How to Increase Your Chi

Filling your life with peaceful, positive energy is a worthy goal. Feng shui practitioners believe that chi, or the world's life force, flows around people and objects as stream water moves around a rock. The proper channelling of this energy is believed to affect everything from your personal health to professional success, so having good energy movement throughout your home is vital to increasing your chi.

Things You End Up Buying Again and Again

As you grow tired of unused items spilling out of your closets and garage, you purge everything that gets in your way. Lamps from 10 years ago? Gone. Last year's bedding? Gone. That scuffed-up coffee table? Your unused treadmill? The curling iron that doesn't work with your new hairstyle? Gone, gone, and gone! Then the cycle repeats as you purchase updated versions of those items as time passes. Before you get caught up in that buy/purge/re-buy cycle, keep in mind that some things are better stored than tossed.

Tips for Listing an Item on Craigslist

Recently hit with unexpected expenses, or just looking for a little extra money? Online community sites offer plenty of legitimate opportunities to make some quick cash, and Craigslist is the granddaddy of them all. The site makes it easy to sell all sorts of things lying around your house or in storage, from old vinyl records to unused furniture. New to the site? Never fear, because below you’ll find a few tips to make your Craigslist experience easy-breezy:

How to Renovate for Big Life Transitions

New babies, ailing parents, and dozens of other life events can lead to big changes for your home. Before you start panicking, rest assured that home renovations don't have to be the exhausting, anxiety-producing, and costly experiences that you’re imagining. With a little planning and forethought, you can easily transform your home to reflect your new lifestyle.

How to Get Rid of Toxic Household Items

You're busily cleaning and feeling smug about how much you're getting done in your home. Then you come across Grandma's old-fashioned wall thermometer in the junk drawer, and your day comes to a screeching halt. It's the moment when all your cleaning and organizing plans go haywire: Do you toss it in the trash? Can you recycle things with mercury in them? Or, do you throw it back in storage and forget it for another decade?

Modern Ways to Update Your Kitchen

Few things make a home look more outdated than a tired, old kitchen. Fortunately, you can inject some life, color, and flavor back into your home with a kitchen that is freshly updated. Best of all, you don't have to spend a lot of money in the process.

Do's and Don'ts of Converting Your Kid's Room to an Office

After sending your child off to college, it may seem like a great time to revamp your living space with a bedroom remodel. Whether your child is off to school or well into adulthood, a childhood bedroom contains a ton of emotions and memories. Before you remake a child's old bedroom into your shiny new home office, there are a few things to consider.

Top 3 Tips for Fall Cleaning

The dog days of summer are behind us, and it's time to pack away the pool toys and start bringing out the coats, umbrellas, and snow boots. Before cold weather gets you in its grips, there are a few important things to do to get ready for autumn.

DIY Gifts for the Holiday Season

While it's fun to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving, you may want to sleep in and go the DIY route for gifts this year. By doing so, you'll avoid the grumpy holiday crowds, save a little money, and create some unique gifts for your family and friends.

Cheap Ways to Decorate for Halloween

Ghosts and goblins can be scary at Halloween time, but so can over-spending on decorations. Shiver with fear for all the right reasons this Halloween by making your own decorations on the cheap. After all, spooky is a state of mind, not the product of crisp décor and expensive accessories.

Fall dishes to bring to the holiday potluck

Crisp, cool autumn days herald a season full of enticing fruits, vegetables, and nuts. From juicy red apples to flavorful squash, the vibrant colors and tastes of the season make some of the most delectable dishes. You'll spruce up any ho-hum holiday potluck when you add some of these heartwarming and beloved fall flavors to the table.

Checklist to see if you’re ready to have a high maintenance pet

Tired of the kids pleading and whining for a new pet? Don't cave yet; there are a few things to consider before deciding whether it's the right time to take on an animal, especially one that's going to be high maintenance.

How to deal with a guest coming over who’s allergic to animals

You want your housewarming party to be remembered for its upsides, not your guests’ allergies. The next time you’re planning on throwing an at-home shindig, find a way to keep your pets at bay. Keeping your party sniffle-free is going to take some work, so roll up your sleeves and dig in.

What to do with your pet when you have a big party

Unfamiliar faces, access to potentially harmful foods, and loud noises can make it a little harrowing to keep Fido and Frisky happy and safe while you're entertaining. Luckily, if you plan for their comfort ahead of time, you can keep your little critters calm and secure during your big event.

Eco-friendly products that you could be using every day

Adding a little green to your everyday life is getting easier with the ever-increasing number of eco-friendly products on the market. Using just a few of these green products can help you keep your home free from harmful chemicals and preserve some of earth's most precious resources.

Thoughtful gifts on the cheap

When it comes to gift-giving, it really is the thought that counts. Anyone can put money in a card and call it a present. However, a thoughtful gift shows that you care enough to take an extra step and truly think about the gift’s recipient. That being said, gifts don’t need to be pricey too be considerate.

How to Decorate a Tiny Patio

As the saying goes, good things come in small packages, and that can be true of small patios too. Even if your patio is a little short on space, you can still create an inviting, lively area.

Pros and Cons of a Bottom Floor Apartment

Getting in on the ground floor may be terrific for business opportunities, but it has some drawbacks for an apartment location. When you’re thinking about moving into a first floor apartment, weighing the property’s disadvantages along with its benefits can help you select an apartment that truly feels like home.

5 Things You Really Don’t Need for Your House

From grand mansions to tiny houses, every inch of living space matters. Make the most out of your square footage by ridding your home of unnecessary junk. There are dozens of things in your house that you don’t use often, which are simply taking up space. Just eliminating five of them is a great start to freeing up your space, and giving you a new lease on life.

Top 5 Things You Need To Stock a Dorm

Before you have to face leaving your "baby" at college, you have an equally daunting task: figuring out what is essential for comfortable dorm living. Your impulse may be to err on the side of over-abundance, but choose to ignore that impulse. Dorm rooms are cramped even before your teenager moves in, and adding a roommate's things into the mix only makes it smaller. Get into the minimalist mind-set since you can always send unexpected necessities later. In the meantime, there are a few things your teen will need from day one.

Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping

Shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies may be the highlight of your kids' new school year, but it may play havoc with your wallet. Instead of stressing about the upcoming financial splurge, just channel your inner bargain-hunter to keep as many of those presidents in your pocketbook as you can.

Which School Supplies Your Child can Reuse in the New School Year

Buying new back-to-school supplies and clothes each year can add up quickly. If thinking about spending an obscene amount of money on binders and lunchboxes makes you break out into a cold sweat as back-to-school season approaches, never fear: you can save your money and your mind with a little creative recycling of supplies from school years past.

What to Store and What to Take Out for Autumn

Your home's space is at a premium, and you're going to have to switch out your summer things to make room for fall. The choices can be tricky. Do you keep your favorite summer tee-shirt or put it in storage with the rest of your out-of-season wardrobe? Do you hang onto your lawn edger in case there's no snow this year? Do you hold back your pool toys in hopes of a winter tropical vacation?

How to Transition Your Home from Summer to Fall

The kids are back in school. Baseball is winding down, and football is starting up. You've started to crave the feel of cool weather, the smell of pumpkin pie, and the warmth of your favorite sweater. This all makes it official; it's time to start preparing for fall.

How to Use Labor Day as an Excuse to Meet Your Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors is easier when get-togethers revolve around a holiday. So if you missed the Fourth of July celebrations in the cul-de-sac, Labor Day may be your next best excuse to get the block together for a little social time.

How to Pet-Proof Your Home

For those homeowners who are considering a relocation, or may have recently moved, helping your pet make adjustments will be a challenging experience.

Home Renovations for When the Kids are Out of Town

If you are trying to decide what to do while the kids are out of town visiting grandma, attending summer camp or just spending the night at a friend’s house, consider several home renovations that can be completed in a few hours, days or even a couple of weeks. Whether you need to renovate the playroom/recreational room, the kitchen, or the main bathroom it will be easier if you don't have to deal with the kids in addition to the mess.

How to Help Your Kid Pack for Summercamp

One of the most traditional ways for kids to make childhood memories is by visiting a summer camp for the season. Between outdoor activities and meeting other children, it can make for invaluable lessons and a great adventure to experience for boys and girls. When helping your kid pack for camp, there are several ways to assist with the process while instilling confidence and independence in the child.

Etiquette for Hosting a House Guest

After pulling all of your furniture out of storage, you finally have a comfortable home to invite friends and family over to stay for more than just one night. If you've just moved to a new city, you want to share your exploration process with your loved ones. So get organized and set up the new guest room to receive visitors, and you must also incorporate house guest etiquette to make their visit a memorable one.

Fun Ways to Update Your Office

If you just moved into a new office, you want to make the space your own. Money may be limited, but you don't need a fortune to update your office. A few new accessories and a little bit of creativity are all you need to make your new office your own.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Disciplining Someone Else's Child

You've just emptied out your storage unit and are finally settling into your new home. The entire family is excited about exploring the region and meeting new friends. And luckily, it seems as though the neighbors have children of their own. However, issues may arise when kids come over for playdates. So if Timmy from next door gets rowdy, here are a few strategies to help you navigate the tricky situation of disciplining someone else’s child.

Pet Etiquette

Everything’s finally out of storage and your home is starting to come together. Even your dog and cat are getting along in the new digs. Once you settle in, however, it's time to start exploring the neighborhood. If you're taking the dog with you, keep some friendly reminders in mind to avoid any friction with new neighbors.

Tips to Help the Kids Make Friends Their First Day at School

First day of school jitters can be intensified in a new town, making the first day of school stressful for the entire family. Even as you're unloading the storage facility with all of your family’s belongings, parents still concentrate on their child fitting in. Do a little planning beforehand to help your child make a seamless transition into school.

Summer Attraction Life Hacks

With summer in full swing, you may have plans to visit different area attractions. From museums to amusement parks, attractions are built for large capacity crowds. However, all the people make it difficult to see and enjoy certain exhibits, such as a sprawling aquarium tank. Use a few smart strategies to see your favorite attractions while avoiding unnecessary stress and expense.

Ways to Maximize Kitchen Storage

You've just moved your favorite kitchen items out of storage and into your new apartment. What appeared to be a large space suddenly looks tiny with all your utensils, pots, and dishes. If you're wondering where to fit all these critical kitchen items, just use some creative thinking to keep everything handy while still looking organized.

Ways to Renovate Your Backyard on a Budget

Your backyard is an open canvas for plant life to flourish, whether you have a sprawling lawn or just a few shrubs. This area often doubles as a lounging space as well, providing a sunny expanse to entertain visitors or just enjoy the fresh air yourself. However, many backyard renovations remain expensive. Get creative and add some thrifty concepts to your yard to make the area pop with a unique look, without busting your budget.

How to Unplug on Your Weekend Getaway

Thanks to mobile technology, work follows you wherever you go. From your smartphone to tablet, unplugging on a weekend getaway may seem impossible. However, consciously turning off your devices and concentrating on family fun makes your entire life more manageable even when returning to work. Try some smart strategies to keep your hands off the electronics on your next jaunt out of town.

Date Ideas in Your New City

Let's face it, moving can be kind of a drag. So many parts of a move are stressful; the packing, the cleaning, and the paperwork. However, moving also has its perks. For instance, when you move, you have a whole new world of options when it comes to treating your honey to a night out. In your old town you had probably tried every restaurant, movie theatre, and tired out the best smooching spot. In a new town, everything is fresh and waiting to be discovered. Here are a few fun date ideas to help you make the most of your new city with your sweetheart by your side.

Ways to Entertain the Kids Without Electronics

Do your kids spend hours trying to beat their high score on your iPad or sitting in front of the TV waiting for their favorite program to come on? When you're looking for ways to entertain your kids without electronics, consider activities that involve the whole family. This way, whether you’re in the middle of a move or settling into your new home, you can breathe a little easier knowing your kids are taking part in quality entertainment.

Skincare Tips for Sun Protection

Back in the days of sock hops and Elvis, a tan was considered the quintessential proof of health, an active social life, and the ability to travel to wherever the sun was shining. However, today we know that exposure to the sun is not as beneficial as it once was presumed to be. In fact, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States.

Tips for Making a Good Impression on Prospective Renters

As a landlord, a soft rental market may have you scrambling to fill your properties. However, there are plenty of simple things you can do to attract renters and make your site the hottest property in town. In fact, a little ingenuity and attention to detail may be all you need to wow prospects and keep your rental properties filled with quality tenants.

When You Know it's Time to Upgrade Your Home

You're going about your life, happily going through the motions of each day when it hits you with a sudden, "A-ha!" Your home is too small, too outdated, or too lacklustre for all the great things you have planned for the future. That's when you know it's time for an upgrade.

Best Vegetables to Plant in the Summer

While many gardeners start their warm-season vegetable gardens after the last frost in spring, it's not too late for you to enjoy the delicious taste of summer right off the vine. Play catch up by purchasing starter plants available at your local home improvement store. Plant the veggies in nutrient-rich soil, water them liberally, and you'll be harvesting bounty from your garden in no time. Here are three fast-growing summer veggies sure to please your palate.

Beyond the Cake: Birthday Dessert Round-up

You've moved to a new town, and you want to make your child's birthday in your new home as special as possible. Amazing birthday desserts are in your future, here are a few ideas to help you move beyond boring yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Even though it is delicious, wink wink.

Kid-Friendly Meals for Prospective Playdates

The pressure is on: you forgot your child's friends were coming home with you for an after-school play date. And now they're all waiting expectantly at your car door, ready to be shuttled to your home for a snack and a little playtime. They look hungry! Have no fear, a well-stocked kitchen and a little ingenuity ensures you can pull this off and even please the pickiest of eaters.

From Office Hour to Happy Hour: Make Your Wardrobe Multipurpose

Rocking a versatile wardrobe that transitions easily from day to night involves more than a little black dress or two. Luckily, you don't have to spend a lot of money finding pieces that let you breeze out of work and into happy hour in the blink of an eye. With a whole world of colors, textures, and sparkles at your fingertips and a few key accessories-- you can take some of the pressure off your little black dress and have a day-to-night wardrobe that's the envy of fashionistas everywhere.

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

Whether poisonous or not, snakes play an important role in the natural world, but that doesn't mean that you want them slithering around your garden. Give them an inch, and they may wind their way into your house as well. Although some folks swear by simple deterrents like moth balls, sulfur powder, or lemon grass, the best way to keep snakes out of your yard is to make the space inhospitable to the slinking reptiles.

Camping for Beginners

You've accepted an invitation to go camping with a sense of bravado that your friends took for enthusiasm, but the truth is you've never spent a night in the great outdoors in your life. While you don't want to come off as a total greenhorn, you want to make sure that your first experience with camping is safe and comfortable too. Before you pack up your gear and hit the trail, check out these tried-and-true tips from seasoned campers.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Subletter

Opportunity's knocking and you need someone to take over your lease. Make the time to interview potential subletters and ask the questions that will help you find the perfect fit.

Tweaks to Make Your Home More Sleep-Friendly

We've all been there, tossing and turning for hours, checking the clock every 20 minutes, and getting more and more frustrated as the night goes on. Luckily, a few simple changes to your bedroom’s setting can create a sleep zone that will have you snoozing peacefully throughout the night.

How to Win Over the New Neighbors

Moving in to a new place means a whole new set of neighbors to befriend. If you don't want to be known as the jerk in apartment 4B, take some time to get to know your neighbors and win them over with our helpful tips.

Extra Ways to Make Cash When Your Rent Goes Up

If your rent goes up, your whole budget can be thrown out of whack. Thankfully, you have plenty of options other than moving to a new, smaller, and cheaper location. These are some of the most effective ways to earn a little extra cash to compensate for increased rent.

Questions to Ask When You're Looking to Sublet

In big cities, small neighborhoods, and everywhere in between, subletting can be a smart way to find a comfortable and affordable place to live. Of course, moving in with a new roommate isn't easy, and it's definitely not something you should take too lightly. These are the must-ask questions to pose to potential renters before you think about subletting a space, no matter how nice the person appears in their classified ad!

Kids Projects Grown Up

Step up your grown up get-togethers, girls nights, and themed parties with a little blast from the past by reviving some favorite childhood art projects. Your friends will get a kick out of adding an adult twist to the beloved crafts and your party will be remembered for a long time to come.

Ways to Save Money Without Getting a Roommate

You're roommate just announced he's moving out, your landlord handed you a big rent increase, or you've just found out you're going to spend a big chunk of money on getting your car repaired. You need cash fast, before your carefully guarded budget goes down the drain. Don't rush to online forums in search of a roommate just yet, there are plenty of ways to boost your budget and make extra money without bringing in a dodgy roommate.

How to Know You're Ready for a Bigger House

Before you become a feature on “Hoarders: Buried Alive,” there are usually a few tell-tale signs you need a larger home. Whether you're tripping over your stuff or your family, or you just want to put that recent raise to good use, a bigger home may be the solution you need.

How to Find the Right Subletter

Don't let your exciting new adventure out of town be shadowed by a bad subletter. Whether you've planned a summer abroad or snagged a temporary work assignment out of town, finding the perfect subletter for your place takes some planning and commitment.

Happy Activities to do with Kids After a Big Move

You've signed the house papers, coordinated the move, unpacked what seemed like a gazillion boxes, and re-arranged the family-room furniture a dozen times. The only thing left to do is the most important step: exploring your surroundings. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, a move can be unsettling. The best way to help everyone feel excited about your new home is to embrace all the attractions of your new town.

Happy Activities to do with the Kids before a Big Move

Adjusting to a new home can be unsettling for kids who are used to routine and a familiar environment. Whatever your kids' ages and the reasons for your move, keeping a positive attitude is the best way to help everyone through this big transition.

Great Going Away Gifts

No matter who’s moving, why not do your part in making their send-off a happy one with thoughtful, creative gift. Whether you're celebrating a teacher's moving to a warmer city after retirement, carting your teen off to college, or waving farewell to a cherished friend relocating for a new job, you can find inspiration for great going-away gifts in dozens of places.

What to Keep in Mind before Moving to a New Climate

You're moving to a city that could rival the Antarctic for chilly weather, and panic's about to set in. Don’t worry! With a little planning, moving to a new climate, whether it's an ice-capped mountain or a hot, humid city, can be an exciting new adventure.

How to Notify Others You’re Moving

It’s no easy feat to let your friends and family know you’re moving. Whether you live with roommates, young children, or surrounded by close friends, moving can be a major life milestone. This is why you need the support of those who are closest to you. Check out our tips below for letting your loved ones know you’re moving on to bigger and better things.

Tips for Hosting Your New In-Laws

No matter if you feel a bit of friction or fit right in with your new family, there always seems to be something exhausting about hosting your in-laws. Avoid the awkward small talk and uncomfortable situations by playing it cool during their next visit. Make their next stay at your new home a bit more pleasant with the help of our in-law survival tips below.

Outside Games the Whole Family Will Love

Don’t let your kids spend their entire summer vacation inside watching television and playing video games. Instead, play some fun outside games the whole family can enjoy. Not only will this get everybody in the summer spirit, but it’s a fun and easy approach to living an active lifestyle.

DIY Lighting Tricks to Make Your Backyard Beautiful this Summer

Good lighting can transform your backyard from drab to fab in no time. Between all your summer potlucks, pool parties, and kicking it after work in the cool air, you deserve a truly magical backyard. Here are some lighting tricks to give your backyard a magical glow.

Bathroom Décor Trends of 2014

Your home is your kingdom and your bathroom is your throne. And while it may not be The Iron Throne à la Game of Thrones, it still deserves a certain allure. These days, bathrooms are gaining traction in the world of innovative décor. It’s more than a sink, a shower, and a toilet; it’s your own personal stamp of style.

Outdoor Activities for Meeting the New Neighbors

After a long day of work, it can be too easy to simply walk through the door, eat dinner, and call it a day. However, staying inside is no way to get to know your neighbors. It’s absolutely crucial to establish good relationships with your new comrades, when you first move in. From avoiding future disputes to making new friends, your neighbors are worth more than a quick hello. With the weather warming up, here are some easy outdoor activities to join in and meet the neighborhood while you’re at it.

Cheap Ways to Feel Better about Your Space

When you walk into your home, town house, or apartment, how do you feel? Happy? Creative? Down? Personalizing your space can rev up your productivity and give a boost to your morale while you’re at. No matter if you’re looking to make your space more welcoming, inspiring, or soothing, a few simple changes can make all the difference. Best of all, you don't need a bundle of cash to make effective improvements.

Ways to Create the Perfect Home Office

Working from home can be a rewarding experience, especially when you have a designated space equipped for the job. While a good ergonomic desk and chair are essential, it takes more than well-designed furniture to create the perfect home office. Achieving an atmosphere conducive for work is just as important. Use these tips to design an office that will not only make working from home more pleasant, but more productive too.

Warm Season Work Wardrobe Strategies

Dressing for success is important in every season, but when outdoor temperatures soar, choosing appropriate clothing for work gets tricky. You want to look professional once you arrive at work without showing up in a sweaty mess. After all, it's no wonder sartorial blunders multiply during hot weather. From flip-flops to T-shirts, employees wear clothes during hot-weather months they'd never dream of wearing in winter. Use the following strategies to keep your attire looking polished and professional.

Getting Your Bike Ready for Summer

The sun is shining, the trails are calling your name, and you just got your bike out of storage. Before you do your stretches and ride into the sunset, do a thorough check up of your ride. Even if you kept your bike in a dry, room temperature space all winter, it’s always a good idea to make sure everything is perfect before you take off.

How to Make Your Staff Feel Welcomed in New Office

You’re the boss, the Queen or King bee, and this week, after months of planning and coordination; you’re moving the company office. It’s not enough to simply pick up as business as usual. You want your staff to feel welcome in the new office. The more connected your employees feel to the new space and the company, the better chance they’ll produce innovative and thorough work. Here are some tips for rolling out the welcome mat.

Alternative Uses for Mason Jars

The hipster movement has claimed mason jars as their holy grails for quite some time now—and for good reason. Mason jars balance the fine line of country comfort and an elegant touch of class. If you’re a little late to the jar fad, not to worry. Here are some excellent alternative uses for mason jars aside from their traditional use of storing canned fruits and jams.

How to Prepare Items for Storage

Spring time is finally here, and you won't be needing your heavy winter coat anymore. This means it's time to put it in storage until the end of the year. Your winter clothes aren't the only things you could be storing, though. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity for you to de-clutter your home and give yourself some more space by storing little-used items. Once you decide what to store, it's easy to pack them up and move them to a storage space. Just follow these tips to make sure your items stay safe!

Ways to Make Your Small Home Feel Giant

Living in a small house definitely has its perks. On the one hand, it's cozy, less expensive to heat, and there are smaller spaces to clean. On the other hand, there are days where it can feel cluttered and overcrowded. With some creative organizing and decorating, however, you can make your home feel bigger than it is. Try some of these tricks if you find your small home is cramping your style.

Fun Ways to Organize Your Closet

We've all seen the classic sitcom situation where a kid is told he needs to clean his room before going outside to play, only to shove everything on the floor into the closet. Of course, when the closet door is opened, the massive pile of toys and games comes flying out. For some of us, this scenario is not too far off from the state of our own closets. Fortunately, there are some fun and creative ways to get those closets in order. Here are some ideas to get you thinking!

How to Throw a Great Backyard Neighborhood Party

Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience, if you don't know anyone near your new home, but there's an easy way to get the ball rolling and meet new people: Host a backyard party for your neighborhood. Gather all your new neighbors together at once and throw a little housewarming party to get to know them all.

Backyard Items to Bring out in Time for Summer

As temperatures rise, and the last of the snow finally melts away, it's time to start digging through storage to find all of last year's summer gear. All your favorite items have made it through the cold winter in your storage unit, and now they're just waiting for you to get them out and start using them again. With these handy summertime toys and items, your backyard will be the summer vacation hot spot!

Perks of Apartment Living

Apartments have the means to be magical à la Carrie Bradshaw or the cast of “Friends.” Oh sure, they can have a bad reputation for being cramped and noisy, but there is a beauty to compact. The real trick is learning how to feel like this small corner of the world is home. Here are some of the best benefits of apartment living:

Storage for Newbies

Storage isn’t a one-size fits all solution. No matter if you’re moving cities and need a temporary space to hold your items, downsizing houses, or you’re looking for some extra room in your apartment, storage gives you more freedom. Before you throw everything in your unit and call it a day, here are some things to remember if you’re new to the storage world.

You’ve Been Framed

Are you a crafting queen or king looking to spice up your home? Don’t settle for drab. Add some sass to your home by completing these do-it-yourself crafts with frames. Frames are a fun, funky way to add personality in your space. Chances are, you probably have some you’re not currently using locked down in storage. Additionally, this is a project where you can buy your materials as inexpensively as you please. There are tons of frames at your local resale store or you can choose to get something more high end at a local home goods store.

Fire Safety in Your New Home

Of course you don’t want to imagine your brand new home going up in flames, but sometimes you need to the face the possibility of a potential disaster to ensure your house is properly equipped to deal with it. From understanding the different kinds of fire extinguishers available to stocking your home with fire escape ladders, check out our list of fire safety items you should include in your home.

Three Ways to Get Rid of Your Kids Old Toys

Whether your son and daughter are graduating from elementary school, high school, or college, it’s never too soon, or too late, to sort through their old toys. Perhaps your daughter is working on her PhD while your son is learning how to drive, or maybe they’re just losing their last baby teeth, regardless this means you probably don’t need an entire room dedicated to their Barbie and G.I. Joe collections. Instead of throwing them away or keeping them piled high in your home, sort through them, and find them a new home. Here are three tips for cleaning out the toy closet.

Tips for Saving Money on Your New Home

Sure, you’ve already thought about budgeting, going out for dinner less, and holding off on buying that big plasma TV. However, you’re still feeling like you’re pinching pennies as you move into your new home. After all, a new home can cost you a lot of money; from the price of mortgage and interior design to new appliances and energy bills. You already know every little penny counts, so check out a few of our simple tips for saving a few extra coins here and there:

Three Ways to Give your Backyard a Makeover

Moving into a new place or feeling bored with your current home may be just the kick you need to give your backyard a makeover this spring. As the warm weather starts to stir up and the spring cleaning bug starts to bite, check out a few of our ideas to give your backyard the boost it needs for this season.

Gift Ideas for Your New Neighbors

Just think back to when you moved into your current home. Your kids were tearing through the house, your dog was whining to explore the neighborhood, and you didn’t have a chance to order dinner until 10:00 pm! As you sit by the window and watch as the new family moves in across the street, use this as an opportunity to win the best neighbor award. Check out a few of our simple tips for achieving the Wisteria Lane-inspired welcoming worthy of Bree Van de Kamp’s praise.

Tips for Downsizing Your Apartment

Perhaps you’ve recently moved to the big city and the only apartments in your price range are significantly smaller than your previous place. Or perhaps you’re going through a transition between jobs and need to rent a smaller space while you’re waiting to land the new job. Whatever the reason you’re downsizing, it’s important to remember the positives of living in a new place with less clutter. Here are some tips for downsizing your apartment, so you feel free and happy in your new space; instead of grumpy and cramped.

Rate Your Inner-Roomie

You’re embarking on the great roommate adventure. Whether they’re old friends or new Craigslist finds, you’re definitely going to be getting to know these people up close and personal. On the flip side, they’re going to be getting to know you. Whether you realize your own tics or not, chances are, you fall into one of these categories:

Things to Consider before Investing in Long-Term Storage

If your plan is to throw your things into some plastic bags and toss it in storage for years, you may be wasting wads of cash. Long-term storage is an excellent solution for many reasons and circumstances, but make sure it’s the right choice for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself before locking up your things.

Do It Yourself Projects for Your New Home

You’ve finally moved into your new home and can’t wait to start doing some decorating. Whether you’re a regular Martha Stewart or a new craft queen, here are a few easy DIY projects to get your house looking funky fresh:

Finding Comfort in the Warmer Months

The chill of the winter months may be on their way out, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t maintain a cozy abode. Whether you’re spending a lazy Sunday afternoon indoors or your best friend from out of town is coming to visit your new place, you want your place to scream comfortable and lived in, not vacant and cold. Creating a warm and inviting space doesn’t necessarily mean serving hot chocolate and lighting up the fireplace. Here are a few of our tips to inspire coziness even as spring creeps in:

Spring Potluck Dishes for the Neighborhood Party

Now that the snow has thawed and your neighbors are finally peeking their heads out of their cozy homes, it’s the perfect time for a spring potluck! Food brings everyone together. And if you haven’t had a chance to talk to the neighbors since the holidays, now’s a great opportunity to reconnect in time for warm weather block parties and kid’s pool parties. These are some of the best potluck dishes to bring to the first spring get-together.

So You’re Moving in with Your Significant Other

You’ve been with your partner for a while now, and living in two separate places just isn’t working anymore. You haven’t bought coffee or food for your house in months because you’re never there, and your roommates have forgotten you live with them, aside from the phantom rent checks that show up at the beginning of each month. So you’ve bit the bullet and decided to move in together. You’re renting a storage unit for your eclectic furniture collection and now you’re riding a natural high. But you may want to take a few moments to think about cohabitating before you start loading up the moving truck.

Trigger Your Alarms this Spring

There’s something about spring that gives us a little pep in our step. Maybe it’s the melting snow or the blooming flowers, but whatever it is, it makes you want to start fresh. As winter wilts away and spring pops up, this is a great time to to start opening the windows and begin cleaning your home from top to bottom. During your spring cleaning session this year, place some safety inspections on your to-do list to ensure your home is fully prepared for the oncoming season.

For the Vagabond Traveler: What to Store

Your backpack sits impatiently in the corner, with your well-stamped passport tucked inside. As a world traveler, you’re used to throwing some clothes, your toothbrush, and a few maps in a bag and heading off on your next adventure. The world of manicured home décor just isn’t for you. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sleep on an air mattress and eat off paper plates just because you’re in between trips.

Tips for Living with Roommates

You’re not raking in the money at work quite yet since you’ve just moved and you haven’t managed to win the lottery. Dreams of living alone aren’t exactly tangible right now, so you’ll live with roommates. It will be the best of times, it will be the worst of times. Roommates can be your best friends or your worst enemies, so choose wisely and adhere to these simple rules:

How to Host a Kid Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party

Moving is a stressful time for kids, which makes hosting a fun party is a great way for them to feel more connected with their neighborhood and new classmates. Consider throwing your children a kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day party they can participate in over the holiday weekend.

Alternative Ideas for Your Empty Garage

This is the year you’ve finally ditched your four wheels for two wheels. You’ve said goodbye to carbon emissions and said hello to tighter glutes. Since you’ve chosen your bicycle over your gas guzzler, you now have a whole other room in your home to take advantage of. Here are our top suggestions for renovating your carless cave:

Save Space, Share Rooms

Downsizing to a smaller home is never easy; yet sometimes it’s necessary. One solution is to incorporate room sharing into your household. If you have young children, this can be a great opportunity to encourage sharing. Sibling bonding is important and can create memories, which will last a lifetime. However, combining two people’s things in one room can be difficult. If you’re working with a small space, be creative, and don’t get boxed in to what you think you “need”. Kids are innovative and, with the right mind set, will have fun wherever they are, no matter what. Here are a few of our tips on sharing space and saving everyone’s sanity:

What to Expect Upon Visiting Your Kid’s College Dorm Room

The last time you visited your kid’s dorm room, you were hiking up flights of stairs with clothes and printers in hand alongside hundreds of other parents and students. You’d spent the previous summer helping your son pack all his belongings, yet you managed to unpack his entire life in just a few hours. It was a bittersweet goodbye as you left him to live on his own for the first time. Now months later, you’re entering his shared cave, and we have a few tips on what you may expect. Skip the heart attack and prepare yourself for a few of these situations:

When to Store and When to Give Away

As you walk through your home with a critical eye in tow, truly ask yourself what’s worth storing and what can be given away. Sentimental items, like childhood art projects, work awards, and books are great items to store. Other things, like your years-old towels and clothes you don’t wear anymore, are only taking up space. Here are a few ideas of places to donate to, when you want to save your wares from the trash.

Top Home Improvement Projects to Start in Spring

The ice is starting to thaw, the days are getting longer, and your trees and flowers are beginning to wake up once more. Spring is coming to town. We know there are quite a few spring projects you’d like to tackle inside the house, but don’t ignore your backyard. Before the heat of summer and the onslaught of late spring rains, take the time to work on these outdoor projects.

Three Mean Green Ways to Help Save the Environment

When moving into your new home, you already have so much on your mind that saving the environment might feel like a bit of a stretch. But what if we told you a few simple changes could make a big difference? Don’t feel like you need to go all out and place bamboo floors and compost heaps in your house all at once. Instead, ease into green living with these three simple changes:

Preparing for Puppyhood

Sometimes all you need is a wet nose and wagging tail to make your new home officially feel like home. If you are financially and emotionally prepared to take in a little four-legged pup, follow these tips to help prepare your new home for a new family member.

How to Keep Your Storage Costs Low

When you’re searching on Affordable Moves for a storage facility in your neighborhood, keep these tips in mind for cheaper monthly rents.

Sports, Field Trips, and Play Dates: How to Help Your Kids Meet Their New BBFs

Moving your kids in the middle of the school year is no fun for the entire family. Your kids are obviously on edge from uprooting their lives and saying goodbye to their friends and familiarities, and no doubt you’re receiving the cold shoulder. Sure, they’re going to stew for a bit, but don’t worry, they won’t be scarred forever. If you’re especially concerned about your elementary-ages kids making friends, try a few of these tips to help them make their new BFF.

Tips for Your Cross-Country Move

Over the hills, and through the woods, off to your new town, you go! Moving cross-country is a big task, and when you’re on mile 352, you don’t want to suddenly remember how you forgot to pack up the old stuff in the attic. Before you get your moving truck engine started, here are some tips for your cross-country journey.

Things to Know Before Moving by the Sea

If you’re staring out of your window to snow, snow, and more snow, while daydreaming of living by the beach, why stop at daydreaming? Moving to the sea isn’t quite as tricky as you think. As long as you have a job in place and you don’t have a problem with higher prices, living by the ocean can be your exciting life story. Now, there are a few things to remember before you become an (employed) beach bum:

The Tricky Part: Unpacking

When all of your things are chaotically strewn around the house, it’s hard to remember how excited you were to move. Unpacking is the hardest part of moving, and not because it’s particularly difficult. Unpacking box after box is a mental game. After all the organizing, packing, loading, and physically moving, you really just want to be done with it all. To help you get your unpacking done instead of just letting your boxes sit there for the next few months (or years), here are some helpful tips.

What Should I Store in Time for Spring?

As the snow slowly begins to thaw, you know it’s getting close to time to pack up those winter wares. Winter is full of heavy layers and extra clothes. And while it’s perfectly expected that your home will get a little cluttered during the hibernation months, just know you can always use storage when the first spring breeze wafts through the windows.

Affordable Moves Blog Content

It’s raining, it’s pouring, it’s snowing, it’s storming, and you’ll be staying inside this weekend. Now, it would be easy to see dark clouds as the signs of a doomed weekend, but really, this is a great chance to do some deep cleaning you’ve been meaning to do all year. As the rain, sleet, and snow hit the window panes, throw on some rubber gloves, and get your home clean, mean, and ready for spring.

Please, Please Get Rid of That

Yes, it’s important to try to rescue items rather than toss every little thing once it gets its first scratch or it isn’t bright and shiny anymore. However, there are some items, some quite gross and broken items, in your house it’s really time to let go of. Stop procrastinating, and get out a big garbage bag. Whether you toss it in recycling, a donation center, or out to the dump, it’s time to have a fresher home.

How to Move from Big to Small

Maybe you’re struggling with empty nesters syndrome or you’re eying the tiny apartment for rent with the incredible view, but either way, a downsizing battle is probably on your horizon. You’re sure to face the centuries old question, how on earth do I get all of my stuff to fit in this tiny space? Well, we’re here to answer that and whether you like it or not, the answer, is generally: you’re not. Before you start to stress, follow our simple tips for slowly, but surely downsizing your belongings to fit in your home.

Getting Rid of Ants in Your New Home the Natural Way

When you move into a new home, the last thing you want to deal with are unwelcome critters, such as ants. Your new home is already filled with your pets and children, and you don’t have any extra room for pesty little bugs. What’s more, you probably don’t want to start spraying and sprinkling toxic chemicals in corners and crevices of your home, especially if you have babies, puppies, or kittens crawling around. The good news is there are some natural, nontoxic alternatives, which may help rid your new home of ants

Simple Ways to Organize for the New Year

Now, now, January isn’t over, so it’s not time to give up on those New Year’s organization resolutions just yet. While we certainly advocate tackling the big stuff, like getting a deep clean of the carpets and walls, sometimes it’s easier to get a few of the pesky things out of the way first. Once you organize the small stuff in their new tidy and proper place, you’ll feel more accomplished to take on the rest of the house.

How to Get Some Shut Eye before and during Moving Day

You know the feeling all too well. Tossing and turning, making lists, going over lists, and fretting over forgetting something all night long until the sun shines through your window, and you realize you haven’t slept a wink. Moving is stressful as you worry about what to pack and how to unpack it down the road in your new house. Whether you’re still packing up your current home or you’re working on unloading your belongings in your new place, you need a good night’s sleep to give you energy, strength, and clarity. While sleeping pills may knock you out, sometimes those synthetic drugs may leave you feeling worse for wear in the morning. So instead of popping pills, try these natural sleep aids to help you get some shut eye during your big move.

A Few Tunes, a Spot of Tea, and Bubble Gum to Battle Moving Day Stress

Between scheduling the moving truck, packing up all your belongings, and saying goodbye to your childhood neighborhood, you’re bound to feel your stress level increase. With so much to remember, take care of, and arrange, you’re probably a walking stress bomb. Before driving yourself crazy during your move, take some of our stress relievers to heart.

A Snow Storm is a ‘Coming (But You Still Have to Move)

The weather outside is still frightful and the snow is coming down hard. Unfortunately, your lease is up and moving day is here. Though winter moving is a pain; there’s no way around it. If you’re not battling the cold, you’re wrestling with the wind and snow and friends out of town for the holidays. You need a game plan, and quick. Follow these tips for a safe and productive move during the winter freeze.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit

You know you have too many things and not enough room, but before picking a storage unit at random, ask yourself a few important questions before signing the rent agreement.

Things to Consider before Moving in Together

Moving in with your significant other is not something to jump into blindly. Sure you’re in love, and you seemingly can’t live without each other, but sharing bills and waking up to morning breath are just a few of the aspects you should consider before signing on the dotted line. We’ve outlined a few important discussions

How You Know it’s Time to Live on Your Own

You’re trying to get some sleep before work when your bartender roommate comes home and starts cooking dinner at 3am. Yes, it might be time to finally start living on your own. While ideas of grandeur and Park Ave lofts might be out of range for your current salary, you might be ready for a move more than you think.

What You Need to Know about Renter’s Insurance

It’s not called “the unexpected” because it’s a welcomed surprise. You never think you’re going to come home to a flood or a break-in, and you certainly never anticipate someone getting hurt on your property during a party or a get-together. Luckily, you have the option of renter’s insurance for peace of mind for these unforeseen catastrophes. Here’s what you need to know about insurance before you invest in a policy:

Wedding Bells and Storage Units

If the sound of wedding bells is in the air, it might be time for you to stock up on a storage unit. Surprisingly, acquiring a storage unit, or two, during your wedding planning stages can significantly help calm the chaos. Whether you’re planning the big day to take place at your home or you need a separate area to organize and sort all of your wedding arrangements, a storage unit just might become your best man. Here’s how a storage unit may ameliorate some of your wedding woes:

Ways to Pack Green

Some think going the environmentally friendly route is difficult or time consuming, but when it comes to doing a green move, it’s easy! Sometimes it just takes a little extra consideration and forethought to ensure a Mother Nature approval of your moving practices. To kick start your eco-friendly move, follow these three simple tips:

Preventing the “WHY IS THIS TANGLED?!” for Next Christmas

Christmas is coming to a close, which means it’s time roll up your sleeves and start packing up all the twinkling decorations. However, don’t forget your frustration and petty arguments you got into a few weeks ago when the Christmas lights would not untangle. Pack the right way now, and avoid the holiday battle next year.

Survival Guide for Moving Back Home

As much as you and your parents love one another, moving back into their place can trigger some tension. Gone are the days when you could stumble home at 4:00 am to your empty apartment and eat ice cream for every meal for weeks straight. Your parents are giving up their pristine, tidy, and quiet home due to your arrival. Though it’ll take some effort, it is possible to cohabitate the same space with your parents just like the old days. Just follow our tips to help you all stay sane:

How to Deal with Paranormal Activity in Your New Home

Moving into a new home in a new town is stressful enough without the worry of unexplained sounds and seemingly creepy occurrences. You’re more than likely on edge from the stress of the move and the anxiety of job hunting and meeting new people, and any creaky sounds or chilly drafts on top of it all can send you over the edge. If you’ve moved into a new place and you have inkling it may be haunted, consider some of these tips before leaving town.

Making it Work: Ways to Cut Corners during a Temporary Move

Whether you’re waiting for your house to close or you’re in between leases, temporary housing is a good way to pass the time while not overstaying your welcome on your friend’s couch. It might seem daunting of where to go or how to survive the next few weeks without bleeding cash at a hotel, but you do have options. These are some easy ways to cut before moving into your new home for good.

How Not to Drive Your Roomies Crazy

Maybe it’s your first time living with another person besides your family or perhaps you’re moving in with roomie number 32, but regardless of your level of co-living experience, it’s never too late to brush up on your roomie 101. It’s not required for you to be the best of friends with your roommates, but maintaining cordial friendly relationships can make all the difference.

How to Prepare Your Backyard Furniture for Jack Frost

Your backyard’s greatest enemy, Jack Frost, is on his way to your town. Jack Frost kills plants, fades colors, and rots untreated cushions. So prepare! If you haven’t prepped your backyard furniture yet, make sure to do so before the next big snow storm heading your way.

Simple Ways to Prepare for Santa’s Arrival during the Big Move

Christmas is a hectic season in general. Between dreaming up the best gift ideas, flocking to the mall, and decorating the house, there’s hardly any room for downtime. And when you’re moving during Christmastime, you most likely have a million other things on your mind, like changing your mailing address and packing up your belongings on top of your Christmas duties. Though you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed, remember...

How to Move During a Snowstorm

The first snow fall in your new home can be a beautiful and peaceful image - as long as you’re unpacked, curled up on your couch with the heat blaring, watching the snowflakes fall on the other side of your window. However, a snow storm in the middle of your move can be an unwelcome nuisance. Of course, you can’t control Mother Nature, so if she decides to dump snow on your moving day, follow these few tips for a smooth and safe transition:

Extra Uses for a Storage Unit during the Holidays

Well, let’s be honest: the holidays can get a little crazy. Between buying and hiding presents and jetting off to Grandma’s house, you can use a helping hand. Consider a storage unit to make your holidays a little easier. If you already have a unit, this is a great time to get some extra use out of it. And if you don’t use storage, these next few months are the perfect time to rent some extra space.

Mistletoe: The Holiday Plant of Doom? Unexpected Holiday Hazards for Your Pets

While you’re busy indulging on frothy hot chocolate and pumpkin pie, your cat or dog may be up to trouble in the other room. Your living room all warm and bright might just be a booby trap for your overly curious pet. To keep them safe and sound this holiday season, be wary of a few unexpected holiday hazards.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Night in Your New Home

Now that you’re all unpacked and have sorted through what needs to be in storage and what needs to be out for decoration, you want to invite some friends over to celebrate. You’re considering hosting your first wine and cheese nigh, but what do you buy? How many cheeses, which cheeses, and what’s the difference between red and white wine?

Cricket Chirps to Car Horns: How to Transition to City Living

If you’re packing your bags and moving to the city from the countryside, you’re likely in for a bit of a culture shock. Realize you’re trading the chirping sounds of crickets for honking car horns and starry skies for city lights. While a move to a concrete jungle is definitely exciting and thrilling, there are aspects of city life, which you may have to adjust to. Follow our few tips

From Pumpkins to Nutcrackers: How to Make a Smooth Holiday Transition

The holiday seasons can feel like a blur. It feels like you just put out your cornucopia display only for it to need replacing by your Christmas wreath. Don’t let the stress of transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas overwhelm you this year. Instead, make a few changes this holiday season and think ahead so you can enjoy more of the cheer and spend less time worrying about switching your pumpkin decorations to your Nutcracker display.

Moving Mistakes That Can Cost You Money

Moving can be a pricey endeavor, but there are some simple mistakes to avoid in order to keep costs low. You don’t want to go over budget because you accidentally broke something or didn’t want to search for it in your gang of boxes. Follow these tips for a cheaper move.

Unexpected Expiration Dates of Your Favorite Household Items

We all do it: hold on to things way past their expiration dates. And while you probably know your salad dressing and milk can probably last a few extra days; there are a few unexpected food and beauty items you should toss sooner than you may think.

Last Minutes Tasks before the Doorbell Rings with Thanksgiving Guests

You’re down to the wire, just a few more days until the doorbell rings and your Thanksgiving guests start to trickle in. It’s not only your first time hosting Thanksgiving, but it’s also the first Thanksgiving at your house. Needless to say, this Thanksgiving will be a trial run and may go down in the history books for better or for worse. While things never go exactly according to plan, add these few tips to your to do list to help your first feast run a little smoother.

Be Nice to Your Sister

My sister and I spent our childhood days fighting for computer time, hogging our shared bathroom, and shifting blame on to the other when we skipped our chores. I was always too busy pulling my sister’s hair and secretly stealing her clothing to ever listen to my dad when he’d say, “Be nice to your sister, she’ll be your best friend one day.”

Preparing for Picky Eaters and Broken China on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings both cheer and dread. If you’re hosting your first turkey dinner at your new home, be prepared for feeling excited to see your friends and family while simultaneously wanting to rip your hair out. While your trendy cousin’s new vegan diet is great and all, it sure puts a wrench in your planned recipes, but it’s nothing compared to the challenge of dealing with your triplet toddler nieces. Regardless of who you are, there’s no doubt your Thanksgiving crowd is weird and wonderful, so follow these few tips to help your Turkey Day run smoothly:

The Winter Purge: What to Toss, What to Store, and What to Donate

Don’t wait until spring cleaning to clean out your house. It’s easy to want to burrow snuggly into your home and not do a thorough cleaning spell until spring, but some things are way too bulky or underused to take up space in your house. It’s time for you to give a critical eye to your things and figure out what needs to be tossed, stored, or donated.

Deciding if a Pet is for You

You’ve taken everything out of storage, settled into a new home in a new city, and made new friends. So is it time for a new pet? There’s certainly something about pets, which makes any family and home feel complete. Maybe it’s their eagerness to welcome you home each evening or their willingness to put up with your snuggles and cuddles after a bad day at work, but whatever it is, sometimes they’re the perfect addition to your household. But before you rush out to save an animal, first consider these aspects of pet ownership:

Weathering Snowy Weather

The first snowflakes are starting to fall and you’ve only just finished unpacking and taking trips to and from your storage unit. As delicate and lovely as the first snow fall may look, it can present a real challenge for unprepared snow trekkers. If you’re not weathered in the snow department and you’ve just moved to a snow-covered city, follow these simple tips to fare your first wintery winter.

Don’t Pack These Items in Your Storage Unit

In the chaos of a move, it’s easy to throw a hodge podge of items into your storage unit just to get them out of the way. After all, how good does it feel to find a temporary home for those gigantic cardboard boxes? Keep in mind though; a haphazard attempt at storing your goods could lead to bigger problems down to the road, like filthy rat infestations and ruined electronics, or worse, a massive combustion!

Rats, Moths, and Other “Monsters” to Keep Out of Your Storage Unit

Creepy crawlers don’t belong anywhere close to your stored items. Fall is in full swing and this cooler weather is the prime time for critters to look for shelter. And trust us, they’d love to nestle into your stored away blankets, if you let them. So keep them out! Use the following tricks to protect your precious items locked away in storage.

Truly Yours: Cheap Ways to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

It takes time and effort to make a new house look and feel like your home. However, creating the sought-after homey feeling doesn't have to be a budget-breaking experience. This can be one of those situations where you can spend a little to get a lot in return.

How to Prevent Dents, Scuffs, and Cracks

Imagine a huge gaping hole in the wall of the dining room of your brand new home, or perhaps worse, a massive dent in the hard wood floors of the house you just sold. It’s so easy to scuff up the tile floors or ding the walls when you carelessly pack up your belongings during a big move.

A Backpack and a One-Way Ticket - How to relocate without losing your sense of adventure

I’d barely touched ground in the states after backpacking for three months in South America when I decided to book a one-way flight to California. I felt well-versed in the nomadic lifestyle, living out of a backpack and getting by without a solid plan, so I figured an off-the-cuff move to San Diego wouldn’t faze me much.

Check, Check, Check: What to Look for in a New Place to Live

You walk inside the house on the market wearing one of your best outfits and money burning a hole in your pocket. You’re eager to move into a new place to live, but have you asked all the proper questions before signing a lease?

Fashion Style Guide for Your Move

When you’re running around packing up your home, office, or apartment, fashion probably is the furthest thought from your mind. And rightfully so, who cares what you look like when you’re lifting boxes and crawling into moving vans?

Little Space, Big Life

Sometimes when you decide to move to the hottest spots in the U.S., you forfeit space for the glamour of the city. Living in New York City is one of the best examples of painting the town red by day, while cramming into a tiny studio apartment by night.

Moving into the Eye of the Tornado

“The wind began to switch, the house to pitch, and suddenly the hinges started to unpitch.” While one fluke Kansas tornado may have landed Dorothy and Toto in a magical land of OZ, unfortunately not all tornadoes are as friendly.

How to Properly Store Your Items So You’re Not Trapped Between a Mattress and a Hard Place

Admittedly, I was never was good at Tetris. And in finding myself firmly stuck behind a mattress and 11 boxes of books behind me, next to me, and well, falling on me, I guess my short-comings in long-term storage were finally coming to a head.

How to Prepare Your Warm Weather Car for a Winter of Hibernation

When the first autumn leaf hits you in the face as you drive your convertible down the highway, it’s probably time to start thinking about winter storage for your convertible or warm weather car. However, before you stick your car into an empty storage unit, here are a few things you need to know:

The Anatomy of a Suitcase

There’s a big world out there and a handy storage unit is one great ally for your travels. Rather than pay for months of rent when you’re traveling out of the country, look into getting a storage unit.

How to Best Store Clothes, Pictures, Art, and Other Finicky Items

Not all storage items sit in the storage unit patiently. Some can cause quite a bit of a raucous in terms of mildew, yellowing, and destruction. When it comes to these objects, packers need to take a few extra precautions before stuffing these items into storage for the next few months or years.

How to In-Law-Proof Your House

It doesn’t matter if you have a great relationship with your in-laws or a distant one, when it comes to visits, you want to make sure your home is fully prepared for a visit from the extended family.

Recreational Storage: How to Store Big Toys like Boats and RVs

Affordable Moves can help you find the best place to store your big toys. If you are a proud owner of an RV or boat, you want to make sure you find a secure place to keep your vehicles. You have many options regarding outdoor storage or indoor storage depending on your needs.

Be Careful! How to Store Glass

Some occupations require frequent moves, and while families adapt to this lifestyle, their possessions often do not. One home may be spacious, and the next may be scarcely larger than a small apartment. When this happens, storing rarely used items, such as china and crystal, is an excellent alternative to stumbling over walls of boxes.

Do I Need Climate Controlled Storage?

Many people consider getting climate controlled storage. There are many benefits to getting it, and some of your items actually require it, if you want them to stay in good condition. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best climate controlled storage facility for your needs.

Should I Purchase Insurance When I Use Self-Storage?

Home insurance and renter’s insurance does not necessarily cover storage units, so you need to do some digging and determine if you need extra coverage. The time you invest in comparing rates and levels of coverage is absolutely essential since storage facilities are almost never liable for the contents of your unit.

Yuck! Protect Your Mattresses from the Unthinkable

A mattress is an investment. Mattress sellers typically remind customers they spend up to one third of their lives asleep in order to justify the price. Like fine art and other high-priced items, mattresses are not designed for long-term storage, so they need a little extra attention before you store them.

A Little Advice for New Packrats: Tips from Storage Pros

If you are a packrat who wants to keep your home free of clutter, renting a storage unit can be your perfect solution. Affordable Moves can help you find a safe storage facility to move your belongings temporarily or permanently - depending on your needs. You want to make sure your items are packed well and you pick a facility that offers everything you require.

How Self-Storage Can Help Transition Aging Parents

Whether you are moving your aging parents into your home, a small apartment, or an assisted living complex, you will likely be faced with the dilemma of what to do with all of the things they have accumulated throughout the years. Downsizing, relocating, and giving up a huge portion of their independence can be a traumatic experience for your elderly parents as much as it is a change for you.

Self-Storage Security: What to Expect

One of the most important factors in choosing a self-storage unit is security. Different facilities will offer different security measures so make sure the one you are interested in offers what you need. Affordable Moves can help you find the perfect storage facility for your specific needs in your area.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Boxes

When your belongings arrive at your new home, you want them to arrive undamaged and in one piece – that is if you haven’t disassembled it to make your move easier on yourself. The way dishes, mirrors, clothing, furniture, and all other items are packed directly affects the likelihood of them arriving in good condition.

Boxes Are Different Sizes for a Reason

There is a reason why boxes come in different sizes. It is important to use the right sized boxes to move and store your items safely. You don’t want to try to squeeze a large item into a small box or put too many small items in a larger box, if you want your items to stay in good shape. Use the proper sized box for your specific needs.

How to Stay Relaxed with Your Whole World Is Upside Down

You have just inherited a house full of belongings from your parents. You have a mountain of furniture, keepsakes, and boxes that is beyond belief. Right now, it's in your garage, your basement, and is threatening to take over your entire home. This could be a time to have a nervous breakdown. There is, however, another option.

How to Tell a Good Realtor from a Great Realtor

It is easy to feel burned when you are selling a home. Each month that tics by without a buyer carries doubts and discouragement, and you wonder, if you contracted with the right realtor.

How to Find a Great Apartment

Apartment hunting has gone far beyond the simple search in the classified section of the newspaper. There are numerous tips you can follow to locate the great apartment you dream of moving into.

How to Choose the Right Storage Facility

All storage facilities are not created equal. You want to do your homework and find the best option for your specific storage needs. You can count on Affordable Moves to help you discover the best storage facility in your area. Look at ratings and reviews left by real customers to learn a little bit about your potential storage facility before you decide, if it is right for you.

How Self-Storage Can Help You Move

There are many ways that self-storage can help you move. The important thing is to find a good self-storage unit where you feel good about leaving your personal items. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best storage facility in your area. It is important to find a facility that is located near your new residence so you can travel back and forth to it with ease.

The Personality Test: What’s In Your Unit?

If someone walked into your storage unit, what would they think about you? Your storage unit tells an entire story about you and your personality. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility to hold any type of items for as long as you need to have them stored.

Organizing Your Kitchen Is Like Working a Puzzle

Think back to the problem solving method you used as a child when you were putting a puzzle together. Most likely, you tried to find the pieces with straight edges that provided a framework for the puzzle. Once you created the framework, filling in the middle was easier. When you begin organizing your kitchen, you can follow a similar guideline.

Tetris: Packing a Storage Unit Is More Familiar Than You Think

Packing a storage unit can be much easier than you think. You want to figure out the best way to pack your specific items. You can use Affordable Moves to find a good storage unit near your current or future location.

Are You Storing for the Right Reason?

Self-storage locations and storage containers that can be delivered right to your home can solve a multitude of space-limiting issues. Listed below are some of the most common reasons for renting storage space.

Your Kayak's Winter Home: Why Boat Storage Is Important

You enjoy using your Kayak in the warm weather, but when it starts to turn cold outside, you should find a good place to store it. You want your kayak to work well for you when the temperatures start to rise again and choosing a storage unit to keep it in can offer you assurance that your boat will continue to be reliable and safe to put in the water.

Where Is the Santa Suit? Seasonal Storage Solutions

Do you feel like you're going on a scavenger hunt when it is time to change your seasonal decorations? Do you sit there, scratching your head, wondering where you put everything or where you will put everything? It's time to get organized and make your life easier.

Between Gigs: Where to Store the Band's Gear

If your band plays a lot of different gigs, you will want to have a safe place to store your equipment during your down time. Affordable Moves can help you find a self-storage unit that will be just right for your instrument storage needs. You want to store your band's gear in a convenient location you can get to at any moment. Large musical equipment like a drum set, guitars, amplifiers, and more can really clutter up your home.

Rock on! Using Storage Units for Band Practice

Storage units are a great place to rock out as loud as you want. You can use Affordable Moves to find the right storage unit for your band's needs. You can choose a place to not only store your musical instruments and equipment in between gigs, but a place where you can conveniently play as often as you would like as well.

How to Find Treasures in Storage Auctions

Storage auctions happen regularly when units have been abandoned and the bills aren't being paid. Facility owners need to make up for their losses. Allowing bidding for their units is a way to give everyone the potential to make some money - all the way around. There's no telling what will be inside.

What Is Climate Controlled Storage

Climate controlled storage is a great choice for items that need to be kept at a certain temperature all of the time. A climate controlled storage building will be enclosed and keep your items from getting too hot or too cold thanks to a heating and air-conditioning unit.

How to Safely Store Your Vehicle

If you want to safely store your vehicle, you need to make sure you prepare it to be stored and that you find a trustworthy facility. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility for your vehicle.

Small Business and Self-Storage: A Perfect Pair

Many small businesses find great uses for self-storage units. Affordable Moves can help small business owners locate the best company to choose near your home or business. There are many choices out there

How Did All that Stuff Fit in Your Dorm Room?

Sweet freedom! It's time for summer break and you are on the way home. There's only one problem. You need to find a place for the mountain of stuff in your dorm room.

How Sales Reps Can Use Self Storage to Minimize Costs

Self storage units are a great choice for sales reps looking to minimize their costs and keep their items organized. Affordable Moves can help you to find a storage unit in your area.

How to Safely Store Furniture Indefinitely

There are going to be times when you need to put furniture into storage. You may have inherited a household full of treasures. Your children may head off to another state and ask you to hold onto things.

How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

You want to be known as the frugal mover. You've already decided you are going to do this job yourself. However, you want to do a good job and save yourself headaches further down the line.

What Not to Store

The possibilities for a little extra space in our lives are limited only by our imagination. However, there are some items that should never be in your storage unit.

How to Store Sensitive Items

Some household items are a little more high-maintenance than others. Unlike high-maintenance people, however, they do not strut about, constantly sharing their opinions.

How to Pack a Storage Unit for Easy Access

Unless you are in a situation where a company or the military is causing you to have a temporary move, you will probably need to get to the items in your storage unit from time to time.

Make the Most of Your Home's Own Storage Potential before You Rent More

Even though we are not on the television show, Hoarders, we still wish our homes looked a little more like Architectural Digest and little less like Everybody Loves Raymond.

Downsizing: Keep it, Store it, or Donate it

As you prepare for the process of downsizing, it's important that you keep in mind one of the wonderful benefits of downsizing is the opportunity it presents for simplified living.

Thanks for the Memories, but Where Should I Put Them?

If time has brought you to the point in life where you have received "the call", you may find yourself in need of some immediate storage space so that you don't hurt anyone's feelings.

How to Winterize and Store a Boat

It's your first time being the proud owner of a boat. You've had a wonderful season out on the water, fishing, cruising, and finding the best places to swim. The time has come to take the boat out of the water for the winter.

How to Know When You Have Outgrown the Garage

Do you remember when you had a place to park your car where frosty, snowy, icy mornings posed no problem for you? Maybe you didn't even have to venture out in the rain to get in your car.

How Small Businesses Use Storage

When you think of storage units, you think about people who are on the move or those who are dealing with an overflow from their house. Utilizing storage units for your small business never came to mind.

How Self-Storage Helps in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Self-storage can help with disaster preparedness and recovery in many ways. To begin with, you can feel confident in renting a storage unit to store items in case any type of emergency occurs.

Help for that Mid-Life Crisis: Store Your Harley and More

Are you going through a mid-life crisis? Do you have more toys than you know what to do with? If so, you probably need to find a place to put them before your wife has a fit. Take heart.

How Temporary Storage Can Simplify Your Life

Have you ever wondered why there are so many storage unit sites located in various areas of a town? One reason is that a lot of people have learned something that is worth passing along.

Preventing Theft

Self storage facilities are extremely useful when you have an overflow of belongings, that child who is heading off to college, or you've acquired items belonging to another family member.

Moisture-Free Storage Solutions for Humid Climates

If you are moving someplace with a warm, humid climate, you are probably thanking your lucky stars. No more snow, no more cold, no more blustery weather. While living someplace that feels like the tropics has many advantages, you need to remember one thing.

When to Choose Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate-controlled storage is necessary for a variety of different items. Intense changes in temperature can cause major problems to some objects over time. Instead of spending money to store items in a place where they may get damaged, spend the extra money to have peace of mind

Time For Spring Cleaning

The arrival of spring should be an exciting, anticipatory time of year. Don't let a spring cleaning project put a damper on your excitement. You can lessen the stress of spring cleaning by renting a storage unit for your excess belongings

Hey, Mom and Dad, College Was Great. Why Is the Treadmill in My Room?

Although it is nice to believe that parents want to keep their children's bedrooms like a shrine when they go off to college, this is not always the case. Many parents cannot wait to take over their children's room and turn it into an exercise room or something else that they have been dreaming of for years.

Stay Organized and Know the Contents of Your Storage Unit

Have you ever gone to the store, bought something, and shortly after making the purchase found out that you already had that identical item at home? Disorganization prevented you from being able to put your hands on the item when you needed it?

Storage Wars: Which Storage Facility Is Right for You?

There are many options when it comes to looking for a good storage facility. You do not have anything to worry about because the storage wars can be easily fought and won from the comfort of your home.

Parent's Say, "Come Get Your Stuff" : They Didn't Even Ask Me About Downsizing

From somewhere out of the blue comes a call from your parents telling you they have decided to downsize.

Summer Break, Must Empty Dorm Room, Need Storage

Summer break from college is the best. There is only one problem: finding a place for your stuff.

Starting Over After a Divorce, But Still Hanging On

Divorce can be an emotionally difficult experience regardless of the circumstances that led to the divorce.

Clear The Way For Summer Guests, Rent A Storage Unit

Life may not be so easy in the summer time if you typically have limited space and are expecting to accommodate vacationing guests and plan to entertain.

Ease Your Stress, Store It Until Holiday Visitors Go Home

Do you have a guest room that looks like a storage room? Is your house filled to over-flowing with furniture and an absolutely amazing amount of stuff?

Store It Until The Renovation Is Complete

There is no disputing the fact that embarking on a significant home renovation project can bring about some inconveniences.

Moving Often? Store It Once

Most likely, if you took a survey, you would discover that most people do not rank packing, moving, and unpacking as one of their top twenty favorite activities.

Stored Passion: Using a storage unit for vintage cars and other collectibles

If you are a proud owner of a vintage car or collect other items, you will want to keep these items safe from all types of harm.

Hobby Storage: Renting a Place to Store Hobby-Related Items

It's good to have a hobby, or maybe two or three hobbies, but hobbies and the items and equipment associated with them have a way of taking up too much space in your home.

Where Did All Of These Things Come From And Where Can I Store Them?

Getting ready to move? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that has accumulated in your home?

Is All Of This Stuff Really Mine?

One way to see the results of all of the times you procrastinated about spring cleaning is to begin the process of moving.

Too Much Stuff, So Little Time

Glance down this list of possible scenarios and see if you find yourself in one of them.

Retired...Sold House...Bought RV...Need Storage

Congratulations! You've reached the golden years, you're retired, and ready to hit the road. It's time to see all that this nation has to offer and a new RV is the perfect way to go.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides.

Help! My RV Needs A Place To Rest blog for travelers who can't park RV at their house

You've bought an RV and it's one of the best investments in your life. Your family has big plans to hit the road and see the country.

Solve Your Downsize Dilemma

The time has come to move from the home where high maintenance and costly upkeep are cutting into your well-deserved leisure time and fun money. Now, all you have to do is decide what to do with all of the stuff you have acquired and accumulated while living in your large home.

Store It To Stage It

If you have put your home on the market or plan to do so soon, you have probably heard or read about the benefits of home staging. Statistics show that homes that are staged to showcase their most attractive and appealing features will sell more quickly and at a higher price than homes that have not been staged.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides. When the weekend rolls around or summer vacation arrives, you don't have to spend your time mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs or doing mundane exterior touch-ups and repairs on your home.

How to Increase Your Chi

Filling your life with peaceful, positive energy is a worthy goal. Feng shui practitioners believe that chi, or the world's life force, flows around people and objects as stream water moves around a rock. The proper channelling of this energy is believed to affect everything from your personal health to professional success, so having good energy movement throughout your home is vital to increasing your chi.

Things You End Up Buying Again and Again

As you grow tired of unused items spilling out of your closets and garage, you purge everything that gets in your way. Lamps from 10 years ago? Gone. Last year's bedding? Gone. That scuffed-up coffee table? Your unused treadmill? The curling iron that doesn't work with your new hairstyle? Gone, gone, and gone! Then the cycle repeats as you purchase updated versions of those items as time passes. Before you get caught up in that buy/purge/re-buy cycle, keep in mind that some things are better stored than tossed.

Tips for Listing an Item on Craigslist

Recently hit with unexpected expenses, or just looking for a little extra money? Online community sites offer plenty of legitimate opportunities to make some quick cash, and Craigslist is the granddaddy of them all. The site makes it easy to sell all sorts of things lying around your house or in storage, from old vinyl records to unused furniture. New to the site? Never fear, because below you’ll find a few tips to make your Craigslist experience easy-breezy:

How to Renovate for Big Life Transitions

New babies, ailing parents, and dozens of other life events can lead to big changes for your home. Before you start panicking, rest assured that home renovations don't have to be the exhausting, anxiety-producing, and costly experiences that you’re imagining. With a little planning and forethought, you can easily transform your home to reflect your new lifestyle.

How to Get Rid of Toxic Household Items

You're busily cleaning and feeling smug about how much you're getting done in your home. Then you come across Grandma's old-fashioned wall thermometer in the junk drawer, and your day comes to a screeching halt. It's the moment when all your cleaning and organizing plans go haywire: Do you toss it in the trash? Can you recycle things with mercury in them? Or, do you throw it back in storage and forget it for another decade?

Modern Ways to Update Your Kitchen

Few things make a home look more outdated than a tired, old kitchen. Fortunately, you can inject some life, color, and flavor back into your home with a kitchen that is freshly updated. Best of all, you don't have to spend a lot of money in the process.

Do's and Don'ts of Converting Your Kid's Room to an Office

After sending your child off to college, it may seem like a great time to revamp your living space with a bedroom remodel. Whether your child is off to school or well into adulthood, a childhood bedroom contains a ton of emotions and memories. Before you remake a child's old bedroom into your shiny new home office, there are a few things to consider.

Top 3 Tips for Fall Cleaning

The dog days of summer are behind us, and it's time to pack away the pool toys and start bringing out the coats, umbrellas, and snow boots. Before cold weather gets you in its grips, there are a few important things to do to get ready for autumn.

DIY Gifts for the Holiday Season

While it's fun to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving, you may want to sleep in and go the DIY route for gifts this year. By doing so, you'll avoid the grumpy holiday crowds, save a little money, and create some unique gifts for your family and friends.

Cheap Ways to Decorate for Halloween

Ghosts and goblins can be scary at Halloween time, but so can over-spending on decorations. Shiver with fear for all the right reasons this Halloween by making your own decorations on the cheap. After all, spooky is a state of mind, not the product of crisp décor and expensive accessories.

Fall dishes to bring to the holiday potluck

Crisp, cool autumn days herald a season full of enticing fruits, vegetables, and nuts. From juicy red apples to flavorful squash, the vibrant colors and tastes of the season make some of the most delectable dishes. You'll spruce up any ho-hum holiday potluck when you add some of these heartwarming and beloved fall flavors to the table.

Checklist to see if you’re ready to have a high maintenance pet

Tired of the kids pleading and whining for a new pet? Don't cave yet; there are a few things to consider before deciding whether it's the right time to take on an animal, especially one that's going to be high maintenance.

How to deal with a guest coming over who’s allergic to animals

You want your housewarming party to be remembered for its upsides, not your guests’ allergies. The next time you’re planning on throwing an at-home shindig, find a way to keep your pets at bay. Keeping your party sniffle-free is going to take some work, so roll up your sleeves and dig in.

What to do with your pet when you have a big party

Unfamiliar faces, access to potentially harmful foods, and loud noises can make it a little harrowing to keep Fido and Frisky happy and safe while you're entertaining. Luckily, if you plan for their comfort ahead of time, you can keep your little critters calm and secure during your big event.

Eco-friendly products that you could be using every day

Adding a little green to your everyday life is getting easier with the ever-increasing number of eco-friendly products on the market. Using just a few of these green products can help you keep your home free from harmful chemicals and preserve some of earth's most precious resources.

Thoughtful gifts on the cheap

When it comes to gift-giving, it really is the thought that counts. Anyone can put money in a card and call it a present. However, a thoughtful gift shows that you care enough to take an extra step and truly think about the gift’s recipient. That being said, gifts don’t need to be pricey too be considerate.

How to Decorate a Tiny Patio

As the saying goes, good things come in small packages, and that can be true of small patios too. Even if your patio is a little short on space, you can still create an inviting, lively area.

Pros and Cons of a Bottom Floor Apartment

Getting in on the ground floor may be terrific for business opportunities, but it has some drawbacks for an apartment location. When you’re thinking about moving into a first floor apartment, weighing the property’s disadvantages along with its benefits can help you select an apartment that truly feels like home.

5 Things You Really Don’t Need for Your House

From grand mansions to tiny houses, every inch of living space matters. Make the most out of your square footage by ridding your home of unnecessary junk. There are dozens of things in your house that you don’t use often, which are simply taking up space. Just eliminating five of them is a great start to freeing up your space, and giving you a new lease on life.

Top 5 Things You Need To Stock a Dorm

Before you have to face leaving your "baby" at college, you have an equally daunting task: figuring out what is essential for comfortable dorm living. Your impulse may be to err on the side of over-abundance, but choose to ignore that impulse. Dorm rooms are cramped even before your teenager moves in, and adding a roommate's things into the mix only makes it smaller. Get into the minimalist mind-set since you can always send unexpected necessities later. In the meantime, there are a few things your teen will need from day one.

Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping

Shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies may be the highlight of your kids' new school year, but it may play havoc with your wallet. Instead of stressing about the upcoming financial splurge, just channel your inner bargain-hunter to keep as many of those presidents in your pocketbook as you can.

Which School Supplies Your Child can Reuse in the New School Year

Buying new back-to-school supplies and clothes each year can add up quickly. If thinking about spending an obscene amount of money on binders and lunchboxes makes you break out into a cold sweat as back-to-school season approaches, never fear: you can save your money and your mind with a little creative recycling of supplies from school years past.

What to Store and What to Take Out for Autumn

Your home's space is at a premium, and you're going to have to switch out your summer things to make room for fall. The choices can be tricky. Do you keep your favorite summer tee-shirt or put it in storage with the rest of your out-of-season wardrobe? Do you hang onto your lawn edger in case there's no snow this year? Do you hold back your pool toys in hopes of a winter tropical vacation?

How to Transition Your Home from Summer to Fall

The kids are back in school. Baseball is winding down, and football is starting up. You've started to crave the feel of cool weather, the smell of pumpkin pie, and the warmth of your favorite sweater. This all makes it official; it's time to start preparing for fall.

How to Use Labor Day as an Excuse to Meet Your Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors is easier when get-togethers revolve around a holiday. So if you missed the Fourth of July celebrations in the cul-de-sac, Labor Day may be your next best excuse to get the block together for a little social time.

How to Pet-Proof Your Home

For those homeowners who are considering a relocation, or may have recently moved, helping your pet make adjustments will be a challenging experience.

Home Renovations for When the Kids are Out of Town

If you are trying to decide what to do while the kids are out of town visiting grandma, attending summer camp or just spending the night at a friend’s house, consider several home renovations that can be completed in a few hours, days or even a couple of weeks. Whether you need to renovate the playroom/recreational room, the kitchen, or the main bathroom it will be easier if you don't have to deal with the kids in addition to the mess.

How to Help Your Kid Pack for Summercamp

One of the most traditional ways for kids to make childhood memories is by visiting a summer camp for the season. Between outdoor activities and meeting other children, it can make for invaluable lessons and a great adventure to experience for boys and girls. When helping your kid pack for camp, there are several ways to assist with the process while instilling confidence and independence in the child.

Etiquette for Hosting a House Guest

After pulling all of your furniture out of storage, you finally have a comfortable home to invite friends and family over to stay for more than just one night. If you've just moved to a new city, you want to share your exploration process with your loved ones. So get organized and set up the new guest room to receive visitors, and you must also incorporate house guest etiquette to make their visit a memorable one.

Fun Ways to Update Your Office

If you just moved into a new office, you want to make the space your own. Money may be limited, but you don't need a fortune to update your office. A few new accessories and a little bit of creativity are all you need to make your new office your own.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Disciplining Someone Else's Child

You've just emptied out your storage unit and are finally settling into your new home. The entire family is excited about exploring the region and meeting new friends. And luckily, it seems as though the neighbors have children of their own. However, issues may arise when kids come over for playdates. So if Timmy from next door gets rowdy, here are a few strategies to help you navigate the tricky situation of disciplining someone else’s child.

Pet Etiquette

Everything’s finally out of storage and your home is starting to come together. Even your dog and cat are getting along in the new digs. Once you settle in, however, it's time to start exploring the neighborhood. If you're taking the dog with you, keep some friendly reminders in mind to avoid any friction with new neighbors.

Tips to Help the Kids Make Friends Their First Day at School

First day of school jitters can be intensified in a new town, making the first day of school stressful for the entire family. Even as you're unloading the storage facility with all of your family’s belongings, parents still concentrate on their child fitting in. Do a little planning beforehand to help your child make a seamless transition into school.

Summer Attraction Life Hacks

With summer in full swing, you may have plans to visit different area attractions. From museums to amusement parks, attractions are built for large capacity crowds. However, all the people make it difficult to see and enjoy certain exhibits, such as a sprawling aquarium tank. Use a few smart strategies to see your favorite attractions while avoiding unnecessary stress and expense.

Ways to Maximize Kitchen Storage

You've just moved your favorite kitchen items out of storage and into your new apartment. What appeared to be a large space suddenly looks tiny with all your utensils, pots, and dishes. If you're wondering where to fit all these critical kitchen items, just use some creative thinking to keep everything handy while still looking organized.

Ways to Renovate Your Backyard on a Budget

Your backyard is an open canvas for plant life to flourish, whether you have a sprawling lawn or just a few shrubs. This area often doubles as a lounging space as well, providing a sunny expanse to entertain visitors or just enjoy the fresh air yourself. However, many backyard renovations remain expensive. Get creative and add some thrifty concepts to your yard to make the area pop with a unique look, without busting your budget.

How to Unplug on Your Weekend Getaway

Thanks to mobile technology, work follows you wherever you go. From your smartphone to tablet, unplugging on a weekend getaway may seem impossible. However, consciously turning off your devices and concentrating on family fun makes your entire life more manageable even when returning to work. Try some smart strategies to keep your hands off the electronics on your next jaunt out of town.

Date Ideas in Your New City

Let's face it, moving can be kind of a drag. So many parts of a move are stressful; the packing, the cleaning, and the paperwork. However, moving also has its perks. For instance, when you move, you have a whole new world of options when it comes to treating your honey to a night out. In your old town you had probably tried every restaurant, movie theatre, and tired out the best smooching spot. In a new town, everything is fresh and waiting to be discovered. Here are a few fun date ideas to help you make the most of your new city with your sweetheart by your side.

Ways to Entertain the Kids Without Electronics

Do your kids spend hours trying to beat their high score on your iPad or sitting in front of the TV waiting for their favorite program to come on? When you're looking for ways to entertain your kids without electronics, consider activities that involve the whole family. This way, whether you’re in the middle of a move or settling into your new home, you can breathe a little easier knowing your kids are taking part in quality entertainment.

Skincare Tips for Sun Protection

Back in the days of sock hops and Elvis, a tan was considered the quintessential proof of health, an active social life, and the ability to travel to wherever the sun was shining. However, today we know that exposure to the sun is not as beneficial as it once was presumed to be. In fact, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States.

Tips for Making a Good Impression on Prospective Renters

As a landlord, a soft rental market may have you scrambling to fill your properties. However, there are plenty of simple things you can do to attract renters and make your site the hottest property in town. In fact, a little ingenuity and attention to detail may be all you need to wow prospects and keep your rental properties filled with quality tenants.

When You Know it's Time to Upgrade Your Home

You're going about your life, happily going through the motions of each day when it hits you with a sudden, "A-ha!" Your home is too small, too outdated, or too lacklustre for all the great things you have planned for the future. That's when you know it's time for an upgrade.

Best Vegetables to Plant in the Summer

While many gardeners start their warm-season vegetable gardens after the last frost in spring, it's not too late for you to enjoy the delicious taste of summer right off the vine. Play catch up by purchasing starter plants available at your local home improvement store. Plant the veggies in nutrient-rich soil, water them liberally, and you'll be harvesting bounty from your garden in no time. Here are three fast-growing summer veggies sure to please your palate.

Beyond the Cake: Birthday Dessert Round-up

You've moved to a new town, and you want to make your child's birthday in your new home as special as possible. Amazing birthday desserts are in your future, here are a few ideas to help you move beyond boring yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Even though it is delicious, wink wink.

Kid-Friendly Meals for Prospective Playdates

The pressure is on: you forgot your child's friends were coming home with you for an after-school play date. And now they're all waiting expectantly at your car door, ready to be shuttled to your home for a snack and a little playtime. They look hungry! Have no fear, a well-stocked kitchen and a little ingenuity ensures you can pull this off and even please the pickiest of eaters.

From Office Hour to Happy Hour: Make Your Wardrobe Multipurpose

Rocking a versatile wardrobe that transitions easily from day to night involves more than a little black dress or two. Luckily, you don't have to spend a lot of money finding pieces that let you breeze out of work and into happy hour in the blink of an eye. With a whole world of colors, textures, and sparkles at your fingertips and a few key accessories-- you can take some of the pressure off your little black dress and have a day-to-night wardrobe that's the envy of fashionistas everywhere.

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

Whether poisonous or not, snakes play an important role in the natural world, but that doesn't mean that you want them slithering around your garden. Give them an inch, and they may wind their way into your house as well. Although some folks swear by simple deterrents like moth balls, sulfur powder, or lemon grass, the best way to keep snakes out of your yard is to make the space inhospitable to the slinking reptiles.

Camping for Beginners

You've accepted an invitation to go camping with a sense of bravado that your friends took for enthusiasm, but the truth is you've never spent a night in the great outdoors in your life. While you don't want to come off as a total greenhorn, you want to make sure that your first experience with camping is safe and comfortable too. Before you pack up your gear and hit the trail, check out these tried-and-true tips from seasoned campers.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Subletter

Opportunity's knocking and you need someone to take over your lease. Make the time to interview potential subletters and ask the questions that will help you find the perfect fit.

Tweaks to Make Your Home More Sleep-Friendly

We've all been there, tossing and turning for hours, checking the clock every 20 minutes, and getting more and more frustrated as the night goes on. Luckily, a few simple changes to your bedroom’s setting can create a sleep zone that will have you snoozing peacefully throughout the night.

How to Win Over the New Neighbors

Moving in to a new place means a whole new set of neighbors to befriend. If you don't want to be known as the jerk in apartment 4B, take some time to get to know your neighbors and win them over with our helpful tips.

Extra Ways to Make Cash When Your Rent Goes Up

If your rent goes up, your whole budget can be thrown out of whack. Thankfully, you have plenty of options other than moving to a new, smaller, and cheaper location. These are some of the most effective ways to earn a little extra cash to compensate for increased rent.

Questions to Ask When You're Looking to Sublet

In big cities, small neighborhoods, and everywhere in between, subletting can be a smart way to find a comfortable and affordable place to live. Of course, moving in with a new roommate isn't easy, and it's definitely not something you should take too lightly. These are the must-ask questions to pose to potential renters before you think about subletting a space, no matter how nice the person appears in their classified ad!

Kids Projects Grown Up

Step up your grown up get-togethers, girls nights, and themed parties with a little blast from the past by reviving some favorite childhood art projects. Your friends will get a kick out of adding an adult twist to the beloved crafts and your party will be remembered for a long time to come.

Ways to Save Money Without Getting a Roommate

You're roommate just announced he's moving out, your landlord handed you a big rent increase, or you've just found out you're going to spend a big chunk of money on getting your car repaired. You need cash fast, before your carefully guarded budget goes down the drain. Don't rush to online forums in search of a roommate just yet, there are plenty of ways to boost your budget and make extra money without bringing in a dodgy roommate.

How to Know You're Ready for a Bigger House

Before you become a feature on “Hoarders: Buried Alive,” there are usually a few tell-tale signs you need a larger home. Whether you're tripping over your stuff or your family, or you just want to put that recent raise to good use, a bigger home may be the solution you need.

How to Find the Right Subletter

Don't let your exciting new adventure out of town be shadowed by a bad subletter. Whether you've planned a summer abroad or snagged a temporary work assignment out of town, finding the perfect subletter for your place takes some planning and commitment.

Happy Activities to do with Kids After a Big Move

You've signed the house papers, coordinated the move, unpacked what seemed like a gazillion boxes, and re-arranged the family-room furniture a dozen times. The only thing left to do is the most important step: exploring your surroundings. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, a move can be unsettling. The best way to help everyone feel excited about your new home is to embrace all the attractions of your new town.

Happy Activities to do with the Kids before a Big Move

Adjusting to a new home can be unsettling for kids who are used to routine and a familiar environment. Whatever your kids' ages and the reasons for your move, keeping a positive attitude is the best way to help everyone through this big transition.

Great Going Away Gifts

No matter who’s moving, why not do your part in making their send-off a happy one with thoughtful, creative gift. Whether you're celebrating a teacher's moving to a warmer city after retirement, carting your teen off to college, or waving farewell to a cherished friend relocating for a new job, you can find inspiration for great going-away gifts in dozens of places.

What to Keep in Mind before Moving to a New Climate

You're moving to a city that could rival the Antarctic for chilly weather, and panic's about to set in. Don’t worry! With a little planning, moving to a new climate, whether it's an ice-capped mountain or a hot, humid city, can be an exciting new adventure.

How to Notify Others You’re Moving

It’s no easy feat to let your friends and family know you’re moving. Whether you live with roommates, young children, or surrounded by close friends, moving can be a major life milestone. This is why you need the support of those who are closest to you. Check out our tips below for letting your loved ones know you’re moving on to bigger and better things.

Tips for Hosting Your New In-Laws

No matter if you feel a bit of friction or fit right in with your new family, there always seems to be something exhausting about hosting your in-laws. Avoid the awkward small talk and uncomfortable situations by playing it cool during their next visit. Make their next stay at your new home a bit more pleasant with the help of our in-law survival tips below.

Outside Games the Whole Family Will Love

Don’t let your kids spend their entire summer vacation inside watching television and playing video games. Instead, play some fun outside games the whole family can enjoy. Not only will this get everybody in the summer spirit, but it’s a fun and easy approach to living an active lifestyle.

DIY Lighting Tricks to Make Your Backyard Beautiful this Summer

Good lighting can transform your backyard from drab to fab in no time. Between all your summer potlucks, pool parties, and kicking it after work in the cool air, you deserve a truly magical backyard. Here are some lighting tricks to give your backyard a magical glow.

Bathroom Décor Trends of 2014

Your home is your kingdom and your bathroom is your throne. And while it may not be The Iron Throne à la Game of Thrones, it still deserves a certain allure. These days, bathrooms are gaining traction in the world of innovative décor. It’s more than a sink, a shower, and a toilet; it’s your own personal stamp of style.

Outdoor Activities for Meeting the New Neighbors

After a long day of work, it can be too easy to simply walk through the door, eat dinner, and call it a day. However, staying inside is no way to get to know your neighbors. It’s absolutely crucial to establish good relationships with your new comrades, when you first move in. From avoiding future disputes to making new friends, your neighbors are worth more than a quick hello. With the weather warming up, here are some easy outdoor activities to join in and meet the neighborhood while you’re at it.

Cheap Ways to Feel Better about Your Space

When you walk into your home, town house, or apartment, how do you feel? Happy? Creative? Down? Personalizing your space can rev up your productivity and give a boost to your morale while you’re at. No matter if you’re looking to make your space more welcoming, inspiring, or soothing, a few simple changes can make all the difference. Best of all, you don't need a bundle of cash to make effective improvements.

Ways to Create the Perfect Home Office

Working from home can be a rewarding experience, especially when you have a designated space equipped for the job. While a good ergonomic desk and chair are essential, it takes more than well-designed furniture to create the perfect home office. Achieving an atmosphere conducive for work is just as important. Use these tips to design an office that will not only make working from home more pleasant, but more productive too.

Warm Season Work Wardrobe Strategies

Dressing for success is important in every season, but when outdoor temperatures soar, choosing appropriate clothing for work gets tricky. You want to look professional once you arrive at work without showing up in a sweaty mess. After all, it's no wonder sartorial blunders multiply during hot weather. From flip-flops to T-shirts, employees wear clothes during hot-weather months they'd never dream of wearing in winter. Use the following strategies to keep your attire looking polished and professional.

Getting Your Bike Ready for Summer

The sun is shining, the trails are calling your name, and you just got your bike out of storage. Before you do your stretches and ride into the sunset, do a thorough check up of your ride. Even if you kept your bike in a dry, room temperature space all winter, it’s always a good idea to make sure everything is perfect before you take off.

How to Make Your Staff Feel Welcomed in New Office

You’re the boss, the Queen or King bee, and this week, after months of planning and coordination; you’re moving the company office. It’s not enough to simply pick up as business as usual. You want your staff to feel welcome in the new office. The more connected your employees feel to the new space and the company, the better chance they’ll produce innovative and thorough work. Here are some tips for rolling out the welcome mat.

Alternative Uses for Mason Jars

The hipster movement has claimed mason jars as their holy grails for quite some time now—and for good reason. Mason jars balance the fine line of country comfort and an elegant touch of class. If you’re a little late to the jar fad, not to worry. Here are some excellent alternative uses for mason jars aside from their traditional use of storing canned fruits and jams.

How to Prepare Items for Storage

Spring time is finally here, and you won't be needing your heavy winter coat anymore. This means it's time to put it in storage until the end of the year. Your winter clothes aren't the only things you could be storing, though. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity for you to de-clutter your home and give yourself some more space by storing little-used items. Once you decide what to store, it's easy to pack them up and move them to a storage space. Just follow these tips to make sure your items stay safe!

Ways to Make Your Small Home Feel Giant

Living in a small house definitely has its perks. On the one hand, it's cozy, less expensive to heat, and there are smaller spaces to clean. On the other hand, there are days where it can feel cluttered and overcrowded. With some creative organizing and decorating, however, you can make your home feel bigger than it is. Try some of these tricks if you find your small home is cramping your style.

Fun Ways to Organize Your Closet

We've all seen the classic sitcom situation where a kid is told he needs to clean his room before going outside to play, only to shove everything on the floor into the closet. Of course, when the closet door is opened, the massive pile of toys and games comes flying out. For some of us, this scenario is not too far off from the state of our own closets. Fortunately, there are some fun and creative ways to get those closets in order. Here are some ideas to get you thinking!

How to Throw a Great Backyard Neighborhood Party

Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience, if you don't know anyone near your new home, but there's an easy way to get the ball rolling and meet new people: Host a backyard party for your neighborhood. Gather all your new neighbors together at once and throw a little housewarming party to get to know them all.

Backyard Items to Bring out in Time for Summer

As temperatures rise, and the last of the snow finally melts away, it's time to start digging through storage to find all of last year's summer gear. All your favorite items have made it through the cold winter in your storage unit, and now they're just waiting for you to get them out and start using them again. With these handy summertime toys and items, your backyard will be the summer vacation hot spot!

Perks of Apartment Living

Apartments have the means to be magical à la Carrie Bradshaw or the cast of “Friends.” Oh sure, they can have a bad reputation for being cramped and noisy, but there is a beauty to compact. The real trick is learning how to feel like this small corner of the world is home. Here are some of the best benefits of apartment living:

Storage for Newbies

Storage isn’t a one-size fits all solution. No matter if you’re moving cities and need a temporary space to hold your items, downsizing houses, or you’re looking for some extra room in your apartment, storage gives you more freedom. Before you throw everything in your unit and call it a day, here are some things to remember if you’re new to the storage world.

You’ve Been Framed

Are you a crafting queen or king looking to spice up your home? Don’t settle for drab. Add some sass to your home by completing these do-it-yourself crafts with frames. Frames are a fun, funky way to add personality in your space. Chances are, you probably have some you’re not currently using locked down in storage. Additionally, this is a project where you can buy your materials as inexpensively as you please. There are tons of frames at your local resale store or you can choose to get something more high end at a local home goods store.

Fire Safety in Your New Home

Of course you don’t want to imagine your brand new home going up in flames, but sometimes you need to the face the possibility of a potential disaster to ensure your house is properly equipped to deal with it. From understanding the different kinds of fire extinguishers available to stocking your home with fire escape ladders, check out our list of fire safety items you should include in your home.

Three Ways to Get Rid of Your Kids Old Toys

Whether your son and daughter are graduating from elementary school, high school, or college, it’s never too soon, or too late, to sort through their old toys. Perhaps your daughter is working on her PhD while your son is learning how to drive, or maybe they’re just losing their last baby teeth, regardless this means you probably don’t need an entire room dedicated to their Barbie and G.I. Joe collections. Instead of throwing them away or keeping them piled high in your home, sort through them, and find them a new home. Here are three tips for cleaning out the toy closet.

Tips for Saving Money on Your New Home

Sure, you’ve already thought about budgeting, going out for dinner less, and holding off on buying that big plasma TV. However, you’re still feeling like you’re pinching pennies as you move into your new home. After all, a new home can cost you a lot of money; from the price of mortgage and interior design to new appliances and energy bills. You already know every little penny counts, so check out a few of our simple tips for saving a few extra coins here and there:

Three Ways to Give your Backyard a Makeover

Moving into a new place or feeling bored with your current home may be just the kick you need to give your backyard a makeover this spring. As the warm weather starts to stir up and the spring cleaning bug starts to bite, check out a few of our ideas to give your backyard the boost it needs for this season.

Gift Ideas for Your New Neighbors

Just think back to when you moved into your current home. Your kids were tearing through the house, your dog was whining to explore the neighborhood, and you didn’t have a chance to order dinner until 10:00 pm! As you sit by the window and watch as the new family moves in across the street, use this as an opportunity to win the best neighbor award. Check out a few of our simple tips for achieving the Wisteria Lane-inspired welcoming worthy of Bree Van de Kamp’s praise.

Tips for Downsizing Your Apartment

Perhaps you’ve recently moved to the big city and the only apartments in your price range are significantly smaller than your previous place. Or perhaps you’re going through a transition between jobs and need to rent a smaller space while you’re waiting to land the new job. Whatever the reason you’re downsizing, it’s important to remember the positives of living in a new place with less clutter. Here are some tips for downsizing your apartment, so you feel free and happy in your new space; instead of grumpy and cramped.

Rate Your Inner-Roomie

You’re embarking on the great roommate adventure. Whether they’re old friends or new Craigslist finds, you’re definitely going to be getting to know these people up close and personal. On the flip side, they’re going to be getting to know you. Whether you realize your own tics or not, chances are, you fall into one of these categories:

Things to Consider before Investing in Long-Term Storage

If your plan is to throw your things into some plastic bags and toss it in storage for years, you may be wasting wads of cash. Long-term storage is an excellent solution for many reasons and circumstances, but make sure it’s the right choice for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself before locking up your things.

Do It Yourself Projects for Your New Home

You’ve finally moved into your new home and can’t wait to start doing some decorating. Whether you’re a regular Martha Stewart or a new craft queen, here are a few easy DIY projects to get your house looking funky fresh:

Finding Comfort in the Warmer Months

The chill of the winter months may be on their way out, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t maintain a cozy abode. Whether you’re spending a lazy Sunday afternoon indoors or your best friend from out of town is coming to visit your new place, you want your place to scream comfortable and lived in, not vacant and cold. Creating a warm and inviting space doesn’t necessarily mean serving hot chocolate and lighting up the fireplace. Here are a few of our tips to inspire coziness even as spring creeps in:

Spring Potluck Dishes for the Neighborhood Party

Now that the snow has thawed and your neighbors are finally peeking their heads out of their cozy homes, it’s the perfect time for a spring potluck! Food brings everyone together. And if you haven’t had a chance to talk to the neighbors since the holidays, now’s a great opportunity to reconnect in time for warm weather block parties and kid’s pool parties. These are some of the best potluck dishes to bring to the first spring get-together.

So You’re Moving in with Your Significant Other

You’ve been with your partner for a while now, and living in two separate places just isn’t working anymore. You haven’t bought coffee or food for your house in months because you’re never there, and your roommates have forgotten you live with them, aside from the phantom rent checks that show up at the beginning of each month. So you’ve bit the bullet and decided to move in together. You’re renting a storage unit for your eclectic furniture collection and now you’re riding a natural high. But you may want to take a few moments to think about cohabitating before you start loading up the moving truck.

Trigger Your Alarms this Spring

There’s something about spring that gives us a little pep in our step. Maybe it’s the melting snow or the blooming flowers, but whatever it is, it makes you want to start fresh. As winter wilts away and spring pops up, this is a great time to to start opening the windows and begin cleaning your home from top to bottom. During your spring cleaning session this year, place some safety inspections on your to-do list to ensure your home is fully prepared for the oncoming season.

For the Vagabond Traveler: What to Store

Your backpack sits impatiently in the corner, with your well-stamped passport tucked inside. As a world traveler, you’re used to throwing some clothes, your toothbrush, and a few maps in a bag and heading off on your next adventure. The world of manicured home décor just isn’t for you. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sleep on an air mattress and eat off paper plates just because you’re in between trips.

Tips for Living with Roommates

You’re not raking in the money at work quite yet since you’ve just moved and you haven’t managed to win the lottery. Dreams of living alone aren’t exactly tangible right now, so you’ll live with roommates. It will be the best of times, it will be the worst of times. Roommates can be your best friends or your worst enemies, so choose wisely and adhere to these simple rules:

How to Host a Kid Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party

Moving is a stressful time for kids, which makes hosting a fun party is a great way for them to feel more connected with their neighborhood and new classmates. Consider throwing your children a kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day party they can participate in over the holiday weekend.

Alternative Ideas for Your Empty Garage

This is the year you’ve finally ditched your four wheels for two wheels. You’ve said goodbye to carbon emissions and said hello to tighter glutes. Since you’ve chosen your bicycle over your gas guzzler, you now have a whole other room in your home to take advantage of. Here are our top suggestions for renovating your carless cave:

Save Space, Share Rooms

Downsizing to a smaller home is never easy; yet sometimes it’s necessary. One solution is to incorporate room sharing into your household. If you have young children, this can be a great opportunity to encourage sharing. Sibling bonding is important and can create memories, which will last a lifetime. However, combining two people’s things in one room can be difficult. If you’re working with a small space, be creative, and don’t get boxed in to what you think you “need”. Kids are innovative and, with the right mind set, will have fun wherever they are, no matter what. Here are a few of our tips on sharing space and saving everyone’s sanity:

What to Expect Upon Visiting Your Kid’s College Dorm Room

The last time you visited your kid’s dorm room, you were hiking up flights of stairs with clothes and printers in hand alongside hundreds of other parents and students. You’d spent the previous summer helping your son pack all his belongings, yet you managed to unpack his entire life in just a few hours. It was a bittersweet goodbye as you left him to live on his own for the first time. Now months later, you’re entering his shared cave, and we have a few tips on what you may expect. Skip the heart attack and prepare yourself for a few of these situations:

When to Store and When to Give Away

As you walk through your home with a critical eye in tow, truly ask yourself what’s worth storing and what can be given away. Sentimental items, like childhood art projects, work awards, and books are great items to store. Other things, like your years-old towels and clothes you don’t wear anymore, are only taking up space. Here are a few ideas of places to donate to, when you want to save your wares from the trash.

Top Home Improvement Projects to Start in Spring

The ice is starting to thaw, the days are getting longer, and your trees and flowers are beginning to wake up once more. Spring is coming to town. We know there are quite a few spring projects you’d like to tackle inside the house, but don’t ignore your backyard. Before the heat of summer and the onslaught of late spring rains, take the time to work on these outdoor projects.

Three Mean Green Ways to Help Save the Environment

When moving into your new home, you already have so much on your mind that saving the environment might feel like a bit of a stretch. But what if we told you a few simple changes could make a big difference? Don’t feel like you need to go all out and place bamboo floors and compost heaps in your house all at once. Instead, ease into green living with these three simple changes:

Preparing for Puppyhood

Sometimes all you need is a wet nose and wagging tail to make your new home officially feel like home. If you are financially and emotionally prepared to take in a little four-legged pup, follow these tips to help prepare your new home for a new family member.

How to Keep Your Storage Costs Low

When you’re searching on Affordable Moves for a storage facility in your neighborhood, keep these tips in mind for cheaper monthly rents.

Sports, Field Trips, and Play Dates: How to Help Your Kids Meet Their New BBFs

Moving your kids in the middle of the school year is no fun for the entire family. Your kids are obviously on edge from uprooting their lives and saying goodbye to their friends and familiarities, and no doubt you’re receiving the cold shoulder. Sure, they’re going to stew for a bit, but don’t worry, they won’t be scarred forever. If you’re especially concerned about your elementary-ages kids making friends, try a few of these tips to help them make their new BFF.

Tips for Your Cross-Country Move

Over the hills, and through the woods, off to your new town, you go! Moving cross-country is a big task, and when you’re on mile 352, you don’t want to suddenly remember how you forgot to pack up the old stuff in the attic. Before you get your moving truck engine started, here are some tips for your cross-country journey.

Things to Know Before Moving by the Sea

If you’re staring out of your window to snow, snow, and more snow, while daydreaming of living by the beach, why stop at daydreaming? Moving to the sea isn’t quite as tricky as you think. As long as you have a job in place and you don’t have a problem with higher prices, living by the ocean can be your exciting life story. Now, there are a few things to remember before you become an (employed) beach bum:

The Tricky Part: Unpacking

When all of your things are chaotically strewn around the house, it’s hard to remember how excited you were to move. Unpacking is the hardest part of moving, and not because it’s particularly difficult. Unpacking box after box is a mental game. After all the organizing, packing, loading, and physically moving, you really just want to be done with it all. To help you get your unpacking done instead of just letting your boxes sit there for the next few months (or years), here are some helpful tips.

What Should I Store in Time for Spring?

As the snow slowly begins to thaw, you know it’s getting close to time to pack up those winter wares. Winter is full of heavy layers and extra clothes. And while it’s perfectly expected that your home will get a little cluttered during the hibernation months, just know you can always use storage when the first spring breeze wafts through the windows.

Affordable Moves Blog Content

It’s raining, it’s pouring, it’s snowing, it’s storming, and you’ll be staying inside this weekend. Now, it would be easy to see dark clouds as the signs of a doomed weekend, but really, this is a great chance to do some deep cleaning you’ve been meaning to do all year. As the rain, sleet, and snow hit the window panes, throw on some rubber gloves, and get your home clean, mean, and ready for spring.

Please, Please Get Rid of That

Yes, it’s important to try to rescue items rather than toss every little thing once it gets its first scratch or it isn’t bright and shiny anymore. However, there are some items, some quite gross and broken items, in your house it’s really time to let go of. Stop procrastinating, and get out a big garbage bag. Whether you toss it in recycling, a donation center, or out to the dump, it’s time to have a fresher home.

How to Move from Big to Small

Maybe you’re struggling with empty nesters syndrome or you’re eying the tiny apartment for rent with the incredible view, but either way, a downsizing battle is probably on your horizon. You’re sure to face the centuries old question, how on earth do I get all of my stuff to fit in this tiny space? Well, we’re here to answer that and whether you like it or not, the answer, is generally: you’re not. Before you start to stress, follow our simple tips for slowly, but surely downsizing your belongings to fit in your home.

Getting Rid of Ants in Your New Home the Natural Way

When you move into a new home, the last thing you want to deal with are unwelcome critters, such as ants. Your new home is already filled with your pets and children, and you don’t have any extra room for pesty little bugs. What’s more, you probably don’t want to start spraying and sprinkling toxic chemicals in corners and crevices of your home, especially if you have babies, puppies, or kittens crawling around. The good news is there are some natural, nontoxic alternatives, which may help rid your new home of ants

Simple Ways to Organize for the New Year

Now, now, January isn’t over, so it’s not time to give up on those New Year’s organization resolutions just yet. While we certainly advocate tackling the big stuff, like getting a deep clean of the carpets and walls, sometimes it’s easier to get a few of the pesky things out of the way first. Once you organize the small stuff in their new tidy and proper place, you’ll feel more accomplished to take on the rest of the house.

How to Get Some Shut Eye before and during Moving Day

You know the feeling all too well. Tossing and turning, making lists, going over lists, and fretting over forgetting something all night long until the sun shines through your window, and you realize you haven’t slept a wink. Moving is stressful as you worry about what to pack and how to unpack it down the road in your new house. Whether you’re still packing up your current home or you’re working on unloading your belongings in your new place, you need a good night’s sleep to give you energy, strength, and clarity. While sleeping pills may knock you out, sometimes those synthetic drugs may leave you feeling worse for wear in the morning. So instead of popping pills, try these natural sleep aids to help you get some shut eye during your big move.

A Few Tunes, a Spot of Tea, and Bubble Gum to Battle Moving Day Stress

Between scheduling the moving truck, packing up all your belongings, and saying goodbye to your childhood neighborhood, you’re bound to feel your stress level increase. With so much to remember, take care of, and arrange, you’re probably a walking stress bomb. Before driving yourself crazy during your move, take some of our stress relievers to heart.

A Snow Storm is a ‘Coming (But You Still Have to Move)

The weather outside is still frightful and the snow is coming down hard. Unfortunately, your lease is up and moving day is here. Though winter moving is a pain; there’s no way around it. If you’re not battling the cold, you’re wrestling with the wind and snow and friends out of town for the holidays. You need a game plan, and quick. Follow these tips for a safe and productive move during the winter freeze.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit

You know you have too many things and not enough room, but before picking a storage unit at random, ask yourself a few important questions before signing the rent agreement.

Things to Consider before Moving in Together

Moving in with your significant other is not something to jump into blindly. Sure you’re in love, and you seemingly can’t live without each other, but sharing bills and waking up to morning breath are just a few of the aspects you should consider before signing on the dotted line. We’ve outlined a few important discussions

How You Know it’s Time to Live on Your Own

You’re trying to get some sleep before work when your bartender roommate comes home and starts cooking dinner at 3am. Yes, it might be time to finally start living on your own. While ideas of grandeur and Park Ave lofts might be out of range for your current salary, you might be ready for a move more than you think.

What You Need to Know about Renter’s Insurance

It’s not called “the unexpected” because it’s a welcomed surprise. You never think you’re going to come home to a flood or a break-in, and you certainly never anticipate someone getting hurt on your property during a party or a get-together. Luckily, you have the option of renter’s insurance for peace of mind for these unforeseen catastrophes. Here’s what you need to know about insurance before you invest in a policy:

Wedding Bells and Storage Units

If the sound of wedding bells is in the air, it might be time for you to stock up on a storage unit. Surprisingly, acquiring a storage unit, or two, during your wedding planning stages can significantly help calm the chaos. Whether you’re planning the big day to take place at your home or you need a separate area to organize and sort all of your wedding arrangements, a storage unit just might become your best man. Here’s how a storage unit may ameliorate some of your wedding woes:

Ways to Pack Green

Some think going the environmentally friendly route is difficult or time consuming, but when it comes to doing a green move, it’s easy! Sometimes it just takes a little extra consideration and forethought to ensure a Mother Nature approval of your moving practices. To kick start your eco-friendly move, follow these three simple tips:

Preventing the “WHY IS THIS TANGLED?!” for Next Christmas

Christmas is coming to a close, which means it’s time roll up your sleeves and start packing up all the twinkling decorations. However, don’t forget your frustration and petty arguments you got into a few weeks ago when the Christmas lights would not untangle. Pack the right way now, and avoid the holiday battle next year.

Survival Guide for Moving Back Home

As much as you and your parents love one another, moving back into their place can trigger some tension. Gone are the days when you could stumble home at 4:00 am to your empty apartment and eat ice cream for every meal for weeks straight. Your parents are giving up their pristine, tidy, and quiet home due to your arrival. Though it’ll take some effort, it is possible to cohabitate the same space with your parents just like the old days. Just follow our tips to help you all stay sane:

How to Deal with Paranormal Activity in Your New Home

Moving into a new home in a new town is stressful enough without the worry of unexplained sounds and seemingly creepy occurrences. You’re more than likely on edge from the stress of the move and the anxiety of job hunting and meeting new people, and any creaky sounds or chilly drafts on top of it all can send you over the edge. If you’ve moved into a new place and you have inkling it may be haunted, consider some of these tips before leaving town.

Making it Work: Ways to Cut Corners during a Temporary Move

Whether you’re waiting for your house to close or you’re in between leases, temporary housing is a good way to pass the time while not overstaying your welcome on your friend’s couch. It might seem daunting of where to go or how to survive the next few weeks without bleeding cash at a hotel, but you do have options. These are some easy ways to cut before moving into your new home for good.

How Not to Drive Your Roomies Crazy

Maybe it’s your first time living with another person besides your family or perhaps you’re moving in with roomie number 32, but regardless of your level of co-living experience, it’s never too late to brush up on your roomie 101. It’s not required for you to be the best of friends with your roommates, but maintaining cordial friendly relationships can make all the difference.

How to Prepare Your Backyard Furniture for Jack Frost

Your backyard’s greatest enemy, Jack Frost, is on his way to your town. Jack Frost kills plants, fades colors, and rots untreated cushions. So prepare! If you haven’t prepped your backyard furniture yet, make sure to do so before the next big snow storm heading your way.

Simple Ways to Prepare for Santa’s Arrival during the Big Move

Christmas is a hectic season in general. Between dreaming up the best gift ideas, flocking to the mall, and decorating the house, there’s hardly any room for downtime. And when you’re moving during Christmastime, you most likely have a million other things on your mind, like changing your mailing address and packing up your belongings on top of your Christmas duties. Though you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed, remember...

How to Move During a Snowstorm

The first snow fall in your new home can be a beautiful and peaceful image - as long as you’re unpacked, curled up on your couch with the heat blaring, watching the snowflakes fall on the other side of your window. However, a snow storm in the middle of your move can be an unwelcome nuisance. Of course, you can’t control Mother Nature, so if she decides to dump snow on your moving day, follow these few tips for a smooth and safe transition:

Extra Uses for a Storage Unit during the Holidays

Well, let’s be honest: the holidays can get a little crazy. Between buying and hiding presents and jetting off to Grandma’s house, you can use a helping hand. Consider a storage unit to make your holidays a little easier. If you already have a unit, this is a great time to get some extra use out of it. And if you don’t use storage, these next few months are the perfect time to rent some extra space.

Mistletoe: The Holiday Plant of Doom? Unexpected Holiday Hazards for Your Pets

While you’re busy indulging on frothy hot chocolate and pumpkin pie, your cat or dog may be up to trouble in the other room. Your living room all warm and bright might just be a booby trap for your overly curious pet. To keep them safe and sound this holiday season, be wary of a few unexpected holiday hazards.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Night in Your New Home

Now that you’re all unpacked and have sorted through what needs to be in storage and what needs to be out for decoration, you want to invite some friends over to celebrate. You’re considering hosting your first wine and cheese nigh, but what do you buy? How many cheeses, which cheeses, and what’s the difference between red and white wine?

Cricket Chirps to Car Horns: How to Transition to City Living

If you’re packing your bags and moving to the city from the countryside, you’re likely in for a bit of a culture shock. Realize you’re trading the chirping sounds of crickets for honking car horns and starry skies for city lights. While a move to a concrete jungle is definitely exciting and thrilling, there are aspects of city life, which you may have to adjust to. Follow our few tips

From Pumpkins to Nutcrackers: How to Make a Smooth Holiday Transition

The holiday seasons can feel like a blur. It feels like you just put out your cornucopia display only for it to need replacing by your Christmas wreath. Don’t let the stress of transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas overwhelm you this year. Instead, make a few changes this holiday season and think ahead so you can enjoy more of the cheer and spend less time worrying about switching your pumpkin decorations to your Nutcracker display.

Moving Mistakes That Can Cost You Money

Moving can be a pricey endeavor, but there are some simple mistakes to avoid in order to keep costs low. You don’t want to go over budget because you accidentally broke something or didn’t want to search for it in your gang of boxes. Follow these tips for a cheaper move.

Unexpected Expiration Dates of Your Favorite Household Items

We all do it: hold on to things way past their expiration dates. And while you probably know your salad dressing and milk can probably last a few extra days; there are a few unexpected food and beauty items you should toss sooner than you may think.

Last Minutes Tasks before the Doorbell Rings with Thanksgiving Guests

You’re down to the wire, just a few more days until the doorbell rings and your Thanksgiving guests start to trickle in. It’s not only your first time hosting Thanksgiving, but it’s also the first Thanksgiving at your house. Needless to say, this Thanksgiving will be a trial run and may go down in the history books for better or for worse. While things never go exactly according to plan, add these few tips to your to do list to help your first feast run a little smoother.

Be Nice to Your Sister

My sister and I spent our childhood days fighting for computer time, hogging our shared bathroom, and shifting blame on to the other when we skipped our chores. I was always too busy pulling my sister’s hair and secretly stealing her clothing to ever listen to my dad when he’d say, “Be nice to your sister, she’ll be your best friend one day.”

Preparing for Picky Eaters and Broken China on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings both cheer and dread. If you’re hosting your first turkey dinner at your new home, be prepared for feeling excited to see your friends and family while simultaneously wanting to rip your hair out. While your trendy cousin’s new vegan diet is great and all, it sure puts a wrench in your planned recipes, but it’s nothing compared to the challenge of dealing with your triplet toddler nieces. Regardless of who you are, there’s no doubt your Thanksgiving crowd is weird and wonderful, so follow these few tips to help your Turkey Day run smoothly:

The Winter Purge: What to Toss, What to Store, and What to Donate

Don’t wait until spring cleaning to clean out your house. It’s easy to want to burrow snuggly into your home and not do a thorough cleaning spell until spring, but some things are way too bulky or underused to take up space in your house. It’s time for you to give a critical eye to your things and figure out what needs to be tossed, stored, or donated.

Deciding if a Pet is for You

You’ve taken everything out of storage, settled into a new home in a new city, and made new friends. So is it time for a new pet? There’s certainly something about pets, which makes any family and home feel complete. Maybe it’s their eagerness to welcome you home each evening or their willingness to put up with your snuggles and cuddles after a bad day at work, but whatever it is, sometimes they’re the perfect addition to your household. But before you rush out to save an animal, first consider these aspects of pet ownership:

Weathering Snowy Weather

The first snowflakes are starting to fall and you’ve only just finished unpacking and taking trips to and from your storage unit. As delicate and lovely as the first snow fall may look, it can present a real challenge for unprepared snow trekkers. If you’re not weathered in the snow department and you’ve just moved to a snow-covered city, follow these simple tips to fare your first wintery winter.

Don’t Pack These Items in Your Storage Unit

In the chaos of a move, it’s easy to throw a hodge podge of items into your storage unit just to get them out of the way. After all, how good does it feel to find a temporary home for those gigantic cardboard boxes? Keep in mind though; a haphazard attempt at storing your goods could lead to bigger problems down to the road, like filthy rat infestations and ruined electronics, or worse, a massive combustion!

Rats, Moths, and Other “Monsters” to Keep Out of Your Storage Unit

Creepy crawlers don’t belong anywhere close to your stored items. Fall is in full swing and this cooler weather is the prime time for critters to look for shelter. And trust us, they’d love to nestle into your stored away blankets, if you let them. So keep them out! Use the following tricks to protect your precious items locked away in storage.

Truly Yours: Cheap Ways to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

It takes time and effort to make a new house look and feel like your home. However, creating the sought-after homey feeling doesn't have to be a budget-breaking experience. This can be one of those situations where you can spend a little to get a lot in return.

How to Prevent Dents, Scuffs, and Cracks

Imagine a huge gaping hole in the wall of the dining room of your brand new home, or perhaps worse, a massive dent in the hard wood floors of the house you just sold. It’s so easy to scuff up the tile floors or ding the walls when you carelessly pack up your belongings during a big move.

A Backpack and a One-Way Ticket - How to relocate without losing your sense of adventure

I’d barely touched ground in the states after backpacking for three months in South America when I decided to book a one-way flight to California. I felt well-versed in the nomadic lifestyle, living out of a backpack and getting by without a solid plan, so I figured an off-the-cuff move to San Diego wouldn’t faze me much.

Check, Check, Check: What to Look for in a New Place to Live

You walk inside the house on the market wearing one of your best outfits and money burning a hole in your pocket. You’re eager to move into a new place to live, but have you asked all the proper questions before signing a lease?

Fashion Style Guide for Your Move

When you’re running around packing up your home, office, or apartment, fashion probably is the furthest thought from your mind. And rightfully so, who cares what you look like when you’re lifting boxes and crawling into moving vans?

Little Space, Big Life

Sometimes when you decide to move to the hottest spots in the U.S., you forfeit space for the glamour of the city. Living in New York City is one of the best examples of painting the town red by day, while cramming into a tiny studio apartment by night.

Moving into the Eye of the Tornado

“The wind began to switch, the house to pitch, and suddenly the hinges started to unpitch.” While one fluke Kansas tornado may have landed Dorothy and Toto in a magical land of OZ, unfortunately not all tornadoes are as friendly.

How to Properly Store Your Items So You’re Not Trapped Between a Mattress and a Hard Place

Admittedly, I was never was good at Tetris. And in finding myself firmly stuck behind a mattress and 11 boxes of books behind me, next to me, and well, falling on me, I guess my short-comings in long-term storage were finally coming to a head.

How to Prepare Your Warm Weather Car for a Winter of Hibernation

When the first autumn leaf hits you in the face as you drive your convertible down the highway, it’s probably time to start thinking about winter storage for your convertible or warm weather car. However, before you stick your car into an empty storage unit, here are a few things you need to know:

The Anatomy of a Suitcase

There’s a big world out there and a handy storage unit is one great ally for your travels. Rather than pay for months of rent when you’re traveling out of the country, look into getting a storage unit.

How to Best Store Clothes, Pictures, Art, and Other Finicky Items

Not all storage items sit in the storage unit patiently. Some can cause quite a bit of a raucous in terms of mildew, yellowing, and destruction. When it comes to these objects, packers need to take a few extra precautions before stuffing these items into storage for the next few months or years.

How to In-Law-Proof Your House

It doesn’t matter if you have a great relationship with your in-laws or a distant one, when it comes to visits, you want to make sure your home is fully prepared for a visit from the extended family.

Recreational Storage: How to Store Big Toys like Boats and RVs

Affordable Moves can help you find the best place to store your big toys. If you are a proud owner of an RV or boat, you want to make sure you find a secure place to keep your vehicles. You have many options regarding outdoor storage or indoor storage depending on your needs.

Be Careful! How to Store Glass

Some occupations require frequent moves, and while families adapt to this lifestyle, their possessions often do not. One home may be spacious, and the next may be scarcely larger than a small apartment. When this happens, storing rarely used items, such as china and crystal, is an excellent alternative to stumbling over walls of boxes.

Do I Need Climate Controlled Storage?

Many people consider getting climate controlled storage. There are many benefits to getting it, and some of your items actually require it, if you want them to stay in good condition. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best climate controlled storage facility for your needs.

Should I Purchase Insurance When I Use Self-Storage?

Home insurance and renter’s insurance does not necessarily cover storage units, so you need to do some digging and determine if you need extra coverage. The time you invest in comparing rates and levels of coverage is absolutely essential since storage facilities are almost never liable for the contents of your unit.

Yuck! Protect Your Mattresses from the Unthinkable

A mattress is an investment. Mattress sellers typically remind customers they spend up to one third of their lives asleep in order to justify the price. Like fine art and other high-priced items, mattresses are not designed for long-term storage, so they need a little extra attention before you store them.

A Little Advice for New Packrats: Tips from Storage Pros

If you are a packrat who wants to keep your home free of clutter, renting a storage unit can be your perfect solution. Affordable Moves can help you find a safe storage facility to move your belongings temporarily or permanently - depending on your needs. You want to make sure your items are packed well and you pick a facility that offers everything you require.

How Self-Storage Can Help Transition Aging Parents

Whether you are moving your aging parents into your home, a small apartment, or an assisted living complex, you will likely be faced with the dilemma of what to do with all of the things they have accumulated throughout the years. Downsizing, relocating, and giving up a huge portion of their independence can be a traumatic experience for your elderly parents as much as it is a change for you.

Self-Storage Security: What to Expect

One of the most important factors in choosing a self-storage unit is security. Different facilities will offer different security measures so make sure the one you are interested in offers what you need. Affordable Moves can help you find the perfect storage facility for your specific needs in your area.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Boxes

When your belongings arrive at your new home, you want them to arrive undamaged and in one piece – that is if you haven’t disassembled it to make your move easier on yourself. The way dishes, mirrors, clothing, furniture, and all other items are packed directly affects the likelihood of them arriving in good condition.

Boxes Are Different Sizes for a Reason

There is a reason why boxes come in different sizes. It is important to use the right sized boxes to move and store your items safely. You don’t want to try to squeeze a large item into a small box or put too many small items in a larger box, if you want your items to stay in good shape. Use the proper sized box for your specific needs.

How to Stay Relaxed with Your Whole World Is Upside Down

You have just inherited a house full of belongings from your parents. You have a mountain of furniture, keepsakes, and boxes that is beyond belief. Right now, it's in your garage, your basement, and is threatening to take over your entire home. This could be a time to have a nervous breakdown. There is, however, another option.

How to Tell a Good Realtor from a Great Realtor

It is easy to feel burned when you are selling a home. Each month that tics by without a buyer carries doubts and discouragement, and you wonder, if you contracted with the right realtor.

How to Find a Great Apartment

Apartment hunting has gone far beyond the simple search in the classified section of the newspaper. There are numerous tips you can follow to locate the great apartment you dream of moving into.

How to Choose the Right Storage Facility

All storage facilities are not created equal. You want to do your homework and find the best option for your specific storage needs. You can count on Affordable Moves to help you discover the best storage facility in your area. Look at ratings and reviews left by real customers to learn a little bit about your potential storage facility before you decide, if it is right for you.

How Self-Storage Can Help You Move

There are many ways that self-storage can help you move. The important thing is to find a good self-storage unit where you feel good about leaving your personal items. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best storage facility in your area. It is important to find a facility that is located near your new residence so you can travel back and forth to it with ease.

The Personality Test: What’s In Your Unit?

If someone walked into your storage unit, what would they think about you? Your storage unit tells an entire story about you and your personality. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility to hold any type of items for as long as you need to have them stored.

Organizing Your Kitchen Is Like Working a Puzzle

Think back to the problem solving method you used as a child when you were putting a puzzle together. Most likely, you tried to find the pieces with straight edges that provided a framework for the puzzle. Once you created the framework, filling in the middle was easier. When you begin organizing your kitchen, you can follow a similar guideline.

Tetris: Packing a Storage Unit Is More Familiar Than You Think

Packing a storage unit can be much easier than you think. You want to figure out the best way to pack your specific items. You can use Affordable Moves to find a good storage unit near your current or future location.

Are You Storing for the Right Reason?

Self-storage locations and storage containers that can be delivered right to your home can solve a multitude of space-limiting issues. Listed below are some of the most common reasons for renting storage space.

Your Kayak's Winter Home: Why Boat Storage Is Important

You enjoy using your Kayak in the warm weather, but when it starts to turn cold outside, you should find a good place to store it. You want your kayak to work well for you when the temperatures start to rise again and choosing a storage unit to keep it in can offer you assurance that your boat will continue to be reliable and safe to put in the water.

Where Is the Santa Suit? Seasonal Storage Solutions

Do you feel like you're going on a scavenger hunt when it is time to change your seasonal decorations? Do you sit there, scratching your head, wondering where you put everything or where you will put everything? It's time to get organized and make your life easier.

Between Gigs: Where to Store the Band's Gear

If your band plays a lot of different gigs, you will want to have a safe place to store your equipment during your down time. Affordable Moves can help you find a self-storage unit that will be just right for your instrument storage needs. You want to store your band's gear in a convenient location you can get to at any moment. Large musical equipment like a drum set, guitars, amplifiers, and more can really clutter up your home.

Rock on! Using Storage Units for Band Practice

Storage units are a great place to rock out as loud as you want. You can use Affordable Moves to find the right storage unit for your band's needs. You can choose a place to not only store your musical instruments and equipment in between gigs, but a place where you can conveniently play as often as you would like as well.

How to Find Treasures in Storage Auctions

Storage auctions happen regularly when units have been abandoned and the bills aren't being paid. Facility owners need to make up for their losses. Allowing bidding for their units is a way to give everyone the potential to make some money - all the way around. There's no telling what will be inside.

What Is Climate Controlled Storage

Climate controlled storage is a great choice for items that need to be kept at a certain temperature all of the time. A climate controlled storage building will be enclosed and keep your items from getting too hot or too cold thanks to a heating and air-conditioning unit.

How to Safely Store Your Vehicle

If you want to safely store your vehicle, you need to make sure you prepare it to be stored and that you find a trustworthy facility. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility for your vehicle.

Small Business and Self-Storage: A Perfect Pair

Many small businesses find great uses for self-storage units. Affordable Moves can help small business owners locate the best company to choose near your home or business. There are many choices out there

How Did All that Stuff Fit in Your Dorm Room?

Sweet freedom! It's time for summer break and you are on the way home. There's only one problem. You need to find a place for the mountain of stuff in your dorm room.

How Sales Reps Can Use Self Storage to Minimize Costs

Self storage units are a great choice for sales reps looking to minimize their costs and keep their items organized. Affordable Moves can help you to find a storage unit in your area.

How to Safely Store Furniture Indefinitely

There are going to be times when you need to put furniture into storage. You may have inherited a household full of treasures. Your children may head off to another state and ask you to hold onto things.

How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

You want to be known as the frugal mover. You've already decided you are going to do this job yourself. However, you want to do a good job and save yourself headaches further down the line.

What Not to Store

The possibilities for a little extra space in our lives are limited only by our imagination. However, there are some items that should never be in your storage unit.

How to Store Sensitive Items

Some household items are a little more high-maintenance than others. Unlike high-maintenance people, however, they do not strut about, constantly sharing their opinions.

How to Pack a Storage Unit for Easy Access

Unless you are in a situation where a company or the military is causing you to have a temporary move, you will probably need to get to the items in your storage unit from time to time.

Make the Most of Your Home's Own Storage Potential before You Rent More

Even though we are not on the television show, Hoarders, we still wish our homes looked a little more like Architectural Digest and little less like Everybody Loves Raymond.

Downsizing: Keep it, Store it, or Donate it

As you prepare for the process of downsizing, it's important that you keep in mind one of the wonderful benefits of downsizing is the opportunity it presents for simplified living.

Thanks for the Memories, but Where Should I Put Them?

If time has brought you to the point in life where you have received "the call", you may find yourself in need of some immediate storage space so that you don't hurt anyone's feelings.

How to Winterize and Store a Boat

It's your first time being the proud owner of a boat. You've had a wonderful season out on the water, fishing, cruising, and finding the best places to swim. The time has come to take the boat out of the water for the winter.

How to Know When You Have Outgrown the Garage

Do you remember when you had a place to park your car where frosty, snowy, icy mornings posed no problem for you? Maybe you didn't even have to venture out in the rain to get in your car.

How Small Businesses Use Storage

When you think of storage units, you think about people who are on the move or those who are dealing with an overflow from their house. Utilizing storage units for your small business never came to mind.

How Self-Storage Helps in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Self-storage can help with disaster preparedness and recovery in many ways. To begin with, you can feel confident in renting a storage unit to store items in case any type of emergency occurs.

Help for that Mid-Life Crisis: Store Your Harley and More

Are you going through a mid-life crisis? Do you have more toys than you know what to do with? If so, you probably need to find a place to put them before your wife has a fit. Take heart.

How Temporary Storage Can Simplify Your Life

Have you ever wondered why there are so many storage unit sites located in various areas of a town? One reason is that a lot of people have learned something that is worth passing along.

Preventing Theft

Self storage facilities are extremely useful when you have an overflow of belongings, that child who is heading off to college, or you've acquired items belonging to another family member.

Moisture-Free Storage Solutions for Humid Climates

If you are moving someplace with a warm, humid climate, you are probably thanking your lucky stars. No more snow, no more cold, no more blustery weather. While living someplace that feels like the tropics has many advantages, you need to remember one thing.

When to Choose Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate-controlled storage is necessary for a variety of different items. Intense changes in temperature can cause major problems to some objects over time. Instead of spending money to store items in a place where they may get damaged, spend the extra money to have peace of mind

Time For Spring Cleaning

The arrival of spring should be an exciting, anticipatory time of year. Don't let a spring cleaning project put a damper on your excitement. You can lessen the stress of spring cleaning by renting a storage unit for your excess belongings

Hey, Mom and Dad, College Was Great. Why Is the Treadmill in My Room?

Although it is nice to believe that parents want to keep their children's bedrooms like a shrine when they go off to college, this is not always the case. Many parents cannot wait to take over their children's room and turn it into an exercise room or something else that they have been dreaming of for years.

Stay Organized and Know the Contents of Your Storage Unit

Have you ever gone to the store, bought something, and shortly after making the purchase found out that you already had that identical item at home? Disorganization prevented you from being able to put your hands on the item when you needed it?

Storage Wars: Which Storage Facility Is Right for You?

There are many options when it comes to looking for a good storage facility. You do not have anything to worry about because the storage wars can be easily fought and won from the comfort of your home.

Parent's Say, "Come Get Your Stuff" : They Didn't Even Ask Me About Downsizing

From somewhere out of the blue comes a call from your parents telling you they have decided to downsize.

Summer Break, Must Empty Dorm Room, Need Storage

Summer break from college is the best. There is only one problem: finding a place for your stuff.

Starting Over After a Divorce, But Still Hanging On

Divorce can be an emotionally difficult experience regardless of the circumstances that led to the divorce.

Clear The Way For Summer Guests, Rent A Storage Unit

Life may not be so easy in the summer time if you typically have limited space and are expecting to accommodate vacationing guests and plan to entertain.

Ease Your Stress, Store It Until Holiday Visitors Go Home

Do you have a guest room that looks like a storage room? Is your house filled to over-flowing with furniture and an absolutely amazing amount of stuff?

Store It Until The Renovation Is Complete

There is no disputing the fact that embarking on a significant home renovation project can bring about some inconveniences.

Moving Often? Store It Once

Most likely, if you took a survey, you would discover that most people do not rank packing, moving, and unpacking as one of their top twenty favorite activities.

Stored Passion: Using a storage unit for vintage cars and other collectibles

If you are a proud owner of a vintage car or collect other items, you will want to keep these items safe from all types of harm.

Hobby Storage: Renting a Place to Store Hobby-Related Items

It's good to have a hobby, or maybe two or three hobbies, but hobbies and the items and equipment associated with them have a way of taking up too much space in your home.

Where Did All Of These Things Come From And Where Can I Store Them?

Getting ready to move? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that has accumulated in your home?

Is All Of This Stuff Really Mine?

One way to see the results of all of the times you procrastinated about spring cleaning is to begin the process of moving.

Too Much Stuff, So Little Time

Glance down this list of possible scenarios and see if you find yourself in one of them.

Retired...Sold House...Bought RV...Need Storage

Congratulations! You've reached the golden years, you're retired, and ready to hit the road. It's time to see all that this nation has to offer and a new RV is the perfect way to go.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides.

Help! My RV Needs A Place To Rest blog for travelers who can't park RV at their house

You've bought an RV and it's one of the best investments in your life. Your family has big plans to hit the road and see the country.

Solve Your Downsize Dilemma

The time has come to move from the home where high maintenance and costly upkeep are cutting into your well-deserved leisure time and fun money. Now, all you have to do is decide what to do with all of the stuff you have acquired and accumulated while living in your large home.

Store It To Stage It

If you have put your home on the market or plan to do so soon, you have probably heard or read about the benefits of home staging. Statistics show that homes that are staged to showcase their most attractive and appealing features will sell more quickly and at a higher price than homes that have not been staged.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides. When the weekend rolls around or summer vacation arrives, you don't have to spend your time mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs or doing mundane exterior touch-ups and repairs on your home.

How to Increase Your Chi

Filling your life with peaceful, positive energy is a worthy goal. Feng shui practitioners believe that chi, or the world's life force, flows around people and objects as stream water moves around a rock. The proper channelling of this energy is believed to affect everything from your personal health to professional success, so having good energy movement throughout your home is vital to increasing your chi.

Things You End Up Buying Again and Again

As you grow tired of unused items spilling out of your closets and garage, you purge everything that gets in your way. Lamps from 10 years ago? Gone. Last year's bedding? Gone. That scuffed-up coffee table? Your unused treadmill? The curling iron that doesn't work with your new hairstyle? Gone, gone, and gone! Then the cycle repeats as you purchase updated versions of those items as time passes. Before you get caught up in that buy/purge/re-buy cycle, keep in mind that some things are better stored than tossed.

Tips for Listing an Item on Craigslist

Recently hit with unexpected expenses, or just looking for a little extra money? Online community sites offer plenty of legitimate opportunities to make some quick cash, and Craigslist is the granddaddy of them all. The site makes it easy to sell all sorts of things lying around your house or in storage, from old vinyl records to unused furniture. New to the site? Never fear, because below you’ll find a few tips to make your Craigslist experience easy-breezy:

How to Renovate for Big Life Transitions

New babies, ailing parents, and dozens of other life events can lead to big changes for your home. Before you start panicking, rest assured that home renovations don't have to be the exhausting, anxiety-producing, and costly experiences that you’re imagining. With a little planning and forethought, you can easily transform your home to reflect your new lifestyle.

How to Get Rid of Toxic Household Items

You're busily cleaning and feeling smug about how much you're getting done in your home. Then you come across Grandma's old-fashioned wall thermometer in the junk drawer, and your day comes to a screeching halt. It's the moment when all your cleaning and organizing plans go haywire: Do you toss it in the trash? Can you recycle things with mercury in them? Or, do you throw it back in storage and forget it for another decade?

Modern Ways to Update Your Kitchen

Few things make a home look more outdated than a tired, old kitchen. Fortunately, you can inject some life, color, and flavor back into your home with a kitchen that is freshly updated. Best of all, you don't have to spend a lot of money in the process.

Do's and Don'ts of Converting Your Kid's Room to an Office

After sending your child off to college, it may seem like a great time to revamp your living space with a bedroom remodel. Whether your child is off to school or well into adulthood, a childhood bedroom contains a ton of emotions and memories. Before you remake a child's old bedroom into your shiny new home office, there are a few things to consider.

Top 3 Tips for Fall Cleaning

The dog days of summer are behind us, and it's time to pack away the pool toys and start bringing out the coats, umbrellas, and snow boots. Before cold weather gets you in its grips, there are a few important things to do to get ready for autumn.

DIY Gifts for the Holiday Season

While it's fun to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving, you may want to sleep in and go the DIY route for gifts this year. By doing so, you'll avoid the grumpy holiday crowds, save a little money, and create some unique gifts for your family and friends.

Cheap Ways to Decorate for Halloween

Ghosts and goblins can be scary at Halloween time, but so can over-spending on decorations. Shiver with fear for all the right reasons this Halloween by making your own decorations on the cheap. After all, spooky is a state of mind, not the product of crisp décor and expensive accessories.

Fall dishes to bring to the holiday potluck

Crisp, cool autumn days herald a season full of enticing fruits, vegetables, and nuts. From juicy red apples to flavorful squash, the vibrant colors and tastes of the season make some of the most delectable dishes. You'll spruce up any ho-hum holiday potluck when you add some of these heartwarming and beloved fall flavors to the table.

Checklist to see if you’re ready to have a high maintenance pet

Tired of the kids pleading and whining for a new pet? Don't cave yet; there are a few things to consider before deciding whether it's the right time to take on an animal, especially one that's going to be high maintenance.

How to deal with a guest coming over who’s allergic to animals

You want your housewarming party to be remembered for its upsides, not your guests’ allergies. The next time you’re planning on throwing an at-home shindig, find a way to keep your pets at bay. Keeping your party sniffle-free is going to take some work, so roll up your sleeves and dig in.

What to do with your pet when you have a big party

Unfamiliar faces, access to potentially harmful foods, and loud noises can make it a little harrowing to keep Fido and Frisky happy and safe while you're entertaining. Luckily, if you plan for their comfort ahead of time, you can keep your little critters calm and secure during your big event.

Eco-friendly products that you could be using every day

Adding a little green to your everyday life is getting easier with the ever-increasing number of eco-friendly products on the market. Using just a few of these green products can help you keep your home free from harmful chemicals and preserve some of earth's most precious resources.

Thoughtful gifts on the cheap

When it comes to gift-giving, it really is the thought that counts. Anyone can put money in a card and call it a present. However, a thoughtful gift shows that you care enough to take an extra step and truly think about the gift’s recipient. That being said, gifts don’t need to be pricey too be considerate.

How to Decorate a Tiny Patio

As the saying goes, good things come in small packages, and that can be true of small patios too. Even if your patio is a little short on space, you can still create an inviting, lively area.

Pros and Cons of a Bottom Floor Apartment

Getting in on the ground floor may be terrific for business opportunities, but it has some drawbacks for an apartment location. When you’re thinking about moving into a first floor apartment, weighing the property’s disadvantages along with its benefits can help you select an apartment that truly feels like home.

5 Things You Really Don’t Need for Your House

From grand mansions to tiny houses, every inch of living space matters. Make the most out of your square footage by ridding your home of unnecessary junk. There are dozens of things in your house that you don’t use often, which are simply taking up space. Just eliminating five of them is a great start to freeing up your space, and giving you a new lease on life.

Top 5 Things You Need To Stock a Dorm

Before you have to face leaving your "baby" at college, you have an equally daunting task: figuring out what is essential for comfortable dorm living. Your impulse may be to err on the side of over-abundance, but choose to ignore that impulse. Dorm rooms are cramped even before your teenager moves in, and adding a roommate's things into the mix only makes it smaller. Get into the minimalist mind-set since you can always send unexpected necessities later. In the meantime, there are a few things your teen will need from day one.

Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping

Shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies may be the highlight of your kids' new school year, but it may play havoc with your wallet. Instead of stressing about the upcoming financial splurge, just channel your inner bargain-hunter to keep as many of those presidents in your pocketbook as you can.

Which School Supplies Your Child can Reuse in the New School Year

Buying new back-to-school supplies and clothes each year can add up quickly. If thinking about spending an obscene amount of money on binders and lunchboxes makes you break out into a cold sweat as back-to-school season approaches, never fear: you can save your money and your mind with a little creative recycling of supplies from school years past.

What to Store and What to Take Out for Autumn

Your home's space is at a premium, and you're going to have to switch out your summer things to make room for fall. The choices can be tricky. Do you keep your favorite summer tee-shirt or put it in storage with the rest of your out-of-season wardrobe? Do you hang onto your lawn edger in case there's no snow this year? Do you hold back your pool toys in hopes of a winter tropical vacation?

How to Transition Your Home from Summer to Fall

The kids are back in school. Baseball is winding down, and football is starting up. You've started to crave the feel of cool weather, the smell of pumpkin pie, and the warmth of your favorite sweater. This all makes it official; it's time to start preparing for fall.

How to Use Labor Day as an Excuse to Meet Your Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors is easier when get-togethers revolve around a holiday. So if you missed the Fourth of July celebrations in the cul-de-sac, Labor Day may be your next best excuse to get the block together for a little social time.

How to Pet-Proof Your Home

For those homeowners who are considering a relocation, or may have recently moved, helping your pet make adjustments will be a challenging experience.

Home Renovations for When the Kids are Out of Town

If you are trying to decide what to do while the kids are out of town visiting grandma, attending summer camp or just spending the night at a friend’s house, consider several home renovations that can be completed in a few hours, days or even a couple of weeks. Whether you need to renovate the playroom/recreational room, the kitchen, or the main bathroom it will be easier if you don't have to deal with the kids in addition to the mess.

How to Help Your Kid Pack for Summercamp

One of the most traditional ways for kids to make childhood memories is by visiting a summer camp for the season. Between outdoor activities and meeting other children, it can make for invaluable lessons and a great adventure to experience for boys and girls. When helping your kid pack for camp, there are several ways to assist with the process while instilling confidence and independence in the child.

Etiquette for Hosting a House Guest

After pulling all of your furniture out of storage, you finally have a comfortable home to invite friends and family over to stay for more than just one night. If you've just moved to a new city, you want to share your exploration process with your loved ones. So get organized and set up the new guest room to receive visitors, and you must also incorporate house guest etiquette to make their visit a memorable one.

Fun Ways to Update Your Office

If you just moved into a new office, you want to make the space your own. Money may be limited, but you don't need a fortune to update your office. A few new accessories and a little bit of creativity are all you need to make your new office your own.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Disciplining Someone Else's Child

You've just emptied out your storage unit and are finally settling into your new home. The entire family is excited about exploring the region and meeting new friends. And luckily, it seems as though the neighbors have children of their own. However, issues may arise when kids come over for playdates. So if Timmy from next door gets rowdy, here are a few strategies to help you navigate the tricky situation of disciplining someone else’s child.

Pet Etiquette

Everything’s finally out of storage and your home is starting to come together. Even your dog and cat are getting along in the new digs. Once you settle in, however, it's time to start exploring the neighborhood. If you're taking the dog with you, keep some friendly reminders in mind to avoid any friction with new neighbors.

Tips to Help the Kids Make Friends Their First Day at School

First day of school jitters can be intensified in a new town, making the first day of school stressful for the entire family. Even as you're unloading the storage facility with all of your family’s belongings, parents still concentrate on their child fitting in. Do a little planning beforehand to help your child make a seamless transition into school.

Summer Attraction Life Hacks

With summer in full swing, you may have plans to visit different area attractions. From museums to amusement parks, attractions are built for large capacity crowds. However, all the people make it difficult to see and enjoy certain exhibits, such as a sprawling aquarium tank. Use a few smart strategies to see your favorite attractions while avoiding unnecessary stress and expense.

Ways to Maximize Kitchen Storage

You've just moved your favorite kitchen items out of storage and into your new apartment. What appeared to be a large space suddenly looks tiny with all your utensils, pots, and dishes. If you're wondering where to fit all these critical kitchen items, just use some creative thinking to keep everything handy while still looking organized.

Ways to Renovate Your Backyard on a Budget

Your backyard is an open canvas for plant life to flourish, whether you have a sprawling lawn or just a few shrubs. This area often doubles as a lounging space as well, providing a sunny expanse to entertain visitors or just enjoy the fresh air yourself. However, many backyard renovations remain expensive. Get creative and add some thrifty concepts to your yard to make the area pop with a unique look, without busting your budget.

How to Unplug on Your Weekend Getaway

Thanks to mobile technology, work follows you wherever you go. From your smartphone to tablet, unplugging on a weekend getaway may seem impossible. However, consciously turning off your devices and concentrating on family fun makes your entire life more manageable even when returning to work. Try some smart strategies to keep your hands off the electronics on your next jaunt out of town.

Date Ideas in Your New City

Let's face it, moving can be kind of a drag. So many parts of a move are stressful; the packing, the cleaning, and the paperwork. However, moving also has its perks. For instance, when you move, you have a whole new world of options when it comes to treating your honey to a night out. In your old town you had probably tried every restaurant, movie theatre, and tired out the best smooching spot. In a new town, everything is fresh and waiting to be discovered. Here are a few fun date ideas to help you make the most of your new city with your sweetheart by your side.

Ways to Entertain the Kids Without Electronics

Do your kids spend hours trying to beat their high score on your iPad or sitting in front of the TV waiting for their favorite program to come on? When you're looking for ways to entertain your kids without electronics, consider activities that involve the whole family. This way, whether you’re in the middle of a move or settling into your new home, you can breathe a little easier knowing your kids are taking part in quality entertainment.

Skincare Tips for Sun Protection

Back in the days of sock hops and Elvis, a tan was considered the quintessential proof of health, an active social life, and the ability to travel to wherever the sun was shining. However, today we know that exposure to the sun is not as beneficial as it once was presumed to be. In fact, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States.

Tips for Making a Good Impression on Prospective Renters

As a landlord, a soft rental market may have you scrambling to fill your properties. However, there are plenty of simple things you can do to attract renters and make your site the hottest property in town. In fact, a little ingenuity and attention to detail may be all you need to wow prospects and keep your rental properties filled with quality tenants.

When You Know it's Time to Upgrade Your Home

You're going about your life, happily going through the motions of each day when it hits you with a sudden, "A-ha!" Your home is too small, too outdated, or too lacklustre for all the great things you have planned for the future. That's when you know it's time for an upgrade.

Best Vegetables to Plant in the Summer

While many gardeners start their warm-season vegetable gardens after the last frost in spring, it's not too late for you to enjoy the delicious taste of summer right off the vine. Play catch up by purchasing starter plants available at your local home improvement store. Plant the veggies in nutrient-rich soil, water them liberally, and you'll be harvesting bounty from your garden in no time. Here are three fast-growing summer veggies sure to please your palate.

Beyond the Cake: Birthday Dessert Round-up

You've moved to a new town, and you want to make your child's birthday in your new home as special as possible. Amazing birthday desserts are in your future, here are a few ideas to help you move beyond boring yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Even though it is delicious, wink wink.

Kid-Friendly Meals for Prospective Playdates

The pressure is on: you forgot your child's friends were coming home with you for an after-school play date. And now they're all waiting expectantly at your car door, ready to be shuttled to your home for a snack and a little playtime. They look hungry! Have no fear, a well-stocked kitchen and a little ingenuity ensures you can pull this off and even please the pickiest of eaters.

From Office Hour to Happy Hour: Make Your Wardrobe Multipurpose

Rocking a versatile wardrobe that transitions easily from day to night involves more than a little black dress or two. Luckily, you don't have to spend a lot of money finding pieces that let you breeze out of work and into happy hour in the blink of an eye. With a whole world of colors, textures, and sparkles at your fingertips and a few key accessories-- you can take some of the pressure off your little black dress and have a day-to-night wardrobe that's the envy of fashionistas everywhere.

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

Whether poisonous or not, snakes play an important role in the natural world, but that doesn't mean that you want them slithering around your garden. Give them an inch, and they may wind their way into your house as well. Although some folks swear by simple deterrents like moth balls, sulfur powder, or lemon grass, the best way to keep snakes out of your yard is to make the space inhospitable to the slinking reptiles.

Camping for Beginners

You've accepted an invitation to go camping with a sense of bravado that your friends took for enthusiasm, but the truth is you've never spent a night in the great outdoors in your life. While you don't want to come off as a total greenhorn, you want to make sure that your first experience with camping is safe and comfortable too. Before you pack up your gear and hit the trail, check out these tried-and-true tips from seasoned campers.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Subletter

Opportunity's knocking and you need someone to take over your lease. Make the time to interview potential subletters and ask the questions that will help you find the perfect fit.

Tweaks to Make Your Home More Sleep-Friendly

We've all been there, tossing and turning for hours, checking the clock every 20 minutes, and getting more and more frustrated as the night goes on. Luckily, a few simple changes to your bedroom’s setting can create a sleep zone that will have you snoozing peacefully throughout the night.

How to Win Over the New Neighbors

Moving in to a new place means a whole new set of neighbors to befriend. If you don't want to be known as the jerk in apartment 4B, take some time to get to know your neighbors and win them over with our helpful tips.

Extra Ways to Make Cash When Your Rent Goes Up

If your rent goes up, your whole budget can be thrown out of whack. Thankfully, you have plenty of options other than moving to a new, smaller, and cheaper location. These are some of the most effective ways to earn a little extra cash to compensate for increased rent.

Questions to Ask When You're Looking to Sublet

In big cities, small neighborhoods, and everywhere in between, subletting can be a smart way to find a comfortable and affordable place to live. Of course, moving in with a new roommate isn't easy, and it's definitely not something you should take too lightly. These are the must-ask questions to pose to potential renters before you think about subletting a space, no matter how nice the person appears in their classified ad!

Kids Projects Grown Up

Step up your grown up get-togethers, girls nights, and themed parties with a little blast from the past by reviving some favorite childhood art projects. Your friends will get a kick out of adding an adult twist to the beloved crafts and your party will be remembered for a long time to come.

Ways to Save Money Without Getting a Roommate

You're roommate just announced he's moving out, your landlord handed you a big rent increase, or you've just found out you're going to spend a big chunk of money on getting your car repaired. You need cash fast, before your carefully guarded budget goes down the drain. Don't rush to online forums in search of a roommate just yet, there are plenty of ways to boost your budget and make extra money without bringing in a dodgy roommate.

How to Know You're Ready for a Bigger House

Before you become a feature on “Hoarders: Buried Alive,” there are usually a few tell-tale signs you need a larger home. Whether you're tripping over your stuff or your family, or you just want to put that recent raise to good use, a bigger home may be the solution you need.

How to Find the Right Subletter

Don't let your exciting new adventure out of town be shadowed by a bad subletter. Whether you've planned a summer abroad or snagged a temporary work assignment out of town, finding the perfect subletter for your place takes some planning and commitment.

Happy Activities to do with Kids After a Big Move

You've signed the house papers, coordinated the move, unpacked what seemed like a gazillion boxes, and re-arranged the family-room furniture a dozen times. The only thing left to do is the most important step: exploring your surroundings. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, a move can be unsettling. The best way to help everyone feel excited about your new home is to embrace all the attractions of your new town.

Happy Activities to do with the Kids before a Big Move

Adjusting to a new home can be unsettling for kids who are used to routine and a familiar environment. Whatever your kids' ages and the reasons for your move, keeping a positive attitude is the best way to help everyone through this big transition.

Great Going Away Gifts

No matter who’s moving, why not do your part in making their send-off a happy one with thoughtful, creative gift. Whether you're celebrating a teacher's moving to a warmer city after retirement, carting your teen off to college, or waving farewell to a cherished friend relocating for a new job, you can find inspiration for great going-away gifts in dozens of places.

What to Keep in Mind before Moving to a New Climate

You're moving to a city that could rival the Antarctic for chilly weather, and panic's about to set in. Don’t worry! With a little planning, moving to a new climate, whether it's an ice-capped mountain or a hot, humid city, can be an exciting new adventure.

How to Notify Others You’re Moving

It’s no easy feat to let your friends and family know you’re moving. Whether you live with roommates, young children, or surrounded by close friends, moving can be a major life milestone. This is why you need the support of those who are closest to you. Check out our tips below for letting your loved ones know you’re moving on to bigger and better things.

Tips for Hosting Your New In-Laws

No matter if you feel a bit of friction or fit right in with your new family, there always seems to be something exhausting about hosting your in-laws. Avoid the awkward small talk and uncomfortable situations by playing it cool during their next visit. Make their next stay at your new home a bit more pleasant with the help of our in-law survival tips below.

Outside Games the Whole Family Will Love

Don’t let your kids spend their entire summer vacation inside watching television and playing video games. Instead, play some fun outside games the whole family can enjoy. Not only will this get everybody in the summer spirit, but it’s a fun and easy approach to living an active lifestyle.

DIY Lighting Tricks to Make Your Backyard Beautiful this Summer

Good lighting can transform your backyard from drab to fab in no time. Between all your summer potlucks, pool parties, and kicking it after work in the cool air, you deserve a truly magical backyard. Here are some lighting tricks to give your backyard a magical glow.

Bathroom Décor Trends of 2014

Your home is your kingdom and your bathroom is your throne. And while it may not be The Iron Throne à la Game of Thrones, it still deserves a certain allure. These days, bathrooms are gaining traction in the world of innovative décor. It’s more than a sink, a shower, and a toilet; it’s your own personal stamp of style.

Outdoor Activities for Meeting the New Neighbors

After a long day of work, it can be too easy to simply walk through the door, eat dinner, and call it a day. However, staying inside is no way to get to know your neighbors. It’s absolutely crucial to establish good relationships with your new comrades, when you first move in. From avoiding future disputes to making new friends, your neighbors are worth more than a quick hello. With the weather warming up, here are some easy outdoor activities to join in and meet the neighborhood while you’re at it.

Cheap Ways to Feel Better about Your Space

When you walk into your home, town house, or apartment, how do you feel? Happy? Creative? Down? Personalizing your space can rev up your productivity and give a boost to your morale while you’re at. No matter if you’re looking to make your space more welcoming, inspiring, or soothing, a few simple changes can make all the difference. Best of all, you don't need a bundle of cash to make effective improvements.

Ways to Create the Perfect Home Office

Working from home can be a rewarding experience, especially when you have a designated space equipped for the job. While a good ergonomic desk and chair are essential, it takes more than well-designed furniture to create the perfect home office. Achieving an atmosphere conducive for work is just as important. Use these tips to design an office that will not only make working from home more pleasant, but more productive too.

Warm Season Work Wardrobe Strategies

Dressing for success is important in every season, but when outdoor temperatures soar, choosing appropriate clothing for work gets tricky. You want to look professional once you arrive at work without showing up in a sweaty mess. After all, it's no wonder sartorial blunders multiply during hot weather. From flip-flops to T-shirts, employees wear clothes during hot-weather months they'd never dream of wearing in winter. Use the following strategies to keep your attire looking polished and professional.

Getting Your Bike Ready for Summer

The sun is shining, the trails are calling your name, and you just got your bike out of storage. Before you do your stretches and ride into the sunset, do a thorough check up of your ride. Even if you kept your bike in a dry, room temperature space all winter, it’s always a good idea to make sure everything is perfect before you take off.

How to Make Your Staff Feel Welcomed in New Office

You’re the boss, the Queen or King bee, and this week, after months of planning and coordination; you’re moving the company office. It’s not enough to simply pick up as business as usual. You want your staff to feel welcome in the new office. The more connected your employees feel to the new space and the company, the better chance they’ll produce innovative and thorough work. Here are some tips for rolling out the welcome mat.

Alternative Uses for Mason Jars

The hipster movement has claimed mason jars as their holy grails for quite some time now—and for good reason. Mason jars balance the fine line of country comfort and an elegant touch of class. If you’re a little late to the jar fad, not to worry. Here are some excellent alternative uses for mason jars aside from their traditional use of storing canned fruits and jams.

How to Prepare Items for Storage

Spring time is finally here, and you won't be needing your heavy winter coat anymore. This means it's time to put it in storage until the end of the year. Your winter clothes aren't the only things you could be storing, though. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity for you to de-clutter your home and give yourself some more space by storing little-used items. Once you decide what to store, it's easy to pack them up and move them to a storage space. Just follow these tips to make sure your items stay safe!

Ways to Make Your Small Home Feel Giant

Living in a small house definitely has its perks. On the one hand, it's cozy, less expensive to heat, and there are smaller spaces to clean. On the other hand, there are days where it can feel cluttered and overcrowded. With some creative organizing and decorating, however, you can make your home feel bigger than it is. Try some of these tricks if you find your small home is cramping your style.

Fun Ways to Organize Your Closet

We've all seen the classic sitcom situation where a kid is told he needs to clean his room before going outside to play, only to shove everything on the floor into the closet. Of course, when the closet door is opened, the massive pile of toys and games comes flying out. For some of us, this scenario is not too far off from the state of our own closets. Fortunately, there are some fun and creative ways to get those closets in order. Here are some ideas to get you thinking!

How to Throw a Great Backyard Neighborhood Party

Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience, if you don't know anyone near your new home, but there's an easy way to get the ball rolling and meet new people: Host a backyard party for your neighborhood. Gather all your new neighbors together at once and throw a little housewarming party to get to know them all.

Backyard Items to Bring out in Time for Summer

As temperatures rise, and the last of the snow finally melts away, it's time to start digging through storage to find all of last year's summer gear. All your favorite items have made it through the cold winter in your storage unit, and now they're just waiting for you to get them out and start using them again. With these handy summertime toys and items, your backyard will be the summer vacation hot spot!

Perks of Apartment Living

Apartments have the means to be magical à la Carrie Bradshaw or the cast of “Friends.” Oh sure, they can have a bad reputation for being cramped and noisy, but there is a beauty to compact. The real trick is learning how to feel like this small corner of the world is home. Here are some of the best benefits of apartment living:

Storage for Newbies

Storage isn’t a one-size fits all solution. No matter if you’re moving cities and need a temporary space to hold your items, downsizing houses, or you’re looking for some extra room in your apartment, storage gives you more freedom. Before you throw everything in your unit and call it a day, here are some things to remember if you’re new to the storage world.

You’ve Been Framed

Are you a crafting queen or king looking to spice up your home? Don’t settle for drab. Add some sass to your home by completing these do-it-yourself crafts with frames. Frames are a fun, funky way to add personality in your space. Chances are, you probably have some you’re not currently using locked down in storage. Additionally, this is a project where you can buy your materials as inexpensively as you please. There are tons of frames at your local resale store or you can choose to get something more high end at a local home goods store.

Fire Safety in Your New Home

Of course you don’t want to imagine your brand new home going up in flames, but sometimes you need to the face the possibility of a potential disaster to ensure your house is properly equipped to deal with it. From understanding the different kinds of fire extinguishers available to stocking your home with fire escape ladders, check out our list of fire safety items you should include in your home.

Three Ways to Get Rid of Your Kids Old Toys

Whether your son and daughter are graduating from elementary school, high school, or college, it’s never too soon, or too late, to sort through their old toys. Perhaps your daughter is working on her PhD while your son is learning how to drive, or maybe they’re just losing their last baby teeth, regardless this means you probably don’t need an entire room dedicated to their Barbie and G.I. Joe collections. Instead of throwing them away or keeping them piled high in your home, sort through them, and find them a new home. Here are three tips for cleaning out the toy closet.

Tips for Saving Money on Your New Home

Sure, you’ve already thought about budgeting, going out for dinner less, and holding off on buying that big plasma TV. However, you’re still feeling like you’re pinching pennies as you move into your new home. After all, a new home can cost you a lot of money; from the price of mortgage and interior design to new appliances and energy bills. You already know every little penny counts, so check out a few of our simple tips for saving a few extra coins here and there:

Three Ways to Give your Backyard a Makeover

Moving into a new place or feeling bored with your current home may be just the kick you need to give your backyard a makeover this spring. As the warm weather starts to stir up and the spring cleaning bug starts to bite, check out a few of our ideas to give your backyard the boost it needs for this season.

Gift Ideas for Your New Neighbors

Just think back to when you moved into your current home. Your kids were tearing through the house, your dog was whining to explore the neighborhood, and you didn’t have a chance to order dinner until 10:00 pm! As you sit by the window and watch as the new family moves in across the street, use this as an opportunity to win the best neighbor award. Check out a few of our simple tips for achieving the Wisteria Lane-inspired welcoming worthy of Bree Van de Kamp’s praise.

Tips for Downsizing Your Apartment

Perhaps you’ve recently moved to the big city and the only apartments in your price range are significantly smaller than your previous place. Or perhaps you’re going through a transition between jobs and need to rent a smaller space while you’re waiting to land the new job. Whatever the reason you’re downsizing, it’s important to remember the positives of living in a new place with less clutter. Here are some tips for downsizing your apartment, so you feel free and happy in your new space; instead of grumpy and cramped.

Rate Your Inner-Roomie

You’re embarking on the great roommate adventure. Whether they’re old friends or new Craigslist finds, you’re definitely going to be getting to know these people up close and personal. On the flip side, they’re going to be getting to know you. Whether you realize your own tics or not, chances are, you fall into one of these categories:

Things to Consider before Investing in Long-Term Storage

If your plan is to throw your things into some plastic bags and toss it in storage for years, you may be wasting wads of cash. Long-term storage is an excellent solution for many reasons and circumstances, but make sure it’s the right choice for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself before locking up your things.

Do It Yourself Projects for Your New Home

You’ve finally moved into your new home and can’t wait to start doing some decorating. Whether you’re a regular Martha Stewart or a new craft queen, here are a few easy DIY projects to get your house looking funky fresh:

Finding Comfort in the Warmer Months

The chill of the winter months may be on their way out, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t maintain a cozy abode. Whether you’re spending a lazy Sunday afternoon indoors or your best friend from out of town is coming to visit your new place, you want your place to scream comfortable and lived in, not vacant and cold. Creating a warm and inviting space doesn’t necessarily mean serving hot chocolate and lighting up the fireplace. Here are a few of our tips to inspire coziness even as spring creeps in:

Spring Potluck Dishes for the Neighborhood Party

Now that the snow has thawed and your neighbors are finally peeking their heads out of their cozy homes, it’s the perfect time for a spring potluck! Food brings everyone together. And if you haven’t had a chance to talk to the neighbors since the holidays, now’s a great opportunity to reconnect in time for warm weather block parties and kid’s pool parties. These are some of the best potluck dishes to bring to the first spring get-together.

So You’re Moving in with Your Significant Other

You’ve been with your partner for a while now, and living in two separate places just isn’t working anymore. You haven’t bought coffee or food for your house in months because you’re never there, and your roommates have forgotten you live with them, aside from the phantom rent checks that show up at the beginning of each month. So you’ve bit the bullet and decided to move in together. You’re renting a storage unit for your eclectic furniture collection and now you’re riding a natural high. But you may want to take a few moments to think about cohabitating before you start loading up the moving truck.

Trigger Your Alarms this Spring

There’s something about spring that gives us a little pep in our step. Maybe it’s the melting snow or the blooming flowers, but whatever it is, it makes you want to start fresh. As winter wilts away and spring pops up, this is a great time to to start opening the windows and begin cleaning your home from top to bottom. During your spring cleaning session this year, place some safety inspections on your to-do list to ensure your home is fully prepared for the oncoming season.

For the Vagabond Traveler: What to Store

Your backpack sits impatiently in the corner, with your well-stamped passport tucked inside. As a world traveler, you’re used to throwing some clothes, your toothbrush, and a few maps in a bag and heading off on your next adventure. The world of manicured home décor just isn’t for you. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sleep on an air mattress and eat off paper plates just because you’re in between trips.

Tips for Living with Roommates

You’re not raking in the money at work quite yet since you’ve just moved and you haven’t managed to win the lottery. Dreams of living alone aren’t exactly tangible right now, so you’ll live with roommates. It will be the best of times, it will be the worst of times. Roommates can be your best friends or your worst enemies, so choose wisely and adhere to these simple rules:

How to Host a Kid Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party

Moving is a stressful time for kids, which makes hosting a fun party is a great way for them to feel more connected with their neighborhood and new classmates. Consider throwing your children a kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day party they can participate in over the holiday weekend.

Alternative Ideas for Your Empty Garage

This is the year you’ve finally ditched your four wheels for two wheels. You’ve said goodbye to carbon emissions and said hello to tighter glutes. Since you’ve chosen your bicycle over your gas guzzler, you now have a whole other room in your home to take advantage of. Here are our top suggestions for renovating your carless cave:

Save Space, Share Rooms

Downsizing to a smaller home is never easy; yet sometimes it’s necessary. One solution is to incorporate room sharing into your household. If you have young children, this can be a great opportunity to encourage sharing. Sibling bonding is important and can create memories, which will last a lifetime. However, combining two people’s things in one room can be difficult. If you’re working with a small space, be creative, and don’t get boxed in to what you think you “need”. Kids are innovative and, with the right mind set, will have fun wherever they are, no matter what. Here are a few of our tips on sharing space and saving everyone’s sanity:

What to Expect Upon Visiting Your Kid’s College Dorm Room

The last time you visited your kid’s dorm room, you were hiking up flights of stairs with clothes and printers in hand alongside hundreds of other parents and students. You’d spent the previous summer helping your son pack all his belongings, yet you managed to unpack his entire life in just a few hours. It was a bittersweet goodbye as you left him to live on his own for the first time. Now months later, you’re entering his shared cave, and we have a few tips on what you may expect. Skip the heart attack and prepare yourself for a few of these situations:

When to Store and When to Give Away

As you walk through your home with a critical eye in tow, truly ask yourself what’s worth storing and what can be given away. Sentimental items, like childhood art projects, work awards, and books are great items to store. Other things, like your years-old towels and clothes you don’t wear anymore, are only taking up space. Here are a few ideas of places to donate to, when you want to save your wares from the trash.

Top Home Improvement Projects to Start in Spring

The ice is starting to thaw, the days are getting longer, and your trees and flowers are beginning to wake up once more. Spring is coming to town. We know there are quite a few spring projects you’d like to tackle inside the house, but don’t ignore your backyard. Before the heat of summer and the onslaught of late spring rains, take the time to work on these outdoor projects.

Three Mean Green Ways to Help Save the Environment

When moving into your new home, you already have so much on your mind that saving the environment might feel like a bit of a stretch. But what if we told you a few simple changes could make a big difference? Don’t feel like you need to go all out and place bamboo floors and compost heaps in your house all at once. Instead, ease into green living with these three simple changes:

Preparing for Puppyhood

Sometimes all you need is a wet nose and wagging tail to make your new home officially feel like home. If you are financially and emotionally prepared to take in a little four-legged pup, follow these tips to help prepare your new home for a new family member.

How to Keep Your Storage Costs Low

When you’re searching on Affordable Moves for a storage facility in your neighborhood, keep these tips in mind for cheaper monthly rents.

Sports, Field Trips, and Play Dates: How to Help Your Kids Meet Their New BBFs

Moving your kids in the middle of the school year is no fun for the entire family. Your kids are obviously on edge from uprooting their lives and saying goodbye to their friends and familiarities, and no doubt you’re receiving the cold shoulder. Sure, they’re going to stew for a bit, but don’t worry, they won’t be scarred forever. If you’re especially concerned about your elementary-ages kids making friends, try a few of these tips to help them make their new BFF.

Tips for Your Cross-Country Move

Over the hills, and through the woods, off to your new town, you go! Moving cross-country is a big task, and when you’re on mile 352, you don’t want to suddenly remember how you forgot to pack up the old stuff in the attic. Before you get your moving truck engine started, here are some tips for your cross-country journey.

Things to Know Before Moving by the Sea

If you’re staring out of your window to snow, snow, and more snow, while daydreaming of living by the beach, why stop at daydreaming? Moving to the sea isn’t quite as tricky as you think. As long as you have a job in place and you don’t have a problem with higher prices, living by the ocean can be your exciting life story. Now, there are a few things to remember before you become an (employed) beach bum:

The Tricky Part: Unpacking

When all of your things are chaotically strewn around the house, it’s hard to remember how excited you were to move. Unpacking is the hardest part of moving, and not because it’s particularly difficult. Unpacking box after box is a mental game. After all the organizing, packing, loading, and physically moving, you really just want to be done with it all. To help you get your unpacking done instead of just letting your boxes sit there for the next few months (or years), here are some helpful tips.

What Should I Store in Time for Spring?

As the snow slowly begins to thaw, you know it’s getting close to time to pack up those winter wares. Winter is full of heavy layers and extra clothes. And while it’s perfectly expected that your home will get a little cluttered during the hibernation months, just know you can always use storage when the first spring breeze wafts through the windows.

Affordable Moves Blog Content

It’s raining, it’s pouring, it’s snowing, it’s storming, and you’ll be staying inside this weekend. Now, it would be easy to see dark clouds as the signs of a doomed weekend, but really, this is a great chance to do some deep cleaning you’ve been meaning to do all year. As the rain, sleet, and snow hit the window panes, throw on some rubber gloves, and get your home clean, mean, and ready for spring.

Please, Please Get Rid of That

Yes, it’s important to try to rescue items rather than toss every little thing once it gets its first scratch or it isn’t bright and shiny anymore. However, there are some items, some quite gross and broken items, in your house it’s really time to let go of. Stop procrastinating, and get out a big garbage bag. Whether you toss it in recycling, a donation center, or out to the dump, it’s time to have a fresher home.

How to Move from Big to Small

Maybe you’re struggling with empty nesters syndrome or you’re eying the tiny apartment for rent with the incredible view, but either way, a downsizing battle is probably on your horizon. You’re sure to face the centuries old question, how on earth do I get all of my stuff to fit in this tiny space? Well, we’re here to answer that and whether you like it or not, the answer, is generally: you’re not. Before you start to stress, follow our simple tips for slowly, but surely downsizing your belongings to fit in your home.

Getting Rid of Ants in Your New Home the Natural Way

When you move into a new home, the last thing you want to deal with are unwelcome critters, such as ants. Your new home is already filled with your pets and children, and you don’t have any extra room for pesty little bugs. What’s more, you probably don’t want to start spraying and sprinkling toxic chemicals in corners and crevices of your home, especially if you have babies, puppies, or kittens crawling around. The good news is there are some natural, nontoxic alternatives, which may help rid your new home of ants

Simple Ways to Organize for the New Year

Now, now, January isn’t over, so it’s not time to give up on those New Year’s organization resolutions just yet. While we certainly advocate tackling the big stuff, like getting a deep clean of the carpets and walls, sometimes it’s easier to get a few of the pesky things out of the way first. Once you organize the small stuff in their new tidy and proper place, you’ll feel more accomplished to take on the rest of the house.

How to Get Some Shut Eye before and during Moving Day

You know the feeling all too well. Tossing and turning, making lists, going over lists, and fretting over forgetting something all night long until the sun shines through your window, and you realize you haven’t slept a wink. Moving is stressful as you worry about what to pack and how to unpack it down the road in your new house. Whether you’re still packing up your current home or you’re working on unloading your belongings in your new place, you need a good night’s sleep to give you energy, strength, and clarity. While sleeping pills may knock you out, sometimes those synthetic drugs may leave you feeling worse for wear in the morning. So instead of popping pills, try these natural sleep aids to help you get some shut eye during your big move.

A Few Tunes, a Spot of Tea, and Bubble Gum to Battle Moving Day Stress

Between scheduling the moving truck, packing up all your belongings, and saying goodbye to your childhood neighborhood, you’re bound to feel your stress level increase. With so much to remember, take care of, and arrange, you’re probably a walking stress bomb. Before driving yourself crazy during your move, take some of our stress relievers to heart.

A Snow Storm is a ‘Coming (But You Still Have to Move)

The weather outside is still frightful and the snow is coming down hard. Unfortunately, your lease is up and moving day is here. Though winter moving is a pain; there’s no way around it. If you’re not battling the cold, you’re wrestling with the wind and snow and friends out of town for the holidays. You need a game plan, and quick. Follow these tips for a safe and productive move during the winter freeze.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit

You know you have too many things and not enough room, but before picking a storage unit at random, ask yourself a few important questions before signing the rent agreement.

Things to Consider before Moving in Together

Moving in with your significant other is not something to jump into blindly. Sure you’re in love, and you seemingly can’t live without each other, but sharing bills and waking up to morning breath are just a few of the aspects you should consider before signing on the dotted line. We’ve outlined a few important discussions

How You Know it’s Time to Live on Your Own

You’re trying to get some sleep before work when your bartender roommate comes home and starts cooking dinner at 3am. Yes, it might be time to finally start living on your own. While ideas of grandeur and Park Ave lofts might be out of range for your current salary, you might be ready for a move more than you think.

What You Need to Know about Renter’s Insurance

It’s not called “the unexpected” because it’s a welcomed surprise. You never think you’re going to come home to a flood or a break-in, and you certainly never anticipate someone getting hurt on your property during a party or a get-together. Luckily, you have the option of renter’s insurance for peace of mind for these unforeseen catastrophes. Here’s what you need to know about insurance before you invest in a policy:

Wedding Bells and Storage Units

If the sound of wedding bells is in the air, it might be time for you to stock up on a storage unit. Surprisingly, acquiring a storage unit, or two, during your wedding planning stages can significantly help calm the chaos. Whether you’re planning the big day to take place at your home or you need a separate area to organize and sort all of your wedding arrangements, a storage unit just might become your best man. Here’s how a storage unit may ameliorate some of your wedding woes:

Ways to Pack Green

Some think going the environmentally friendly route is difficult or time consuming, but when it comes to doing a green move, it’s easy! Sometimes it just takes a little extra consideration and forethought to ensure a Mother Nature approval of your moving practices. To kick start your eco-friendly move, follow these three simple tips:

Preventing the “WHY IS THIS TANGLED?!” for Next Christmas

Christmas is coming to a close, which means it’s time roll up your sleeves and start packing up all the twinkling decorations. However, don’t forget your frustration and petty arguments you got into a few weeks ago when the Christmas lights would not untangle. Pack the right way now, and avoid the holiday battle next year.

Survival Guide for Moving Back Home

As much as you and your parents love one another, moving back into their place can trigger some tension. Gone are the days when you could stumble home at 4:00 am to your empty apartment and eat ice cream for every meal for weeks straight. Your parents are giving up their pristine, tidy, and quiet home due to your arrival. Though it’ll take some effort, it is possible to cohabitate the same space with your parents just like the old days. Just follow our tips to help you all stay sane:

How to Deal with Paranormal Activity in Your New Home

Moving into a new home in a new town is stressful enough without the worry of unexplained sounds and seemingly creepy occurrences. You’re more than likely on edge from the stress of the move and the anxiety of job hunting and meeting new people, and any creaky sounds or chilly drafts on top of it all can send you over the edge. If you’ve moved into a new place and you have inkling it may be haunted, consider some of these tips before leaving town.

Making it Work: Ways to Cut Corners during a Temporary Move

Whether you’re waiting for your house to close or you’re in between leases, temporary housing is a good way to pass the time while not overstaying your welcome on your friend’s couch. It might seem daunting of where to go or how to survive the next few weeks without bleeding cash at a hotel, but you do have options. These are some easy ways to cut before moving into your new home for good.

How Not to Drive Your Roomies Crazy

Maybe it’s your first time living with another person besides your family or perhaps you’re moving in with roomie number 32, but regardless of your level of co-living experience, it’s never too late to brush up on your roomie 101. It’s not required for you to be the best of friends with your roommates, but maintaining cordial friendly relationships can make all the difference.

How to Prepare Your Backyard Furniture for Jack Frost

Your backyard’s greatest enemy, Jack Frost, is on his way to your town. Jack Frost kills plants, fades colors, and rots untreated cushions. So prepare! If you haven’t prepped your backyard furniture yet, make sure to do so before the next big snow storm heading your way.

Simple Ways to Prepare for Santa’s Arrival during the Big Move

Christmas is a hectic season in general. Between dreaming up the best gift ideas, flocking to the mall, and decorating the house, there’s hardly any room for downtime. And when you’re moving during Christmastime, you most likely have a million other things on your mind, like changing your mailing address and packing up your belongings on top of your Christmas duties. Though you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed, remember...

How to Move During a Snowstorm

The first snow fall in your new home can be a beautiful and peaceful image - as long as you’re unpacked, curled up on your couch with the heat blaring, watching the snowflakes fall on the other side of your window. However, a snow storm in the middle of your move can be an unwelcome nuisance. Of course, you can’t control Mother Nature, so if she decides to dump snow on your moving day, follow these few tips for a smooth and safe transition:

Extra Uses for a Storage Unit during the Holidays

Well, let’s be honest: the holidays can get a little crazy. Between buying and hiding presents and jetting off to Grandma’s house, you can use a helping hand. Consider a storage unit to make your holidays a little easier. If you already have a unit, this is a great time to get some extra use out of it. And if you don’t use storage, these next few months are the perfect time to rent some extra space.

Mistletoe: The Holiday Plant of Doom? Unexpected Holiday Hazards for Your Pets

While you’re busy indulging on frothy hot chocolate and pumpkin pie, your cat or dog may be up to trouble in the other room. Your living room all warm and bright might just be a booby trap for your overly curious pet. To keep them safe and sound this holiday season, be wary of a few unexpected holiday hazards.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Night in Your New Home

Now that you’re all unpacked and have sorted through what needs to be in storage and what needs to be out for decoration, you want to invite some friends over to celebrate. You’re considering hosting your first wine and cheese nigh, but what do you buy? How many cheeses, which cheeses, and what’s the difference between red and white wine?

Cricket Chirps to Car Horns: How to Transition to City Living

If you’re packing your bags and moving to the city from the countryside, you’re likely in for a bit of a culture shock. Realize you’re trading the chirping sounds of crickets for honking car horns and starry skies for city lights. While a move to a concrete jungle is definitely exciting and thrilling, there are aspects of city life, which you may have to adjust to. Follow our few tips

From Pumpkins to Nutcrackers: How to Make a Smooth Holiday Transition

The holiday seasons can feel like a blur. It feels like you just put out your cornucopia display only for it to need replacing by your Christmas wreath. Don’t let the stress of transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas overwhelm you this year. Instead, make a few changes this holiday season and think ahead so you can enjoy more of the cheer and spend less time worrying about switching your pumpkin decorations to your Nutcracker display.

Moving Mistakes That Can Cost You Money

Moving can be a pricey endeavor, but there are some simple mistakes to avoid in order to keep costs low. You don’t want to go over budget because you accidentally broke something or didn’t want to search for it in your gang of boxes. Follow these tips for a cheaper move.

Unexpected Expiration Dates of Your Favorite Household Items

We all do it: hold on to things way past their expiration dates. And while you probably know your salad dressing and milk can probably last a few extra days; there are a few unexpected food and beauty items you should toss sooner than you may think.

Last Minutes Tasks before the Doorbell Rings with Thanksgiving Guests

You’re down to the wire, just a few more days until the doorbell rings and your Thanksgiving guests start to trickle in. It’s not only your first time hosting Thanksgiving, but it’s also the first Thanksgiving at your house. Needless to say, this Thanksgiving will be a trial run and may go down in the history books for better or for worse. While things never go exactly according to plan, add these few tips to your to do list to help your first feast run a little smoother.

Be Nice to Your Sister

My sister and I spent our childhood days fighting for computer time, hogging our shared bathroom, and shifting blame on to the other when we skipped our chores. I was always too busy pulling my sister’s hair and secretly stealing her clothing to ever listen to my dad when he’d say, “Be nice to your sister, she’ll be your best friend one day.”

Preparing for Picky Eaters and Broken China on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings both cheer and dread. If you’re hosting your first turkey dinner at your new home, be prepared for feeling excited to see your friends and family while simultaneously wanting to rip your hair out. While your trendy cousin’s new vegan diet is great and all, it sure puts a wrench in your planned recipes, but it’s nothing compared to the challenge of dealing with your triplet toddler nieces. Regardless of who you are, there’s no doubt your Thanksgiving crowd is weird and wonderful, so follow these few tips to help your Turkey Day run smoothly:

The Winter Purge: What to Toss, What to Store, and What to Donate

Don’t wait until spring cleaning to clean out your house. It’s easy to want to burrow snuggly into your home and not do a thorough cleaning spell until spring, but some things are way too bulky or underused to take up space in your house. It’s time for you to give a critical eye to your things and figure out what needs to be tossed, stored, or donated.

Deciding if a Pet is for You

You’ve taken everything out of storage, settled into a new home in a new city, and made new friends. So is it time for a new pet? There’s certainly something about pets, which makes any family and home feel complete. Maybe it’s their eagerness to welcome you home each evening or their willingness to put up with your snuggles and cuddles after a bad day at work, but whatever it is, sometimes they’re the perfect addition to your household. But before you rush out to save an animal, first consider these aspects of pet ownership:

Weathering Snowy Weather

The first snowflakes are starting to fall and you’ve only just finished unpacking and taking trips to and from your storage unit. As delicate and lovely as the first snow fall may look, it can present a real challenge for unprepared snow trekkers. If you’re not weathered in the snow department and you’ve just moved to a snow-covered city, follow these simple tips to fare your first wintery winter.

Don’t Pack These Items in Your Storage Unit

In the chaos of a move, it’s easy to throw a hodge podge of items into your storage unit just to get them out of the way. After all, how good does it feel to find a temporary home for those gigantic cardboard boxes? Keep in mind though; a haphazard attempt at storing your goods could lead to bigger problems down to the road, like filthy rat infestations and ruined electronics, or worse, a massive combustion!

Rats, Moths, and Other “Monsters” to Keep Out of Your Storage Unit

Creepy crawlers don’t belong anywhere close to your stored items. Fall is in full swing and this cooler weather is the prime time for critters to look for shelter. And trust us, they’d love to nestle into your stored away blankets, if you let them. So keep them out! Use the following tricks to protect your precious items locked away in storage.

Truly Yours: Cheap Ways to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

It takes time and effort to make a new house look and feel like your home. However, creating the sought-after homey feeling doesn't have to be a budget-breaking experience. This can be one of those situations where you can spend a little to get a lot in return.

How to Prevent Dents, Scuffs, and Cracks

Imagine a huge gaping hole in the wall of the dining room of your brand new home, or perhaps worse, a massive dent in the hard wood floors of the house you just sold. It’s so easy to scuff up the tile floors or ding the walls when you carelessly pack up your belongings during a big move.

A Backpack and a One-Way Ticket - How to relocate without losing your sense of adventure

I’d barely touched ground in the states after backpacking for three months in South America when I decided to book a one-way flight to California. I felt well-versed in the nomadic lifestyle, living out of a backpack and getting by without a solid plan, so I figured an off-the-cuff move to San Diego wouldn’t faze me much.

Check, Check, Check: What to Look for in a New Place to Live

You walk inside the house on the market wearing one of your best outfits and money burning a hole in your pocket. You’re eager to move into a new place to live, but have you asked all the proper questions before signing a lease?

Fashion Style Guide for Your Move

When you’re running around packing up your home, office, or apartment, fashion probably is the furthest thought from your mind. And rightfully so, who cares what you look like when you’re lifting boxes and crawling into moving vans?

Little Space, Big Life

Sometimes when you decide to move to the hottest spots in the U.S., you forfeit space for the glamour of the city. Living in New York City is one of the best examples of painting the town red by day, while cramming into a tiny studio apartment by night.

Moving into the Eye of the Tornado

“The wind began to switch, the house to pitch, and suddenly the hinges started to unpitch.” While one fluke Kansas tornado may have landed Dorothy and Toto in a magical land of OZ, unfortunately not all tornadoes are as friendly.

How to Properly Store Your Items So You’re Not Trapped Between a Mattress and a Hard Place

Admittedly, I was never was good at Tetris. And in finding myself firmly stuck behind a mattress and 11 boxes of books behind me, next to me, and well, falling on me, I guess my short-comings in long-term storage were finally coming to a head.

How to Prepare Your Warm Weather Car for a Winter of Hibernation

When the first autumn leaf hits you in the face as you drive your convertible down the highway, it’s probably time to start thinking about winter storage for your convertible or warm weather car. However, before you stick your car into an empty storage unit, here are a few things you need to know:

The Anatomy of a Suitcase

There’s a big world out there and a handy storage unit is one great ally for your travels. Rather than pay for months of rent when you’re traveling out of the country, look into getting a storage unit.

How to Best Store Clothes, Pictures, Art, and Other Finicky Items

Not all storage items sit in the storage unit patiently. Some can cause quite a bit of a raucous in terms of mildew, yellowing, and destruction. When it comes to these objects, packers need to take a few extra precautions before stuffing these items into storage for the next few months or years.

How to In-Law-Proof Your House

It doesn’t matter if you have a great relationship with your in-laws or a distant one, when it comes to visits, you want to make sure your home is fully prepared for a visit from the extended family.

Recreational Storage: How to Store Big Toys like Boats and RVs

Affordable Moves can help you find the best place to store your big toys. If you are a proud owner of an RV or boat, you want to make sure you find a secure place to keep your vehicles. You have many options regarding outdoor storage or indoor storage depending on your needs.

Be Careful! How to Store Glass

Some occupations require frequent moves, and while families adapt to this lifestyle, their possessions often do not. One home may be spacious, and the next may be scarcely larger than a small apartment. When this happens, storing rarely used items, such as china and crystal, is an excellent alternative to stumbling over walls of boxes.

Do I Need Climate Controlled Storage?

Many people consider getting climate controlled storage. There are many benefits to getting it, and some of your items actually require it, if you want them to stay in good condition. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best climate controlled storage facility for your needs.

Should I Purchase Insurance When I Use Self-Storage?

Home insurance and renter’s insurance does not necessarily cover storage units, so you need to do some digging and determine if you need extra coverage. The time you invest in comparing rates and levels of coverage is absolutely essential since storage facilities are almost never liable for the contents of your unit.

Yuck! Protect Your Mattresses from the Unthinkable

A mattress is an investment. Mattress sellers typically remind customers they spend up to one third of their lives asleep in order to justify the price. Like fine art and other high-priced items, mattresses are not designed for long-term storage, so they need a little extra attention before you store them.

A Little Advice for New Packrats: Tips from Storage Pros

If you are a packrat who wants to keep your home free of clutter, renting a storage unit can be your perfect solution. Affordable Moves can help you find a safe storage facility to move your belongings temporarily or permanently - depending on your needs. You want to make sure your items are packed well and you pick a facility that offers everything you require.

How Self-Storage Can Help Transition Aging Parents

Whether you are moving your aging parents into your home, a small apartment, or an assisted living complex, you will likely be faced with the dilemma of what to do with all of the things they have accumulated throughout the years. Downsizing, relocating, and giving up a huge portion of their independence can be a traumatic experience for your elderly parents as much as it is a change for you.

Self-Storage Security: What to Expect

One of the most important factors in choosing a self-storage unit is security. Different facilities will offer different security measures so make sure the one you are interested in offers what you need. Affordable Moves can help you find the perfect storage facility for your specific needs in your area.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Boxes

When your belongings arrive at your new home, you want them to arrive undamaged and in one piece – that is if you haven’t disassembled it to make your move easier on yourself. The way dishes, mirrors, clothing, furniture, and all other items are packed directly affects the likelihood of them arriving in good condition.

Boxes Are Different Sizes for a Reason

There is a reason why boxes come in different sizes. It is important to use the right sized boxes to move and store your items safely. You don’t want to try to squeeze a large item into a small box or put too many small items in a larger box, if you want your items to stay in good shape. Use the proper sized box for your specific needs.

How to Stay Relaxed with Your Whole World Is Upside Down

You have just inherited a house full of belongings from your parents. You have a mountain of furniture, keepsakes, and boxes that is beyond belief. Right now, it's in your garage, your basement, and is threatening to take over your entire home. This could be a time to have a nervous breakdown. There is, however, another option.

How to Tell a Good Realtor from a Great Realtor

It is easy to feel burned when you are selling a home. Each month that tics by without a buyer carries doubts and discouragement, and you wonder, if you contracted with the right realtor.

How to Find a Great Apartment

Apartment hunting has gone far beyond the simple search in the classified section of the newspaper. There are numerous tips you can follow to locate the great apartment you dream of moving into.

How to Choose the Right Storage Facility

All storage facilities are not created equal. You want to do your homework and find the best option for your specific storage needs. You can count on Affordable Moves to help you discover the best storage facility in your area. Look at ratings and reviews left by real customers to learn a little bit about your potential storage facility before you decide, if it is right for you.

How Self-Storage Can Help You Move

There are many ways that self-storage can help you move. The important thing is to find a good self-storage unit where you feel good about leaving your personal items. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best storage facility in your area. It is important to find a facility that is located near your new residence so you can travel back and forth to it with ease.

The Personality Test: What’s In Your Unit?

If someone walked into your storage unit, what would they think about you? Your storage unit tells an entire story about you and your personality. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility to hold any type of items for as long as you need to have them stored.

Organizing Your Kitchen Is Like Working a Puzzle

Think back to the problem solving method you used as a child when you were putting a puzzle together. Most likely, you tried to find the pieces with straight edges that provided a framework for the puzzle. Once you created the framework, filling in the middle was easier. When you begin organizing your kitchen, you can follow a similar guideline.

Tetris: Packing a Storage Unit Is More Familiar Than You Think

Packing a storage unit can be much easier than you think. You want to figure out the best way to pack your specific items. You can use Affordable Moves to find a good storage unit near your current or future location.

Are You Storing for the Right Reason?

Self-storage locations and storage containers that can be delivered right to your home can solve a multitude of space-limiting issues. Listed below are some of the most common reasons for renting storage space.

Your Kayak's Winter Home: Why Boat Storage Is Important

You enjoy using your Kayak in the warm weather, but when it starts to turn cold outside, you should find a good place to store it. You want your kayak to work well for you when the temperatures start to rise again and choosing a storage unit to keep it in can offer you assurance that your boat will continue to be reliable and safe to put in the water.

Where Is the Santa Suit? Seasonal Storage Solutions

Do you feel like you're going on a scavenger hunt when it is time to change your seasonal decorations? Do you sit there, scratching your head, wondering where you put everything or where you will put everything? It's time to get organized and make your life easier.

Between Gigs: Where to Store the Band's Gear

If your band plays a lot of different gigs, you will want to have a safe place to store your equipment during your down time. Affordable Moves can help you find a self-storage unit that will be just right for your instrument storage needs. You want to store your band's gear in a convenient location you can get to at any moment. Large musical equipment like a drum set, guitars, amplifiers, and more can really clutter up your home.

Rock on! Using Storage Units for Band Practice

Storage units are a great place to rock out as loud as you want. You can use Affordable Moves to find the right storage unit for your band's needs. You can choose a place to not only store your musical instruments and equipment in between gigs, but a place where you can conveniently play as often as you would like as well.

How to Find Treasures in Storage Auctions

Storage auctions happen regularly when units have been abandoned and the bills aren't being paid. Facility owners need to make up for their losses. Allowing bidding for their units is a way to give everyone the potential to make some money - all the way around. There's no telling what will be inside.

What Is Climate Controlled Storage

Climate controlled storage is a great choice for items that need to be kept at a certain temperature all of the time. A climate controlled storage building will be enclosed and keep your items from getting too hot or too cold thanks to a heating and air-conditioning unit.

How to Safely Store Your Vehicle

If you want to safely store your vehicle, you need to make sure you prepare it to be stored and that you find a trustworthy facility. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility for your vehicle.

Small Business and Self-Storage: A Perfect Pair

Many small businesses find great uses for self-storage units. Affordable Moves can help small business owners locate the best company to choose near your home or business. There are many choices out there

How Did All that Stuff Fit in Your Dorm Room?

Sweet freedom! It's time for summer break and you are on the way home. There's only one problem. You need to find a place for the mountain of stuff in your dorm room.

How Sales Reps Can Use Self Storage to Minimize Costs

Self storage units are a great choice for sales reps looking to minimize their costs and keep their items organized. Affordable Moves can help you to find a storage unit in your area.

How to Safely Store Furniture Indefinitely

There are going to be times when you need to put furniture into storage. You may have inherited a household full of treasures. Your children may head off to another state and ask you to hold onto things.

How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

You want to be known as the frugal mover. You've already decided you are going to do this job yourself. However, you want to do a good job and save yourself headaches further down the line.

What Not to Store

The possibilities for a little extra space in our lives are limited only by our imagination. However, there are some items that should never be in your storage unit.

How to Store Sensitive Items

Some household items are a little more high-maintenance than others. Unlike high-maintenance people, however, they do not strut about, constantly sharing their opinions.

How to Pack a Storage Unit for Easy Access

Unless you are in a situation where a company or the military is causing you to have a temporary move, you will probably need to get to the items in your storage unit from time to time.

Make the Most of Your Home's Own Storage Potential before You Rent More

Even though we are not on the television show, Hoarders, we still wish our homes looked a little more like Architectural Digest and little less like Everybody Loves Raymond.

Downsizing: Keep it, Store it, or Donate it

As you prepare for the process of downsizing, it's important that you keep in mind one of the wonderful benefits of downsizing is the opportunity it presents for simplified living.

Thanks for the Memories, but Where Should I Put Them?

If time has brought you to the point in life where you have received "the call", you may find yourself in need of some immediate storage space so that you don't hurt anyone's feelings.

How to Winterize and Store a Boat

It's your first time being the proud owner of a boat. You've had a wonderful season out on the water, fishing, cruising, and finding the best places to swim. The time has come to take the boat out of the water for the winter.

How to Know When You Have Outgrown the Garage

Do you remember when you had a place to park your car where frosty, snowy, icy mornings posed no problem for you? Maybe you didn't even have to venture out in the rain to get in your car.

How Small Businesses Use Storage

When you think of storage units, you think about people who are on the move or those who are dealing with an overflow from their house. Utilizing storage units for your small business never came to mind.

How Self-Storage Helps in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Self-storage can help with disaster preparedness and recovery in many ways. To begin with, you can feel confident in renting a storage unit to store items in case any type of emergency occurs.

Help for that Mid-Life Crisis: Store Your Harley and More

Are you going through a mid-life crisis? Do you have more toys than you know what to do with? If so, you probably need to find a place to put them before your wife has a fit. Take heart.

How Temporary Storage Can Simplify Your Life

Have you ever wondered why there are so many storage unit sites located in various areas of a town? One reason is that a lot of people have learned something that is worth passing along.

Preventing Theft

Self storage facilities are extremely useful when you have an overflow of belongings, that child who is heading off to college, or you've acquired items belonging to another family member.

Moisture-Free Storage Solutions for Humid Climates

If you are moving someplace with a warm, humid climate, you are probably thanking your lucky stars. No more snow, no more cold, no more blustery weather. While living someplace that feels like the tropics has many advantages, you need to remember one thing.

When to Choose Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate-controlled storage is necessary for a variety of different items. Intense changes in temperature can cause major problems to some objects over time. Instead of spending money to store items in a place where they may get damaged, spend the extra money to have peace of mind

Time For Spring Cleaning

The arrival of spring should be an exciting, anticipatory time of year. Don't let a spring cleaning project put a damper on your excitement. You can lessen the stress of spring cleaning by renting a storage unit for your excess belongings

Hey, Mom and Dad, College Was Great. Why Is the Treadmill in My Room?

Although it is nice to believe that parents want to keep their children's bedrooms like a shrine when they go off to college, this is not always the case. Many parents cannot wait to take over their children's room and turn it into an exercise room or something else that they have been dreaming of for years.

Stay Organized and Know the Contents of Your Storage Unit

Have you ever gone to the store, bought something, and shortly after making the purchase found out that you already had that identical item at home? Disorganization prevented you from being able to put your hands on the item when you needed it?

Storage Wars: Which Storage Facility Is Right for You?

There are many options when it comes to looking for a good storage facility. You do not have anything to worry about because the storage wars can be easily fought and won from the comfort of your home.

Parent's Say, "Come Get Your Stuff" : They Didn't Even Ask Me About Downsizing

From somewhere out of the blue comes a call from your parents telling you they have decided to downsize.

Summer Break, Must Empty Dorm Room, Need Storage

Summer break from college is the best. There is only one problem: finding a place for your stuff.

Starting Over After a Divorce, But Still Hanging On

Divorce can be an emotionally difficult experience regardless of the circumstances that led to the divorce.

Clear The Way For Summer Guests, Rent A Storage Unit

Life may not be so easy in the summer time if you typically have limited space and are expecting to accommodate vacationing guests and plan to entertain.

Ease Your Stress, Store It Until Holiday Visitors Go Home

Do you have a guest room that looks like a storage room? Is your house filled to over-flowing with furniture and an absolutely amazing amount of stuff?

Store It Until The Renovation Is Complete

There is no disputing the fact that embarking on a significant home renovation project can bring about some inconveniences.

Moving Often? Store It Once

Most likely, if you took a survey, you would discover that most people do not rank packing, moving, and unpacking as one of their top twenty favorite activities.

Stored Passion: Using a storage unit for vintage cars and other collectibles

If you are a proud owner of a vintage car or collect other items, you will want to keep these items safe from all types of harm.

Hobby Storage: Renting a Place to Store Hobby-Related Items

It's good to have a hobby, or maybe two or three hobbies, but hobbies and the items and equipment associated with them have a way of taking up too much space in your home.

Where Did All Of These Things Come From And Where Can I Store Them?

Getting ready to move? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that has accumulated in your home?

Is All Of This Stuff Really Mine?

One way to see the results of all of the times you procrastinated about spring cleaning is to begin the process of moving.

Too Much Stuff, So Little Time

Glance down this list of possible scenarios and see if you find yourself in one of them.

Retired...Sold House...Bought RV...Need Storage

Congratulations! You've reached the golden years, you're retired, and ready to hit the road. It's time to see all that this nation has to offer and a new RV is the perfect way to go.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides.

Help! My RV Needs A Place To Rest blog for travelers who can't park RV at their house

You've bought an RV and it's one of the best investments in your life. Your family has big plans to hit the road and see the country.

Solve Your Downsize Dilemma

The time has come to move from the home where high maintenance and costly upkeep are cutting into your well-deserved leisure time and fun money. Now, all you have to do is decide what to do with all of the stuff you have acquired and accumulated while living in your large home.

Store It To Stage It

If you have put your home on the market or plan to do so soon, you have probably heard or read about the benefits of home staging. Statistics show that homes that are staged to showcase their most attractive and appealing features will sell more quickly and at a higher price than homes that have not been staged.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides. When the weekend rolls around or summer vacation arrives, you don't have to spend your time mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs or doing mundane exterior touch-ups and repairs on your home.

How to Increase Your Chi

Filling your life with peaceful, positive energy is a worthy goal. Feng shui practitioners believe that chi, or the world's life force, flows around people and objects as stream water moves around a rock. The proper channelling of this energy is believed to affect everything from your personal health to professional success, so having good energy movement throughout your home is vital to increasing your chi.

Things You End Up Buying Again and Again

As you grow tired of unused items spilling out of your closets and garage, you purge everything that gets in your way. Lamps from 10 years ago? Gone. Last year's bedding? Gone. That scuffed-up coffee table? Your unused treadmill? The curling iron that doesn't work with your new hairstyle? Gone, gone, and gone! Then the cycle repeats as you purchase updated versions of those items as time passes. Before you get caught up in that buy/purge/re-buy cycle, keep in mind that some things are better stored than tossed.

Tips for Listing an Item on Craigslist

Recently hit with unexpected expenses, or just looking for a little extra money? Online community sites offer plenty of legitimate opportunities to make some quick cash, and Craigslist is the granddaddy of them all. The site makes it easy to sell all sorts of things lying around your house or in storage, from old vinyl records to unused furniture. New to the site? Never fear, because below you’ll find a few tips to make your Craigslist experience easy-breezy:

How to Renovate for Big Life Transitions

New babies, ailing parents, and dozens of other life events can lead to big changes for your home. Before you start panicking, rest assured that home renovations don't have to be the exhausting, anxiety-producing, and costly experiences that you’re imagining. With a little planning and forethought, you can easily transform your home to reflect your new lifestyle.

How to Get Rid of Toxic Household Items

You're busily cleaning and feeling smug about how much you're getting done in your home. Then you come across Grandma's old-fashioned wall thermometer in the junk drawer, and your day comes to a screeching halt. It's the moment when all your cleaning and organizing plans go haywire: Do you toss it in the trash? Can you recycle things with mercury in them? Or, do you throw it back in storage and forget it for another decade?

Modern Ways to Update Your Kitchen

Few things make a home look more outdated than a tired, old kitchen. Fortunately, you can inject some life, color, and flavor back into your home with a kitchen that is freshly updated. Best of all, you don't have to spend a lot of money in the process.

Do's and Don'ts of Converting Your Kid's Room to an Office

After sending your child off to college, it may seem like a great time to revamp your living space with a bedroom remodel. Whether your child is off to school or well into adulthood, a childhood bedroom contains a ton of emotions and memories. Before you remake a child's old bedroom into your shiny new home office, there are a few things to consider.

Top 3 Tips for Fall Cleaning

The dog days of summer are behind us, and it's time to pack away the pool toys and start bringing out the coats, umbrellas, and snow boots. Before cold weather gets you in its grips, there are a few important things to do to get ready for autumn.

DIY Gifts for the Holiday Season

While it's fun to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving, you may want to sleep in and go the DIY route for gifts this year. By doing so, you'll avoid the grumpy holiday crowds, save a little money, and create some unique gifts for your family and friends.

Cheap Ways to Decorate for Halloween

Ghosts and goblins can be scary at Halloween time, but so can over-spending on decorations. Shiver with fear for all the right reasons this Halloween by making your own decorations on the cheap. After all, spooky is a state of mind, not the product of crisp décor and expensive accessories.

Fall dishes to bring to the holiday potluck

Crisp, cool autumn days herald a season full of enticing fruits, vegetables, and nuts. From juicy red apples to flavorful squash, the vibrant colors and tastes of the season make some of the most delectable dishes. You'll spruce up any ho-hum holiday potluck when you add some of these heartwarming and beloved fall flavors to the table.

Checklist to see if you’re ready to have a high maintenance pet

Tired of the kids pleading and whining for a new pet? Don't cave yet; there are a few things to consider before deciding whether it's the right time to take on an animal, especially one that's going to be high maintenance.

How to deal with a guest coming over who’s allergic to animals

You want your housewarming party to be remembered for its upsides, not your guests’ allergies. The next time you’re planning on throwing an at-home shindig, find a way to keep your pets at bay. Keeping your party sniffle-free is going to take some work, so roll up your sleeves and dig in.

What to do with your pet when you have a big party

Unfamiliar faces, access to potentially harmful foods, and loud noises can make it a little harrowing to keep Fido and Frisky happy and safe while you're entertaining. Luckily, if you plan for their comfort ahead of time, you can keep your little critters calm and secure during your big event.

Eco-friendly products that you could be using every day

Adding a little green to your everyday life is getting easier with the ever-increasing number of eco-friendly products on the market. Using just a few of these green products can help you keep your home free from harmful chemicals and preserve some of earth's most precious resources.

Thoughtful gifts on the cheap

When it comes to gift-giving, it really is the thought that counts. Anyone can put money in a card and call it a present. However, a thoughtful gift shows that you care enough to take an extra step and truly think about the gift’s recipient. That being said, gifts don’t need to be pricey too be considerate.

How to Decorate a Tiny Patio

As the saying goes, good things come in small packages, and that can be true of small patios too. Even if your patio is a little short on space, you can still create an inviting, lively area.

Pros and Cons of a Bottom Floor Apartment

Getting in on the ground floor may be terrific for business opportunities, but it has some drawbacks for an apartment location. When you’re thinking about moving into a first floor apartment, weighing the property’s disadvantages along with its benefits can help you select an apartment that truly feels like home.

5 Things You Really Don’t Need for Your House

From grand mansions to tiny houses, every inch of living space matters. Make the most out of your square footage by ridding your home of unnecessary junk. There are dozens of things in your house that you don’t use often, which are simply taking up space. Just eliminating five of them is a great start to freeing up your space, and giving you a new lease on life.

Top 5 Things You Need To Stock a Dorm

Before you have to face leaving your "baby" at college, you have an equally daunting task: figuring out what is essential for comfortable dorm living. Your impulse may be to err on the side of over-abundance, but choose to ignore that impulse. Dorm rooms are cramped even before your teenager moves in, and adding a roommate's things into the mix only makes it smaller. Get into the minimalist mind-set since you can always send unexpected necessities later. In the meantime, there are a few things your teen will need from day one.

Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping

Shopping for back-to-school clothes and supplies may be the highlight of your kids' new school year, but it may play havoc with your wallet. Instead of stressing about the upcoming financial splurge, just channel your inner bargain-hunter to keep as many of those presidents in your pocketbook as you can.

Which School Supplies Your Child can Reuse in the New School Year

Buying new back-to-school supplies and clothes each year can add up quickly. If thinking about spending an obscene amount of money on binders and lunchboxes makes you break out into a cold sweat as back-to-school season approaches, never fear: you can save your money and your mind with a little creative recycling of supplies from school years past.

What to Store and What to Take Out for Autumn

Your home's space is at a premium, and you're going to have to switch out your summer things to make room for fall. The choices can be tricky. Do you keep your favorite summer tee-shirt or put it in storage with the rest of your out-of-season wardrobe? Do you hang onto your lawn edger in case there's no snow this year? Do you hold back your pool toys in hopes of a winter tropical vacation?

How to Transition Your Home from Summer to Fall

The kids are back in school. Baseball is winding down, and football is starting up. You've started to crave the feel of cool weather, the smell of pumpkin pie, and the warmth of your favorite sweater. This all makes it official; it's time to start preparing for fall.

How to Use Labor Day as an Excuse to Meet Your Neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors is easier when get-togethers revolve around a holiday. So if you missed the Fourth of July celebrations in the cul-de-sac, Labor Day may be your next best excuse to get the block together for a little social time.

How to Pet-Proof Your Home

For those homeowners who are considering a relocation, or may have recently moved, helping your pet make adjustments will be a challenging experience.

Home Renovations for When the Kids are Out of Town

If you are trying to decide what to do while the kids are out of town visiting grandma, attending summer camp or just spending the night at a friend’s house, consider several home renovations that can be completed in a few hours, days or even a couple of weeks. Whether you need to renovate the playroom/recreational room, the kitchen, or the main bathroom it will be easier if you don't have to deal with the kids in addition to the mess.

How to Help Your Kid Pack for Summercamp

One of the most traditional ways for kids to make childhood memories is by visiting a summer camp for the season. Between outdoor activities and meeting other children, it can make for invaluable lessons and a great adventure to experience for boys and girls. When helping your kid pack for camp, there are several ways to assist with the process while instilling confidence and independence in the child.

Etiquette for Hosting a House Guest

After pulling all of your furniture out of storage, you finally have a comfortable home to invite friends and family over to stay for more than just one night. If you've just moved to a new city, you want to share your exploration process with your loved ones. So get organized and set up the new guest room to receive visitors, and you must also incorporate house guest etiquette to make their visit a memorable one.

Fun Ways to Update Your Office

If you just moved into a new office, you want to make the space your own. Money may be limited, but you don't need a fortune to update your office. A few new accessories and a little bit of creativity are all you need to make your new office your own.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Disciplining Someone Else's Child

You've just emptied out your storage unit and are finally settling into your new home. The entire family is excited about exploring the region and meeting new friends. And luckily, it seems as though the neighbors have children of their own. However, issues may arise when kids come over for playdates. So if Timmy from next door gets rowdy, here are a few strategies to help you navigate the tricky situation of disciplining someone else’s child.

Pet Etiquette

Everything’s finally out of storage and your home is starting to come together. Even your dog and cat are getting along in the new digs. Once you settle in, however, it's time to start exploring the neighborhood. If you're taking the dog with you, keep some friendly reminders in mind to avoid any friction with new neighbors.

Tips to Help the Kids Make Friends Their First Day at School

First day of school jitters can be intensified in a new town, making the first day of school stressful for the entire family. Even as you're unloading the storage facility with all of your family’s belongings, parents still concentrate on their child fitting in. Do a little planning beforehand to help your child make a seamless transition into school.

Summer Attraction Life Hacks

With summer in full swing, you may have plans to visit different area attractions. From museums to amusement parks, attractions are built for large capacity crowds. However, all the people make it difficult to see and enjoy certain exhibits, such as a sprawling aquarium tank. Use a few smart strategies to see your favorite attractions while avoiding unnecessary stress and expense.

Ways to Maximize Kitchen Storage

You've just moved your favorite kitchen items out of storage and into your new apartment. What appeared to be a large space suddenly looks tiny with all your utensils, pots, and dishes. If you're wondering where to fit all these critical kitchen items, just use some creative thinking to keep everything handy while still looking organized.

Ways to Renovate Your Backyard on a Budget

Your backyard is an open canvas for plant life to flourish, whether you have a sprawling lawn or just a few shrubs. This area often doubles as a lounging space as well, providing a sunny expanse to entertain visitors or just enjoy the fresh air yourself. However, many backyard renovations remain expensive. Get creative and add some thrifty concepts to your yard to make the area pop with a unique look, without busting your budget.

How to Unplug on Your Weekend Getaway

Thanks to mobile technology, work follows you wherever you go. From your smartphone to tablet, unplugging on a weekend getaway may seem impossible. However, consciously turning off your devices and concentrating on family fun makes your entire life more manageable even when returning to work. Try some smart strategies to keep your hands off the electronics on your next jaunt out of town.

Date Ideas in Your New City

Let's face it, moving can be kind of a drag. So many parts of a move are stressful; the packing, the cleaning, and the paperwork. However, moving also has its perks. For instance, when you move, you have a whole new world of options when it comes to treating your honey to a night out. In your old town you had probably tried every restaurant, movie theatre, and tired out the best smooching spot. In a new town, everything is fresh and waiting to be discovered. Here are a few fun date ideas to help you make the most of your new city with your sweetheart by your side.

Ways to Entertain the Kids Without Electronics

Do your kids spend hours trying to beat their high score on your iPad or sitting in front of the TV waiting for their favorite program to come on? When you're looking for ways to entertain your kids without electronics, consider activities that involve the whole family. This way, whether you’re in the middle of a move or settling into your new home, you can breathe a little easier knowing your kids are taking part in quality entertainment.

Skincare Tips for Sun Protection

Back in the days of sock hops and Elvis, a tan was considered the quintessential proof of health, an active social life, and the ability to travel to wherever the sun was shining. However, today we know that exposure to the sun is not as beneficial as it once was presumed to be. In fact, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States.

Tips for Making a Good Impression on Prospective Renters

As a landlord, a soft rental market may have you scrambling to fill your properties. However, there are plenty of simple things you can do to attract renters and make your site the hottest property in town. In fact, a little ingenuity and attention to detail may be all you need to wow prospects and keep your rental properties filled with quality tenants.

When You Know it's Time to Upgrade Your Home

You're going about your life, happily going through the motions of each day when it hits you with a sudden, "A-ha!" Your home is too small, too outdated, or too lacklustre for all the great things you have planned for the future. That's when you know it's time for an upgrade.

Best Vegetables to Plant in the Summer

While many gardeners start their warm-season vegetable gardens after the last frost in spring, it's not too late for you to enjoy the delicious taste of summer right off the vine. Play catch up by purchasing starter plants available at your local home improvement store. Plant the veggies in nutrient-rich soil, water them liberally, and you'll be harvesting bounty from your garden in no time. Here are three fast-growing summer veggies sure to please your palate.

Beyond the Cake: Birthday Dessert Round-up

You've moved to a new town, and you want to make your child's birthday in your new home as special as possible. Amazing birthday desserts are in your future, here are a few ideas to help you move beyond boring yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Even though it is delicious, wink wink.

Kid-Friendly Meals for Prospective Playdates

The pressure is on: you forgot your child's friends were coming home with you for an after-school play date. And now they're all waiting expectantly at your car door, ready to be shuttled to your home for a snack and a little playtime. They look hungry! Have no fear, a well-stocked kitchen and a little ingenuity ensures you can pull this off and even please the pickiest of eaters.

From Office Hour to Happy Hour: Make Your Wardrobe Multipurpose

Rocking a versatile wardrobe that transitions easily from day to night involves more than a little black dress or two. Luckily, you don't have to spend a lot of money finding pieces that let you breeze out of work and into happy hour in the blink of an eye. With a whole world of colors, textures, and sparkles at your fingertips and a few key accessories-- you can take some of the pressure off your little black dress and have a day-to-night wardrobe that's the envy of fashionistas everywhere.

How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard

Whether poisonous or not, snakes play an important role in the natural world, but that doesn't mean that you want them slithering around your garden. Give them an inch, and they may wind their way into your house as well. Although some folks swear by simple deterrents like moth balls, sulfur powder, or lemon grass, the best way to keep snakes out of your yard is to make the space inhospitable to the slinking reptiles.

Camping for Beginners

You've accepted an invitation to go camping with a sense of bravado that your friends took for enthusiasm, but the truth is you've never spent a night in the great outdoors in your life. While you don't want to come off as a total greenhorn, you want to make sure that your first experience with camping is safe and comfortable too. Before you pack up your gear and hit the trail, check out these tried-and-true tips from seasoned campers.

Questions to Ask a Prospective Subletter

Opportunity's knocking and you need someone to take over your lease. Make the time to interview potential subletters and ask the questions that will help you find the perfect fit.

Tweaks to Make Your Home More Sleep-Friendly

We've all been there, tossing and turning for hours, checking the clock every 20 minutes, and getting more and more frustrated as the night goes on. Luckily, a few simple changes to your bedroom’s setting can create a sleep zone that will have you snoozing peacefully throughout the night.

How to Win Over the New Neighbors

Moving in to a new place means a whole new set of neighbors to befriend. If you don't want to be known as the jerk in apartment 4B, take some time to get to know your neighbors and win them over with our helpful tips.

Extra Ways to Make Cash When Your Rent Goes Up

If your rent goes up, your whole budget can be thrown out of whack. Thankfully, you have plenty of options other than moving to a new, smaller, and cheaper location. These are some of the most effective ways to earn a little extra cash to compensate for increased rent.

Questions to Ask When You're Looking to Sublet

In big cities, small neighborhoods, and everywhere in between, subletting can be a smart way to find a comfortable and affordable place to live. Of course, moving in with a new roommate isn't easy, and it's definitely not something you should take too lightly. These are the must-ask questions to pose to potential renters before you think about subletting a space, no matter how nice the person appears in their classified ad!

Kids Projects Grown Up

Step up your grown up get-togethers, girls nights, and themed parties with a little blast from the past by reviving some favorite childhood art projects. Your friends will get a kick out of adding an adult twist to the beloved crafts and your party will be remembered for a long time to come.

Ways to Save Money Without Getting a Roommate

You're roommate just announced he's moving out, your landlord handed you a big rent increase, or you've just found out you're going to spend a big chunk of money on getting your car repaired. You need cash fast, before your carefully guarded budget goes down the drain. Don't rush to online forums in search of a roommate just yet, there are plenty of ways to boost your budget and make extra money without bringing in a dodgy roommate.

How to Know You're Ready for a Bigger House

Before you become a feature on “Hoarders: Buried Alive,” there are usually a few tell-tale signs you need a larger home. Whether you're tripping over your stuff or your family, or you just want to put that recent raise to good use, a bigger home may be the solution you need.

How to Find the Right Subletter

Don't let your exciting new adventure out of town be shadowed by a bad subletter. Whether you've planned a summer abroad or snagged a temporary work assignment out of town, finding the perfect subletter for your place takes some planning and commitment.

Happy Activities to do with Kids After a Big Move

You've signed the house papers, coordinated the move, unpacked what seemed like a gazillion boxes, and re-arranged the family-room furniture a dozen times. The only thing left to do is the most important step: exploring your surroundings. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, a move can be unsettling. The best way to help everyone feel excited about your new home is to embrace all the attractions of your new town.

Happy Activities to do with the Kids before a Big Move

Adjusting to a new home can be unsettling for kids who are used to routine and a familiar environment. Whatever your kids' ages and the reasons for your move, keeping a positive attitude is the best way to help everyone through this big transition.

Great Going Away Gifts

No matter who’s moving, why not do your part in making their send-off a happy one with thoughtful, creative gift. Whether you're celebrating a teacher's moving to a warmer city after retirement, carting your teen off to college, or waving farewell to a cherished friend relocating for a new job, you can find inspiration for great going-away gifts in dozens of places.

What to Keep in Mind before Moving to a New Climate

You're moving to a city that could rival the Antarctic for chilly weather, and panic's about to set in. Don’t worry! With a little planning, moving to a new climate, whether it's an ice-capped mountain or a hot, humid city, can be an exciting new adventure.

How to Notify Others You’re Moving

It’s no easy feat to let your friends and family know you’re moving. Whether you live with roommates, young children, or surrounded by close friends, moving can be a major life milestone. This is why you need the support of those who are closest to you. Check out our tips below for letting your loved ones know you’re moving on to bigger and better things.

Tips for Hosting Your New In-Laws

No matter if you feel a bit of friction or fit right in with your new family, there always seems to be something exhausting about hosting your in-laws. Avoid the awkward small talk and uncomfortable situations by playing it cool during their next visit. Make their next stay at your new home a bit more pleasant with the help of our in-law survival tips below.

Outside Games the Whole Family Will Love

Don’t let your kids spend their entire summer vacation inside watching television and playing video games. Instead, play some fun outside games the whole family can enjoy. Not only will this get everybody in the summer spirit, but it’s a fun and easy approach to living an active lifestyle.

DIY Lighting Tricks to Make Your Backyard Beautiful this Summer

Good lighting can transform your backyard from drab to fab in no time. Between all your summer potlucks, pool parties, and kicking it after work in the cool air, you deserve a truly magical backyard. Here are some lighting tricks to give your backyard a magical glow.

Bathroom Décor Trends of 2014

Your home is your kingdom and your bathroom is your throne. And while it may not be The Iron Throne à la Game of Thrones, it still deserves a certain allure. These days, bathrooms are gaining traction in the world of innovative décor. It’s more than a sink, a shower, and a toilet; it’s your own personal stamp of style.

Outdoor Activities for Meeting the New Neighbors

After a long day of work, it can be too easy to simply walk through the door, eat dinner, and call it a day. However, staying inside is no way to get to know your neighbors. It’s absolutely crucial to establish good relationships with your new comrades, when you first move in. From avoiding future disputes to making new friends, your neighbors are worth more than a quick hello. With the weather warming up, here are some easy outdoor activities to join in and meet the neighborhood while you’re at it.

Cheap Ways to Feel Better about Your Space

When you walk into your home, town house, or apartment, how do you feel? Happy? Creative? Down? Personalizing your space can rev up your productivity and give a boost to your morale while you’re at. No matter if you’re looking to make your space more welcoming, inspiring, or soothing, a few simple changes can make all the difference. Best of all, you don't need a bundle of cash to make effective improvements.

Ways to Create the Perfect Home Office

Working from home can be a rewarding experience, especially when you have a designated space equipped for the job. While a good ergonomic desk and chair are essential, it takes more than well-designed furniture to create the perfect home office. Achieving an atmosphere conducive for work is just as important. Use these tips to design an office that will not only make working from home more pleasant, but more productive too.

Warm Season Work Wardrobe Strategies

Dressing for success is important in every season, but when outdoor temperatures soar, choosing appropriate clothing for work gets tricky. You want to look professional once you arrive at work without showing up in a sweaty mess. After all, it's no wonder sartorial blunders multiply during hot weather. From flip-flops to T-shirts, employees wear clothes during hot-weather months they'd never dream of wearing in winter. Use the following strategies to keep your attire looking polished and professional.

Getting Your Bike Ready for Summer

The sun is shining, the trails are calling your name, and you just got your bike out of storage. Before you do your stretches and ride into the sunset, do a thorough check up of your ride. Even if you kept your bike in a dry, room temperature space all winter, it’s always a good idea to make sure everything is perfect before you take off.

How to Make Your Staff Feel Welcomed in New Office

You’re the boss, the Queen or King bee, and this week, after months of planning and coordination; you’re moving the company office. It’s not enough to simply pick up as business as usual. You want your staff to feel welcome in the new office. The more connected your employees feel to the new space and the company, the better chance they’ll produce innovative and thorough work. Here are some tips for rolling out the welcome mat.

Alternative Uses for Mason Jars

The hipster movement has claimed mason jars as their holy grails for quite some time now—and for good reason. Mason jars balance the fine line of country comfort and an elegant touch of class. If you’re a little late to the jar fad, not to worry. Here are some excellent alternative uses for mason jars aside from their traditional use of storing canned fruits and jams.

How to Prepare Items for Storage

Spring time is finally here, and you won't be needing your heavy winter coat anymore. This means it's time to put it in storage until the end of the year. Your winter clothes aren't the only things you could be storing, though. Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity for you to de-clutter your home and give yourself some more space by storing little-used items. Once you decide what to store, it's easy to pack them up and move them to a storage space. Just follow these tips to make sure your items stay safe!

Ways to Make Your Small Home Feel Giant

Living in a small house definitely has its perks. On the one hand, it's cozy, less expensive to heat, and there are smaller spaces to clean. On the other hand, there are days where it can feel cluttered and overcrowded. With some creative organizing and decorating, however, you can make your home feel bigger than it is. Try some of these tricks if you find your small home is cramping your style.

Fun Ways to Organize Your Closet

We've all seen the classic sitcom situation where a kid is told he needs to clean his room before going outside to play, only to shove everything on the floor into the closet. Of course, when the closet door is opened, the massive pile of toys and games comes flying out. For some of us, this scenario is not too far off from the state of our own closets. Fortunately, there are some fun and creative ways to get those closets in order. Here are some ideas to get you thinking!

How to Throw a Great Backyard Neighborhood Party

Moving to a new city can be a daunting experience, if you don't know anyone near your new home, but there's an easy way to get the ball rolling and meet new people: Host a backyard party for your neighborhood. Gather all your new neighbors together at once and throw a little housewarming party to get to know them all.

Backyard Items to Bring out in Time for Summer

As temperatures rise, and the last of the snow finally melts away, it's time to start digging through storage to find all of last year's summer gear. All your favorite items have made it through the cold winter in your storage unit, and now they're just waiting for you to get them out and start using them again. With these handy summertime toys and items, your backyard will be the summer vacation hot spot!

Perks of Apartment Living

Apartments have the means to be magical à la Carrie Bradshaw or the cast of “Friends.” Oh sure, they can have a bad reputation for being cramped and noisy, but there is a beauty to compact. The real trick is learning how to feel like this small corner of the world is home. Here are some of the best benefits of apartment living:

Storage for Newbies

Storage isn’t a one-size fits all solution. No matter if you’re moving cities and need a temporary space to hold your items, downsizing houses, or you’re looking for some extra room in your apartment, storage gives you more freedom. Before you throw everything in your unit and call it a day, here are some things to remember if you’re new to the storage world.

You’ve Been Framed

Are you a crafting queen or king looking to spice up your home? Don’t settle for drab. Add some sass to your home by completing these do-it-yourself crafts with frames. Frames are a fun, funky way to add personality in your space. Chances are, you probably have some you’re not currently using locked down in storage. Additionally, this is a project where you can buy your materials as inexpensively as you please. There are tons of frames at your local resale store or you can choose to get something more high end at a local home goods store.

Fire Safety in Your New Home

Of course you don’t want to imagine your brand new home going up in flames, but sometimes you need to the face the possibility of a potential disaster to ensure your house is properly equipped to deal with it. From understanding the different kinds of fire extinguishers available to stocking your home with fire escape ladders, check out our list of fire safety items you should include in your home.

Three Ways to Get Rid of Your Kids Old Toys

Whether your son and daughter are graduating from elementary school, high school, or college, it’s never too soon, or too late, to sort through their old toys. Perhaps your daughter is working on her PhD while your son is learning how to drive, or maybe they’re just losing their last baby teeth, regardless this means you probably don’t need an entire room dedicated to their Barbie and G.I. Joe collections. Instead of throwing them away or keeping them piled high in your home, sort through them, and find them a new home. Here are three tips for cleaning out the toy closet.

Tips for Saving Money on Your New Home

Sure, you’ve already thought about budgeting, going out for dinner less, and holding off on buying that big plasma TV. However, you’re still feeling like you’re pinching pennies as you move into your new home. After all, a new home can cost you a lot of money; from the price of mortgage and interior design to new appliances and energy bills. You already know every little penny counts, so check out a few of our simple tips for saving a few extra coins here and there:

Three Ways to Give your Backyard a Makeover

Moving into a new place or feeling bored with your current home may be just the kick you need to give your backyard a makeover this spring. As the warm weather starts to stir up and the spring cleaning bug starts to bite, check out a few of our ideas to give your backyard the boost it needs for this season.

Gift Ideas for Your New Neighbors

Just think back to when you moved into your current home. Your kids were tearing through the house, your dog was whining to explore the neighborhood, and you didn’t have a chance to order dinner until 10:00 pm! As you sit by the window and watch as the new family moves in across the street, use this as an opportunity to win the best neighbor award. Check out a few of our simple tips for achieving the Wisteria Lane-inspired welcoming worthy of Bree Van de Kamp’s praise.

Tips for Downsizing Your Apartment

Perhaps you’ve recently moved to the big city and the only apartments in your price range are significantly smaller than your previous place. Or perhaps you’re going through a transition between jobs and need to rent a smaller space while you’re waiting to land the new job. Whatever the reason you’re downsizing, it’s important to remember the positives of living in a new place with less clutter. Here are some tips for downsizing your apartment, so you feel free and happy in your new space; instead of grumpy and cramped.

Rate Your Inner-Roomie

You’re embarking on the great roommate adventure. Whether they’re old friends or new Craigslist finds, you’re definitely going to be getting to know these people up close and personal. On the flip side, they’re going to be getting to know you. Whether you realize your own tics or not, chances are, you fall into one of these categories:

Things to Consider before Investing in Long-Term Storage

If your plan is to throw your things into some plastic bags and toss it in storage for years, you may be wasting wads of cash. Long-term storage is an excellent solution for many reasons and circumstances, but make sure it’s the right choice for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself before locking up your things.

Do It Yourself Projects for Your New Home

You’ve finally moved into your new home and can’t wait to start doing some decorating. Whether you’re a regular Martha Stewart or a new craft queen, here are a few easy DIY projects to get your house looking funky fresh:

Finding Comfort in the Warmer Months

The chill of the winter months may be on their way out, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t maintain a cozy abode. Whether you’re spending a lazy Sunday afternoon indoors or your best friend from out of town is coming to visit your new place, you want your place to scream comfortable and lived in, not vacant and cold. Creating a warm and inviting space doesn’t necessarily mean serving hot chocolate and lighting up the fireplace. Here are a few of our tips to inspire coziness even as spring creeps in:

Spring Potluck Dishes for the Neighborhood Party

Now that the snow has thawed and your neighbors are finally peeking their heads out of their cozy homes, it’s the perfect time for a spring potluck! Food brings everyone together. And if you haven’t had a chance to talk to the neighbors since the holidays, now’s a great opportunity to reconnect in time for warm weather block parties and kid’s pool parties. These are some of the best potluck dishes to bring to the first spring get-together.

So You’re Moving in with Your Significant Other

You’ve been with your partner for a while now, and living in two separate places just isn’t working anymore. You haven’t bought coffee or food for your house in months because you’re never there, and your roommates have forgotten you live with them, aside from the phantom rent checks that show up at the beginning of each month. So you’ve bit the bullet and decided to move in together. You’re renting a storage unit for your eclectic furniture collection and now you’re riding a natural high. But you may want to take a few moments to think about cohabitating before you start loading up the moving truck.

Trigger Your Alarms this Spring

There’s something about spring that gives us a little pep in our step. Maybe it’s the melting snow or the blooming flowers, but whatever it is, it makes you want to start fresh. As winter wilts away and spring pops up, this is a great time to to start opening the windows and begin cleaning your home from top to bottom. During your spring cleaning session this year, place some safety inspections on your to-do list to ensure your home is fully prepared for the oncoming season.

For the Vagabond Traveler: What to Store

Your backpack sits impatiently in the corner, with your well-stamped passport tucked inside. As a world traveler, you’re used to throwing some clothes, your toothbrush, and a few maps in a bag and heading off on your next adventure. The world of manicured home décor just isn’t for you. However, this doesn’t mean you have to sleep on an air mattress and eat off paper plates just because you’re in between trips.

Tips for Living with Roommates

You’re not raking in the money at work quite yet since you’ve just moved and you haven’t managed to win the lottery. Dreams of living alone aren’t exactly tangible right now, so you’ll live with roommates. It will be the best of times, it will be the worst of times. Roommates can be your best friends or your worst enemies, so choose wisely and adhere to these simple rules:

How to Host a Kid Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party

Moving is a stressful time for kids, which makes hosting a fun party is a great way for them to feel more connected with their neighborhood and new classmates. Consider throwing your children a kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day party they can participate in over the holiday weekend.

Alternative Ideas for Your Empty Garage

This is the year you’ve finally ditched your four wheels for two wheels. You’ve said goodbye to carbon emissions and said hello to tighter glutes. Since you’ve chosen your bicycle over your gas guzzler, you now have a whole other room in your home to take advantage of. Here are our top suggestions for renovating your carless cave:

Save Space, Share Rooms

Downsizing to a smaller home is never easy; yet sometimes it’s necessary. One solution is to incorporate room sharing into your household. If you have young children, this can be a great opportunity to encourage sharing. Sibling bonding is important and can create memories, which will last a lifetime. However, combining two people’s things in one room can be difficult. If you’re working with a small space, be creative, and don’t get boxed in to what you think you “need”. Kids are innovative and, with the right mind set, will have fun wherever they are, no matter what. Here are a few of our tips on sharing space and saving everyone’s sanity:

What to Expect Upon Visiting Your Kid’s College Dorm Room

The last time you visited your kid’s dorm room, you were hiking up flights of stairs with clothes and printers in hand alongside hundreds of other parents and students. You’d spent the previous summer helping your son pack all his belongings, yet you managed to unpack his entire life in just a few hours. It was a bittersweet goodbye as you left him to live on his own for the first time. Now months later, you’re entering his shared cave, and we have a few tips on what you may expect. Skip the heart attack and prepare yourself for a few of these situations:

When to Store and When to Give Away

As you walk through your home with a critical eye in tow, truly ask yourself what’s worth storing and what can be given away. Sentimental items, like childhood art projects, work awards, and books are great items to store. Other things, like your years-old towels and clothes you don’t wear anymore, are only taking up space. Here are a few ideas of places to donate to, when you want to save your wares from the trash.

Top Home Improvement Projects to Start in Spring

The ice is starting to thaw, the days are getting longer, and your trees and flowers are beginning to wake up once more. Spring is coming to town. We know there are quite a few spring projects you’d like to tackle inside the house, but don’t ignore your backyard. Before the heat of summer and the onslaught of late spring rains, take the time to work on these outdoor projects.

Three Mean Green Ways to Help Save the Environment

When moving into your new home, you already have so much on your mind that saving the environment might feel like a bit of a stretch. But what if we told you a few simple changes could make a big difference? Don’t feel like you need to go all out and place bamboo floors and compost heaps in your house all at once. Instead, ease into green living with these three simple changes:

Preparing for Puppyhood

Sometimes all you need is a wet nose and wagging tail to make your new home officially feel like home. If you are financially and emotionally prepared to take in a little four-legged pup, follow these tips to help prepare your new home for a new family member.

How to Keep Your Storage Costs Low

When you’re searching on Affordable Moves for a storage facility in your neighborhood, keep these tips in mind for cheaper monthly rents.

Sports, Field Trips, and Play Dates: How to Help Your Kids Meet Their New BBFs

Moving your kids in the middle of the school year is no fun for the entire family. Your kids are obviously on edge from uprooting their lives and saying goodbye to their friends and familiarities, and no doubt you’re receiving the cold shoulder. Sure, they’re going to stew for a bit, but don’t worry, they won’t be scarred forever. If you’re especially concerned about your elementary-ages kids making friends, try a few of these tips to help them make their new BFF.

Tips for Your Cross-Country Move

Over the hills, and through the woods, off to your new town, you go! Moving cross-country is a big task, and when you’re on mile 352, you don’t want to suddenly remember how you forgot to pack up the old stuff in the attic. Before you get your moving truck engine started, here are some tips for your cross-country journey.

Things to Know Before Moving by the Sea

If you’re staring out of your window to snow, snow, and more snow, while daydreaming of living by the beach, why stop at daydreaming? Moving to the sea isn’t quite as tricky as you think. As long as you have a job in place and you don’t have a problem with higher prices, living by the ocean can be your exciting life story. Now, there are a few things to remember before you become an (employed) beach bum:

The Tricky Part: Unpacking

When all of your things are chaotically strewn around the house, it’s hard to remember how excited you were to move. Unpacking is the hardest part of moving, and not because it’s particularly difficult. Unpacking box after box is a mental game. After all the organizing, packing, loading, and physically moving, you really just want to be done with it all. To help you get your unpacking done instead of just letting your boxes sit there for the next few months (or years), here are some helpful tips.

What Should I Store in Time for Spring?

As the snow slowly begins to thaw, you know it’s getting close to time to pack up those winter wares. Winter is full of heavy layers and extra clothes. And while it’s perfectly expected that your home will get a little cluttered during the hibernation months, just know you can always use storage when the first spring breeze wafts through the windows.

Affordable Moves Blog Content

It’s raining, it’s pouring, it’s snowing, it’s storming, and you’ll be staying inside this weekend. Now, it would be easy to see dark clouds as the signs of a doomed weekend, but really, this is a great chance to do some deep cleaning you’ve been meaning to do all year. As the rain, sleet, and snow hit the window panes, throw on some rubber gloves, and get your home clean, mean, and ready for spring.

Please, Please Get Rid of That

Yes, it’s important to try to rescue items rather than toss every little thing once it gets its first scratch or it isn’t bright and shiny anymore. However, there are some items, some quite gross and broken items, in your house it’s really time to let go of. Stop procrastinating, and get out a big garbage bag. Whether you toss it in recycling, a donation center, or out to the dump, it’s time to have a fresher home.

How to Move from Big to Small

Maybe you’re struggling with empty nesters syndrome or you’re eying the tiny apartment for rent with the incredible view, but either way, a downsizing battle is probably on your horizon. You’re sure to face the centuries old question, how on earth do I get all of my stuff to fit in this tiny space? Well, we’re here to answer that and whether you like it or not, the answer, is generally: you’re not. Before you start to stress, follow our simple tips for slowly, but surely downsizing your belongings to fit in your home.

Getting Rid of Ants in Your New Home the Natural Way

When you move into a new home, the last thing you want to deal with are unwelcome critters, such as ants. Your new home is already filled with your pets and children, and you don’t have any extra room for pesty little bugs. What’s more, you probably don’t want to start spraying and sprinkling toxic chemicals in corners and crevices of your home, especially if you have babies, puppies, or kittens crawling around. The good news is there are some natural, nontoxic alternatives, which may help rid your new home of ants

Simple Ways to Organize for the New Year

Now, now, January isn’t over, so it’s not time to give up on those New Year’s organization resolutions just yet. While we certainly advocate tackling the big stuff, like getting a deep clean of the carpets and walls, sometimes it’s easier to get a few of the pesky things out of the way first. Once you organize the small stuff in their new tidy and proper place, you’ll feel more accomplished to take on the rest of the house.

How to Get Some Shut Eye before and during Moving Day

You know the feeling all too well. Tossing and turning, making lists, going over lists, and fretting over forgetting something all night long until the sun shines through your window, and you realize you haven’t slept a wink. Moving is stressful as you worry about what to pack and how to unpack it down the road in your new house. Whether you’re still packing up your current home or you’re working on unloading your belongings in your new place, you need a good night’s sleep to give you energy, strength, and clarity. While sleeping pills may knock you out, sometimes those synthetic drugs may leave you feeling worse for wear in the morning. So instead of popping pills, try these natural sleep aids to help you get some shut eye during your big move.

A Few Tunes, a Spot of Tea, and Bubble Gum to Battle Moving Day Stress

Between scheduling the moving truck, packing up all your belongings, and saying goodbye to your childhood neighborhood, you’re bound to feel your stress level increase. With so much to remember, take care of, and arrange, you’re probably a walking stress bomb. Before driving yourself crazy during your move, take some of our stress relievers to heart.

A Snow Storm is a ‘Coming (But You Still Have to Move)

The weather outside is still frightful and the snow is coming down hard. Unfortunately, your lease is up and moving day is here. Though winter moving is a pain; there’s no way around it. If you’re not battling the cold, you’re wrestling with the wind and snow and friends out of town for the holidays. You need a game plan, and quick. Follow these tips for a safe and productive move during the winter freeze.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit

You know you have too many things and not enough room, but before picking a storage unit at random, ask yourself a few important questions before signing the rent agreement.

Things to Consider before Moving in Together

Moving in with your significant other is not something to jump into blindly. Sure you’re in love, and you seemingly can’t live without each other, but sharing bills and waking up to morning breath are just a few of the aspects you should consider before signing on the dotted line. We’ve outlined a few important discussions

How You Know it’s Time to Live on Your Own

You’re trying to get some sleep before work when your bartender roommate comes home and starts cooking dinner at 3am. Yes, it might be time to finally start living on your own. While ideas of grandeur and Park Ave lofts might be out of range for your current salary, you might be ready for a move more than you think.

What You Need to Know about Renter’s Insurance

It’s not called “the unexpected” because it’s a welcomed surprise. You never think you’re going to come home to a flood or a break-in, and you certainly never anticipate someone getting hurt on your property during a party or a get-together. Luckily, you have the option of renter’s insurance for peace of mind for these unforeseen catastrophes. Here’s what you need to know about insurance before you invest in a policy:

Wedding Bells and Storage Units

If the sound of wedding bells is in the air, it might be time for you to stock up on a storage unit. Surprisingly, acquiring a storage unit, or two, during your wedding planning stages can significantly help calm the chaos. Whether you’re planning the big day to take place at your home or you need a separate area to organize and sort all of your wedding arrangements, a storage unit just might become your best man. Here’s how a storage unit may ameliorate some of your wedding woes:

Ways to Pack Green

Some think going the environmentally friendly route is difficult or time consuming, but when it comes to doing a green move, it’s easy! Sometimes it just takes a little extra consideration and forethought to ensure a Mother Nature approval of your moving practices. To kick start your eco-friendly move, follow these three simple tips:

Preventing the “WHY IS THIS TANGLED?!” for Next Christmas

Christmas is coming to a close, which means it’s time roll up your sleeves and start packing up all the twinkling decorations. However, don’t forget your frustration and petty arguments you got into a few weeks ago when the Christmas lights would not untangle. Pack the right way now, and avoid the holiday battle next year.

Survival Guide for Moving Back Home

As much as you and your parents love one another, moving back into their place can trigger some tension. Gone are the days when you could stumble home at 4:00 am to your empty apartment and eat ice cream for every meal for weeks straight. Your parents are giving up their pristine, tidy, and quiet home due to your arrival. Though it’ll take some effort, it is possible to cohabitate the same space with your parents just like the old days. Just follow our tips to help you all stay sane:

How to Deal with Paranormal Activity in Your New Home

Moving into a new home in a new town is stressful enough without the worry of unexplained sounds and seemingly creepy occurrences. You’re more than likely on edge from the stress of the move and the anxiety of job hunting and meeting new people, and any creaky sounds or chilly drafts on top of it all can send you over the edge. If you’ve moved into a new place and you have inkling it may be haunted, consider some of these tips before leaving town.

Making it Work: Ways to Cut Corners during a Temporary Move

Whether you’re waiting for your house to close or you’re in between leases, temporary housing is a good way to pass the time while not overstaying your welcome on your friend’s couch. It might seem daunting of where to go or how to survive the next few weeks without bleeding cash at a hotel, but you do have options. These are some easy ways to cut before moving into your new home for good.

How Not to Drive Your Roomies Crazy

Maybe it’s your first time living with another person besides your family or perhaps you’re moving in with roomie number 32, but regardless of your level of co-living experience, it’s never too late to brush up on your roomie 101. It’s not required for you to be the best of friends with your roommates, but maintaining cordial friendly relationships can make all the difference.

How to Prepare Your Backyard Furniture for Jack Frost

Your backyard’s greatest enemy, Jack Frost, is on his way to your town. Jack Frost kills plants, fades colors, and rots untreated cushions. So prepare! If you haven’t prepped your backyard furniture yet, make sure to do so before the next big snow storm heading your way.

Simple Ways to Prepare for Santa’s Arrival during the Big Move

Christmas is a hectic season in general. Between dreaming up the best gift ideas, flocking to the mall, and decorating the house, there’s hardly any room for downtime. And when you’re moving during Christmastime, you most likely have a million other things on your mind, like changing your mailing address and packing up your belongings on top of your Christmas duties. Though you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed, remember...

How to Move During a Snowstorm

The first snow fall in your new home can be a beautiful and peaceful image - as long as you’re unpacked, curled up on your couch with the heat blaring, watching the snowflakes fall on the other side of your window. However, a snow storm in the middle of your move can be an unwelcome nuisance. Of course, you can’t control Mother Nature, so if she decides to dump snow on your moving day, follow these few tips for a smooth and safe transition:

Extra Uses for a Storage Unit during the Holidays

Well, let’s be honest: the holidays can get a little crazy. Between buying and hiding presents and jetting off to Grandma’s house, you can use a helping hand. Consider a storage unit to make your holidays a little easier. If you already have a unit, this is a great time to get some extra use out of it. And if you don’t use storage, these next few months are the perfect time to rent some extra space.

Mistletoe: The Holiday Plant of Doom? Unexpected Holiday Hazards for Your Pets

While you’re busy indulging on frothy hot chocolate and pumpkin pie, your cat or dog may be up to trouble in the other room. Your living room all warm and bright might just be a booby trap for your overly curious pet. To keep them safe and sound this holiday season, be wary of a few unexpected holiday hazards.

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Night in Your New Home

Now that you’re all unpacked and have sorted through what needs to be in storage and what needs to be out for decoration, you want to invite some friends over to celebrate. You’re considering hosting your first wine and cheese nigh, but what do you buy? How many cheeses, which cheeses, and what’s the difference between red and white wine?

Cricket Chirps to Car Horns: How to Transition to City Living

If you’re packing your bags and moving to the city from the countryside, you’re likely in for a bit of a culture shock. Realize you’re trading the chirping sounds of crickets for honking car horns and starry skies for city lights. While a move to a concrete jungle is definitely exciting and thrilling, there are aspects of city life, which you may have to adjust to. Follow our few tips

From Pumpkins to Nutcrackers: How to Make a Smooth Holiday Transition

The holiday seasons can feel like a blur. It feels like you just put out your cornucopia display only for it to need replacing by your Christmas wreath. Don’t let the stress of transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas overwhelm you this year. Instead, make a few changes this holiday season and think ahead so you can enjoy more of the cheer and spend less time worrying about switching your pumpkin decorations to your Nutcracker display.

Moving Mistakes That Can Cost You Money

Moving can be a pricey endeavor, but there are some simple mistakes to avoid in order to keep costs low. You don’t want to go over budget because you accidentally broke something or didn’t want to search for it in your gang of boxes. Follow these tips for a cheaper move.

Unexpected Expiration Dates of Your Favorite Household Items

We all do it: hold on to things way past their expiration dates. And while you probably know your salad dressing and milk can probably last a few extra days; there are a few unexpected food and beauty items you should toss sooner than you may think.

Last Minutes Tasks before the Doorbell Rings with Thanksgiving Guests

You’re down to the wire, just a few more days until the doorbell rings and your Thanksgiving guests start to trickle in. It’s not only your first time hosting Thanksgiving, but it’s also the first Thanksgiving at your house. Needless to say, this Thanksgiving will be a trial run and may go down in the history books for better or for worse. While things never go exactly according to plan, add these few tips to your to do list to help your first feast run a little smoother.

Be Nice to Your Sister

My sister and I spent our childhood days fighting for computer time, hogging our shared bathroom, and shifting blame on to the other when we skipped our chores. I was always too busy pulling my sister’s hair and secretly stealing her clothing to ever listen to my dad when he’d say, “Be nice to your sister, she’ll be your best friend one day.”

Preparing for Picky Eaters and Broken China on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings both cheer and dread. If you’re hosting your first turkey dinner at your new home, be prepared for feeling excited to see your friends and family while simultaneously wanting to rip your hair out. While your trendy cousin’s new vegan diet is great and all, it sure puts a wrench in your planned recipes, but it’s nothing compared to the challenge of dealing with your triplet toddler nieces. Regardless of who you are, there’s no doubt your Thanksgiving crowd is weird and wonderful, so follow these few tips to help your Turkey Day run smoothly:

The Winter Purge: What to Toss, What to Store, and What to Donate

Don’t wait until spring cleaning to clean out your house. It’s easy to want to burrow snuggly into your home and not do a thorough cleaning spell until spring, but some things are way too bulky or underused to take up space in your house. It’s time for you to give a critical eye to your things and figure out what needs to be tossed, stored, or donated.

Deciding if a Pet is for You

You’ve taken everything out of storage, settled into a new home in a new city, and made new friends. So is it time for a new pet? There’s certainly something about pets, which makes any family and home feel complete. Maybe it’s their eagerness to welcome you home each evening or their willingness to put up with your snuggles and cuddles after a bad day at work, but whatever it is, sometimes they’re the perfect addition to your household. But before you rush out to save an animal, first consider these aspects of pet ownership:

Weathering Snowy Weather

The first snowflakes are starting to fall and you’ve only just finished unpacking and taking trips to and from your storage unit. As delicate and lovely as the first snow fall may look, it can present a real challenge for unprepared snow trekkers. If you’re not weathered in the snow department and you’ve just moved to a snow-covered city, follow these simple tips to fare your first wintery winter.

Don’t Pack These Items in Your Storage Unit

In the chaos of a move, it’s easy to throw a hodge podge of items into your storage unit just to get them out of the way. After all, how good does it feel to find a temporary home for those gigantic cardboard boxes? Keep in mind though; a haphazard attempt at storing your goods could lead to bigger problems down to the road, like filthy rat infestations and ruined electronics, or worse, a massive combustion!

Rats, Moths, and Other “Monsters” to Keep Out of Your Storage Unit

Creepy crawlers don’t belong anywhere close to your stored items. Fall is in full swing and this cooler weather is the prime time for critters to look for shelter. And trust us, they’d love to nestle into your stored away blankets, if you let them. So keep them out! Use the following tricks to protect your precious items locked away in storage.

Truly Yours: Cheap Ways to Make Your New House Feel Like Home

It takes time and effort to make a new house look and feel like your home. However, creating the sought-after homey feeling doesn't have to be a budget-breaking experience. This can be one of those situations where you can spend a little to get a lot in return.

How to Prevent Dents, Scuffs, and Cracks

Imagine a huge gaping hole in the wall of the dining room of your brand new home, or perhaps worse, a massive dent in the hard wood floors of the house you just sold. It’s so easy to scuff up the tile floors or ding the walls when you carelessly pack up your belongings during a big move.

A Backpack and a One-Way Ticket - How to relocate without losing your sense of adventure

I’d barely touched ground in the states after backpacking for three months in South America when I decided to book a one-way flight to California. I felt well-versed in the nomadic lifestyle, living out of a backpack and getting by without a solid plan, so I figured an off-the-cuff move to San Diego wouldn’t faze me much.

Check, Check, Check: What to Look for in a New Place to Live

You walk inside the house on the market wearing one of your best outfits and money burning a hole in your pocket. You’re eager to move into a new place to live, but have you asked all the proper questions before signing a lease?

Fashion Style Guide for Your Move

When you’re running around packing up your home, office, or apartment, fashion probably is the furthest thought from your mind. And rightfully so, who cares what you look like when you’re lifting boxes and crawling into moving vans?

Little Space, Big Life

Sometimes when you decide to move to the hottest spots in the U.S., you forfeit space for the glamour of the city. Living in New York City is one of the best examples of painting the town red by day, while cramming into a tiny studio apartment by night.

Moving into the Eye of the Tornado

“The wind began to switch, the house to pitch, and suddenly the hinges started to unpitch.” While one fluke Kansas tornado may have landed Dorothy and Toto in a magical land of OZ, unfortunately not all tornadoes are as friendly.

How to Properly Store Your Items So You’re Not Trapped Between a Mattress and a Hard Place

Admittedly, I was never was good at Tetris. And in finding myself firmly stuck behind a mattress and 11 boxes of books behind me, next to me, and well, falling on me, I guess my short-comings in long-term storage were finally coming to a head.

How to Prepare Your Warm Weather Car for a Winter of Hibernation

When the first autumn leaf hits you in the face as you drive your convertible down the highway, it’s probably time to start thinking about winter storage for your convertible or warm weather car. However, before you stick your car into an empty storage unit, here are a few things you need to know:

The Anatomy of a Suitcase

There’s a big world out there and a handy storage unit is one great ally for your travels. Rather than pay for months of rent when you’re traveling out of the country, look into getting a storage unit.

How to Best Store Clothes, Pictures, Art, and Other Finicky Items

Not all storage items sit in the storage unit patiently. Some can cause quite a bit of a raucous in terms of mildew, yellowing, and destruction. When it comes to these objects, packers need to take a few extra precautions before stuffing these items into storage for the next few months or years.

How to In-Law-Proof Your House

It doesn’t matter if you have a great relationship with your in-laws or a distant one, when it comes to visits, you want to make sure your home is fully prepared for a visit from the extended family.

Recreational Storage: How to Store Big Toys like Boats and RVs

Affordable Moves can help you find the best place to store your big toys. If you are a proud owner of an RV or boat, you want to make sure you find a secure place to keep your vehicles. You have many options regarding outdoor storage or indoor storage depending on your needs.

Be Careful! How to Store Glass

Some occupations require frequent moves, and while families adapt to this lifestyle, their possessions often do not. One home may be spacious, and the next may be scarcely larger than a small apartment. When this happens, storing rarely used items, such as china and crystal, is an excellent alternative to stumbling over walls of boxes.

Do I Need Climate Controlled Storage?

Many people consider getting climate controlled storage. There are many benefits to getting it, and some of your items actually require it, if you want them to stay in good condition. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best climate controlled storage facility for your needs.

Should I Purchase Insurance When I Use Self-Storage?

Home insurance and renter’s insurance does not necessarily cover storage units, so you need to do some digging and determine if you need extra coverage. The time you invest in comparing rates and levels of coverage is absolutely essential since storage facilities are almost never liable for the contents of your unit.

Yuck! Protect Your Mattresses from the Unthinkable

A mattress is an investment. Mattress sellers typically remind customers they spend up to one third of their lives asleep in order to justify the price. Like fine art and other high-priced items, mattresses are not designed for long-term storage, so they need a little extra attention before you store them.

A Little Advice for New Packrats: Tips from Storage Pros

If you are a packrat who wants to keep your home free of clutter, renting a storage unit can be your perfect solution. Affordable Moves can help you find a safe storage facility to move your belongings temporarily or permanently - depending on your needs. You want to make sure your items are packed well and you pick a facility that offers everything you require.

How Self-Storage Can Help Transition Aging Parents

Whether you are moving your aging parents into your home, a small apartment, or an assisted living complex, you will likely be faced with the dilemma of what to do with all of the things they have accumulated throughout the years. Downsizing, relocating, and giving up a huge portion of their independence can be a traumatic experience for your elderly parents as much as it is a change for you.

Self-Storage Security: What to Expect

One of the most important factors in choosing a self-storage unit is security. Different facilities will offer different security measures so make sure the one you are interested in offers what you need. Affordable Moves can help you find the perfect storage facility for your specific needs in your area.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Boxes

When your belongings arrive at your new home, you want them to arrive undamaged and in one piece – that is if you haven’t disassembled it to make your move easier on yourself. The way dishes, mirrors, clothing, furniture, and all other items are packed directly affects the likelihood of them arriving in good condition.

Boxes Are Different Sizes for a Reason

There is a reason why boxes come in different sizes. It is important to use the right sized boxes to move and store your items safely. You don’t want to try to squeeze a large item into a small box or put too many small items in a larger box, if you want your items to stay in good shape. Use the proper sized box for your specific needs.

How to Stay Relaxed with Your Whole World Is Upside Down

You have just inherited a house full of belongings from your parents. You have a mountain of furniture, keepsakes, and boxes that is beyond belief. Right now, it's in your garage, your basement, and is threatening to take over your entire home. This could be a time to have a nervous breakdown. There is, however, another option.

How to Tell a Good Realtor from a Great Realtor

It is easy to feel burned when you are selling a home. Each month that tics by without a buyer carries doubts and discouragement, and you wonder, if you contracted with the right realtor.

How to Find a Great Apartment

Apartment hunting has gone far beyond the simple search in the classified section of the newspaper. There are numerous tips you can follow to locate the great apartment you dream of moving into.

How to Choose the Right Storage Facility

All storage facilities are not created equal. You want to do your homework and find the best option for your specific storage needs. You can count on Affordable Moves to help you discover the best storage facility in your area. Look at ratings and reviews left by real customers to learn a little bit about your potential storage facility before you decide, if it is right for you.

How Self-Storage Can Help You Move

There are many ways that self-storage can help you move. The important thing is to find a good self-storage unit where you feel good about leaving your personal items. Affordable Moves can help you to find the best storage facility in your area. It is important to find a facility that is located near your new residence so you can travel back and forth to it with ease.

The Personality Test: What’s In Your Unit?

If someone walked into your storage unit, what would they think about you? Your storage unit tells an entire story about you and your personality. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility to hold any type of items for as long as you need to have them stored.

Organizing Your Kitchen Is Like Working a Puzzle

Think back to the problem solving method you used as a child when you were putting a puzzle together. Most likely, you tried to find the pieces with straight edges that provided a framework for the puzzle. Once you created the framework, filling in the middle was easier. When you begin organizing your kitchen, you can follow a similar guideline.

Tetris: Packing a Storage Unit Is More Familiar Than You Think

Packing a storage unit can be much easier than you think. You want to figure out the best way to pack your specific items. You can use Affordable Moves to find a good storage unit near your current or future location.

Are You Storing for the Right Reason?

Self-storage locations and storage containers that can be delivered right to your home can solve a multitude of space-limiting issues. Listed below are some of the most common reasons for renting storage space.

Your Kayak's Winter Home: Why Boat Storage Is Important

You enjoy using your Kayak in the warm weather, but when it starts to turn cold outside, you should find a good place to store it. You want your kayak to work well for you when the temperatures start to rise again and choosing a storage unit to keep it in can offer you assurance that your boat will continue to be reliable and safe to put in the water.

Where Is the Santa Suit? Seasonal Storage Solutions

Do you feel like you're going on a scavenger hunt when it is time to change your seasonal decorations? Do you sit there, scratching your head, wondering where you put everything or where you will put everything? It's time to get organized and make your life easier.

Between Gigs: Where to Store the Band's Gear

If your band plays a lot of different gigs, you will want to have a safe place to store your equipment during your down time. Affordable Moves can help you find a self-storage unit that will be just right for your instrument storage needs. You want to store your band's gear in a convenient location you can get to at any moment. Large musical equipment like a drum set, guitars, amplifiers, and more can really clutter up your home.

Rock on! Using Storage Units for Band Practice

Storage units are a great place to rock out as loud as you want. You can use Affordable Moves to find the right storage unit for your band's needs. You can choose a place to not only store your musical instruments and equipment in between gigs, but a place where you can conveniently play as often as you would like as well.

How to Find Treasures in Storage Auctions

Storage auctions happen regularly when units have been abandoned and the bills aren't being paid. Facility owners need to make up for their losses. Allowing bidding for their units is a way to give everyone the potential to make some money - all the way around. There's no telling what will be inside.

What Is Climate Controlled Storage

Climate controlled storage is a great choice for items that need to be kept at a certain temperature all of the time. A climate controlled storage building will be enclosed and keep your items from getting too hot or too cold thanks to a heating and air-conditioning unit.

How to Safely Store Your Vehicle

If you want to safely store your vehicle, you need to make sure you prepare it to be stored and that you find a trustworthy facility. Affordable Moves can help you find a storage facility for your vehicle.

Small Business and Self-Storage: A Perfect Pair

Many small businesses find great uses for self-storage units. Affordable Moves can help small business owners locate the best company to choose near your home or business. There are many choices out there

How Did All that Stuff Fit in Your Dorm Room?

Sweet freedom! It's time for summer break and you are on the way home. There's only one problem. You need to find a place for the mountain of stuff in your dorm room.

How Sales Reps Can Use Self Storage to Minimize Costs

Self storage units are a great choice for sales reps looking to minimize their costs and keep their items organized. Affordable Moves can help you to find a storage unit in your area.

How to Safely Store Furniture Indefinitely

There are going to be times when you need to put furniture into storage. You may have inherited a household full of treasures. Your children may head off to another state and ask you to hold onto things.

How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

You want to be known as the frugal mover. You've already decided you are going to do this job yourself. However, you want to do a good job and save yourself headaches further down the line.

What Not to Store

The possibilities for a little extra space in our lives are limited only by our imagination. However, there are some items that should never be in your storage unit.

How to Store Sensitive Items

Some household items are a little more high-maintenance than others. Unlike high-maintenance people, however, they do not strut about, constantly sharing their opinions.

How to Pack a Storage Unit for Easy Access

Unless you are in a situation where a company or the military is causing you to have a temporary move, you will probably need to get to the items in your storage unit from time to time.

Make the Most of Your Home's Own Storage Potential before You Rent More

Even though we are not on the television show, Hoarders, we still wish our homes looked a little more like Architectural Digest and little less like Everybody Loves Raymond.

Downsizing: Keep it, Store it, or Donate it

As you prepare for the process of downsizing, it's important that you keep in mind one of the wonderful benefits of downsizing is the opportunity it presents for simplified living.

Thanks for the Memories, but Where Should I Put Them?

If time has brought you to the point in life where you have received "the call", you may find yourself in need of some immediate storage space so that you don't hurt anyone's feelings.

How to Winterize and Store a Boat

It's your first time being the proud owner of a boat. You've had a wonderful season out on the water, fishing, cruising, and finding the best places to swim. The time has come to take the boat out of the water for the winter.

How to Know When You Have Outgrown the Garage

Do you remember when you had a place to park your car where frosty, snowy, icy mornings posed no problem for you? Maybe you didn't even have to venture out in the rain to get in your car.

How Small Businesses Use Storage

When you think of storage units, you think about people who are on the move or those who are dealing with an overflow from their house. Utilizing storage units for your small business never came to mind.

How Self-Storage Helps in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Self-storage can help with disaster preparedness and recovery in many ways. To begin with, you can feel confident in renting a storage unit to store items in case any type of emergency occurs.

Help for that Mid-Life Crisis: Store Your Harley and More

Are you going through a mid-life crisis? Do you have more toys than you know what to do with? If so, you probably need to find a place to put them before your wife has a fit. Take heart.

How Temporary Storage Can Simplify Your Life

Have you ever wondered why there are so many storage unit sites located in various areas of a town? One reason is that a lot of people have learned something that is worth passing along.

Preventing Theft

Self storage facilities are extremely useful when you have an overflow of belongings, that child who is heading off to college, or you've acquired items belonging to another family member.

Moisture-Free Storage Solutions for Humid Climates

If you are moving someplace with a warm, humid climate, you are probably thanking your lucky stars. No more snow, no more cold, no more blustery weather. While living someplace that feels like the tropics has many advantages, you need to remember one thing.

When to Choose Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate-controlled storage is necessary for a variety of different items. Intense changes in temperature can cause major problems to some objects over time. Instead of spending money to store items in a place where they may get damaged, spend the extra money to have peace of mind

Time For Spring Cleaning

The arrival of spring should be an exciting, anticipatory time of year. Don't let a spring cleaning project put a damper on your excitement. You can lessen the stress of spring cleaning by renting a storage unit for your excess belongings

Hey, Mom and Dad, College Was Great. Why Is the Treadmill in My Room?

Although it is nice to believe that parents want to keep their children's bedrooms like a shrine when they go off to college, this is not always the case. Many parents cannot wait to take over their children's room and turn it into an exercise room or something else that they have been dreaming of for years.

Stay Organized and Know the Contents of Your Storage Unit

Have you ever gone to the store, bought something, and shortly after making the purchase found out that you already had that identical item at home? Disorganization prevented you from being able to put your hands on the item when you needed it?

Storage Wars: Which Storage Facility Is Right for You?

There are many options when it comes to looking for a good storage facility. You do not have anything to worry about because the storage wars can be easily fought and won from the comfort of your home.

Parent's Say, "Come Get Your Stuff" : They Didn't Even Ask Me About Downsizing

From somewhere out of the blue comes a call from your parents telling you they have decided to downsize.

Summer Break, Must Empty Dorm Room, Need Storage

Summer break from college is the best. There is only one problem: finding a place for your stuff.

Starting Over After a Divorce, But Still Hanging On

Divorce can be an emotionally difficult experience regardless of the circumstances that led to the divorce.

Clear The Way For Summer Guests, Rent A Storage Unit

Life may not be so easy in the summer time if you typically have limited space and are expecting to accommodate vacationing guests and plan to entertain.

Ease Your Stress, Store It Until Holiday Visitors Go Home

Do you have a guest room that looks like a storage room? Is your house filled to over-flowing with furniture and an absolutely amazing amount of stuff?

Store It Until The Renovation Is Complete

There is no disputing the fact that embarking on a significant home renovation project can bring about some inconveniences.

Moving Often? Store It Once

Most likely, if you took a survey, you would discover that most people do not rank packing, moving, and unpacking as one of their top twenty favorite activities.

Stored Passion: Using a storage unit for vintage cars and other collectibles

If you are a proud owner of a vintage car or collect other items, you will want to keep these items safe from all types of harm.

Hobby Storage: Renting a Place to Store Hobby-Related Items

It's good to have a hobby, or maybe two or three hobbies, but hobbies and the items and equipment associated with them have a way of taking up too much space in your home.

Where Did All Of These Things Come From And Where Can I Store Them?

Getting ready to move? Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that has accumulated in your home?

Is All Of This Stuff Really Mine?

One way to see the results of all of the times you procrastinated about spring cleaning is to begin the process of moving.

Too Much Stuff, So Little Time

Glance down this list of possible scenarios and see if you find yourself in one of them.

Retired...Sold House...Bought RV...Need Storage

Congratulations! You've reached the golden years, you're retired, and ready to hit the road. It's time to see all that this nation has to offer and a new RV is the perfect way to go.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides.

Help! My RV Needs A Place To Rest blog for travelers who can't park RV at their house

You've bought an RV and it's one of the best investments in your life. Your family has big plans to hit the road and see the country.

Solve Your Downsize Dilemma

The time has come to move from the home where high maintenance and costly upkeep are cutting into your well-deserved leisure time and fun money. Now, all you have to do is decide what to do with all of the stuff you have acquired and accumulated while living in your large home.

Store It To Stage It

If you have put your home on the market or plan to do so soon, you have probably heard or read about the benefits of home staging. Statistics show that homes that are staged to showcase their most attractive and appealing features will sell more quickly and at a higher price than homes that have not been staged.

Condo Living: Carefree Lifestyle, No Room For My Boat

One of the biggest perks to condo living is the maintenance free lifestyle it provides. When the weekend rolls around or summer vacation arrives, you don't have to spend your time mowing the lawn, trimming shrubs or doing mundane exterior touch-ups and repairs on your home.