1. Go Green!

Going green can actually save you money in the long run, and is great for the environment, too! Instead of using a whole roll of paper towels, use washcloths that you can reuse. Instead of single use mops, use something like Casabella, in which you can easily wash the mop head in the washing machine. Some people think going green is too expensive, or that it will not do as good of a job. The opposite, in fact, is true. Just do a simple web search for Green Cleaning, and you will be shocked!

2. Less is more!

This is a big one, and often an overlooked one. When people start Spring Cleaning, they often like to go out with the old, and in the new. They swap out one pile for another. Or, they take all of the cluttered closets and spread it out around the house. Remember folks: less is more! And you will be happier with your living space if you have room to breathe. Go through the closets and take out the clothes that you haven’t worn in over a year. Go through the closets and ask yourself what you really need stored at the house. Don’t want to get rid of it? I totally understand! I don’t like getting rid of things either, even if I don’t use it often. But the key is to get it out of the house! I used to have a whole bedroom full of odds and ends that I never used. The room was a mess, and was a real eye-sore when I had guests over. Finally, I boxed everything up and got a simple, cheap 5×10 storage space and store everything there. Now, I have a whole other room that I can use as an office, and no longer have to keep guests from opening that door!

3. Plan ahead!

The trap a lot of people fall into is that they begin Spring Cleaning, but before they’re even finished, they’re already cluttering things up again. Have a plan ready for the future! Set goals for yourself on what you are going to clean, and when. Let the family or roommates know that certain items go in certain places, and that they should also help in the upkeep. If you simply have a game plan ready and use it, next year’s Spring Cleaning will be a breeze!

Vinyl is considered one of the greatest treasures to a music lover of old, but it doesn’t take much heat or moisture before Elvis is warped to the point that he’s unplayable anymore! Here are some quick and easy tips to make sure your collection is safe…

1. Keep it in a sleeve!

Even if you do not have the original sleeve it came in, go and find one to put it in! If you drop by your local record shop, or do a quick google search, you can find some relatively cheap and affordable sleeve’s to keep your vinyl in. If you do not, the scratches will only add up with every surface the record touches. So, stick to the rule that if it’s not on the needle, then it needs to be in the sleeve!
(For cheap paper sleeves, check out Bags Unlimited!)

2. Always store upright

A lot of people are tempted to make nice little stacks out of their vinyl. However, this is one of the worst things you can do! It doesn’t take much heat at all for the vinyl to start warping downward, and then you just have a big stack of unplayable Frisbee’s.  Whenever you store vinyl, you want to stack them upright like books on a book shelf. Old milk cartons, or even tote buckets, are recommended for easy transport, as well as keeping the vinyl in the upright position to secure it safely for years.

3. Climate Control

This is the biggie! The two no-no’s for storing vinyl are heat and moisture. If you simply stick your vinyl in the attic, around mid-July, the temperature is going to be well past the “safe zone”. Anytime you store vinyl in an attic, you are taking a chance on losing the record forever. And just sticking it in a closet can be just as dangerous. Moisture has a way of building up, and sometimes closets can overheat as well because they are cut off from vents. Climate-control is the key! Find a small climate-controlled storage building, and you have exactly what you need for that priceless collection! If you are just storing records, try finding a 3×5, or even a 5×5, that is climate-controlled and secure. You can usually find these for next to nothing per month! Then put your vinyl collection up for safe keeping until you are ready to slap on some bell-bottom jeans, and relive the 70′s!

These are just some quick tips on how to prevent losing the vinyl collection you love so dearly. Do you have any more tips or suggestions that you can think of? Have you ever lost a valuable piece of vinyl to the heat or moisture? Share your stories in the comments below.

Whether you are a collector of cars or traveling abroad, there are many reasons you might need to store your vehicle for an extended period of time.  Taking a few easy steps can be taken to ensure your vehicle remains in the same condition as the day that you put it into storage…

Paperwork – Make sure all of your documents are in order.  If you need to renew your registration or insurance policy do it prior to storing your vehicle to prevent any problems when the time comes to take it out of storage.

Engine Oil – Change your engine oil and oil filter.  You may also want to consider changing your transmission fluid and brake fluid if you are going to be storing a long time and you haven’t done so in a few years.

Cleaning Your Vehicle – It is essential to perform a thorough cleaning of your vehicle both inside and out.   Wash, buff, and wax the exterior.  Remove all trash and debris from the in interior and the trunk to make sure there is no odor build up.  Treat leather seats, and clean the windows and windshield with Windex.

Battery – Fully charge your car battery, and then disconnect the battery cables.  Failure to do so will result in a slow drain, and your car won’t start when you return.

Gas – Fill your gas tank to capacity and use a fuel stabilizing additive to prevent collection of moisture in your fuel.

Critters – Make sure you don’t leave any openings for critters to invade your vehicle.  Close all windows, place a piece of steel wool in the exhaust pipe, and use a garbage bag to clog the air intake.  Leave a note with the car keys to remind you to remove these items from the air intake and exhaust pipe that would cause serious problems.

Tires – Place your vehicle on jack stands while storing to prevent flat spots in your tires.

People are constantly accumulating more “stuff” in their homes, but rarely throw things out.  As your house fills up, your productivity goes down.  It becomes harder to find things or work around piles of unused items.  Make it a priority to reclaim your house from the clutter and reorganize your home.  This can be a daunting task, but as you walk through your house divide items in to categories and tackle these groups one at a time.

Things to Sell…

Everyone has those items that never get used but retain a decent resale value.  It might be that treadmill that was used once, or that Expensive camera you bought when you decided photography would be a fun hobby.  Regardless of the item, there is always someone out there looking to buy.  You could host a garage sale, list an ad on craigslist, or try to sell it on eBay.  Not only will you be getting rid of those unused items, but can make a little coin on the side.

Things to Donate…

Do you have a closet full of cloths that you hope to wear again?  Chances are good that those items will be long out of style before you can squeeze into them again.  These days there are lots of people out there in need of a little help, so it might be a good idea to donate those cloths to Good Will or Salvation Army.  The same could be said for that old couch in the basement, or the extra set of dishes that just takes up space in the back of your kitchen cabinet.

Things to store…

Lastly, there are those items that serve a purpose part of the year but just take up space the remainder of the year.   For these items it might make sense to rent a small storage unit to keep them organized and more importantly out of the way. By storing these items you can free up space all over the house.

• Out of season clothing
• Holiday Decorations
• Extra towel or Bed Linens
• Garden Tools
• Snow blowers
• Motorcycles
• File Cabinet
• Baby furniture a child has outgrown

The examples are limitless; the key is to manage your home so you can be productive and comfortable rather than becoming a burdened by your own possessions.

Self-Storage offers its customers a great deal of flexibility of what you’re allowed to store, but there are a few exceptions.   The following list of items are typically forbidden from being stored in a storage unit, make other arrangements for these items to save yourself a headache down the road.

Combustible, Explosive, or Toxic Materials

You cannot store anything that will be potentially dangerous to other tenants or the building itself.  These items include Gasoline, Propane Tanks, Kerosene, Motor oil, Corrosives, fertilizer, spray paint, toxic/biological waste, fireworks, or ammunition.

Perishable Items & Pet Foods

You may not store items that mail spoil or attract pests.  These items include produce, meats, or bread.  You may store canned food as long as it is still factory sealed.

Inoperable Vehicles or Excessive amounts of tires

Storing a vehicle is generally accepted as long as you can provide a registration, proof of insurance, and the vehicle is in good working condition.  However, many stores may prohibit you from storing a non-functioning / project car in fear that the customer will abandon it there and will be left disposing of the vehicle.  The same is true for a large number of tires.  Most facilities will not allow you to store in excess of 4 tires because of the cost of disposing them if they are left behind.

Appliances (plugged in)

Many people store appliances, but it should be known that most facilities will not allow you to plug them in.  Items such as refrigerators, chest freezers, generators or space heaters must be left unplugged throughout the duration of your tenancy.

Plants and Animals

You may not store any type of plant or animal (living or deceased) in your storage unit.  That goes for you as well.  Times are tough, and a climate controlled unit may seem like an attractive alternative to paying rent on an apartment, but this is strictly forbidden.

Other than the items we touched on above almost anything else goes at a self-storage facility, but if you are unsure about something don’t hesitate to ask your store manager.

During the Second quarter of 2012, Devon welcomed its latest addition to its family of national self-storage facilities. A 60,000 square foot storage facility located at 4200 Hunsaker St., East Lansing, MI 48825. The facility is located approximately 2 miles south of I-69 off of chandler. The property consists of 13 separate single-story buildings with 419 units.  If you are in the East Lansing area, stop by and check it out.

When you decide to sell your house there are several things that you can do to improve the appearance of your home so you can sell it for much closer to asking price.

De-Clutter Your Home:

Removing any unnecessary items from your home will make it look larger and cleaner making it more appealing to potential buyers.  The following items should be packed up and removed before showing your house.

• Family Pictures
• Heirlooms
• Knickknacks
• Kids Toys
• Clear all Countertops
• Organize Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets
• Empty Your Closets
• Pet Dishes, Cages, Leashes and your pet should stay with a friend or family member while the house is being shown.

Cleaning:

Common sense dictates that you should perform a thorough cleaning before showing your house to a potential buyer.  However there are many areas that people often overlook that can significantly affect what you end up selling your home for.  Make sure to…

• Wash BOTH sides of your windows
• Rent a power washer and clean Sidewalks, Decks, and the Exterior of your house
• Polish any chrome fixtures
• Clean the Fridge
• Wax the floors
• Dust and Polish Furniture
• Bleach Dingy Grout

Repairs & Maintenance:

Lighting – Most homes are improperly lit, by replacing burnt out bulbs and putting in higher wattage bulbs you can provide that warm feel that appeals to buyers.

Flooring – Replace any broken tiles in the kitchen or Bathroom, Repair and large scratches or missing planks in a hardwood floor, and make sure to fix any cracks in sidewalks or walk ways.  These small details will throw up red flags to a home buyer if they are not properly taken care of.

Cabinets – If you can’t afford to buy all new cabinets for your home, try buying new doors for a cost effective alternative.  The same can be said for the dishwasher, Check with the manufacturer to see if you can purchase a new front panel.

Painting -   A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference in the world in making your home look good.  Make sure to patch all holes or scratches in the dry wall before painting.

Tips & Tricks:

Repurpose Space – You can place some cheap rubber mats and full length mirrors in your basement  that was previously used as storage and turn it into a home gym.  This added utility can add value to your home.  You could also put a comfy chair and lamp in the space under the stairs to make a convenient reading space.

Rearrange Furniture – Less is more when it comes to furnishing in your home when you are trying to sell it.  Rent a storage space and remove any furniture that isn’t absolutely essential.  With the remaining furniture float it off the wall to make the space seem larger.  You should also arrange sofas, loveseats, and coffee tables into small conversational groups.

Accessorize – The right accessories can put any room over the top and make it more appealing.  By placing rolled towel, candles, and decorative baskets in the bathroom you can give off a spa vibe that potential buyers are receptive to.

If you spend any amount of time on the internet you are sure to see claims that the “end is nigh”, and that an earth shattering event will take place any day now.  Though some of these claims may seem ridiculous, any Boy Scout will tell you to “always be prepared”.  It is for this reason you may choose to create your own cache of survival supplies, but a years’ worth of water bottles and canned peaches will take up quite a bit of space.  If you don’t have room in your basement then consider using a self-storage unit.

Advantages of Self-Storage for Your Own Personal Survival Stash

Flexible Spacing Options – with units ranging from 25 square feet to 800 square feet you will be able to find a unit that will meet your needs perfectly

Security – Sleeping bags and MRE’s are not cheap, so you want to make sure your items are safe from petty thieves or hungry mobs after the $h!t hits the fan.  Most facilities have a gate, security cameras, alarms, and high quality locks to ensure your supplies will still be there when the time comes.

Payment Options – With self-storage you can pay month by month or years in advance depending on your financial situation.  WARNING!  Make sure you stay on top of your payments because you do not want to see your supplies go to auction for non-payment.

Locations- Storage Facilities are quite popular these days so you should be able to find one close to your home or on the outskirts of town depending on your person preference

Climate controlled – If you store your supplies in a climate controlled unit this can greatly extend the life of your food items such as a MRE.  Storing these types of items in a hot garage or shed will cause them to expire at a much more accelerated rate.

Basics Items You Should Have In Case of an Emergency

• Water Bottles and/or a water purifier
• Non-Perishable food
• First aid kit
• Tent & Warm Sleeping Bag
• LED Flashlight & Lantern/head lamp with extra batteries
• Emergency Radio
• A Good knife & an assortment of multi-tools
• Basic hunting/trapping supplies & fishing tackle

Hopefully we will never have to use such a cache, but if you’re like me and just a little bit paranoid it could be a good idea.  Like my father always told me hope for the best, plan for the worst!

Small Business was once the back bone of this country, but now large corporations have taken over making it hard for the little guy to compete. In order for the small business to stay afloat it is crucial to keep overhead low, and it is for this reasons many owners are looking for different ways of doing business. Self-Storage has become a great alternative to renting a traditional office or warehouse space. Although running a business out of a storage unit sounds a bit strange, it could be an ideal solution for, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, Pharmaceutical Reps, or really any business where the bulk of your business takes place outside of the office. Self-Storage units are very affordable averaging between $0.75/ square foot to $1.50/square foot depending on the type of storage you are looking for and the location of the property. Since most storage unit leases are month to month you are never locked into a long-term deal where you are paying for space you don’t need. If you receive a shipment and need more space, rent a second unit. Once that merchandise is sold you vacate the unit or downsize to a smaller size. The flexibility in sizing options is limitless. Since self-storage has become very popular you are sure to find a unit in any location you need, putting you closer to your customers.

If you decide to try using a storage unit for your business, it is important to understand that all storage facilities were not created equal. Property features, and quality of a storage facility vary wildly from location to location. These are some things to consider when choosing a storage company.

• Is it Business friendly? Some facilities are much more accommodating of corporate units than others.

•Gate Access Hours. You want to make sure the storage facilities access hours match up with your customers needs. If you occasionally need to make a 3am service call, it is important to have 24-hour access.

• Security, are your items going to be safe? Make sure the facility has a perimeter fence with coded access to ensure no one will have access to the property that shouldn’t.

• What are you storing? If you are storing merchandise that is sensitive to temperature or humidity you may want to look into climate-controlled storage.

• How often will you be going into the storage unit? If you plan on accessing the unit daily, an interior unit will keep you out of the rain and other adverse weather conditions.

• Semi Access? If you expect large deliveries such as pallets, make sure there is enough room on the property that a semi trailer can pull in a maneuver through the facility.

• Deliveries. Will the storage manager sign for a delivery from UPS or Fed Ex?

Whatever your needs, chances are good that Devon Self Storage has the right unit for you. I recommend that your stop by anyone of our convenient locations and speak with one of our storage specialists to find the best possible storage solution for your business.

During the first quarter of 2012, Devon welcomed its latest addition to its family of national self-storage facilities. In conjunction with its financial partner, Devon has closed on the acquisition of a 145,000 square foot storage facility located at 3417 Fontaine Road, Memphis, TN 38116. The facility is located approximately 8 miles south of the central business district for the City of Memphis. The property consists of 12 separate single-story buildings with 991 units.  Devon Memphis is currently under renovation to ensure the high quality of Storage Devon Customers have come to expect.  If you are in the Memphis area and looking for Storage, make sure to stop by and welcome the new facility to the Devon team.