in the world. To be sure, other places use them, but not at the scale we use them in America.

What can we say? We like to have fun, right? People like to have things, and we keep items that mean something to us. Having them in storage is a terrific way to keep them out from underneath us at home without feeling like we have to get rid of them completely. 

9. What About Storage Lockers?

Did you know that self-storage units come in sizes so small they’re called lockers? That’s right; you don’t need to rent a massive storage unit. Instead, get something smaller at a lower price to keep things you want to hold onto but don’t want to store at home. These types of units are perfect for people like college students who need to store their things when they go home for the summers.

10. More Than 1 in 10 Households Rent Storage

Storage units are in high demand, but still, only 1 in 10 households rent storage. Knowing that the trend has seen a steady uptick for the past two decades indicates that storage units will only continue to grow in popularity. According to the Self-Storage Association, only 1 in 17 households rented storage in 1995.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Moving is stressful enough. With kids, you’re dealing with unique challenges while trying to keep everyone happy at the same time. 

It’s easier for adults to go without. In a pinch, you can run to the store to buy anything you’ve left in a box or forgot back at home in the move. With children, however, there are things you’ll need with you the whole time to make them feel comfortable and settle in as quickly as possible. 

On top of keeping track of things like treasured blankets or favorite toys, you also face the difficulty of organizing and packing things that are smaller, usually have more pieces, and don’t travel as well.

If you’re planning a move with kids, here are nine tips that you can use to make a move easier. Hopefully, these strategies will get you and your family where you need to go with less pain and bumps along the way. 

1. Decide What Comes With You

One of the first things you should do, before you even pack, is to think about what needs to come with you on your person the day of the move. Things like personal electronic devices, a change of clothes, toys, favorite snacks, and other items need to be in a backpack or a carry-on if you’re flying. If you’re driving, you have more wiggle room and space to plan what makes the trip.

Your child is likely going to feel stressed and unsettled just before and on moving day. It’s strange to see a childhood home empty, and there is often anxiety tied to a new place with new people. Having the toys or clothes that make them feel most comfortable will help a great deal. 

2. Pack By Room

Do what you can to put things in boxes according to rooms in your new house. Labels and specific boxes will make unpacking faster, and you won’t have to spend a ton of time looking for kids’ books or clothes in the chaos of boxes everywhere. You or your children can get what they need right away. Do your best to unpack their stuff early so they can start building space in their new room where they feel comfortable. 

3. Use Ziploc Bags

Whether you’re trying to keep a Lego set together or want to make sure slime doesn’t explode inside of a box in transit, sealed plastic bags are your friend. You should use them for toys, liquids, and anything else you want to keep together in the move. In fact, we’ve seen people use plastic wrap to keep already-built Legos and other toys in one piece for the move. Plastic bags will help you keep hair ties together and track all of the kids’ toiletries in one place. 

4. Rent a Storage Unit

Self-storage units are ideal for things like furniture and other large items. Using a storage facility will help reduce the stress of moving because you’re not overly worried about where to put your things. They come in especially handy for folks who don’t know where they’re going to live just yet. If you’re staying in a hotel or temporary living space until you find a permanent place, then renting a storage unit will keep you sane.

They’re also great for kids’ stuff because you can keep things like bikes and other large toys even when you’re staying in a hotel. You can pop over and grab them for the weekend and return them when you’re done. 

5. Take the Kids Somewhere for the Day

Packing with kids running around the house or constantly asking for snacks is extremely tough, particularly once the TVs are unplugged and the internet is disconnected. To free up time and brain space for the packing, ask a friend or relative to take them for the day. If you’ve got professional movers coming, then you or your partner can take the kids to the movies or the park for a few hours while things get sorted. They’ll be away from the stress of the move, and you’ll get more things done faster. 

6. Talk Things Through

Even if your kids look fine, they’re probably spending a lot of time processing the move. Even kids who move a lot don’t love it. They worry about losing their friends, fitting in at a new school, and other valid concerns. You should be talking to your kids early and often to help them feel confident about the move and let them know that you’re there to support them.

You can search together to help them research your new neighborhood together to find exciting things to try. Look at their new school and book some cool activities in your new location to build excitement before the move. 

7. Let Them Help Pack

Your children may want to be part of the moving process depending on their age. Making your kids pack can empower them to feel like they have control over their lives. You can, of course, step in to make sure the computer or other fragile items are correctly packed, but most of their stuff isn’t either valuable or fragile. Set them up with some boxes and make a list of what they need to pack, and give them power over the process. 

Letting them pack will also help a great deal when you arrive. They will know where everything is, and you don’t have to open a ton of boxes looking for whatever they need. Instead, they’ll go to the correct box, find their stuff, and start getting set up. 

8. Pack a Kid Kit

Parents need emergency kid supplies on moving day. Whether driving or flying, you’ll inevitably come across a bloody nose, bathroom accidents, hungry kids, and other minor emergencies. Buy a small container, something the size of a shaving kit or similar. Fill it with wipes, granola bars, batteries, and anything else you can think of that you might need mid-flight or drive. This will come in handy on any move, and you just might end up keeping it in the car going forward once you realize how valuable it is. 

9. Have an Entertainment Plan

Remember when we were kids, and our options during a move or travel were so limited? Now, most kids have devices they can use with batteries that last for several hours. Just don’t be that parent who gets on the plane without downloading a few shows, movies, or games for the flight. You’ll live to regret it. The same goes when your driving through fields on the highway where there is no cell signal for hours. 

Plan ahead and make sure your kids have enough to keep them entertained during the move. Make sure you don’t pack chargers, headphones, and other items in boxes that you’ll need later on. When in doubt, make a list of what you need before the movers show up. Separate them out into the kids’ bags and keep them there until moving day. 

These strategies will help you pack and move with confidence. Do what you can to make your child part of the process and get their input before you make any concrete decisions about what to bring and what to pack. They will love the involvement and it will teach them responsibility. The more they are involved, the less stress they’ll put on you before while you’re packing and on moving day. 

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Deciding what to wear is hard enough on a good day. When your closet is a mess, good luck trying to find an outfit for work or a night out. You’ll probably end up scrounging around for something and throwing it in the dryer to get some of the wrinkles out. If you’re not that bad, you might deal with the issue of wearing the same handful of items in a small rotation even though you own plenty of clothing.

How do you get the most out of your wardrobe and keep everything in good condition? With an organized closet, it’s easier to know what you have and keep your clothes in better shape for longer. It’s easier said than done. With busy lives and a calendar full of obligations, it’s hard to keep things tidy in your closet or bedroom. However, sticking to a system is the best way to look good and save money. 

We’ve put together some tips that you can use to organize your clothes. It’ll help you avoid buying three of the same shirt and will assist you in wearing different outfits to make it seem like you have more clothes than you do. Here are some ways to organize your clothes starting today. 

Buy High-Quality Hangers 

If you’re a grownup, it’s time to do grownup things. Using the complementary metal hangers from the dry cleaner is fine, but you owe it to yourself to do better. Investing in higher-quality plastic or wooden hangers will space your closet and make it easier to see what’s in your closet. Those thin metal hangers scrunch together, and your clothes will wrinkle faster. You’ll feel better hanging shirts and dresses, and you’ll be able to choose what to wear faster in the mornings. 

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

Whenever possible, add shelves to open spaces. Typically, people have a ton of unused space on the sides or in the bottoms of their closets. You can either buy small shelving units or install custom shelves in your closet where you can store shoes, purses, ties, socks, and other accessories. It’s better than keeping things in drawers, or worse, in piles at the bottom of your closet.

Shelving units in your closet are great for organization, but they’re also a space saver in other parts of your room. You’ll have more areas to use for sitting or open spaces rather than putting in a dresser to keep your extra stuff.

Use Closet Dividers

Find a way to divide your closet bar so you know where to put that skirt or blouse, or dress shirt. Don’t just hang things up randomly. You’re going to end up pulling things off of the rack and putting them back on, searching for a specific item. Make putting your clothes away simpler with dividers that sit on your hanging bar. You can make as many sections as you need and go from there. 

Clear Out Your Seasonal Clothes

Too many people make the mistake of keeping all of their clothes in their closets all year. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of the summer; your down overcoat is still sitting there at the end of your closet. 

Make things easy by keeping your seasonal clothes somewhere else. Eliminating unnecessary items from your wardrobe reduces decision fatigue and gives you more room to work with the clothes you need. If you have the space, pack your seasonal clothes up in the basement or garage, or you can rent a self-storage unit at an affordable price. 

Purge Every Year

How often do you look through your clothing and feel unexcited about what you have? It happens to all of us at some point. We end up wearing a handful of items we’re comfortable in, but for whatever reason, that one shirt or those jeans we swore we’d be into at some point are still taking up space. 

Having clothes you love makes it easier to stay organized. Likewise, you should get rid of things you don’t like! People don’t want to shop when they have drawers full of clothing. It feels excessive. When your closet is bare or half-full, you feel better about shopping online or going to the mall. 

Schedule a weekend where you go through all of your clothes. Be honest with yourself about how often you wear them. Get rid of the things you never wear or that are getting tattered. Donate what you can and throw away the rest. 

Keep Your Laundry Room Clean

When you have a clean laundry room and a laundry system, you’re more organized and will get more out of your clothing. Keep your laundry room clean, so you feel better about doing the laundry. It’s weird, some people love doing the laundry, and others absolutely hate it. Wherever you are on the spectrum, a clean room, racks, a good iron, plenty of laundry baskets, and cleaning supplies will get the laundry done faster, and it will feel like less of a chore.

Separate Work & Play

Another great organization tip is to keep your clothes, wherever you have them, and separate them by purpose. Store or hang your work clothes together, and then put all of your exercise clothes in the same drawer or dresser. You’ll know where to go to look for things to wear depending on the occasion. If you want to kick things up a notch even further, you can label bins, drawers, and shelves to make things clearer for you or anyone else in the family who does the laundry. It doesn’t so much matter where things go, but rather that you have a system in place to keep things tidy. 

Hang Everything Clean on the Same Side of Your Closet

It’s hard trying to remember how long it’s been since you’ve worn your favorite sweater. At the same time, you don’t want to be that person in the office who wears the same outfit every other day. How do you keep things in a steady rotation?

One way to track what you wear and when is to always hang newly-laundered items on the same end of your closet. Then, you can pick what to wear from the other side confidently because you know it’s been a while since you’ve put it on. As you put new clothes up, it will gradually push the older items to the other side, and you can pluck them off and wear it with confidence, knowing it’s been a week or two. 

Use the Space Under Your Bed

Finding other areas in your room to store clothes you wear less often is another great tip. Under your bed is a particularly valuable piece of real estate for organizing shoes and clothes. You can buy storage bins with wheels that push in and out quickly. If you can, buy clear plastic containers so you can see what’s inside each without having to open it every time you need to find something. 

Staying organized with your clothing is key to getting maximum value for your money and looking the way you want to. You’ll feel better knowing you have clothes that you love, and you’ll enjoy the absence of unnecessary clutter. If it’s been some time since you went through your clothes, it’s time for a refresher. Build a system that isn’t overly complicated. Design something you’ll maintain long-term and go from there. Soon, you’ll know which clothes to keep and what you can get rid of. Once you have some space, then it’s time to start building a wardrobe you love. 

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Have you ever walked into an AirBNB or a nice hotel room? When you walk in, it feels so relaxing. Successful resort operators and individual rental property experts know how to design rooms and properties for maximum effect. They pick the right colors, arrange nice layouts, open things up with light and make sure it smells nice inside.

One of the biggest things they do, though, is get rid of “stuff”. You won’t find a lot of clutter around these places. Everything has a designated spot, and you only see what needs to be there. There aren’t any drawers stuffed to the brim with junk, and the kitchen areas are well-organized with designated places for every piece of flatware and kitchen appliance.

You can get the same feeling in your house, it’s just harder because you’ve usually got a lot more stuff. With the trite organization methods, you can sort through your stuff and create the calm and inviting environment you crave. The bonus is that finding what you need will be easier for you and anyone else in your family.

Here are 11 awesome home organization tips that won’t break the bank.

1. Buy See-Through Plastic Containers

This is a huge organization tip because, so often, we toss things into drawers or boxes and have no idea what’s in there once the lid closes. Sure, your stuff is put away, but it’s not exactly organized if you can’t recall where anything is. You don’t have to break the bank by buying fancy plastic containers. Just buy stuff online that will last. See-through containers make it easy to see what you’ve got inside your container so you don’t have to rip through everything to remember where you put something.

2. Use Labels

Whether you’re using a piece of masking tape and a black pen or you go out and buy a label maker, putting labels on things will make your home a lot more organized. Your kids, partner, guests, or whoever else is pitching in will also know where they should put things instead of tossing them in random spots. You can label places for school supplies, extension cords, electronics, or whatever else you need.

3. Separate the Seasons

If you’re living somewhere where it’s swimming in the summer and snow in the winter, you probably have a lot of stuff in your closets that don’t need to be there all year long. Take your winter coats out of the closet and stuff them in boxes instead.

4. Use the Space Under Your Bed

The room under beds often goes unused. You can find affordable storage containers with wheels on them that are designed to roll in and out from under beds. Instead of tossing your shoes in a pile under there, you can stay organized by keeping them in sealed containers.

5. Donate Stuff You Don’t Use

If you’re feeling like your place is a bit cluttered, you can get rid of stuff for free by donating it to charity. Several stores will take donations, and it’s perfect for clothes that don’t fit anymore or toys you don’t need. You can even write off the tax value of the donations to save a little money when it comes time to file taxes in April the next year.

6. Sell Things on Facebook Marketplace

A lot of people are surprised at how well their old things sell on Facebook. If you aren’t using Facebook Marketplace, then you should check it out. It’s a thriving marketplace where people can save a ton of money by buying things second-hand. Reducing clutter while you make money, what could be better? You’ll get organized a lot faster, and once you make money you probably won’t be so emotionally attached to things you aren’t using any longer.

7. Build It Yourself

You can save money by purchasing shelving units you build by yourself (hello Ikea). Even though it will take you some time, you will definitely save some money by organizing with DIY furniture. They are great too for places like basements or bedrooms where you need a lot of different compartments for things like toys and clothes. Just be patient when you start out and remember to keep breathing the first time you run into a challenge and you have to go back a few steps to build it right.

8. Buy Storage Furniture & Containers Second-Hand

We’ve already touched on getting organized and saving money by donating or selling things you don’t need anymore, but you can also be a buyer and organize your home on a budget. Odds are someone is selling something that is exactly what you’re looking for or pretty darn close to it. You can save a lot of money and find those containers, racks, or shelves you need to get organized.

9. Rent a Storage Unit

If you think about it, renting a storage unit can be the ultimate money saver when it comes to organizing. Most people in life get to the point where they have so much stuff they feel like the only option is to buy a bigger house or move into a bigger apartment. You end up spending a lot more on housing costs. With a storage unit, you can save and find a place close to home to keep things like bikes during the winter or all of your winter clothes while it’s hot outside.

10. Recycle Old Boxes

Things like shoe boxes are great little containers for tools, sewing supplies, pens, small toys, or whatever else needs organizing. They’re sturdy enough to last and take a bit of a beating as well. You can write on the outside or put a label on them and stick them in a row on a shelf.

11. Use a Virtual Planner

What about time? People are busy worrying about organizing stuff, but typically organizing your time has a way bigger upside. If you’re not syncing with your family on a shared calendar, you’re missing out. These are usually software tools that are free to use and can help you organize where everyone needs to be and when.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Wedding dresses can cost a lot of money. In addition to what you or your family spends on your dress, there’s also the sentimental attachment associated with the dress. It’s not like you will want to get rid of it right after the wedding. Sure, you may sell it, donate it, or gift it at some point, but not right away. You need time to think about it.

So many people end up keeping their wedding dress hanging in their closet for years or decades after they marry. While wedding dresses are indeed beautiful, there has to be a better way. You’re probably going to need to use the space at some point, and you could end up resenting the fact that you’ve got that massive garment bag hanging in your closet.

Keeping your wedding dress in a storage unit is a perfect way to keep it safe and in good condition while also getting it out of the house. Done right, storing your wedding dress in a storage unit can maintain your dress so you can hand it down to someone at the right time or sell it if the price is right. Here’s some helpful information on how to find the right storage unit and the best ways to keep your wedding dress inside.

Don’t Use Plastic Garment Bags for Too Long

Most of the time, when you buy a wedding dress, the boutique will send it home with you in a plastic garment bag. Sometimes it’s a polyester blend, but many wedding dresses are sold in plastic coverings so people can see the dresses without handling them too much directly. They are, after all, white, and too many hands-on them can damage the dresses. It’s fine before the wedding, but if you keep your wedding dress in a plastic covering for years, they can emit chemicals that tend to turn the dress or any other garment in them a yellowish color.

If you do some research, you can find acid-free boxes designed specifically for storing wedding dresses long-term. It may cost you a bit extra, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing your dress will look just as good ten years from now as the day you wore it.

Clean It Professionally Before You Store It

One thing you should certainly do before you store your wedding dress, whether it’s in the attic or a storage unit, is professionally clean it. You should find a place that specializes in wedding dress cleaning to make sure the job is done right. A lot of dresses have stones and other things on them that are sewn on by hand. Your normal dry cleaner has commercial machines that may not be delicate enough for your gown.

Find a place that will do it correctly, and have it cleaned before you put it away long-term.

Check on the Wedding Dress Regularly

Don’t leave the dress in a storage unit for years without checking on it. You should visit it at least once a year to make sure nothing is going wrong with the dress. If you spot an issue early enough, you can salvage it and keep the dress in top shape forever. Left alone for too long, it can get water damaged or have other types of damage and become permanent. With a storage unit close to home, you can drop in and open its container to make sure your dress is still in good shape.

Finding the Best Storage Unit for Your Wedding Dress

If you’re going to store your wedding dress in a storage unit, you need to find the right facility and unit type to keep your dress the way you want it. Here are some tips on finding the best possible storage unit.

Location

You should find something relatively close to where you live. Odds are your wedding dress isn’t going to be the only thing that you’re keeping in there. You need something close enough that you won’t regret renting it. Also, you should take advantage of it. You can store things like winter clothes, bikes, and other seasonal items that will free up space at home. Reclaim your garage and optimize with a storage unit. While you’re there dropping things off or picking something up, check on your wedding dress to see that it’s still doing okay.

Climate-Controlled

Depending on where you live, you may want to opt for a climate-controlled storage unit. This will best protect your wedding dress if you’re living somewhere that’s hot with a lot of humidity. If it gets too toasty in a storage unit, an attic, or wherever else your wedding dress is, it’s easier for it to wilt under the bad weather.

Security

Wedding dresses are a pricey item, and they command high prices on the vintage market. People who spend a lot of money on their dresses are hesitant about storing them somewhere off-site and worry that a storage unit could leave them at risk. Find a storage unit facility with good security like cameras, access cards, gates, personalized locks, and possibly security guards to make sure whatever is inside your unit will stay safe.

Price

Most people don’t realize how affordable storage units are. They think they are a major expense when in reality they’re way cheaper than moving into a bigger apartment or buying a larger house. With a storage unit, you can maximize space and stay in a place you love for longer while your family grows or you accumulate more things.

Think about storing your wedding dress in a storage unit. It’s a fantastic way to keep it safe, dry, and out of harmful sunlight. Your dress will be ready for the next generation when the time comes or you can sell it in mint condition if that’s what you’re trying to do. Modern storage unit facilities offer terrific choices for people, and you can find something large enough for what you need.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

Are you looking for a way to better manage your holiday decorations? We all love them, it’s just a shame that we can’t keep them up for longer. People who stay on top of holiday decorations put in a lot of work to make their homes look and feel festive. Everyone appreciates it, but so few actually pull it off well.

Keeping up with holiday decorations is hard because you have to buy and keep things in good condition. Cheap decorations break easily and never last. High-quality decorations last for decades and sometimes become family heirlooms. Most of us remember that special feeling of our parents pulling out the decorations for our favorite holiday. It let us know fun, meaning, and family memories were about to be made.

If you’re a holiday decoration lover, and you’re looking for a better way to keep your decorations in better condition so they’ll last longer, then storing them in a storage unit is a great option. Done right, holding your holiday decorations in a self-storage unit will prevent damage and keep them pristine for when the holidays come around each year. Here are some things you should know about storing holiday decorations and which decorations are most suitable for a storage unit.

What Goes Best in a Storage Unit?

Any holiday decorations that you want to keep in great condition should go in a storage unit. In a storage facility, you can rest assured that no grandchildren or someone messing around in your garage are going to knock something into them and break anything glass or fragile. You can keep them in shelving units, drawers, or boxes inside of the unit so nothing falls and there won’t be any accidents.

The annual holiday decorations go great in storage units because you can break them out weeks or days before the holiday arrives. When the holiday is over, back in the storage unit they go. You get to save all of that space in your garage, attic, basement, or wherever else you normally keep them.

Different Items to Store

Here are some of the holiday decorations that go best in a storage unit:

Big items

Think things like an artificial Christmas tree, holiday lights, Halloween yard decorations (the big scary things that inflate and make noises to scare all of the neighborhood kids), wreaths, flagpoles (4th of July), and other large decorations. Rather than have them cluttering up your house, you can stick them in a storage unit for safekeeping.

Fragile items

Don’t take any chances with those glass Christmas decorations your mother gave you. Likewise, Hanukkah decorations that are family heirlooms and other fragile decorations can go into a storage unit. You can either bubble wrap them or put them in plastic containers to keep them safe. Some people like to wrap them in newspapers and put them in boxes as well.

Temperature-sensitive items

Do you have anything that you’re worried about molding or otherwise spoiling? Cloth decorations can be a bit tricky to keep in the hot attic during the summer or out in the garage. Luckily, you can rent a climate-controlled storage unit that will prevent any mildew from getting to your cherished items. Talk to the storage unit facility manager or check on their website to see if a climate-controlled unit is available. For a bit more cost, you can have peace of mind that your decorations aren’t too hot.

Yard decorations

We’ve already mentioned the Halloween decorations, but there are a lot of other yard items that people love putting out for the holidays. It lets the neighborhood know you are celebrating and gets everyone in the mood. Whether it’s ribbons, flags, fake pumpkins, Easter bunnies, or anything else you decorate your yard with, you can place them in a storage unit to cut down on how much storage space you’re using at home.

Stuff you might forget about

One of the main advantages of self-storage units is that they keep you so well organized. Have you ever put something in your storage at home or put something away and then can’t remember where it is? There’s only a small window for holiday decorations all year, and it is always a shame when someone can’t remember where they put one of their favorite items. In a storage unit, you’ll always know where your things are, and it’s a quick and easy trip to go get them and prepare them for hanging.

Finding the Right Storage Unit

Choosing the right storage unit will make managing your holiday decorations so much easier. You can pick one that’s close enough to your home so that going to check on things or switch something out is never an inconvenience. You can rent a range of different sizes, so there’s always something perfect. And you can always go up a size if things start getting tight in there. It happens when people have kids and buy more decorations as the family grows.

On top of choosing the right size and location, you should pick something with the ideal security measures in place to keep things safe. Some items are impossible to replace. Heirlooms, antiques, family photos, etc. can be priceless, so you’ll want a storage unit that will keep your things safe. Give your facility a walkthrough and talk to them about what security protocols they have.

Of course, you’ll want to rent a storage unit in good condition. The way a facility looks, smells, and feels is a great indication of how your stuff will be looked after and also what kind of customer service you can expect from the facility. Too many people are so focused on price, they fail to pay attention to some red flags that cause them trouble in the future.

In the end, putting your holiday decorations in a storage unit is the perfect way to free up room at home and keep your items safe. You can label boxes or containers in your unit so everything you need is just a quick trip away.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.

These days, buying a hardcopy video game can feel like a thing of the past. It’s not like it used to be, anyways. In the old days – heck, even ten years ago – people used to line up outside video game stores and gaming sections in places like Walmart before the release of a big game. Once midnight struck, employees would come out, rolling shelves filled with gaming cartridges for eager games to buy, then race home to put them in their CD drives or insert cartridges into their gaming systems.

Now, a lot of game purchasing happens online. With internet speeds so fast, large batches of data can be downloaded in hours or even minutes. When you talk to some kids about how we used to game, they almost can’t believe it. “What, you used to have to blow the dust out of your video games to get them to work?!?” We know, it sounds crazy just saying it.

However, physical gaming isn’t completely dead. Like many other things, games have become vintage. People collect them and trade or sell them for large sums. They’re nostalgic, and their rarity makes some games very valuable. That means finding good ways to store video games and equipment is crucial to keeping them in good condition so they retain their value.

Thankfully, storage units are available and are an ideal place for you to store your gaming systems, physical games, and any other gaming equipment you have. Here are some things you should know about keeping video games in a storage unit so you can keep your games pristine for years.

Renting a Good Storage Unit

A lot of people still keep their games shoved into shoeboxes or in a plastic container under their bed. It makes sense, especially if you’re still playing them every so often. That, or you’re saving them for wherever you have kids or a niece or nephew who takes an interest in gaming.

People don’t know that storage units offer incredible flexibility and the safety you need and want for your games and equipment. Here are a few reasons why you should think about renting a storage unit if you’ve got a lot of gaming equipment around.

Safe

People want to protect video games and equipment for several reasons. Perhaps the biggest reason, though, is that you want to make sure that it’s still usable. The games only keep their monetary and sentimental value if you can still plug them in and see the graphics pop up on a display.

A storage unit has security on-site to prevent theft and other types of damage. Putting your stuff in a storage unit also helps avoid anything like something falling on the games and crushing them. All too often, vintage games get thrown into a random box or storage containers and other things smash and break them.

Free Up Room

Another reason a storage unit works so well is that, if you’re an avid gamer, then stuff starts building up rather quickly. You don’t want piles of potentially valuable equipment taking up random corners in your house or your apartment. By renting a storage unit near where you live, you have quick access to your collection without it becoming a nuisance at home.

It Is Affordable

Most people overestimate how much a storage unit will cost them each month. They’re very affordable and come in different sizes at a variety of prices to fit your needs and your budget. It’s something to consider, especially if you’ve got any type of valuable collection going.

How to Safely Store a Gaming Collection?

For old cartridge-style games, dust is a big enemy. You don’t want to leave the game cartridges out where they are exposed to dust in the air. Whether you’re keeping your collection at home or in a storage unit, ideally you’ll keep them in an air-sealed bag or container that will keep the dust out. They’ll also protect them in the event any moisture tries to get inside. A good thing about storage units is that they almost never flood. The risk of water damage is very low. The same can’t be said for homes with complex plumbing systems.

A big part of storing game collections is the organization, which, thankfully, also helps keep them safe. Store the games in boxes on shelving units that elevate them a bit and make grabbing a game for a buyer or to play a bit faster and easier.

Does it need a climate-controlled storage unit? It’s something you may want to consider, particularly as dollar figures on the items start to get higher. Paying a bit more for climate control options can be well worth it if you’ve got something valuable by comparison. Ask your facility how much extra having the option would be and make the right call based on your collection.

Find Something Close to Home

Not everyone is collecting physical games for money. It’s a big part of the industry, for certain, but there are a lot of passionate game collectors who don’t want to get rid of something they’ve spent years playing. There are some seminal games that leave a lasting mark on us that we’ll associate parts of our lives with forever.

A lot of games come and go, but many will stick around. You’ll play them for hours, and then a new game comes up and you’re onto some other character or challenge. It doesn’t mean, however, that you’re done with that other game. It’s just goodbye for now.

With a storage unit, you can manage which games you play and when much better. There’s no pressure to sell or give them away to free up shelf space in the TV room. You can keep them in the storage unit and, when you feel like it, drop by to pick it up and spend more time playing. Storage units are ideal for seasonal gamers who want to keep going back to games they love again and again.

If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Armor Storage has got you covered in this department. Here at Armor Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections and top-notch security. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at http://armor-storage.com/.