Self Storage Blog - DIY, Tips & Other Storage Ideas | SimplySS - Page 3 of 43 - Read the Self Storage Blog from Simply Self Storage! We provide you with storage ideas, DIY tips, and more, updated regularly. Reserve a storage space now!

August 3, 2017 by Admin

Dorm Checklist: How to Prepare for College

So you’ve graduated high school, and now you’re off to work on that higher education – it’s an exciting time. But it can also feel overwhelming to think about packing up, moving out, and all you have to do to prepare. Starting college is stressful.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a pretty comprehensive college move-in checklist with all the basic dorm room essentials, as well as some tips for living successfully with a roommate.

Dorm Checklist

Kitchen Supplies
Mini-fridge Microwave Microwavable plates/bowls Cups Silverware Reusable water bottle Can opener Measuring cup Paring knife Paper plates and plasticware Coffee maker and filters Coffee mug	Pizza cutter Measuring spoons/cup Colander (save space with collapsible) Food storage containers Spatula Sponges for dish washing Dish soap Pot holders Paper towels Zippered plastic bags of various sizes Snacks

General Supplies
Trash can Trash bags Lamp(s) Under-bed storage bins Lightbulbs	Laundry detergent Laundry basket/bag Clothes hangers Pillows and bedding Surge protector/extension cords

Living with a Roommate

Unless you attended a boarding school, this is likely the first time you’ve had to share a living space with someone you’ve never met before. If possible, try to begin developing a relationship with your new roomie prior to move-in day. Find them on social media and send a message introducing yourself. Ask about what they’re planning on bringing to the room. Many items are easily shared, such as a microwave, mini-fridge, or coffee maker, and space in a dorm room is often limited, so you’ll want to avoid duplicate large items when you can.

Find out whether they have any ideas for dorm decor so you can shop for things that coordinate. It would also be good to know if they’re bringing anything that takes up a lot of space, such as an armchair or a bookshelf. You may find it helpful to rent a storage unit for holding the stuff you don’t have space for, or for between semesters

Ask about when they plan on moving in, and the type of help they’ll have for it. Will it just be their parents, or will cousins or friends be there to help as well? If you both have small groups, it may be helpful to plan your moves at the same time – many hands make light work. But if one of you is having a large group help out, it would probably be best to stagger your move-ins to avoid traffic jams in the hallway.

Talk about how each of you plans on using the room. Most college students use their dorm rooms for a combination of studying, hanging out, and sleeping. Determine if either of you would like to designate a time slot where the room is solely a study space, what things are okay to be shared and what things aren’t, and how late you’re okay with having other people over.

Discuss your sleeping/studying preferences as well – do either of you need white noise to sleep? Music to study to, or silence? Will these things bother the other person? And don’t forget to discuss cleaning/organizing habits, and if necessary, hash out a cleaning schedule. Talking about these things from the get-go helps prevent uncomfortable situations later on.

Just get to know them. Find out if they played any sports in high school, whether they’re planning on trying out for any teams now, what they’re planning on studying, or whether they love books as much as you – not only will questions like these help to break the ice, you may even discover a kindred spirit in the process.

July 27, 2017 by Admin

5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Business Organized

Being able to work from home sounds like the dream for many people—be your own boss, set your own hours, be there if the kids need you—but it’s not without its challenges.

Many people don’t realize how difficult working from home can be. Some days it can be hard to motivate yourself to work and stay on-task when you don’t have a supervisor looking over your shoulder or expecting your work on their desk. Being your own boss requires enormous self-discipline, focus, and above all, organization.

Here are five ways to keep your home business organized and running smoothly.

1. Have a dedicated office space.

Whenever possible, take time to designate one room (or even a large closet) as your office. This space should be quiet, comfortable, and separate from the rest of the house—a location which fosters focus and clear thinking. If you don’t have the space or means to dedicate an entire room to running your business, try to set up a desk somewhere in as quiet a space as possible. Whatever your office looks like, make sure the only thing that happens in that space is work.

2. Treat your work day as a work day.

This means getting up, showered, and dressed like you’re going to the office. It doesn’t have to be a suit and tie or a pencil skirt – that’s one of the benefits of working from home, after all – but getting cleaned up and dressed makes it easier to stay “work-minded” all day. As much as possible, remember to stick to your work hours just like you would with a traditional job. Establish the times you’re going to “be at work,” and then stay “at work” during those hours.

3. Take breaks.27

Breaks are mandated for a reason—they’re humane, and they’re good for you. Our minds need time to rest and refocus. So take fifteen minutes every now and then, and be sure to take a lunch break. Your brain needs that fuel to be efficient and productive. Another perk of working from home is that it’s easier to save money and calories by not going out to eat. One thing you’ll have to be careful about is snacking, however. It’s easy to fall into the grazing habit when your pantry is only a few feet away.

4. Keep your “office” free of personal items.

When it comes to paperwork, you want to keep your business and personal things separate. Many people use their home’s actual office as their business office as well – meaning that birth certificates, insurance and mortgage records, bank statements, and so forth are stored in the same room as their business files. If this is true for you, be sure to store the personal and business records in different filing cabinets or at least different drawers. You don’t want to get the two mixed up or misplace client information.

5. Declutter multiple times a year.

Some of the biggest causes of office clutter is old invoices, various paperwork, inventory documents, etc. Carve out time at the beginning of each season to go through these things, file what you need, and get rid of what you don’t. This includes old electronics and furniture as well.

Office supplies can often be recycled or upcycled through businesses like TerraCycle, and many electronics can be donated to stores like Best Buy. If you’re looking to hold onto the items but have nowhere to put them, look into self storage. Make sure you’re maximizing your storage space by using proper containers and labeling everything.

July 20, 2017 by Admin

How To Choose a College: Looking At Your College Options

Determining the best college for you is a very personal decision that will be based completely on your interests and needs. While the best college for you is not necessarily the best college for someone else, that doesn’t make it a bad choice. Here are 6 questions to ask yourself when choosing where to attend college to help make the decision a little easier.

Have You Decided on a Major?

Knowing the major you plan to pursue will greatly help you narrow down your college options. Look for a college known for offering programs in your field to give yourself more options for specialization and a greater breadth of knowledge on that particular subject. If attending a college that specializes in your major is not a possibility, at least make sure you choose a school that offers your major to avoid having to transfer part-way through your college experience.

What Are Your Interests?

Are you hoping to participate in a college sport or write for an award-winning campus newspaper? Find a college offering top notch programs that align with your interests to help you excel and give you better opportunities to pursue your passions. This is also important to consider when looking at potential roommates and making sure you’ll click.

Is There Somewhere You Want to Be?

For some people, the location of a college is critically important. Are you hoping to stay close to home or move as far away as possible? Would you prefer to be on the beach or in the middle of a big city? These are all important things to consider when contemplating which college to attend, since it’s important you find a place you love where you’ll be happy and comfortable.

What is Your Financial Situation?

Depending on your financial situation, you might need to limit your options to the colleges you can afford to attend. Will you be paying tuition yourself, or do you have parents, relatives, or scholarships lined up to cover the costs? Think more along the lines of public universities if you’re looking for something less expensive, or consider attending a junior college to earn your Associate’s degree for less, then transferring to a four-year university to finish.

What Are Your Future Goals?

Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want to major in yet, but have a good idea of what field you’d like to pursue after graduation. Take your goals into account and make sure you choose a college that will help you achieve them. Choosing a college offering mostly agricultural degrees, surrounded by miles of farmland probably isn’t the best bet for someone hoping to go into fashion design. Go somewhere not only with programs that interest you, but local opportunities for internships and apprenticeships.

Have You Reviewed College Ratings?

Every year, lists are released rating colleges and offering college reviews. While consulting a college list won’t necessarily make the decision for you, these lists can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect at any particular college, for instance, whether it’s known to be a party school or not. Review these lists and determine what’s most important to you, and what campus cultures you’d prefer to avoid in helping make your decision.

Time for the Next Step

Picking a college can be stressful, but choosing carefully will help you succeed in the next phase of your education. When in doubt, review these 6 simple questions and you’ll find the best college option for you is easy to identify.