Talk to Storage and Organizing Experts Live on Facebook May 17th

You’ve been kicking around the idea to organize your home, your room, your business, or maybe your closet and just don’t know where to start. The experience, skills and knowledge of a professional organizer would surely come in handy, but so far you have put off contacting one.

Whatever your reason for procrastinating, an opportunity exists at 5pm EST on Thursday, May 17th to get the ball rolling by taking advantage of a free 30 minute seminar and live chat session hosted by not one but two highly respected professional organizers.

All you have to do is log into your Facebook account to attend. It’s that simple. If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can create one easily and get ready to learn from two accomplished professional organizers selected by sponsor company Extra Space Self Storage. As the second largest self storage rental provider in the USA, they know a lot about getting organized.

Extra Space Storage Professional Organizers LIVE CHAT on Facebook at 5pm EST, May 17th

For thirty minutes, Josh Zerkel and Lisa Zaslow will team up to field questions related to getting your life, home or office organized. Feel free to stop in now at the chat site to submit any suggestions on whatever you’d like to discuss with them. By stopping in early, you can also see what organizing topics interest other participants. You can also submit questions by tweeting @extraspace, or writing on the Extra Space Facebook event wall.

Letting clutter build up can quickly become a seemingly overwhelming problem. Organizational experts are trained to help people put effective plans together for eliminating clutter, getting organized, and/or maximizing available storage space. Don’t miss this exciting learning opportunity. It’s totally free and we can all afford that price tag. Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 17th at 5 pm EST and get a leg up on getting productive and being organized. See you there!

Josh Zerkel is a Certified Professional Organizer® and owns Custom Living Solutions, a renowned productivity and organizing consulting firm based in San Francisco. His focus is bridging the gap between the way clients currently live, and the way they want to live. Follow Josh on Twitter @joshuazerkel.

Lisa Zaslow is a recognized organization expert in New York City. She is the founder of Gotham Organizers and for ten years has helped thousands of people save space, time and effort by getting organized. She strives to offer practical advice and simple solutions that make productivity easy, fast, and even fun! Follow Lisa on Twitter @gothamorganizer.

Los Angeles Self Storage Facilities Recycling E-Waste

E Waste Drop Off at Self Storage Facilities in Los Angeles, CA

Recycle Your E-Waste at California Extra Space Self Storage Unit Facilities

Earth Day 2012, going Green, and recycling are all parts of an ongoing effort to promote ways to raise awareness of what you can do to help keep your environment healthy and sustainable.

An important facet of protecting the environment is utilizing electronics recycling and proper e-waste disposal, especially computer recycling, according to the EPA. Choosing to recycle electronics versus setting them on the curb on garbage day or throwing them into a dumpster is going Green in a big way.

Drop electronics off at E-waste locations One of the worst options for unwanted electronics is sending them to a landfill. Not only is this practice wasteful, it is also extremely harmful as toxins and chemicals leach into the ground and contaminate the earth and water supply.

Environmentally friendly alternatives to sending outdated or unusable electronics equipment to the landfill are becoming better known. For example, an organization known as Greenspot Dropoff now makes it easier to find a convenient location to take your unwanted computer, tv and related electronics for safe disposal. Best of all, the service is free.

Greenspot Dropoff was started in California in 2009 to promote as well as provide a responsible way to dispose of e-waste. Currently most Greenspot Dropoff locations are in California and Texas. Greenspot’s goal is to establish electronics recycling drop off locations within 10 miles of most population centers.

So what can you take to Greenspot Dropoff? With the exception of appliances, if you can plug it in and it has a circuit board, they can recycle it: televisions, fax machines, oscilloscopes, computer monitors, optical drives, PC boards, DVD players, laptops, VCRs, keyboards, printers, radios, computer mice, and stereo components are all accepted. They’ll also take cables and cords.

Go green by recycling electronics at Extra Space Storage facilities On March 9th, the program received a major boost when Greenspot Dropoff announced a partnership with Extra Space Storage and 48 of their self storage facility locations in California. Extra Space Storage is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is the second largest self storage unit provider in the United States.

Now businesses and people in areas like Los Angeles county can decide to go green by dropping off their e-waste at Extra Space Storage locations like the Long Beach, CA self storage facility located at 194 E Artesia Blvd, Long Beach, CA. This recycling program will benefit the community not only environmentally, but financially as well. Greenspot and Extra Space Storage will donate one dollar to schools and charitable organizations for each CRT monitor, television, computer, flat screen and laptop dropped off at any participating California self storage unit rental facility.

Regardless of whether you live in the areas currently served by Greenspot Dropoff and their partners like Extra Space, it will benefit you and future generations to recycle your e-waste at a facility or drop off that will dispose of it properly. An online search usually will provide locations in your area. Your earth will love you for it.

Undercover and Covered Under a Mobile Storage Container

A recent trip to my favorite local department store had me ready to flash my personally bestowed detective’s badge. When I pulled into the parking lot, I noted a section had been taped off, and was now filled with what looked like oversized tool sheds. What were these rectangular wonders, and what in the world was inside of them? I put my sunglasses on, pulled my ball cap down, and slowly drove closer to inspect the situation, ready to conduct an all night stake out if necessary. One of the items in question was open, so I took a quick peek, as not to draw any bystander attention. To my surprise, it was full of evidence…aka: clothing. Upon my discovery, I was prepared to go inside the store and complete an interrogation. I fastened my trenchcoat, and slowly entered the building, quietly humming “Bad Boys” to myself. It was right about then the puzzle pieces were put together, saving me from what would have probably been a very embarrassing question and answer session. I’ve decided to share my findings to save you similar speculation.

The store was very obviously undergoing renovation. The so-called evidence I had located was actually a portion of the store’s inventory. And what I had observed outside were actually used shipping containers being used as storage units. Further research led me to determine they are specifically called mobile storage units, conex boxes, or portable storage containers. Everything made sense now. By utilizing mobile storage container rentals, the establishment was able to protect their items and keep the inventory onsite, therefore allowing business to continue as usual without having to post any “closed for renovations” signs.

As a lover of knowledge, I immediately went home and began researching these fascinating and ingenious units. It turns out, the portable storage units/mobile storage containers are weather resistant, come in 10’, 20’, and 40’ lengths, are customizable, and can be rented with pick-up/delivery. Renting portable storage containers is the perfect solution for many commercial, retail, or residential storing needs.

If you are in a situation where you need to store items on-site, safely and securely mobile storage companies like Pac Van Inc. have you covered with numerous mobile containers or portable storage unit options available for rent today.

Reclaim Your Junk Room With Cincinnati Storage Units

Cincinnati Storage Units Will Help Eliminate Clutter

Has Your Spare Room Become a Junk Closet? Rent A Storage Unit!

You call it the junk room. If your house or apartment has one, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Nearly everybody has one. It’s the catch-all room that starts with one box but ends up collecting all the items you’re sure you’ll just have to use someday, but just don’t happen to need now or in the foreseeable future.

In fact, some of those items might just be of practical use and there is a good reason to hold onto them. The problem is those items are taking up valuable space in a room in your home. And if you really think about it, that room could be put to better use as a living space. After all, when you moved in it is highly unlikely that you visualized that room in its current capacity. Travel back to the day you were shopping for a new place to live and walked through with the realtor or landlord. Did you really look in that room and say to yourself: that’s where I’m going to pile all my castoffs, standbys, and seasonal items until I can barely open the door?

You can’t turn back the clock but you can find a convenient, secure place to accommodate all those items and it’s as close as your local self storage rental facility.

At a very reasonable cost that’s a lot less than adding another room to your dwelling, you can rent a clean, dry, and secure space to safely store your useful items and thus reclaim a wide open room that beckons you to put it to good use. If you live in Cincinnati, OH or anywhere in the country for that matter local self storage facilities will help.

Storage Unit For Rent

Cincinnati storage units come in a variety of sizes designed to let you choose just the right sized area to store your possessions. The contents of a typical junk room will fit quite nicely into a 5′ x 15′ storage unit, which equates to 75 square feet.

A storage unit of this size can hold the following: sofa, chair, dining table and chairs, mattress and box spring, and other smaller items and boxes. Storage unit facility managers will tell you that the primary thing that deters most customers from using their facility is that people find it difficult to estimate how much storage space they are going to need.

This uncertainty can be dispelled rather easily by simply visiting your local self storage facility. The folks who run these businesses are experienced pros who can discuss with you what you want to store and give you a good idea how much space you’ll need. They’ll also be happy to show you some units first hand so you can actually see the spaces that are available. Many self storage facilities also have web sites which offer guidelines for storage needs.

Perhaps it’s the thought of spring cleaning or a New Years Resolution to get organized that has you thinking about attacking the clutter junking up the space that was once an extra room. Maybe a new addition to the family is on the way and the “extra” room is about to be occupied. Whatever the reason, now that your motivated to put an end to the junk room take my advise and plan a visit to your local self storage facility or their website. Self storage is a surprisingly easy, convenient and affordable option that bears exploring.

I recently visited an Extra Space self storage facility in Cincinnati, OH in order to learn more about the industry and interview the manager and they had a sign that said it best…YOU DESERVE EXTRA SPACE!

Self Storage Cincinnati OH

Self Storage Cincinnati, OH

Discover a Hidden Gem in the Self Storage Business on the West Side of Cincinnati

Residents and business people of Cincinnati’s west side neighborhoods seeking a safe, secure, clean and well managed self storage space provider now have a convenient option in the Extra Space self storage Cincinnati, OH facility on 5151 Glencrossing Way near the Glenway Crossing retail development.

Self Storage Space Rental in Cincinnati OH

Cincinnati Storage Units

The state of the art facility is maintained and operated by the second largest storage rental company in the USA, whose stock price has been rising and one visit to the site will demonstrate why. Composed of over 700 self storage units, the business reflects the solid and efficient customer focused management that is the hallmark of Extra Space Storage.

Start with safe and secure. The grounds of this Cincinnati, OH Self Storage Rental Facility are protected by strategically placed video cameras that maintain constant recorded surveillance. The manager lives on site so someone is there day and night. The fenced in grounds are well lit and accessible only through a single gate that is password protected. Finally, each unit is individually alarm protected so in the unlikely event your self storage unit lock is compromised, unauthorized entry to every unit will trigger an alarm.

Secure Storage Cincinnati OH

The pride that both Extra Space and their employees take in maintaining a clean environment is evident as you tour the facility. Both the grounds outside the units and the interior spaces are impeccable. Besides being visually appealing, there is a more practical reason for this focus as it virtually eliminates rodent and animal intrusion. For good measure, the facility also contracts with local exterminators to implement preventive control measures.

Storage customers can choose from a wide variety of both drive up and inside access rental self storage units, ranging in size from a large closet at 5′X5′ to a 10′X30′ storage unit comparable to a large garage. Rentals can be for as short as one month or as long as is desired. First time storage space renters may take advantage of specials and promotions. Contact the staff for details.

You Deserve Extra Space in Cincinnati, OH

Free First Month Self Storage Rental in Cincinnati OH on Glencrossing Way

Click Here for Manager's Special

Manager John Cox is a veteran of the self storage rental business and enjoys sharing his wealth of self storage tips if you have any questions. If your New Years resolution is to eliminate the clutter or you simply need storage space he and his staff look forward to benefiting you with their experience. They encourage you to call or even better, stop by, because in the case of Extra Space Self Storage, seeing is believing. The Extra Space Glencrossing Way storage facility is conveniently located near West Side Cincinnati communities such as Western Hills, Delhi Township, Green Township, Westwood, Cheviot, Price Hill, Bridgetown, and Covedale in Hamilton County.

Visit the Extra Space Storage Blog for packing tips, advice on how to get organized, and self storage industry news or follow their updates on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook.

Rent Self Storage Units and Eliminate the Clutter!

This storage rental update is sponsored by the Extra Space Storage West Side Cincinnati, OH Self Storage Facility at 5151 Glencrossing Way – The Cincinnati Storage Rental Experts.

Get Rid of the Clutter with Self Storage - Illustration by Pablo Bernasconi

Eliminate Clutter by Renting Self Storage Units

Clutter in the closet, basement, garage, attic, you name it, the stuff seems to be everywhere you look. When you moved into your residence one of the things you liked best about it was the extra space to store your household goods, clothes, shoes, and the items you require.

Over time as you naturally began to accumulate more possessions, perhaps you added a storage solution like a Closet-maid or shelving to manage what was on the verge of becoming clutter. Now once again that space is in need of organizing and you’ve resolved to clean it up and restore a sense of order to your castle. The process is called decluttering and there is a convenient solution to help you reclaim the space you so enjoyed when you moved in. And it’s a solution you can use for as little as a month: self storage rental.

Get Help Getting Organized with Self Storage Rental

Need help with clutter? Self Storage to the rescue!

Self storage is a great option for getting started. A local self storage facility will provide you with a space that fits your storage needs, and offers a secure spot where you can stash your useful possessions. Modern storage facilities, like Extra Space Storage’s Cincinnati, OH Self Storage Facility are designed for security and easy access. They are spacious, well lit, and offer a variety of different sized enclosures. For example a 5′ x 10′ storage unit rental provides enough space to store the contents of a medium sized room. You can rent a space about the size of a large closet, up to a garage sized storage area capable of handling the contents of several rooms.

A key point to remember is that you’re not the Lone Ranger. Sometimes the process of freeing up some space to get organized can seem a bit overwhelming. A good suggestion is to visit a local self storage provider and speak to the pros who interact with folks in your situation on a daily basis. Not only can they provide you with some pointers and suggestions for getting started, they will also be happy to show you rental storage space options which will give you a feel for what is available. Many storage facilities have a manager who lives on site and can be a valuable source of information relating to the best way to store your goods.

The longest journey begins with a single step. Find a local self storage provider and give them a call. Set up a visit and get the ball rolling. It’s also wise to keep in mind that many people share rental space, so if a friend or relative is facing the same predicament, consider forming a team and sharing not only the rental facility unit, but also the goal of reclaiming your space. Start with the end in mind and visualize how good you’ll feel when your goal is reached. Pick your celebration spot and treat yourself with a reward when the mission is accomplished.

Written by +Bob Schrichte for +RentItToday featuring +Extra Space Storage view all their Cincinnati Storage Facilities

Offbeat Rental Report: Self Storage As Ultimate Man Cave

Self Storage Units - The Ultimate "Man Cave"

Self Storage Company Evolves The Man Cave

Every successful concept evolves from a basic form to its ultimate expression. The Model T led to the Ferrari, and the most plush private jet can trace its roots to the Wright brother’s wood and canvas flyer.

According to a January 20th story in the The Daytona Beach News Journal, Charlotte, N.C. based Hyde Park Storage Suites has taken two concepts, the man cave and self storage, to new heights simultaneously.

Self Storage client rents unit makes man cave

Mancaveology from Facebook.com/storagesuites

The self storage company offers large units that can be leased and customized. Purchase is also an option. And the customization can only be characterized as over the top. For starters, the storage units are climate-controlled spaces with electrical hook-ups, and plumbing can be installed. From there, only the imagination and budget of the customer limit what can be developed in the creation of the ultimate personal space. Standard equipment can include a big screen TV and refrigerator, and the driving theme is to ‘have it all’ in your own space. Virtually any creature comfort can be incorporated. Pool tables, poker tables, pinball machines, and video games are not uncommon additions.

In addition to the luxury of designing and customizing a personal man cave, the facility customers also have access to an onsite clubhouse. The clubhouse is in keeping with the luxury culture of the complex and includes maintained restrooms, a furnished lounge with plush couches, large screen TV, a bar, and kitchenette.

One of the major draws of the complex is the camaraderie which develops between the participants. Most of the tribe not only store their motorcycles, classic cars, and even motor homes in their units, they also work on them there. Vehicle restoration is also a favorite hobby. The opportunity to learn from each other and share ideas, concepts, and even tools and resources creates an environment not unlike a fraternity.

Are Self Storage Units the Ultimate Man Cave?

Hyde Park Storage Suites has operated their original location in Charlotte since 2001, and has recently opened a larger state of the art development in the Daytona Beach market. It’s no coincidence that both locations are located near NASCAR tracks, as company founders Kevin Mahl and Jamie Rolewicz also own Champion Tire & Wheel, a company that uses 26 tractor-trailers to transport equipment and supplies for NASCAR teams. You can visit Hyde Park Storage Suites on Facebook here and see various “degrees of Mancaveology”.

Every man needs a place to hang out, lay back and decompress. Being able to do so in luxury and style and with like minded friends in a place that allows secure storage of adult toys is a concept in evolution that Darwin could only have dreamed of.

Additional Offbeat Self Storage News:

Self Storage Unit or Crematorium

Weird Storage Findings

Offbeat Rental Report: Self Storage Unit or Crematorium?

The truth is often stranger than fiction and the rental world offers its share of stories that can be considered offbeat, strange, or just plain weird. With that said…Rent It Today is excited to introduce a new rental blog category: The Offbeat Rental Report. This week’s edition of odd rental industry news features self storage unit rentals and takes us to Saint Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands.

Self Storage Facility or Crematorium?

Self storage facilities offer many practical uses which are utilized by large numbers of consumers and businesses. The ways self storage facilities are used are quite varied, and one currently proposed method to employ a storage unit warrants closer examination for its unique application.

A recent article in the Virgin Island Daily News reports that a self storage business in St. Thomas, USVI has applied for a permit to use rented self storage space to operate a crematorium.

The proposed crematorium would occupy two self storage units in the southernmost buildings of the Fortress Self Storage . The proposal is currently under review. Saint Thomas currently doesn’t have a crematorium, and residents who wish to have remains of their deceased loved ones cremated have to travel to Puerto Rico for the service.

The funeral home owner who wants to operate the crematorium has met with some opposition from other renters. The facility has a number of tenants including a dance instructor, a bakery, and two salons, among others. The proposed crematorium would house a propane-fired chamber heated to at least 1,800 degrees. According to the report, the proposed 30-ton unit meets existing air pollution regulations and zoning ordinances.

The proposal does present some interesting possible future scenarios. If the proposal is denied, one might say it died and went up in smoke. Or if the proposal is approved and the tenant eventually fails to pay on the unit, can you imagine the episode of Storage Wars that could be filmed? Picture the reaction of the bidders when the door is rolled up to reveal a 30 ton crematory furnace.

Although perhaps a bit out of the mainstream, this story does illustrate the versatility of self storage rental. Perhaps the take away lesson here is, if you plan to rent a self storage space to house a crematorium, be prepared to meet some stiff resistance.

Written by +Bob Schrichte for +RentItToday

Katy TX Self Storage Rental

Houston Texas Climate Controlled Self Storage

Some tasks are best left to the pros. A good example is climate controlled self storage. Creating a climate controlled storage environment in your home or business would present a daunting task, and maintaining it securely and consistently all day, every day would be a challenging full time job.

Utilizing one of Four Seasons Self Storage Houston, TX storage rental facilities that offers climate controlled storage, you not only leave that job to experienced pros, you enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your important possessions are safe and protected from damage. All day, every day.

Because climate controlled storage facilities typically cost a little more to rent than standard units, determining whether the benefits are justified by the extra cost is an important consideration. Storage in a secure climate controlled environment offers significant advantages for many items.

An item can be insured, but can it be replaced? Something that cannot be replaced is a prime candidate for a climate controlled storage space. By controlling temperature, humidity, mold, mildew and dust, it is possible to prevent damage which can render an item permanently ineffective or useless.

High or low temperatures, as well as high humidity, are the leading causes of damage to goods in storage. Scorching hot summers, bitter cold winters, and environments that experience wide fluctuations in temperature and/or high humidity throughout the year can leave their mark on even the most durable items. Choosing climate controlled storage will prevent costly damages like warping. This is why wood items, and particularly pianos and guitars, are stored in climate controlled areas.

Some good examples of items which benefit from climate controlled self storage include pharmaceuticals, electronics, furniture, software, important documents, chemicals, musical instruments, microfilm, and videotape. Anything that can be corrupted by the elements or temperature or humidity extremes requires climate controlled storage. A good rule of thumb is: if you can’t or don’t want to replace it, or cannot afford to replace it, store it in a climate controlled space.

It is important to know that parameters for climate controlled storage may vary significantly between storage unit providers. In general, climate controlled storage units should not fall below freezing or exceed 90°F. Prospective renters should learn specific temperature ranges of climate controlled storage before committing to an agreement. Some self storage providers are flexible and can offer specific environmental control options to their renters on a customized basis.

On a final note, don’t overlook the added bonus of climate controlled storage which is the comfort of moving goods into and out of the space. Heat, cold, rain and sleet might not deter the US Mail, and it won’t interfere with your storage access either.

Four Seasons Self Storage offers climate controlled storage rentals in Houston, TX. They have storage facilities throughout the Houston metropolitan area. They offer self storage units of all size, RV Storage, and Office/Warehouse Storage rentals. Four Seasons Self Storage has 11 storage facilities throughout Houston, Texas including Katy, Humble, Gypress, Pearland, Spring, League City, Kingwood, Westchase, West Lake, and Northwest Houston providing top quality secure storage solutions.

Rent Climate Controlled Self Storage to Own Peace of Mind

Climate controlled self storage facilities are a wise storage rental option for many businesses and individuals. In some regions the onset of winter and steady freezing temperatures reinforces the need for a secure climate controlled storage rental. Yet renting self storage units that offer temperature, humidity and/or climate control provide great benefits year round for a variety of applications.

Temperature controlled storage rentals maintain an environment of particular benefit for a business which deals in perishable goods. Climate controlled facilities and heated self storage units will prevent damage which results from exposure to freezing temperatures and dry air which accompanies low temps. Self Storage rentals in Denver CO, New York City and the Boston, MA area are a good example of facilities in areas where cold temperatures are a concern. Even more temperate climates like Cincinnati OH, Self Storage facilities offer temperature controlled storage space.

On the other end of the thermometer, climate control facilities have air conditioned storage space when beating the heat is required to ensure goods and valuables are protected. Self Storage in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and other Texas cities are examples where demand for climate controlled storage units is high due to the hot climate. It is important to note there are some perishable items which are unable to be stored in many public self storage facilities like perishable food items, plants, flammables and explosives. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check with the prospective climate controlled storage provider to see what items are permitted for self storage.

Electronics are very vulnerable to changes in temperatures and humidity so renting a climate controlled self storage unit is a great idea for those wishing to protect their investment in virtually anything related to electronics. Though you might not think of a vibrating recliner or a pinball machine as a candidate for climate control storage, these are examples of electronic goods subject to damage from swelling and contracting which changes in temperature and humidity can cause.

Musicians who want reliable protection for their instruments are ideal candidates for the benefits which climate control storage rental can provide. While rock bands tend to think of their equipment as more durable than that of a jazz trio or string quartet, most musical instruments, including electric guitars, are subject to alteration from extremes in temperature and humidity. The steady temperature ranges and controlled humidity of climate controlled storage provide protection from the elements, and give the storage space renter security and priceless peace of mind.

Controlled temperatures and humidity are also of great interest to those who store wine. In fact, many self storage facilities now offer wine cellar rental space in various sizes to serve those who lack the room or capital to invest in a wine cellar in their home or business.

Climate controlled self storage units are a wise choice to protect and preserve valuable paper products and documents. Humidity is a prime cause of yellowing and warping of paper. Paper and paper products are also known to harbor mold if stored in a facility subject to humidity.

Proper storage space is playing an increasingly crucial role in the ability of business to meet document retention requirements. For this reason climate controlled storage facilities are being utilized as an affordable option to address this often legally required practice. Finding rental self storage for your important documents has become simple at Rent It Today.

A good rule of thumb when determining whether climate-controlled storage or a common drive up access self storage unit can benefit you is to simply ask: would I feel secure in storing these items in my garage in this climate? If the answer raises doubt or is a resounding no, then a rental climate control self storage facility will benefit you.

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