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Holiday Life Hacks

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Gift Wrapping

gift-wrappingWith the holidays fast approaching, we at The Lock Up recognize that life can get crazy hectic. So, aside from offering a great deal for new leases on 5’x5’ self storage spaces to get you through the holiday haze, we’ve put together a few life hacks to help save a bit of money, time, and hopefully, sanity. Check out these holiday life hacks:

  • Holiday greetings
    Instead of sending everyone on your list a greeting card in an envelope, save a little money by sending postcards instead. A postcard stamp is only 34¢ vs 47¢ for a regular card. Not a huge savings, but sometimes every penny counts…and your tastebuds will thank you for not having to lick all those envelopes!
  • Wrap it up
    Having a neat and organized way to wrap gifts makes it more of a pleasure than painful. We recommend using a paper towel holder to hold all your ribbons. Stack them on the rod and they’ll spin freely. Another handy piece of wrapping storage advice is to use an empty wine case for your wrapping paper. A little box with scissors, tape and a few colorful markers will help out too.
  • Holiday sparkle
    If you’re decorating a Christmas tree, here’s a fun trick. Take small decorative mirrors (like what you might use for a mosaic or craft project) and hot glue ornament hooks to the back of each. Hanging these small mirrors will give the effect of more sparkle and light emanating from your tree. They’re great to use on garlands and wreaths too!
  • Hot glue to the rescue
    Do you want to hang decorations or the holiday cards you receive, but don’t want to (or can’t) put holes in your walls? Get yourself some blue painter’s tape and a hot glue gun. Painter’s tape is great because it won’t pull off paint from surfaces that it adheres to. Simply place the tape where you want to affix a decoration, put a dab of hot glue on it and stick on your card or decoration. Your painted surface will be preserved and your decorations will be securely hung.
  • Pretty party
    For a dash of color to any holiday cocktail, make some holiday ice cubes by placing a couple fresh cranberries into your ice tray and freezing them into ice cubes. Great for individual drinks or to place in a large punchbowl.

We hope these festive holiday life hacks will inspire you this season! And if you have any of your own, we’d love to hear about them!

Also, don’t forget to get a great deal on a 5’x5’ holiday self storage space by going to www.thelockup.com today!

Announcing The New Lock Up In Northbrook, IL

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We are proud to announce the new, beautiful, state-of-the-art Lock Up Self Storage facility located in Northbrook, Illinois. Situated conveniently just off the Edens expressway, at the corner of Skokie Boulevard and Sunset Ridge Road, this facility gladly serves the residents and businesses of the following neighborhoods: Northbrook, Winnetka, Highland Park, Techny, Deerfield, Glencoe, Hubbard Woods, and Ravinia.

Our newest addition to our Illinois family boasts the top notch amenities that you’ve come to expect from The Lock Up. Of course, security is our top consideration and this facility is protected with electronic coded access and 24 hour security monitoring.

There is a large double bay drive in loading area with plenty of handcarts available for you during your move. And we also have an automatic transmission move in truck available for each lease signed.

With a total of 895 units available in the three story newly constructed building, we’re sure to have the perfect self storage solution to fit your needs. All of the units inside the main building are fully climate controlled, have carpeted flooring, and motion sensitive lighting.

The building also features unique drive up units that are located within a drive in tunnel so that you’re protected from the elements while accessing your storage unit. These units are heated in the winter.

We recently had a virtual tour shot of the facility, so you can take a tour and see how lovely the new facility is!

To “look” around, click and drag inside the image (or use your finger on mobile); to “walk” around, click or tap on the white arrows.

Storefront
Beautiful landscaping, plenty of parking, and architectural appeal!


Main Office
The interior of this office is top notch with soaring ceilings (be sure to look up!), and lots of packing materials at the ready.


Loading Bays
Large loading bay doors and freight elevators for your convenience.


Drive Up Units Tunnel
Drive right up to your unit and be protected from rain, sleet, snow, and sweltering summer sun while you move your items.



If you live in the area and need a storage unit, click here now!

It’s Wine O’Clock At The Lock Up

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Wrigleyville Wine Storage @ The Lock Up
The wine tasting area outside the wine cellar at the Lock Up in River North, Chicago

Did you know that select locations of The Lock Up offer commercial, state of the art wine storage at affordable prices? No matter whether you’re a wine enthusiast with a small collection, or a restaurant looking for some extra storage space for your wine overstock, The Lock Up has you covered. We have wine storage facilities in Chicago, Florida, and New Jersey, and each of them are perfectly outfitted to preserve your vino and let it age beautifully.

Each of the Lock Up wine storage cellars have spared no expense to ensure that your bottles are stored in the utmost perfect conditions. Addressing all of the elements that experts agree make for good wine storage, we’ve created environments that any sommelier would covet.

  • Temperature
    Fluctuating temperatures can alter a wine’s aroma and flavor, so we have installed modern, exacting refrigeration equipment to protect your collection. Each facility has dedicated refrigeration equipment that’s separate from the main heating/cooling equipment to keep the wine cellars at a consistent temperature averaging 55 degrees.
  • Humidity
    Like temperature, humidity can affect your wine. This is why we also have advance, dedicated humidity control systems that maintain ideal relative humidity levels between 60-70%. This prevents the corks from becoming distorted or drying out.
  • Lighting
    Wine should be stored away from harmful UV rays. Direct UV lighting can create unstable reactions within the compounds of the wine. This is why we have motion sensitive lighting that only turns on when necessary, limiting the amount of light your bottles are exposed to.
  • Storing
    Wine bottles should be kept on their side; this prevents the cork from drying out. Bottles should also be stored in areas that are free of vibrations which could disturb the delicate sediments. Our wine storage racks account for this.
  • Environment
    The cork in a wine bottle does not provide a complete seal. The wine actually “breathes” through the cork. This is why it is important to maintain a closed environment, one that is free off exposure to smells and odors.

The Lock Up Wine Cellars have storage areas that can accommodate a small collection of a few bottles, to over 500. Here’s a handy chart to help you figure out how much storage space you’ll need.

If you’re looking for a safe, secure, perfect environment to store your wine collection, visit https://www.thelockup.com/storage-services/wine-storage to learn more and secure yours today!

Announcing The New Lock Up In Chicago: Rogers Park, IL

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Our family keeps growing and we couldn’t be happier to provide top notch self storage to Illinois!

The newest facility in Chicago is located in the The newest facility in Chicago is located in the neighborhood called Rogers Park, adjacent to the south end of Evanston. This newly constructed building serves the residents and businesses of Rogers Park, South Evanston, and Dolands Addition. It is conveniently situated just off of Chicago Avenue and right next to the Howard L stop.

Built with our customers in mind, this location has 816 fully climate controlled units and a large, double door load in bay to protect both you and your belongings while moving. There’s plenty of parking and it also has a free moving truck that includes moving pads inside.

This facility is located near Loyola University and Northwestern University, making it an ideal place for students to store their belongings over summer break. Also near the beach, it’s a great place to store all your beach accessories (think umbrellas, beach chairs, coolers, boogie boards, etc), especially if you’re a public transit user. Just take the Metra or CTA lines right there, pop in on your way to the beach, drop it all off before you head home, and you won’t have to lug it all home. Plus, your dorm room or home won’t be cluttered with it all.

We recently had a virtual tour shot of the newly opened facility. Please take a look at all we have to offer!

To “look” around, click and drag inside the image (or use your finger on mobile); to “walk” around, click or tap on the white arrows.

Storefront

Newly constructed, plenty of parking, and a move in truck!

Main Office

All the packing materials you need, right at your fingertips!

Loading Bays

Handcarts and large freight elevators make moving easy.

Storage Units

Climate controlled, carpeted, and motion sensitive lights.

If you live in the area and need a storage unit, click here now!

Why you should choose a climate-controlled storage unit

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The storage units at The Lock Up Self Storage in Hamden, CT, have many great features, including carpeted hallways, drive-up storage units, electronic coded access, a full-size passenger elevator, an indoor loading bay, motion-sensitive lighting, and security camera monitoring. But one of the most important when it comes to keeping your items in good condition is their climate-controlled interior.

When it comes to storing your household and personal items, protecting your valuable from the environment is paramount. Your items are sure to last longer and stay in pristine condition in the climate-controlled storage units at The Lock Up Self Storage Hamden location.

When the temperature fluctuates, it can cause condensation to occur, which can allow mold and decay to grow and damage your belongings, particularly the more sensitive and valuable ones.

But when you store your items in a climate-controlled storage unit at The Lock Up Self Storage Hamden location, you can prevent this sort of weather damage from occurring because of these units’ advanced humidity control systems that ensure consistent humidity levels throughout. Not only is the humidity level controlled in these storage units, the temperature can be controlled as well according to your specific storage needs.

There are many reasons why you should consider using a climate-controlled storage unit at The Lock Up Self Storage Hamden location. Some items are simply worth the extra cost of renting a temperature-controlled unit. Antiques and other valuables such as artwork, electronic equipment, computers, books, musical instruments, fine textiles or seasonal clothing, wine, living or perishable items, and wood items should all be stored in climate-controlled storage units to ensure that they are kept in good condition.

Those who rent climate-controlled storage units at The Lock Up Self Storage Hamden location can do so knowing their valuable belongings are under 24-hour security monitoring and security-controlled gate access. The Lock Up even makes your moving process as easy as possible by offering a free move-in truck with every new lease!

The Lock Up Self Storage in Hamden offers tenants total confidence and peace of mind when it comes to storing their personal belongings. With a convenient location just north of New Haven off route 15, tons of great features and very good prices, it’s no wonder why Hamden, North Haven, West Rock, Woodbridge, Bethany choose The Lock Up Self Storage Hamden location for all their storage needs.

 

How to Store Your Favorite Seasonal Décor

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How to Store Your Favorite Seasonal Décor

With summer around the corner, it’s time to put away seasonal décor and make room for sports equipment, gardening tools, and summer attire. Rather than cramming your holiday lights and other festive items under your bed, consider professional self-storage. This will give you a place outside of your home to keep your treasured items, so you can make room for daily life. To help you get started, consider this guide on how to store your favorite seasonal décor.

Benefits of Properly Storing Your Seasonal Décor

The average American spends about $230 on holiday décor each year. That’s $230 of new items added to the collection, season after season, year after year. While there’s nothing wrong with decorating your home, these items can end up taking a lot of usable space. By properly storing your seasonal décor in a self-storage unit, you’ll maximize your home’s usable space while protecting your treasured holiday décor. Using the proper storage containers and keeping everything in temperature-controlled self-storage units will ensure that decorations continue to last for as long as you need them. Considering the average amount of money spent per year on décor alone, this makes self-storage a wise investment for anyone who enjoys celebrating the changing seasons.

Declutter and Donate Before You Store

Every year, styles change, and seasonal décor is updated to fit the newest trends. You may pass by something you like in a store and pick it up, only to come home and realize that your decorations have grown to take up more space than you could ever imagine. While there are ways to keep everything in storage, it’s unlikely that you’ll display the entire collection each year. To avoid clutter and unnecessary work, the most important step to storing your favorite seasonal décor is to go through your things and declutter each year. You don’t have to get rid of anything if you don’t want, but chances are there are a few outdated pieces of décor that you no longer use. Rather than taking the time and effort to store these items, consider putting them in a box and taking them to your local donation center. This can help you create an organized storage oasis that’s filled with your favorite items. Alternatively, you can try to sell them and make a little extra cash.

How to Store Seasonal Décor

After you’ve gone through your items and determined what you plan to keep and what you no longer need, it’s time to get started on the storage process. Since a lot of seasonal décor can be fragile, it’s important to take the proper care when putting it away to reduce the risk of damage. To help, consider the following six tips.

1. Separate Décor Based on Seasons

To make things easy on yourself in the future, it’s good practice to store décor based on the season. Whether this is divided by specific holidays or between spring, summer, fall, and winter times is up to you. However, in doing this, you’ll enjoy easier retrieval when you need to access your decorations.

Alternatively, you can group items together based on materials, purpose, or even color. The way that you decide to organize your storage is completely up to you, so it’s encouraged to find something that works and stick with it.

2. Wrap Lights

Storing holiday lights can be frustrating. While it’s easy to just throw them in a container, taking some time to prepare them for storage will make your life much less stressful when you want to use them again. One great option is wrapping the lights around a piece of cardboard, so they don’t get tangled while in storage. This will also help you protect the lightbulbs and boost their longevity. You’ll still want to put your lights into a storage bin for added protection, but this makes things much easier.

3. Find the Right Storage Bin

Once you’ve organized your décor by season and taken the preliminary effort of wrapping holiday lights, it’s time to find the best storage bins for your items. There are several different types available, but some of the most durable options include clear, plastic storage bins, paper boxes, storage trays, and decoration-specific containers. Clear, plastic storage bins are the most popular, as you’re able to see what’s inside without opening them up. They’re also easy to stack and affordable. Getting storage bins in the same size will make stacking boxes and sorting through your items more efficient and less damage prone.

If you have a lot of ornaments, consider using a specifically designed container to help keep them protected while in storage. These are made to stabilize ornaments when they’re not being used with lightweight, delicate fabric and plenty of cushion. Using a specialized holiday décor storage bin will ensure that your treasured ornaments or other decorations are kept safe while they’re not in use. This is especially important for families that have sentimental items or expensive decorations. Since you can continue using these storage containers each year, it’s an investment that’s sure to last.

4. Label Everything

Regardless of if you decide to use clear storage bins or traditional packing boxes, it’s important to label absolutely everything. The degree of detail that you choose to incorporate is up to you, but the more thorough you are, the easier it will be when you want to retrieve things. At the very least, take the time to label each box with a simple description of what’s inside. This could be as broad as “fall décor” or as detailed as “handmade ornaments 1995-1999.” Some people may also choose to label each box with a number, then write out an extensive inventory of every item that’s on a separate piece of paper. Again, the choice is yours but at the very least use some sort of differentiator to make future retrieval easier.

5. Be Careful When Packing Items

While there are some items that can be tossed into the box without packaging, others are delicate and require the proper protection. Don’t waste your time or money on storing items if you’re not going to protect them. Carefully wrap any fragile items in packing paper or bubble wrap and keep them towards the top of the box to avoid excess weight. Be meticulous when doing this to ensure that your items are in one piece when you go to get them next season.

In addition to wrapping seasonal décor in packing paper or bubble wrap, consider nesting items inside of one another whenever possible. Not only does this increase the security of smaller items, but it also acts as a huge space saver.

6. Consider Arrangement of Your Storage Unit

Finally, consider how you plan to arrange your self-storage unit. If you have various decorations for different times of the year, you’ll want to optimize the retrieval process. Try to keep an open alleyway inside of your unit so you don’t have to take everything out just to access the contents along the back wall. Then, store things along the exterior border based on the time of year that you use them most. You can shift items over as you retrieve them to utilize a sort of rotating organizational system or keep them where they are and simply replace them when you’re done. Self-storage organization varies based on each person, so the most important thing is finding something that works well for you and your needs.

When you’re ready to optimize your seasonal décor storage, The Lock Up Self Storage can help. We have several options for self-storage units ranging from small to large, so you can accommodate any amount of seasonal décor. As an added bonus, all of our units are climate-controlled so your items will stay in good condition for as long as you need to store them. The Lock Up also prioritizes security with perimeter alarms, gated access, individual access codes, and CCTV. With available access to your unit any time, day or night, you won’t be locked out from your favorite seasonal décor. As your collection grows, so can your self-storage unit. We have flexible leasing options that can be upgraded as time passes. To find a storage unit for your décor, contact one of the representatives at The Lock Up Self Storage by calling 1-866-327-LOCK or find a unit online today!

12 Tips on How to Handle a Last-Minute Move

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Even if you have months to prepare, moving is stressful. It requires a lot of planning, ongoing organization, and a bit of patience. When you need to move on a deadline, this process becomes even more difficult. For this reason, most people try to avoid stressful, last-minute moves. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. Regardless of your plans, life can always throw you a curveball. Whether it’s a new job, a transfer, or even a hot housing market, it’s important to know how to handle an expedited move. The first step to overcoming the anxiety that follows is to breathe. It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed, but it’s not an impossible feat to accomplish. To help, here are 12 tips on how to handle a last-minute move.

1. Make a Checklist

While it may seem counterintuitive to sit down and make a list, doing so can help you get organized and ensure that you don’t forget essential to-do items. So, even if you feel completely overwhelmed, try to take a few minutes out of your day to create a packing and moving checklist. There are plenty of options for downloadable lists online, which can make this step even easier. Just make sure that you include everything you need to get done, any deadlines that you may have, and contact numbers that you may need to access during the entire process.

2. Sort Out Logistics

The next step in successfully initiating a last-minute move is to sort out all of the logistics. It’s easy to get hyper-focused on packing or cleaning your home and overlook setting up utilities. However, without utilities you’ll find yourself in your new home with no access to electricity, gas, water, or Internet. Therefore, it’s important to include in your pre-moving checklist. You can schedule the transfer for moving day so the utilities at your old home shut-off on the same day the new ones are activated. This will ensure you have everything you need during the entire moving process.

3. Use Suitcases

Begin packing for your move as soon as possible using the suitcases you have lying around. You’ll want to set aside one small bag for each person in your family to use during the move, but then you can begin filling the rest with shoes, books, clothes, or anything else you want to pack early. This reduces the number of moving boxes you’ll need to buy and makes good use of items you’ll need to transfer anyway. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to pack all of the contents of your home into your suitcases, it’s a good start.

4. Leave Clothes on Hangers

Another tip for handling a last-minute move like a pro is to leave all of your clothes on the hangers. Taking everything off the hanger, folding it, and placing it in a box only to be removed in a few days and rehung is a waste of time. Instead, purchase a few wardrobe boxes from the local department store and simply move them out of your closet and into the boxes. If you want to save money and time, you can also take a handful of your clothes on hangers, make a small hole at the bottom of a heavy-duty trash bag, and slip it over the stack with the top of the hangers sticking out. This will keep your clothes protected during the move and make transfers into your new home a breeze.

5. Get Packing Supplies

At some point, you will need to get at least a few packing supplies, so try to do this early on. You should get a variety of different sized boxes, packing tape, markers, packing paper or bubble wrap, and anything else you may need. If you plan to make the move on your own, inquire about renting a moving truck and a dolly to facilitate the process. Always put your heaviest items in small boxes to avoid over packing them and reserve large boxes for light things like blankets, pillows, towels, or linens.

6. Donate or Sell Excess

As you begin to put your belongings into boxes, consider each item. Think about whether or not you actually need or want all of your things and if you don’t think you’ll use or enjoy something in your new home, put it into a box to donate or sell. This will help you reduce the number of things that you need to pack, and eventually unpack, while simultaneously giving you the chance to purge and declutter. If you have some time, try to make a little money off of your clutter by hosting a yard sale or posting things on online marketplaces.

7. Hire a Junk Removal Company

For families with large items they no longer need, like an outdated TV or an old couch, consider hiring a junk removal company. These professionals will come to your home and remove unwanted items for a small fee. Depending on the quality of your belongings, they may take them to a donation center or simply toss them into a junkyard. However, this can help you expedite the moving process without overexerting yourself.

8. Tackle One Room at a Time

As a rule of thumb, try to only tackle one room at a time. You may be tempted to go from one room to the next but putting all of your focus on a single area will allow you to pack it faster than if you keep moving around. Plus, packing each room separately will organize your belongings and make them easier to unload when you’re at your new home. Put aside anything you may need during your transition and pack it in your suitcase with the other essentials.

9. Keep Essentials Available

As mentioned, you’ll want to put things aside that you think you’ll need when packing and moving. This should include toiletries, a few pairs of clothes, pajamas, a pillow and bedding, and a few essential kitchen items to continue cooking while you pack. You’ll pack these items last and unpack them first when you arrive to your new home. Essentials may also include chargers, prescription medicine, and a coffee maker.

10. Recruit Help

Tackling a last-minute move is not a one-man job. Depending on the amount of time you have, you may need to ask your friends and family for help. Try to do this early on so they can accommodate you in their schedules and make sure you supply drinks and food as a thank you. If you have children, have them help by asking them to pack up their toys and other small belongings in boxes of their own.

11. Hire a Moving Company or Rent a Truck

The moment you find out you’re moving you should look into either hiring a moving company or renting a truck. Since both options can be booked up far in advance, it’s best to do this as soon as possible. Ask for referrals on moving companies and don’t be afraid to call around if your first choice is unavailable. There are several options across cities in the U.S. so you should be able to find someone to help.

12. Consider Short-Term Self-Storage

You can also look into using short-term self-storage to help facilitate your move. This gives you a chance to put boxes or furniture into storage during the packing process to make moving day easier and less dependent on companies or large trucks. Using self-storage also allows you to unpack slowly rather than trying to navigate a home filled with hundreds of boxes. If you’re downsizing, you can continue using storage for long-term needs and access items anytime you want.

Even the most prepared families can struggle with a move, so if you find yourself needing to relocate at a minute’s notice, stop and take a breath. It is possible to successfully complete a last-minute move without losing your mind. In fact, with a little strategic efficiency, you can easily pack and move in two weeks or less. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by staying organized, focused, and utilizing a self-storage unit for short-term storage. To help, The Lock Up Self Storage offers both short- and long-term self-storage units with flexible leasing options. All of our units are climate-controlled and secured by 24/7 perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and CCTV. Regardless of your location, The Lock Up provides you with safe, secure, and temperature-controlled units so you don’t have to worry about the safety and perseverance of your belongings. To learn more about our locations, self-storage unit sizes, and available units, call us today at (866) 327-LOCK.

Sorting Through a Relative’s Items After a Life Event

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There are several major life events that can impact your family. While many of them are positive, others can be difficult to process. When a relative’s health begins declining, they may need to move in with a family member or to an assisted living facility. Relatives may also need to downsize due to financial reasons. However, one of the most difficult life events that individuals deal with is the loss of a family member. Regardless of what you’re facing, eventually you’re going to need to sort through their items and make some decisions. To help you along the way, consider the following guide on sorting through your relative’s items after a life event.

Things to Consider Before Getting Started

Sorting through a relative’s items if they’ve moved or are downsizing may not require an abundance of legal action, but always approach things cautiously to be sure. In the case of a death, it’s important to remember that you need to uphold your relative’s legal wishes according to their will. Usually, the beneficiary or executor of the will is given control of personal property, but if there’s no will you will need to qualify as an heir in order to accomplish this. Probate laws vary by state, so make sure that you know what’s within your legal right when sorting through items. Once that’s settled, you can get started.

Consider Your Support Group

Regardless of why you’re going through your relative’s items, you’re likely going to be faced with some emotions. You may be grieving, reminiscing, or anxious about what’s coming next. Always try to remember who’s in your support group and reach out to them when you need to. This may be to talk about the process or to ask for help. Regardless, give yourself time to grieve and try not to do everything alone.

Involve Your Family

Your entire family should be involved in decision making and downsizing when it comes to a relative. This could mean you include family members when deciding where to move aging parents, or it could mean involving siblings, cousins, or other relatives when sorting through items after a loved one’s passing. This is an important step, especially if your family is legally mentioned and included in a will. Reach out before you get started going through any items.

Create a Plan

Next, take the time to create a plan about how you’re going to go through items, what you’ll need to do, and who to contact about legalities. There are certain things that should probably be taken care of before you start sorting through different items, so take your time and don’t feel like you need to do everything immediately and all at once. Locate any important documents first, then move at your own pace. Unless you have a deadline to move out of a place, you shouldn’t be rushing through this process. Wait until you’re mentally prepared to begin and it’ll be easier to make clear decisions.

What to do With Your Relative’s Items

For the sake of this article, we’ll be discussing how to sort through physical items within your relative’s personal property. The information will not include stocks, cash, land, buildings, or an individual’s financial worth. With that being said, there are a few different options for sorting through your relative’s items after a major life event. They can be divided into five main categories, as discussed below.

Keep

The first category is going to be items you want to keep in your home or items that your other relatives will want to keep. If you find useful items that you could use in your home, put them in a box to take with you. Your loved ones will be happy that you’re getting use out of their things. Even if you’re the responsible party when going through your relative’s items, it’s important to include your family members. They may want to keep something you’d otherwise sell, donate, or throw away.

Sell

There are likely plenty of opportunities for you to make money off the clutter found in your relative’s belongings, so it’s worth looking into. Depending on the age of the items, you may want to hire a professional appraiser or take them to a pawn shop. You can also list them on online marketplaces, hold a garage sale, or take them to a store that buys second-hand items.

Donate

Selling certain items is tedious, especially in regard to clothing, costume jewelry, or similar items. The energy it takes to list all of these things usually isn’t worth the money you’d get, so instead of throwing them away, bring them to your local donation center. Similarly, if you don’t want to go through the effort of putting items for sale online or holding a garage sale, take things to a donation center. There are plenty of people who will benefit off your donation, which can help alleviate feeling guilty for putting items up for sale.

Throw Away

Unfortunately, a lot of the items that you find will likely need to be thrown away. This category may include things like hygiene products, used cosmetics, expired food, or things that are visibly damaged. Try to do this yourself so the donation center doesn’t need to take the time to sort and dispose of too many items.

Store

When you come across items that you know you want to keep in your family, but don’t necessarily have the space for, you can put them in a self-storage unit. Self-storage units allow you to keep family heirlooms, antiques, or sentimental items accessible without taking up precious space within your home. You can access them whenever you need or save them for younger relatives.

There will also likely be things that you don’t know what to do with. You can create another box to return to these items later, so you don’t get stuck during the process. If you still can’t figure out what to do with them, put them in storage and return to them in a few months.

Preparing Items for Self-Storage

After getting rid of items that you don’t want and finding a place for the things you want to keep in your home, it’s time to prepare the remaining belongings for self-storage.

Clean and Dry

Go through the box of everything you want to keep in a self-storage unit and thoroughly clean each item. Do additional research on how to properly clean different materials, especially if you’re going to be storing antiques or expensive items. After cleaning, allow enough time for things to thoroughly dry before taking the next step.

Protect

Once everything is dry, wrap items in protective coverings or packing paper. This will reduce the risk of damage during transport and storage. Again, how you protect your items depends on their materials, so take the time to understand what needs to be done to avoid causing unintentional damage or deterioration. There are plenty of resources available on how to store antiques, how to store electronics, packing away collections, and storing nostalgic items that may be more fragile than others.

Organize

After taking the necessary precautions to protect items, work on packing them into boxes accordingly. When doing this, keep a detailed inventory of everything inside each box to make later retrieval easier. This also helps to improve accessibility for other relatives. Next, plan the layout of your self-storage unit to optimize efficiency and make it easier to remove items as needed. Always opt for climate-controlled self-storage to maximize protection and keep your relative’s items in good condition for as long as possible.

Going through your relative’s items after a major life event can be an emotional process. Take your time and give yourself a break as needed. For items you want to keep out of your home, opt for a climate-controlled self-storage unit from The Lock Up Self Storage. We offer a variety of self-storage units in varying sizes to help keep your relative’s belongings safe, accessible, and in good condition. With flexible leasing options, you can use our self-storage for as long as you need, regardless of if it’s short-term or long-term. Our facilities are protected with top-of-the-line security features like perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. To learn more about our self-storage units at The Lock Up, give us a call today at 1-866-327-LOCK or stop by one of our locations for a tour of the facility.

How to Prepare for Living on the Road

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Since the beginning of the pandemic, many people have begun to prioritize a healthier work-life balance away from the office. This created an influx of domestic travel and remote working opportunities. Today, the effects of office closures and working from home remains and many people are looking at how they can make life on the road a full-time option. While it’s never been easier, it’s not practical to travel from place to place with all of your worldly belongings. If you’re interested in giving this lifestyle a chance, here’s more information on how to prepare for living on the road.

Deciding Your Method of Living

With an increase in remote work and digital nomad lifestyles, there are several different options for living your life on the road. The first step in preparing for this process is to determine where you plan to live.

RV or Van Life

The rise of van life and full-time RV living has become one of the most popular options for taking your life on the road in recent years. Both options give you the freedom and flexibility to go where you want, when you want, without having to pay for accommodation or rent. If you plan to live out of a vehicle full-time, you’ll need to find an appropriately sized van for your family and lifestyle needs. You’ll also need to make sure it’s equipped with everything you need while on the go.

Living on a Boat

While this option isn’t exactly living on the “road,” the idea is the same as van life. When you live on a mobile houseboat or sailboat, you’ll be moving from one destination to another without returning to a permanent residency on land. This option isn’t for everyone, but if you enjoy being on the open water it’s worth exploring. Preparations will include finding a boat, learning how to sail or navigate it, and taking the proper safety courses for open water life.

Hotels or House Rentals

Another popular option for people who aren’t interested in dealing with logistics of owning a vehicle is living out of hotels, Airbnb’s, or housing exchanges/rentals. This will require the least preparation logistically speaking, but you’ll need to downsize a decent amount to make this option more accessible.

6 Steps to Prepare for Life on the Road

After deciding which option is best for you, it’s time to get to work. These steps can be applied for whatever style of living on the road you choose using a few amendments.

1. Make Sure You Can Work Remotely

This might seem obvious, but the first step in preparing for life on the road is making sure that you can work remotely. Remote work might not apply to those with substantial savings or individuals who are retired, but everyone else will need some source of income to make living on the road sustainable. Thankfully, the pandemic has made many businesses realize the benefits of remote work and many companies allow their employees to choose between working remotely or going into the office. Since the time change isn’t too variable from coast to coast in the U.S., ask your current company about how they’d feel if you transitioned to a 100% remote employee. If they’re not comfortable with this, consider looking for a company that is.

2. Take Inventory of What You Own

Once you have all of the logistics sorted out and you’ve made a decision on your preferred method of life on the road, it’s time to start going through your belongings. If you live in a one-bedroom apartment or studio, this may be fairly easy. However, most people who transition their lifestyle will need to go through several rooms of furniture and belongings, which takes time. Begin by creating an inventory of everything you own. This doesn’t have to be extremely specific, but an overview of your furniture, appliances, larger items, collections, etc. can help you get a better understanding of the task at hand.

3. Keep the Essentials

This is going to be the hardest part of preparing for life on the road. While it might seem overwhelming, you really don’t need much when you’re continually in motion. You can easily re-wear outfits in different places, do laundry as needed, and you’ll replace the need for material things with new and exciting backyards. To begin, keep some essential pieces of clothing. You should keep your favorites along with plenty of options to create a capsule wardrobe. This is a type of wardrobe that incorporates one color scheme and various statement pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of different outfits.

You’ll also want to keep some essential kitchen tools and dishes, especially those that you use regularly. For example, if you have a smoothie every single day, make sure your RV or houseboat has a blender for you to use on the go. However, avoid keeping too many kitchen items as these are bulky and can take up a lot of space. It’s impractical to lug around appliances or kitchenware from hotel to hotel, so consider how to make practical adjustments. Keep a few pieces of your favorite décor or art to make your space on the go feel like home, but don’t bring bulky holiday decorations or unnecessary clutter. The remaining things you’ll need will be a few pairs of shoes, toiletries, and ways to entertain yourself (i.e., books, art supplies, a guitar). If working remotely, keep everything you’ll need to perform your job on the go.

4. Declutter and Downsize

You can do this step at the same time as you set aside essentials, or after you’ve chosen a few key items. Separating them may make it easier to downsize, but some people prefer to assess one item at a time and sort them accordingly. Take the time to declutter and downsize items you won’t be bringing along. You may choose to donate these, sell them, give them to friends or family, or even throw them away.

5. Rent a Self-Storage Unit

If you absolutely cannot part with an item but don’t have the room to take it along, put it aside. When you’ve gone through all of your things, you may find that you don’t want to part with a lot of your belongings. That’s okay. All you need to do is rent a self-storage unit that will house your items while you’re on the go. This is a great way to test out life on the road without making major commitments and gives you the space you need to keep family heirlooms, antiques, or collections you’ve been growing for years.

6. List Your House for Sale or Rent

When renting, transitioning to life on the road is easy—simply don’t renew your lease. However, if you own a home, apartment, or condo, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to do with the space while you’re gone. You may want to rent it out to make passive income, but you’ll need to hire a property manager to care for repairs and maintenance while you’re away. If you decide to sell your home, work with a real estate agent to get it listed and on the market.

7. Have a Going Away Party

Once you’ve taken care of all of the preparations, it’s time to celebrate. Moving away from friends and family can be stressful, but life on the road means that you can visit whenever you want. So, take this opportunity to celebrate your time together with a going away party instead.

Living on the road can open up a world of opportunities, but it can be scary to get rid of everything you own. To make sure you’re comfortable during your transition, The Lock Up Self Storage provides short- and long-term leasing options for self-storage units of all sizes. This will give you the perfect chance to test out your life on the road without much risk. We have multiple locations around the U.S and all of our units are climate-controlled to keep your things in the best condition possible while you’re away. To give you even more peace of mind, our locations are equipped with top-of-the-line security features. Our self-storage facilities have security-controlled gate access, motion-sensitive lighting, 24-hour camera monitoring, and perimeter alarms. Many of our locations also offer electronic coded access specific to each tenant. To find a self-storage unit, contact one of the representatives at The Lock Up Self Storage by calling us at 1-866-327-LOCK or find a unit online today!

10 Things to Know Before Moving to Cape Cod

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Cape Cod is located on a peninsula in Massachusetts and is home to roughly 229,000 individuals. While most people see this as a vacation town, Cape Cod is a beautiful place to live full-time. With sunny weather and plenty of outdoor activities to keep you active, this coastal town provides something for everyone. However, if you’re thinking about relocating to Cape Cod, there are a few things to keep in mind. For more information, consider the following 10 things to know before moving to Cape Cod.

1. There Are 15 Different Towns

Many people assume that Cape Cod, MA is just one big town, but that’s not the case. In fact, there are 15 different towns throughout the area. While each town has its own advantages, the region maintains a larger community across them all. The towns of Cape Cod include the following:

  • Yarmouth
  • Brewster
  • Bourne
  • Falmouth
  • Sandwich
  • Mashpee
  • Barnstable
  • Dennis
  • Chatham
  • Orleans
  • Eastham
  • Harwich
  • Wellfleet
  • Truro
  • Provincetown

The Cape Cod region is also home to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Each town has different landmarks and lifestyles, and residents across the area are serious about the distinctions between each. If you plan on moving here, try to visit a few different towns to find which one you like most.

2. Off-Season Can Get Cold

Cape Cod is well known for its beautiful summers and sunny weather, but if you plan to live there full-time you should be prepared for off-season. Off-season (winter) can have unpredictable weather with temperatures ranging between 25- and 40-degrees Fahrenheit. It even snows sometimes! To make sure you’re prepared, don’t forget to pack your cold weather clothes, boots, and even a winter coat.

3. Tourism is High

Cape Cod has been a tourist destination since the 19th century. Today, during tourist season, the population of Cape Cod nearly doubles. This is great for local businesses, but it also means that there will be bigger crowds during the summer. If you’re not a fan of navigating throngs of tourists, make sure you opt for a town that’s a little more off the beaten trail for visitors. There are plenty of options and Cape Cod is beautiful even in the off season, so it’s worth looking into. Plus, if you’re coming from a big city like Chicago or New York, the number of tourists present may even decrease

4. Small Businesses Dominate the Local Economy

One of the most charming aspects about Cape Cod is that its economy is fueled by small, locally owned businesses. In fact, about 63% to 85% of employment stems from small businesses in the area. Moving to Cape Cod can provide you with a great opportunity to become an entrepreneur and enjoy all of the benefits of owning and operating a local business.

5. Many Executives Commute

One of the biggest non-tourism related job markets in Cape Cod is healthcare. It’s an extremely in-demand market and the salaries reflect this. Construction workers will also find work easily in Cape Cod. Since a lot of business is fueled by tourism, seasonal jobs are common. However, if you’re an executive working for a bigger corporation, you’ll likely need to commute to surrounding cities. The focus on small businesses in Cape Cod means there’s not as many high rises or executive suites. Therefore, if you work for a larger corporation, you may have to commute to Boston or Providence. If you’re relocating for work, make sure you test out the commute to different areas to get a feel for what your daily drive would be.

6. Neighborhoods Impact Lifestyle

You can settle in any of the 15 towns throughout the Cape Cod region, but make sure you do your research before committing. Real estate in Cape Cod can be expensive, but there are also several affordable communities. It really depends on where you plan to settle. The most budget-friendly towns include Dennis and Barnstable. If you’re looking to retire to Cape Cod, some of the best areas include Falmouth, Chatham, and Yarmouth. Families tend to migrate towards Yarmouth and Sandwich, while millenniums and younger individuals tend to live in Barnstable. If you want to ensure that your child has access to good schools, don’t worry. There are ten public schools, 17 private schools, and a few charter schools to choose from. The cost of living also varies throughout towns but is a bit higher than the national average. Check into various real estate prices for each town to find something that fits your budget.

7. Fresh Seafood is in Abundance

This region of the U.S. is well-known for its fresh seafood. Whether you’re craving a lobster roll, fresh oysters, clams, or scallops, there’s no shortage of options in Cape Cod. Some of the most highly rated seafood stops in the area include Captain Parker’s Pub, Skipper Chowder House, and Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar. If you’re not a huge fan of seafood, you might be after moving. However, there are still tons of other options for you to choose from as well.

8. Cape Cod is Historical

Cape Cod has origins tracing all the way back to the 1600s. It was discovered in 1602 by Bartholomew Gosnold and in 1620 pilgrims arrived in this coastal town prior to settling in Plymouth. Today, the unique style of architecture remains and many of the recently constructed homes resemble a traditional New England style. Some of the homes are even up to 200 years old! If you’re not willing to put in the maintenance required to take care of these types of older properties, make sure you opt for something built in this century.

9. It’s Surrounded by Nature

There’s no shortage of pristine landscapes and beautiful nature reserves in Cape Cod. If you’re an outdoors person, this region provides the perfect complement for your lifestyle. Since the weather remains relatively warm—especially compared to other cities in the U.S.—you’ll be able to enjoy nature all year long. In addition to the abundance of hiking trails available, Cape Cod is also extremely bike friendly and has many cycling paths for those who care to use them. If you need a break from exploring outside, you can sign up for an art class, history class, choir, or other social activity that helps you tap into your inner creativity.

10. Abundance of Seaside Activities

One of the biggest allures of visiting Cape Cod is the white-sand beaches that surround the peninsula, but there’s more to do besides sunbathe. Kayaking is a popular activity by locals in the region and there are several companies who offer daily boat trips. During the right time of year, you may even spot a few whales. However, when you want to relax, make sure to check out a few of the most notable beaches in Cape Cod, which include:

  • Marconi Beach
  • Mayflower Beach
  • Race Point Beach
  • Cape Cod National Seashore
  • West Dennis Beach

When you’re looking to add some variety to your recreation, there are several family friendly amusement parks, museums, historical sites, and shopping. You also have access to plenty of nearby day trips or weekend vacations. Although Cape Cod is on a peninsula, major roadways and public transportation make it easy to get around and see the region.

If you’re thinking about moving to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, take the time to do your research and explore different neighborhoods. While relatively small, each town provides something different, and the price of real estate varies across them all. To help support your transition, The Lock Up Self Storage offers convenient temperature controlled self-storage in Cape Cod, MA. We also provide free moving trucks to new renters, so you can easily transport your belongings into your unit. Our flexible leasing options allow you to store your things in short-term self-storage to help facilitate your move. Once you’re settled, you can transition into a long-term lease to help store unused items and keep your home clutter free. We offer a variety of sizes of self-storage units in Cape Cod, all of which are protected by our security features. You can reach our Cape Cod, MA facility at (508) 394-4944, or call our mainline to inquire about different locations and availability at (866) 327-LOCK. Contact us today to begin preparing for your move to beautiful Massachusetts!

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