Get Maximum Benefit from Self Storage- Tips for Expats

Self storage has been a useful option for businesses requiring extra space for their inventory, records, files, seasonal promotional materials, raw materials and product samples. Nowadays, moving and packing companies are using these warehousing facilities for temporarily storing their clients' belongings during the relocation process. Self storage facilities are also becoming popular among the expats who now prefer to store all or some of their household belongings instead of carrying them along to their new location. So, it seems apt to give some tips about obtaining maximum benefit from such self storage facility!

Pack Properly: Use such packing supplies as cartons, paper, tape, bubble-wrap and plastic covers so that they remain protected while the whole storage period. Place the things in cartons in proper ways. For example, pack the books flat and not on their edges. Place the paintings, mirrors, window screens and other framed items on their edges and not flat. Wrap them up with bubble-wrap or in a flat-pack carton.

Precautions for Heavy Items: Thoroughly dry and clean such items as fridges, freezers, water filters etc. before storing. Place a deodorizer inside them to avoid any odor and maintain freshness. Keep them empty, do not store anything inside fridge or freezer. Empty your cupboards and drawers. Store your clothing in strong, secure cartons. Place some naphthalene or mothballs to protect them. Where possible, disassemble furniture to avoid damage and save space. Vacuum before storing in order to prevent them from bugs.

Precautions for Metal and Fragile items: Wrap the breakables such as dishes and glasswares individually in packing paper. Fill any gap in the cartons with crumpled paper or linen. Label the cartons containing fragile items. Don't store them with or below heavy items. Wrap silver items in non acidic tissue paper or plastic bags to avoid tarnishing. Treat chrome or cast iron with a little machine oil to prevent them from rust.

Packing of Electronics, Computers, and Machinery: Remove the batteries from any battery operated appliances and toys in order to avoid leaking batteries. If possible, pack your computer in its original cartons otherwise use bubble wraps and also fill up the gaps in the carton. Most of the latest models of computers have “self parking heads” which automatically park themselves whenever you shut off their power. If you are unsure, check the computer manual or consult your retailer, especially when storing them for longer than six months. Drain fuel and oil from all machinery to avoid any leakage, spillage and damage like fire hazard to other goods in your space.

Tips for Storing Properly: Keep the heavy items at the back of the storage unit, working forwards and upwards with lighter items. Those items that need to be accessed often must be placed in the front of the unit. Leave some space as walk ways. Read the Self Storage Agreement documents thoroughly. Clarify any doubts before hiring such service. Observe self-storage restrictions. Don't store any hazardous, dangerous, illegal, perishable, environmentally harmful or explosive goods in the self storage unit. Insure the items sored in such facility. If your insurance cover has provision for items in storage, its well and good otherwise consult your self storage consultant to get an insurance cover.

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Relocation- Tips on Safe Pets Moving

Moving is a stressful activity, not only for you and me but also for our pets. You need to really take a good care while pet moving during your relocation. Here are some tips that you will find useful for moving your pets safely and securely.

• Whenever you pack for moving, do it over a period of time in a well planned manner so that your pet's normal routine is not disturbed.
• Get a good- quality, sturdy pet carrier and make your pet accustomed to it by spending some time daily in it.
• After getting your new address, ensure that you immediately get an ID tag prepared with your new address and emergency telephone number on it. If, somehow, your pet gets lost, it can reach home safely due to the pet identification information.
• On the day when you are moving, place your pet in a safe, quiet place (use your bathroom for a while and then you can shift the pet in a room that gets empty at first) so that it can not go out and get lost. Remember to make this zone a complete “No entry” zone so that your pet do not get disturbed with the sight of unknown faces of professional movers.
• When planning to travel by a car, make your dog accustomed to a restraining harness. If you have a cat that is moving with you, make sure to transport it in a well-ventilated and securely placed carrier because cats are generally not comfortable when traveling in cars.
• Don't leave your pets alone in a parked vehicle because high temperature can kill them. Also, they can be injured or stolen by mischievous elements.
• Always carry food, water, medications, bed, litter box, food and water bowls for your pets while traveling.
• Don't put your pet in the trunk of a car, the open bed of a pickup truck, or the storage area of a moving van.
• If your pet is not comfortable with car travel, ask the veterinarian about medication that can lessen the stress of travel.
• If your pet is moving by air, keep yourself informed about rules and regulations related to pet travel. The airline may give a special container for your pet in the event of your pet container not conforming to its regulations.
• If the Veterinarian prescribes a tranquilizer, give it to your pet immediately before going to the airport. If your pet is placed away from you by the airlines, give specific instructions about taking care of it until you arrive to pick it up.
• Consult the veterinarian about additional vaccinations, medications, and health certificates too that are required at your new destination.
• Obtain information about animal-friendly hotels in your new locality and keep it handy. It will be helpful in the event of unplanned overnight lodging during your move.
• Find a veterinarian for your pet in the new location even before you move into your new home. You might require medical assistance for your pet just after moving in.
• It's always better not to move fish with you. Give them to your friends or your pet store. If you cannot leave them behind, take the help of professional pet movers.
• If moving your birds in a car, carry enough food and water for them during travel. Cover the cages with cloth so that they may stay calm and quiet.

After successful pet moving to a new location, you must also help them settling into your new home.

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Budget Moving: How to Save with Cheap Moving?

Relocations are unavoidable. Every one has to move to different locations, sometime in their life. In today's life, changing home frequently has become a norm due to the trend of changing jobs more often. Moving for so many times, obviously, puts pressure on one's wallet. So, what are the ways which can save money in the whole process of relocation? Let's explore some of them.

• Not every movers and packers company offering discount moving commit scams. You just need to do some research before opting for any discount moving offer. It is, perhaps, the most efficient ways of saving money while relocating.
• No doubt, door to door relocation services are the most convenient and hassle free option. However, if yours is a small move, you can consider selecting "terminal to terminal" relocation services provided by almost all the moving companies. These companies have their service centers at different locations in a town which are popularly known as a "terminals". You can deliver your goods to the one which is nearer to your home. The company loads your goods into a moving trailer or moving container and unload them at the terminal nearest to your new destination. You can then arrange for taking your goods from the terminal to your new home.
• If your budget is not so tight and you can afford spending a little more money, you can opt for “door to terminal” or “terminal to door” options also. This way, you'll be carrying your belongings only once (either from your old home to the terminal or from terminal to your new home).
• Some of the days such as Fridays, weekends, holidays and the end of the month are preferred by many for moving into their new homes. As such, the charges of moving and packing companies are higher on such days. Therefore, if you select any day other than these peak days, you will certainly save some money.
• When you'll move less, it'll cost you less. So don't take with yourself what you don't want. Hold a moving sale and get some extra cash. You may also give them to charity and take receipt to get some tax deduction.
• Most of the moving companies charge for the space you use in their moving trailers or moving containers. Pack your belongings as tightly as you can so that you use every inch of space in the packing box saving more space in the moving trucks.

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Home Shift: Easy Packing Tips

So, you are off to join your new job? You've planned everything to get settled in the new city. You are going for a budget moving and so you are not in for hiring movers and packers company. What you plan is to hire only transportation service and do the packing yourself. However, whenever you think of this task, you have a headache. Isn't it? But you can make packing an easy task just by organizing the whole activity. For this you'll just need packing supplies, and some time proven techniques that have been enlisted here for you.

Pack one room at a time: If you try to pack the belongings of all your rooms at the same time, you'll get into a mess. Do it one by one. Finish off with a room by packing all its things and labeling the boxes with its content information and which room it is supposed to go. Now start off with another room. This will also help when you unpack the boxes in your new home as you don't have to open all the boxes to set up a single room.

Pack the tit bits in sandwich bags: Screws, bolts and other such tit bits that are the result of disassembling of your furniture and other items can find safe location in sandwich bags. Tape these sandwich bags with the item they belong to. Similarly the remote controls can also be packed with their respective electronic items.

Let the clothes be in dresser drawer itself: In fact, you don't have to pack them, they already are nicely placed in the drawers and don't need new homes in the form of packaging boxes, saving you space at the same time.

Stuff the packing boxes to their full capacity: When the things don't get space to move around, they are safe enough. Pack as many things as you can in box. However, take care that the boxes don't bulge out or curve in after they have been stuffed.

Other useful packing tips: Pack the heavy items in small boxes so that they remain manageable. Its particularly helpful for packing books. Pack the pillows, stuffed toys, cushions etc. in large garbage bags. They can be used as fillers in the trucks which will carry your belongings. They'll ensure that things don't move a lot and no damage occurs on the way.

These were only some tips for easy packing. You can get more organized just by planning relocation a little!

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Packing and Moving: Tips for Safe Relocation

In our professional lives, we have to move many a times due to various reasons- transfers, new project responsibilities, job shifts, family obligations- and many others. Every time we have to pack up our whole lot of belongings and move to new locations. Earlier, moving like this used to be a troublesome activity but now relocation services are easily available in the form of packers and movers companies. However, we must select such a company with care and also must keep an eye over the whole episode right from packing, transporting and unpacking so that shifting can be a smooth experience. Here are some tips that come handy while planning to relocate.

• If you are in a job which requires frequent moving, ensure to keep the contact details of all the associated agencies- transport company, cabling agency, Internet and telecom firms, packers and movers etc.
• To get affordable and quality packers and movers service make a list after an online survey. Nowadays, these companies offer online estimates so that you may compare prices and services in order to choose the best company.
• Don't only rely on Internet based research, ask your colleagues, friends etc. who had earlier relocated and used such services so as to find credible movers and packers company.
• Book beforehand for cabling, phone and Internet firms for disconnections.
• Even if moving firm has been hired, always involve yourself by being present when your belongings are getting packed. Prepare for movers and packers beforehand.
• Remove all your clothing and personal usage items like toiletries beforehand and label them accordingly so that they may not get packed by the packing firm employees.
• Ensure that the cartons are properly sealed with tapes, ropes and packing bands and that they are marked with your initials or surname or any other unique identification mark. Also get the cartons labeled by contents and room destination in your new home.
• When the packing and moving company's representative prepares an inventory list, be sure to be with him and check that all the items have been listed.
• Any disagreements about the stated condition of your belongings should be resolved before you sign the inventory list.
• Never allow the movers to pack or transport aerosol cans, paints or other flammable items. This will ensure safety of your goods.
• Remember to fill up the address change form at the post office so that all your mails reach you at your new destination. Don't forget to include names of your family members in the form.
• Inform all – including the companies you do business with and the magazines you are subscribed to- about your relocation.
• Inform your banks and credit cards service providers about your address change so that your finances too remain safe.

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