October is National Stamp Collecting Month

A collection of antique and unique stamps.

In 1981, the U.S. Postal Service proclaimed October to be National Stamp Collecting Month. Originally intended as an event to encourage stamp collecting by American children between the ages of 8 and 12, NSCM is now celebrated by philatelists and stamp enthusiasts of all ages. To commemorate the annual event, the USPS releases new stamps in late September and throughout the month of October.

Kinds of stamps to collect

Topical stamp collectors put together groups of stamps that feature everything from airplanes to wild animals. Space-themed stamp collections are popular, too. Every stamp collection is unique, but they all have one thing in common: educational fun.

Anyone can enjoy stamp collecting

Stamp collecting has been called the hobby of kings, but you certainly don't have to be royalty to enjoy this delightful American pastime. Starting a collection doesn't require any financial layout; simply peel the canceled stamp off the next envelope that you receive via snail-mail.

Once you've begun to amass a sizable collection, you will probably want to save your stamps in a scrapbook devoted to your new avocation. Paper postage stamps must be kept away from bright sunlight and sources of humidity. If you don't have a safe place to keep your collection at home, look into Safeguard’s Bronx, NY self storage facilities. If you're closer to Yonkers, Safeguard also has plenty of Yonkers, NY storage lockers to safely stash your collection. Safeguard Self Storage offers the amenities you need in a Bronx or Yonkers Self Storage Unit such as computer controlled recorded access, digital video recording, unit door alarms, air conditioned and heated storage units and drive in loading areas all designed to keep your stamps or anything else you may store in good condition.

Protecting your collection

The biggest enemies of ephemera are sunlight and water. Either can destroy a sentimental and valuable stamp collection. When stored properly, however, a stamp collection can last longer than a lifetime. If you are no longer adding to your childhood stamp collection, you can preserve it for your grandkids in a climate-controlled storage unit at your neighborhood Safeguard Self Storage.

 

 

 

  

Aging Parents and their Belongings

An aging couple smiling and sitting with their adult children and young grandchildren.Are you a Baby Boomer with aging parents in NY? If so, you may wish to consider the best ways to watch out for the good people who raised you as they ease into their old age. There may well come a time when good old Mom and Dad will need to make a major change of residence.

Maybe your elderly parent wishes to remain independent, but their long-time house is just too big for them to manage anymore. If this is indeed the case, help them throw a fabulous yard sale before they move to a smaller dwelling. Treasures they cannot bear to part with can be carefully crated and kept in air conditioned and heated self storage in Yonkers, NY.

If your parent can no longer live alone due to infirmity, you might want to make the loving gesture of inviting your aged loved one to move in and share your home. If you are unable to do so, perhaps a sibling can. In either case, there's a good chance that some or even most of your parent's belongings will need to be put into temporary safekeeping. Safeguard’s state-of-the-art storage units in Yonkers, NY can provide exactly that.

If your aging parent is able to make good decisions, by all means allow them to choose what things to sell, what things to give away, and which treasures to put into climate controlled self storage in Yonkers. If your folks have always been fiercely independent, that's not likely to change simply because they have to downsize a lifetime of belongings.

Keep available at least a few special items that make your parent feel at home and and store the rest in Safeguard Self Storage NY storage units in Yonkers which are equipped with computer controlled access, unit door alarms, digital video recording and storage facility wide intercom system for peace of mind. Also, Safeguard Self Storage is located at 188 S. Broadway for the ultimate in convenient access. Ready to learn more? Call (914) 222-1519 and ask us how to get your first month of storage for only 99 cents!

New Device Maximizes Small Spaces

Interior of a small apartment kitchen next to the living room.A new, high-tech invention, called CityHome, uses robotic technology to transform closets and small spaces into an area that provides greater storage and functionality than its size would suggest. The astonishing storage system includes kitchen appliances, a bed, table, and closet and storage space to maximize small spaces. A boon for New Yorkers, CityHome brings “Star Trek” spaceship technology to urban living in cramped quarters. (See the demo here.) This inventive device could prove life-changing for city dwellers, especially when used in conjunction with storage units to stow away excess belongings.

Self Storage in Manhattan

One of the mainstays for urban living is using NY storage units in Manhattan to make better use of living space, store seasonal items and provide air conditioned and heated storage for treasured mementos and family heirlooms. Safeguard Self Storage in Manhattan offers many custom storage options to keep your items safe, sound and out of the way of your daily life.

Designing Your Life so that Each Part Reflects Deliberate Intentions

Large homes might feel spacious and airy, but urban dwellers understand the premium costs associated with free space. People with large living spaces fill them with nonessential possessions, and the space generates stress for maintaining the space and affording rents, mortgages and utilities. Tips for maximizing space in small NY apartments include:

  • Regularly inventory your possessions, and discard unwanted items.
  • Store items at Safeguard NY storage units in Manhattan to make room for seasonal accessories.
  • Store items that aren't immediately needed on high shelves or under beds.
  • Closets are usually haphazard repositories, but careful organization can more than double storage space.
  • Store small wares in decorative baskets to stay organized and eliminate clutter.
  • Consider sharing large items with family, friends or business associates.
  • Rolling carts can conveniently store items that are only used occasionally.
  • Use ottomans, credenzas and end tables that double as storage space.

Thinking creatively and embracing an uncluttered lifestyle help NY residents get the maximum benefits from small living spaces. Safeguard Self Storage in Manhattan and surrounding areas offers signature benefits for the urban lifestyle in the most densely populated city in the United States. New Yorkers enjoy the greatest city in the world, and residents can proudly store those items they don't immediately need to maximize their small apartments and live large in America's urban utopia.

Explore Russian Culture through Bronx Lithograph Exhibition

 
Just down the street from our Bronx, NY self storage facilities, there is an exciting show; a true cultural attraction for the neighborhood's enjoyment. Running from now through August 17, 2014, the Derfner Judaica Museum presents "LITHOGRAPHY IN LENINGRAD: Soviet Graphic Arts in the 1950's and 60's." This exhibition enables art lovers and history buffs to view and appreciate 37 lithographs produced by Soviet official artists in the late 1950s and early 1960s. 

Lithographs became popular in Russia in the second decade of the 19th century, but the medium itself originated in Germany around 1796. Lithography involves a meticulous process using a stone plate, and lithographers can make print copies for collectors. 

You can view the lithographs at the Derfner Judaica Museum located at 5901 Palisade Avenue. Experience a taste of old world lithographs by official Soviet artists firsthand.

To become a collector of lithographs in your own right, it's important to consult a lithograph expert on the preservation of individual works. Before placing lithopgraphs in Bronx, NY storage lockers, be sure to wrap them in acid-free paper to protect them from light and dirt. You can also place lithographs in a Solander box, which will lock out moisture and further stall the aging process. 

If you have a large collection of old prints and lithographs, we invite you to secure them in our Bronx, NY storage lockers and access them at a convenient time, such as when you want to share them with your grandchildren or exhibit them in a collector's show. Lithographs are an important representation of the cultural eras in which we live and they deserve proper storage.
 
Contact Safeguard Self Storage to keep your lithographs and other fragile items safe in secure self storage. We offer an array of storage unit sizes to fit any collection, and our climate controlled units keep your valuables safe from environmental factors. Find a Safeguard New York self storage facility near you today!

Brooklyn's 'Pop-Up' Sales

Popular Williamsburg, NY shop Artists and Fleas has been getting a lot of mainstream attention for their annual 'Super Bowl alternative pop-up', but these makeshift flea markets are becoming one of Brooklyn's most anticipated attractions. Not only do they add to the culture that makes New York City great, but they provide a welcome opportunity for smaller merchants to make some big money. (A 'pop-up sale' is a short term retail space.)

NYC Storage Facilities

The holidays have proven to be the perfect time for Brooklyn's burgeoning pop-up industry to thrive. New York City visitors and residents appreciate the vintage sales that complement a season that has become irretrievably commercialized. By shopping at these smaller shops, you can support small business in NYC in a way that frequenting the mall cannot. As a merchant, you're making a big contribution to the local economy and culture. Some of the best pop-up markets have come about as collaborations between otherwise competing shops.

 

NY Self Storage

If you're a part-time merchant looking to take advantage of a collaborative pop-up, you may be wondering where to store your goods in between sales. A good NY self storage facility can give you the secure space you need. Safeguard NYC storage facilities can keep your wares protected while you plan your next big sale. Safeguard Self Storage has climate controlled units, computer controlled access, storage unit door alarms, drive-in loading areas, a knowledgeable staff, and access seven day a week - perfect for merchants who need a place to store their inventory. Also, with twenty-two New York Self Storage locations (with more on the way) there is always a Safeguard Self Storage near-by. 

 

NYC Self Storage

Whether you deal in vintage coats, vinyl records, or handmade jewelry, you need NYC storage facilities that will keep your goods in pristine condition. Safeguard Self Storage goes the extra mile by providing the amenities needed to give you peace of mind while your items are in storage. When storing your goods with Safeguard, you can concentrate on making your next pop-up sale even more successful than the last.

 

Find one of our twenty-two New York Self Storage locations: Safeguard NYC Storage Facilities.

Winter Storage in New York City

New York City in Winter

New York City is famous for its harsh winters. It is not unusual for the city to get hit with monstrous blizzards and ice storms and cold is pretty much the norm, with average winter lows around 29 degrees. Self storage is a great way to keep your belongings out of the elements. But make sure the storage you choose is the appropriate kind.

If you are considering storing delicate items in NY self storage this winter, consider opting for a heated and air conditioned storage unit. These units protect belongings by keeping the temperature range between 55 and 85 degrees, the optimal range for self storage. Having a controlled environment to store household items, family heirlooms and photographs is especially helpful during the winter to keep them in the same condition as when stored.

One main benefit of heated and air conditioned storage is protection from inclement weather. These units keep rain and snow from penetrating into the storage unit. In addition, the units also protect valuables from dirt, dust and pests. Those who have fragile antiques or sensitive musical instruments can safely store their items without worry about the elements affecting their items. 

Another advantage of climate-controlled storage is atmospheric regulation. Each storage unit maintains a consistent temperature to protect the stored items from humidity. In a non-controlled environment many undesirable things can happen to your stored items such as, wooden-based furniture pieces can crack or split from the constant cycle of freezing and thawing, paper items can yellow and mold may form on material or cloth. Those who have valuable items to store should choose a Bronx self storage company that offers heated and air conditioned units. 

Those who are in search of Queens NY self storage, Brooklyn NY self storage, or Bronx self storage should consider choosing Safeguard to meet their needs. Safeguard offers climate-controlled storage so that people can protect their valuables. Besides that, Safeguard is the premiere storage company in New York.