Moving to Brooklyn, NY, is a demanding prospect, especially if you're accustomed to living in a larger space. Existing apartments are significantly smaller than average, and the lack of housing in NYC has led to the construction of many prefabricated apartments that are even smaller than most of the area's studio apartments. The new units range in size from 250 to 350 square feet. Don't worry. If you're planning a move to a Brooklyn apartment, you won't have to face the challenge alone. Safeguard Self Storage is here to serve as a helpful resource.
Check Out Brooklyn Neighborhoods
Before your move, it pays to research Brooklyn's many neighborhoods so that you can find a space that meets your social and family needs as well as your budget. Here are a few highlights.
- Crown Heights is a sprawling transitional area that offers a broad range of rental prices and somewhat larger living areas. But it's a coveted location, so start your apartment-hunting early.
- Bay Ridge has plenty of retail stores and restaurants and a range of housing options including smaller, older buildings and high rises.
- Park Slope is considered by many to be one of the most desirable locations in Brooklyn. Apartments are pricier, but they offer perks like decks, gardening space and historic architecture.
- Kensington and Windsor Terrace aren't as busy or as pricey as Park Slope, but they're close enough that you can easily visit upscale shops and restaurants.
Shrinking Your Stuff: Tips for Downsizing in Brooklyn
- Measure your new space carefully before deciding what you can fit into it.
- Buy smaller furniture, and choose multipurpose items like storage ottomans or sleeper sofas.
- Utilize vertical space. Place shelving instead of artwork above furniture pieces. Use stacking storage boxes to fill empty space in closets.
- Donate or store clothing that you rarely wear.
- If you have sentimental items or collections that you can't fit into the new space, take pictures of them to put on display.
Affordable Storage Units Make Downsizing Easier
Downsizing requires some adjustment, but it doesn't mean that you have to lose your treasured collections, heirlooms or furniture that you may need at a later date. Simply store your belongings in a secure storage unit. Safeguard Self Storage offers great deals on clean, affordable storage units that can make adjusting to a compact lifestyle in Brooklyn NY, much easier. Contact us today for details.
If you have the right equipment and arm yourself with knowledge, Addison, IL and the surrounding area is a great place to hunt. This summer, your friends at Safeguard Self Storage are offering a few tips to help you sharpen your organizational and hunting skills so that you can enjoy the thrill of success.
Optimize Your Summer Hunting in Addison
- Finding the best place to hunt is important. For your convenience, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) lists public hunting grounds near Addison.
- For the best experience, research a hunting location beforehand so that you're familiar with its rules, limitations and layout.
- Knowing when to hunt gives you an edge. At the start of summer, vegetation is less dense, and the clear weather gives you better visibility so that you can survey the terrain more effectively. Check weather reports regularly before making plans.
- The best animals to hunt in the summer months include coyotes, woodchucks and fox or grey squirrels. Check the IDNR Season Dates and Limits Guide for more information about the best times during the season to hunt specific animals.
- If you're hunting coyotes, start early in the morning when their activity level is at its highest. Take advantage of their predatory nature. Using a fawn decoy is a great way to attract them.
- Stay out of trouble. Don’t target an animal if you’re not sure what it is. Check your animal identification guide to identify it and determine if it is a protected species.
- Always check your hunting equipment for safety and proper performance before you begin using it.
- If you're more accustomed to winter hunting, be sure to prepare for the summer heat, humidity and insect activity.
Where to Get Your Hunting License
To hunt legally, you'll need to obtain the necessary hunting licenses from the IDNR. The type of license required depends on a number of variables such as what type of animals you intend to hunt, your age and other factors. You can obtain up-to-date license information by visiting the IDNR License Sales and Information Page.
Storage Units Keep Your Hunting Gear Safe During the Off-Season
If you don't have extra space at home for storing your hunting gear, Safeguard Self Storage can help. Our Addison, IL area storage units can keep your equipment safe and secure during the off-season or any time you need to ensure that it stays out of the wrong hands. Contact us today for details.
Miami, FL is known as the “Magic City.” Its nickname is attributed to its rapid growth, but summer visitors may consider it magical for the seemingly endless list of ways to have fun. When the weather gets warm, people from every state flock to its beautiful beaches and lakes to enjoy a wide variety of exciting water sports and activities. If you're ready for to plan your visit, here is a quick overview of what awaits you in Miami.
Play It Safe
The following activities require the special equipment listed. If you already have sports gear that's collecting dust in your Safeguard storage lockers, check to make sure that it's still viable and safe before using it. Sustaining an injury due to equipment failure is a quick way to ruin your Miami adventure.
Water Recreation in the Magic City
- Snorkeling is a good way to admire the beauty of underwater environments for extended periods of time. To go snorkeling, you'll need a snorkel mask, a snorkel and fins. A wetsuit may be needed in cool water.
- Kayaking and canoeing are similar sports that are enjoyed in lakes and rivers. They are both elongated, lightweight boats, but there are key differences in their designs. Basic equipment needed for either include a stable boat and paddles, a life jacket or personal flotation device, a flashlight and a helmet.
- Boating is extremely popular in Miami, and you don't need to own a boat to enjoy it. Boat rentals and guided boat tours are both available. If you do own a boat, be sure to supply it with flotation devices or life jackets, a working whistle or horn, a visual signal and a fire extinguisher.
- Fishing is a relaxing way to enjoy the Magic City's natural beauty. The equipment needed will depend on where you're fishing and what type of fish you're trying to catch. In general, a fully stocked tackle box, a quality rod and reel and appropriate bait is a great start. Don't forget to bring boating safety equipment, sunscreen and plenty of drinking water.
Learn more about Miami, FL outdoor recreation venues, tours, sports events and other opportunities by visiting the Miami and Beaches website.
Self Storage Units Keep Summer Gear Safe and Secure
Unfortunately, the season of water adventures doesn't last forever. If you need extra space for storing your gear during the colder months, Safeguard offers secure self storage units in the Miami area. Contact us today for more information about our clean, affordable storage lockers, and let us help you get a head start on next year's summer magic.
If you love arts and culture, you're living in the right place. The Baton Rouge Arts Market showcases the best of local talent and artisanship. Held on the first Saturday of each month, the open-air event features handmade pottery, jewelry, photographic art, stained glass and much more. If you have a hobby or favorite craft, the Arts Market provides an opportunity to share your talent with the world. This month, Safeguard Self Storage is offering savvy tips for setting up your own booth at the market and becoming part of the Louisiana arts scene.
Creating a Booth That Stands Out
- Aim for an airy, open and welcoming ambiance. Avoid creating a cave-like space.
- Decorate your booth with a variety of colorful, eye-catching materials such as fabrics, balloons, and streamers.
- Cover display tables with a cloth. For the best results, choose a solid color that contrasts the color of your products.
- If you can hang your items on a wall, do so; this makes them easier to examine and the items more noticeable from the street.
- Avoid clutter. Too many items grouped together are distracting and overwhelming to customers.
- Provide business cards. Customers who love your work may contact you later.
- Make sure to provide clear, highly visible signage that employs theme and color as well as text. Your prospective customers should be able to get an idea of who you are and what you're offering from a distance.
Sales and Marketing Tricks
- If your product can be sampled on-site, provide free samples to entice customers.
- Make your prices obvious and visible. No one should have to hunt for them. Offer special deals for multiple-item purchases.
- Talk to everyone who comes to your booth. Be friendly, helpful, and open, and don’t be afraid to sing the praises of your products.
- Take advantage of social media to get the word out.
- Make and distribute flyers ahead of the sale date. Use lots of color, and add a picture of one of your finest creations.
- Get to know other Baton Rouge vendors who are familiar with the market. They can offer even more tips for optimizing your sales and having a great time.
Storage Units Make Your Project Easier
If you need extra space for your crafts, supplies or marketing materials, Safeguard Self Storage has air-conditioned and clean storage units with easy access at prices that won't cut into your profits. Contact us today for more information about rates and availability.
In mid-June, Chicago hosts the Green Music Fest, an environmentally conscious festival that features green vendors, food and biodiesel bicycles. You'll also discover Remix Chicago, a festival of repurposed crafts and eco-friendly workshops. However, you don't have to wait until these events to go green in Chicago, IL. In fact, you can get started right away and help protect the environment even in the big city. Safeguard Self Storage has all the tips on going green!
Make a Difference on World Environment Day
World Environment Day happens annually on June 5 and raises awareness for protecting the environment. It started in 1974 and has since gone global as more than 100 countries now celebrate this event. You don't have to join a flash mob or hand out pamphlets on the sidewalks to participate. No matter how small, you can do your part and still help the planet in a big way.
1. Reduce
Don't throw away unwanted tools, clothes, toys or other belongings. Instead, donate them to charity. You'll help others in need and reduce the amount of garbage in the landfills. Buying in bulk can also help reduce packaging and help you save money at the same time.
2. Reuse
Buy used items such as clothing, books and furniture at consignment shops and thrift stores. Used items are normally less expensive than new items and serve the same purpose. Repair your belongings instead of throwing them away. You can also borrow or rent items when you need them.
3. Recycle
You can recycle almost anything and help conserve natural resources such as wood and water. Recycling also reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions that occur when factories produce more goods. If you recycle your glass jars, plastic bottles and cardboard, you'll also reduce the amount of waste in the landfills.
Daily Tips for Going Green
- Turn the lights off when you leave a room.
- Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth.
- Separate recyclable items from your trash bin.
- Unplug electronics when they're not in use.
Go Green This June in Chicago
You can make room in your home by reducing the clutter and either donating the items to charity or hosting a yard sale. As you collect more items, you can use one of the many storage units available at Safeguard Self Storage to organize everything in one place. In the end, you will have helped people in need, reduced excess waste in the landfills and created more space in your home.
What could be more entertaining than celebrating summer festivals in the Big Easy? How about being a part of the scene with a booth for your amazing artwork? From Greek Fest and Cinco de Mayo to the Bayou Boogaloo, festival opportunities in New Orleans, Louisiana are wide open. Get organized now with equipment, displays and storage lockers for arts and crafts success.
Pitch a Portable Tent
Before you get started, always check event guidelines for covering booths and tents. That canvas enclosure is your festival home for several days, so you want something sturdy and weather-proof. The best setups are lightweight and easy to transport from self storage units to festival locations. That portability needs stability in case of windy weather, so include weights and bungee cords in your tent-pitching inventory. You'll also need sturdy tables, quick-mount shelving, lighting and extension cords.
Show Off Your Best
Your festival booth serves as a gallery for your very best work, so plan a layout that really shows it off. Raise your goods in the public eye by elevating table legs with PVC piping. Display framed art and photography against neutral-colored walls, and showcase pottery and sculpture on pedestal displays. Position larger pieces of everything at the back of your booth to draw in appreciative buyers. Keep exhibitions customer-friendly with plenty of aisle space that encourages browsing without creating foot-traffic jams.
Invite Them Inside
You want the festival crowd to know what you offer with a quick glance at your inviting booth. Make it happen with signage that reflects your artistic style. Express a vintage take on jewelry with the right font, or announce contemporary quilting talents with bold colors. Catch the attention of people with colorful fabric and natural textures inside your booth. If the weather behaves, throw down patterned carpets that entice visitors into your creative domain. Make them feel welcome, and they will respond by making you their newest favorite artisan.
It's fun to turn your talent into a revenue stream, so go with the festival flow, and launch your success in the Crescent City. Whether you wow crowds at the Bastille Day Fete or show off your best at the French Film Festival, keep it all organized with our convenient, affordable self storage units. You can always depend on Safeguard Self Storage here in New Orleans to keep your artistic endeavors festive.
The food trucks at ArtsPark serve as your inspiration every Monday. You love the food, the atmosphere and the idea of being your own boss. Now it's time to turn your own unique recipes into the next delicious thing on wheels. All it takes is a great truck, a solid plan and a secure Hollywood, FL self storage unit.
Roll on Older Wheels
Very few first-timers buy a brand new truck off the showroom floor. If your budget insists on something used, take advantage of older wheels that adapt to custom work. Many food trucks were delivery vans in a previous life, and these sturdy vehicles are easy to gut and retrofit. Apply the cash difference between old and new to the steam tables, warming ovens and refrigeration units you'll need to equip your truck.
You Just Need One
All you need is one irresistible dish that you prepare better than anyone else. Leave full-course menus to restaurants, and concentrate on something that makes you stand out from all the other food trucks. Whether you're serving gourmet burgers or handmade chocolates, figure out the logistics of your specialty. Identify the best suppliers for ingredients, calculate food costs and factor in your time and labor.
Cook Up Smart Marketing
Marketing is as simple as putting up flyers, and it's as involved as monitoring social media channels. Both strategies bring in business with minimum impact on the budget. Maximize your professional profile by supplying local charity events with tasty support. Barter for things like printing and web design by offering to cater in exchange for services. Save the expense of traditional advertising by cooking up smart, money-saving marketing plans.
Include Seasonal Storage
It's easy to feed all those appetites on the boardwalk during the high season, but be sure to include downtime in your plans. When the crowds thin out, you want to make sure you have a secure site for parking. Ask about drive-up indoor storage with enough extra space to double as a staging area when you're ready to roll next season. That food truck is your investment in the future, so it deserves a climate-controlled home base.
When you start your own business, the menu for success has to incorporate smart planning and plenty of determination. Safeguard Self Storage applauds the entrepreneurial spirit that drives your food truck dreams. We're always here to support your hard work with the best storage solutions available across all of Broward County.
If all the bikes in Philadelphia, PA hit the streets at the same time, you'd have the world's biggest pedal-powered urban safari. The City of Brotherly Love always welcomes bicycle lovers, so get your wheels out of self storage and ready to explore the best cityscape in Delaware Valley.
Baby Your Bike
Before you hit Philly's 435-mile network of dedicated lanes, baby that bike in your storage unit. Give it a good sponge bath with a biodegradable cleaner, inspect the brakes, and gauge tire pressure. Enlist a buddy to help test the drivetrain by raising and spinning the rear wheel while you shift gears. Take your well-tuned bike for a quick run around the block to be sure that it's ready for tour-adventure duty.
Make Fitness Fun
Bicycle for fun, but do it with fitness in mind. Our city's flat terrain makes it easy to navigate all 57 miles of trails that wind through Wissahickon Park. Take a relaxing ride on the healthy side of fun along Ridley Creek, or lap up the landscape as you pedal along the Schuylkill River Trail. The scenery is terrific, and the ride offers some of the best exercise you can get in 60 minutes.
Coast Through History
Explore Philadelphia's historic Revolutionary War sites from the comfort of your seat as you pedal through Valley Forge Park. Go solo, or join an organized tour that starts at Independence Mall and cruises past more than 10 celebrated city sites in just a few hours. Coast by Ben Franklin's home on your way to the Liberty Bell, and marvel at how much better history looks when you're riding a bike.
Sizzle Down South Street
Whether you're thirsty for a bike-fueled pub crawl or hungry for a fabulous food tour, South Street is your road to authentic Philly fun. Go with the gang, or conquer it alone, but start by exploring local taverns, favorite pubs and craft breweries. Bike responsibly, and then park for a hearty hoagie, choice cheesesteak or square pizza. Be sure to order some potato candy to snack on as you pedal back home.
You never run out of places to go and things to do when you bike around Philadelphia. You also never run out of great storage options for those wheels when you pedal to the nearest Safeguard Self Storage location.
From Germantown Avenue to Hunting Park, we're proud to be a part of your favorite bike-loving cityscape.
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Finding the right time to sell your Chicago, IL house can be overwhelming. But, there are tons of potential benefits to downsizing and finding a new place to call home. All that equity is tempting, and the right move could save miles off your commute. Make this next transition the smoothest one yet with the right plan and the right self storage unit to help you get from showing to closing.
Declutter With Purpose
Don't look at surplus stuff as something that you have to haul off. Declutter with purpose by giving to one of Chicago's charitable organizations. Your gently used items will be appreciated, and you can often use the donation as a tax write-off. If you need a little help funding downsizing plans, turn high-end clutter into cash at a consignment shop. Weekend garage sales and online auctions are also great venues for converting extra stuff into extra pocket change.
Stage to Sell
Imagine looking at a South Loop condo with an eye to making it your new home. You picture favorite color schemes at play and start arranging every room. The prospective space appeals to you because it's been staged. Apply this simple, effective sales strategy to your home by packing away personal items like photos and keepsakes. Clean the house from top to bottom, flood each room with natural light, and create an environment that lets prospective buyers paint their own interiors inside your beautifully staged home.
Downsize and Store
Downsizing and self storage are perfect partners. Use the extra space for things that you don't want to donate or sell. When you start staging, stash sentimental items in your storage unit. Organize belongings that you don’t need now for easy retrieval when you’re ready to move into your new Chicago home. Climate-controlled units keep everything from personal records to electronics in good shape while you finalize relocation plans. It’s easy to take advantage of self-storage benefits with online tools that let you choose the perfect space, manage lease options and take care of payments with 24/7 convenience.
From Northside Lincoln Park to historic Bridgeport, homeowners are enjoying the upsides of downsizing. When you want to back your plans with space that fits, we have just what you need. Safeguard Self Storage stands ready to help you make the move of a lifetime with convenient storage units all across Chicago and its suburbs.
Brooklyn, NY boasts the SeaGlass Carousel, a huge crystal nautilus shell that takes people on a ride through a world of luminescent fish. Though it's a big hit with the kids, even adults get caught up in the wonderful world of the sea. When the ride ends, you don't have to leave your underwater adventure at the park. By putting together your own fish tank, you can recreate the experience right at home. Safeguard Self Storage is showing you a few simple ways to get started today!
Finding the Perfect Spot
Before you can set up a fish tank, you'll have to find the best spot in your house for viewing. Whether you set up the tank in the living room or your bedroom depends on the look and feeling that you're trying to achieve.
- Living room: Setting up the tank in the living room gives everyone in your home and those who visit a chance to see the fish whenever they want.
- Master bedroom: You can create a cozy, intimate setting with a fish tank in the master bedroom. The bubbling sounds may also help you fall asleep faster.
- The children's room: Placing a fish tank in your children's room will boost their underwater imaginations. However, it's more difficult to watch the tank and prevent accidental damage as your children play.
Setting Up a Fish Tank
Once you have a spot picked out, it's time to gather the equipment. You can buy all the parts separately or purchase a beginner's kit with everything included. In case you opt for separate pieces, you'll need:
- A beginner's 10-gallon glass or acrylic tank
- A heater
- An air pump
- Prime and biological filtration booster
- Nets, gravel, fish and plant and rock decor
Follow the directions in the boxes for putting your system together, and slowly add the fish last. Great starter fish include swordtails, guppies and mollies. Talk with your local pet store for additional recommendations on the best starter fish for your tank.
Make Space for Your New Aquarium
If you lack space for a new aquarium or need more room to store extra supplies, Safeguard Self Storage can help. Our storage lockers provide the right amount of space to keep aquarium supplies and accessories stored away until you need them. We also have larger units available for storing any excess furniture and making space for a new aquarium at home.