1.  When loading your storage unit, use the same rules as Tips for Loading a Moving Truck, using tier method with heavier items as base and lighter items stacked on top.
2. Make sure anything that will fit in a box goes in a box or bin with a top.  Loose items called “chowder” by movers makes your storage stacking much less efficient and a serious pain when unloading your storage unit.  It also lessens the chance of an avalanche when opening your storage unit’s doors.
3. Mark your boxes with stickers or a permanent marker on 2 sides near the top right corner with what room they came out of and a brief description of their contents.
4. Make sure any times that need to be accessed are near the door of the unit.  Items like seasonal clothing are a good example of this.
5. If the storage unit is a ground floor unit, consider using skids or pallets to keep the items off the floor in case of flooding or leaking.
6. When wrapping furniture, make sure there isn’t wood stacked on top of wood without protection.  You can use moving blankets (a little pricey), old quilts or bedding (not as effective), cardboard or my personal favorite, three ply brown paper pads for wood furniture protection.  Don’t use plastic wrap directly on wood pieces as it will damage the finish.
7. Upholstered items and beds can be protected a couple different ways.  Most self storage locations sell bags you can cover your upholstered pieces with, and tape for security. Telescoping cartons can be purchased to protect beds from dirt and dust but don’t protect from moisture.  Stretch film or “shrink wrap” as it’s called in the industry is a good option for upholstery since it is wrapped around the piece and pulled tight for the best fit and good protection.
8. If possible, put like items in the same general vicinity.  If you want to pull out a bedroom set, and the dresser is in the back, its mirror in the middle, and the headboard and footboard are in the front, you caused yourself a lot more work when you go to retrieve.
9. Always remember to follow your self storage rules for restricted items like flammables, etc.

These tips will help you protect your goods, make the most efficient use of your storage space and keep your items in a logical order.

When you’re looking to hire a qualified moving company to safely pack up and transport all of your belongings to your new home, you want a professional, honest and reliable firm.  But opening the Yellow Pages or searching the Internet will turn up many options, leaving you not sure which one to choose.  And unfortunately, the Internet has given con artists an easy way to present themselves as legitimate.

To help you avoid problems during one of the more stressful times in your life, the non-profit American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA) created the ProMover program in 2009, a certification program to give you the assurance you’re starting with an honest, reliable company.  It has one guiding principle: give consumers a way to separate reputable, professional movers from con artists out to make a quick buck.  Qualifying AMSA members are authorized to call themselves ProMovers and display the program’s logo.

Under the program, standards for membership in AMSA, the industry’s trade association, have been expanded to include a check for any felony convictions of the company’s owners or officers regarding matters over which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB) or any state consumer protection agency has jurisdiction; verification of company ownership with the appropriate state corporation commission; a check of its Better Business Bureau rating; and a review of each applicant’s Web site for improper advertising.  Each new applicant must also complete a signatory agreement attesting it will comply with FMCSA and STB regulations and uphold the AMSA Code of Ethics.

To help consumers easily find a ProMover, movers approved for the program are authorized to display an easily-recognizable logo — a distinctive, stylized capital blue “M” that, at a glance, gives customers the confidence and comfort of knowing they and their cherished possessions aren’t being “taken for a ride.” Look for this “seal of approval” on a professional moving company’s Web site, in its advertising and marketing materials and in its Yellow Pages ads.  You can also verify a company’s participation at http://www.moving.org.

Hiring a ProMover is the smartest move you’ll ever make!

Fur coats are very luxurious items, and can be very expensive.  When your fur coat is not going to be in use especially over the summer months, its best to store your fur coats in a proper setting to ensure you will be able to wear it for years to come.

1.  Don’t store your fur coat like you would store your winter coats in a typical closet.
2. Keep fur coats out of direct sunlight.  The sunlight can cause oxidation to the fur, which can cause the fur to lose its value and cause damage.
3. When storing your fur coat, keep your fur coat away from other items, having your coat pressed up against anything can cause damage to the fur.
4. It’s best to preserve your furs during the summer months keeping it out of heat.  The best temperature for storing a fur coat is between 40-50 degrees, and with limited fluctuations on the temperature.
5. An air-conditioned home can sometimes cause too much humidity causing the leather on the fur to crack, and the fur to fall off, you want to maintain the humidity to about 50 %.
6. Avoid cedar closets and moth balls when storing your fur coat.  The smell of the cedar or moth balls can be absorbed into your coat.
7. Do not place your fur coat in plastic, this can destroy the look of your garment.
8. Never comb your fur coat with a comb or brush, the best way is to smooth it out with your hand, and if your coat gets wet, do not use a blow dryer to dry it.
9. It’s best to use a professional fur storage facility, dry cleaner storage, or self storage place with temperature control for your storage options.  You may have to pay a little more than storing it on your own, but most places have insurance options, and are better equipped for the job.
10. Make sure to have your fur professionally cleaned before putting your garment into storage.

These storage tips should help keep your fur coat looking in tip top shape for many years to come.

When choosing a self storage unit, first you need to know how many cubic feet of furniture, boxes, etc you need to store and the cubic footage it consumes.  If you don’t know this go back to What Size Storage Unit Do I Need?  When trying to calculate your storage size needs, there are first some questions to ask.  These will help you determine how much of the space you reserve is actually usable.

Can the furniture and boxes be stacked from floor to ceiling, front to back in the space?

If the answer is yes, multiply the length, by width, by height of the unit for your usable storage space.  For example, if you rent a 10’x20’ space with an 8’ ceiling, you have a 10’x20’x8’ =1600 cubic feet of usable space.

Is an aisle down the middle necessary to access certain items?

If so, take the actual amount of space and deduct the aisle like so; The same size space as above 10’x20’x8’ or 1600 cubic feet minus a 3’ aisle down the middle.  Multiply 3’ as the width of the aisle, by 20’ deep, by 8’ high or 480 cubic feet, so the actual usable space would be 1600 cubic feet- (minus) 480 cubic feet or 1120 cubic feet of usable storage space.

Do the items in storage require more space due to antique condition or inability to stack?

If so you might cut your actual usable space by 1/3 to 1/2.  This is a situation where some type of shelving or racking can be helpful to maximize space while providing the quality of space necessary.

So remember the rule of thumb.  Usable storage space equals length x width x height of the self storage space minus length x width x height of the unusable storage space to arrive at the actual usable storage space available. By using this method, you can choose the self storage option that best fits your needs.

If you have a studio apartment with a list like the following:

Item———-–Cubic footage

Sleeper Sofa – 60 cubic feet

Dinette Table – 20 cubic feet

2 dinette chairs - 10 cubic feet

Chest/Ar moire – 30 cubic feet

Desk – 35 cubic feet

Office Arm chair – 10 cubic feet

Coffee Table – 10 cubic feet

2 End Tables - 10 cubic feet

TV -  5 cubic feet

TV Stand – 5 cubic feet

Bookcase – 20 cubic feet

20 Boxes - 60 cubic feet

Total Cubic Feet  – 275 cubic feet

5×10x8 storage unit will work for this size (it holds a maximum of 400 cubic feet).  Some self storage places will call this type of storage 5×10 storage space.

If you have a 1 bedroom or a small 2 bedroom apartment or condo:

With 3 to 4 rooms of furniture, possible some on-site storage, you’ll probably require a 10’x10’x8’tall unit (800 cubic feet maximum will fit into this storage space).  Larger 2 bedrooms with lots of contents can even bump up to a 10’x20’x8’tall unit (which fits 1600 cubic feet maximum).

If you have a 3 bedroom home or larger:

A 10’x20’x8’tall unit (holds a maximum of 1600 cubic feet of content) is probably the least you will need.  Your typical 3 bedroom house is around 1500-1600 cubic feet so a 10’x20’x8’ will be big enough (or extremely close).

If you have a 4 bedroom home:

This is usually 1800-2200 cubic feet, so a combination of units and sizes will be required, or a 10′x30′x8′ tall unit can be used.

As with any other project the larger and more complicated the job, the more likely you’ll need professional help.  A 3 bedroom home can be done by amateurs but a 4 bedroom home or larger is probably too much for anyone that’s not a professional mover.

 Capital Expenditure Write-Off/First-year Expensing

Some capital expenses can be written off in the year they were incurred (enhanced Internal Revenue Service section 179 capital expense or first-year expensing), rather than over time through depreciation.  The property (such as trucks, trailers & other vehicles, moving equipment and computers used more than 50% for business) usually must be purchased and placed in service by year end.  “Placed in service” does not necessarily require that the taxpayer start using the property in the business.  Property has been placed in service as long as it is ready and available for use.     First-year expensing is limited to the taxpayer’s taxable income for the year and cannot be used to generate or increase a net operating loss for the current year.  Thus, a taxpayer operating at a loss should not claim first-year expensing.

Under old rules, small business taxpayers were allowed to write off up to $ 125,000.00 (indexed for inflation) of capital expenditures, subject to a phase-out when total capital expenditures exceed $ 500,000.00(indexed for inflation).  In 2008 Congress temporarily increased the amount of write-offs for capital expenditures incurred in that year to $ 250,000.00 and increased the phase-out threshold to $ 800,000.00. Those temporary increases were extended thru 2009.   First-year expensing can be claimed on used as well as new property.

Unless this limit is extended, the ceiling will drop to $134,000.00 for 2010 and the deduction threshold will be $ 530,000.00.

Credit Cards

Accept credit cards (or debit cards) for cash on delivery (COD) shipments and monthly storage charges.  Some customers prefer to use their credit cards and earn certain rewards from their credit card company.  This technology has been improved over the years where you can see quick deposits direct to your bank account from the credit card company.   Please note there are fees charged by the credit card company and/or your bank for this service so you should obtain completive bids from credit card providers to help manage those fees.  Also note that your customer’s credit card information is sensitive and you must train your employees to protect that information.

Mobilization Deposits

Some projects are set up by extending credit to the customer (not COD).  When you have proposed a large relocation or are about to secure a significant project request a down payment from your customer.  This will help your cash flow to meet your payroll and ensure that you have the correct billing information and payment authorizations from the customer.  Deposits up to one third of the estimated cost are reasonable.

 Salary versus Bonus

Many of your best employees may be paid a salary for the year.  Instead of increasing their salary the next time they due for a review, implement a bonus plan.  That way, your payroll costs are not automatically increased and you can pay the bonus to that employee as your cash flow permits.  Depending on how the bonus is calculated your employee may be more motivated than ever before.  Consider adopting a bonus plan that incorporates some of their specific performance and the overall company performance on a short term and long term basis.  

Accounts Payable

There are many vendors that allow you to spread out your payments to them at little or no extra cost.  You may be familiar with aging your accounts receivables list.  You can also “age” your payables which will improve your cash flow.  Set up these vendors with a payment date closer to 40 or 50 days instead of 20 or 30 days from the invoice date.

As an example, insurance is always a significant cost for movers.  The insurance companies may allow you to finance your payments to them at little or no extra cost.

Rolling Stock Purchases

When you purchase trucks, trailers, and other equipment consider making this purchase via capital lease, operating lease or a bank loan.  This will spread out your payments for the rolling stock over the estimated useful life of the equipment.  You will also be better matching the cash outflow for the purchase with the anticipated cash inflow from the revenue related to that equipment.

 Investing in business assets or employees is never just a matter of taxes.  A company must consider whether the investment makes economic sense for them.  Please consult with your tax advisor before acting on any of these topics.  Your tax advisor can ensure you receive the maximum tax benefits considering your company structure, income tax rates, etc.

 Thomas L. Broderick, C. P. A. is the Treasurer of Pickens-Kane Moving & Storage Co. in Chicago, Illinois.  He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Risk Management Trust since 1996.  Many individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations consult him for various accounting, investment, insurance and tax issues.

Revised: March 9, 2010

Facts:

Did you know that in our time, most wine bottles have UV filters for light? Too much light or UV rays can cause a pungent odor to your wine.  Storing wine into dirty containers, and exposure to air can quickly turn you good wine into vinegar.  Wine breathes so you want to keep away from strong odors to avoid the smell going through the cork and tampering with the wine.  Cheap wine does not improve over time.  Red wines usually take 2-10 years to mature depending on the type of wine, the balance of acid, sugars, and tannins.  White wines are generally good for 2-3 years, and White Burgundies (Chardonnay) need to be aged 5-20 years.  Wine should be stored at a cool temperature. The ideal temperature for storing wine would be between 54-68 degrees, not exceeding 75 degrees.  The temperature of wine should never fluctuate more than 3 degrees per day, and 5 degrees per year.  The more changes in the temperature, the greater the chance wine has of over breathing.  If the temperature is below 54 degrees, this slows down the aging process.  If the wine is stored about 75 degrees, it causes the wine to age 4x’s faster than normal, and can lose its fruitiness, and value.  You want to make sure the humidity for storing wine is about 70%, and the air is circulating in the area to reduce the chance of mold.  A hygrometer can track the humidity levels.  Movement or vibrations can decrease the value of your wine.

TIPS FOR WINE STORAGE:

You want to make sure you follow these general rules when it comes to storing your wine. 

• Keep the wine at a constant, cool temperature, never letting the temperature get above 75 degrees; this can cause the wine to oxidize. 
• Its best to store your wine on its side, the key is to make sure you keep the cork from drying out, and causing the wine to oxidize.
• Avoid locations where there is a lot of movement, or vibrations.
• Keep your wine in a dark area, avoid areas of direct sunlight, or UV rays
• High humidity levels are better than low humidity levels for wine.

STORAGE:

Wine storage can be broken down into 3 different categories.  Long Term Storage, Short Term storage, and Storage after the Wine is opened up.

Long Term:  This is generally for wine that will be stored for more than 6 months.  Wine storage should be low constant temperature, about 70% humidity, free of movement and vibration, and a dark area.  High humidity can cause growth of mold on the labels, but is better for the wine.  With too much light, this can result in an off taste and smell to the wine, especially with white and sparkling wines. 

Short Term:  This is generally for wine that will be consumed within 6 months or less.  You want to keep the conditions as close to long term storage, but a short term solution would be like using an interior closet, basement under the stair case, or under the sink as a last resort.

Open Bottles:  If the wine has been opened, you want to make sure (especially if its white wine), it is consumed within 3-5 days.  Make sure the cork is tight on the bottle.  You may want to use a cork stopper and pump to minimize exposure to air.  If storing in a refrigerator, avoid leaving the fridge open for a long time, because the exposure to the light can affect the wine.  If it is red wine, leave out, and keep the cork tight.  Desert wines can generally stay fresh for about 3-5 days.

DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR WINE STORAGE: 

These are a few options for you depending on which type of storage you are looking for.  Wine storage can come in many sizes, shapes, and colors depending on what your storage needs are.

Wine Racks:  Come in both wood and metal forms, good for use under a bar area, can also come in floor to ceiling models, depending on your needs.  This form does not protect your wine from light, or help avoid temperature fluctuations, but if built in to a location, can avoid vibrations depending on the make. 

Insulated Wine Cellar:  Insulated wine cellars protect your wine from colder and warmer temperatures, and also remain at a constant temperature.  The insulated vs. non-insulated can be more consistent with maintaining temperatures.

Closet Wine Cellar:  Can be built into your home, for instant a closet, and can be kept floor to ceiling.  Can ease with maintaining temperatures, darkness, and avoid vibrations.  You want to make sure with your closet wine cellar that the air quality and circulation is good especially for long term storage.

Wine Cooler/Refrigerator:  A wine refrigerator is a great way to protect your wine; they usually stay at a constant 55 degrees with better air circulation to help prevent any mold growth.

Now that you have finished wine storage 101, you should have a better understanding on the proper ways to store your wine.

When storing documents and other media, there are a few different options available.  For most people’s needs a few tips and a small self storage locker do the trick but there are other services available.

DATA BACK UP SYSTEMS:

For a home based business, certain companies can provide data back up to an offsite server.  Files are encrypted for security and can be accessed quickly and easily.  For residential data backup a password protected CD or DVD is a good way to preserve needed data.

MOVING COMPANY RECORD STORAGE:

Some moving companies specialize in storing, delivery and pickup, and managing documents.  It’s more of a costly option and not necessary for the average home owner.

SELF STORAGE:

This is the most common method people use to storage important documents, medical records, tax information etc.  Follow these tips for the best results.

PACKING TIPS:

 Pack documents in smaller boxes like book boxes or office moving totes.  Paper is dense and the boxes will get heavy fast.  Making the boxes smaller also makes it easier to be more specific with the description of the contents on the outside of the box.  Some people like to use rigid plastic containers for the waterproof factor.  Whatever containers you use mark all boxes on the same end in the top right corner for ease of identification.  Permanent markers and stickers work well to I.D.

STORAGE TIPS:

When storing, many people (and businesses) like to use steel racking or shelving for ease of viewing and retrieval.  The rule of thumb is to store the oldest or least needed items at the bottom and/or in the back.  If you’re not using racking, use pallets or some other method to get the boxes off the ground.  Try not to stack too high as this will make retrieval more difficult.

GENERAL TIPS:

Make multiple copies of stored documents and keep them in a different location.  Any documents that must be originals should be kept in a locked fireproof file or fireproof safe.  When packing CD’s or DVD’s, or video tapes, use ant-static packaging to preserve the date.  Climate controlled storage is preferable to avoid extreme heat and humidity changes.

Following these tips can make storing you information more orderly and easier to maintain.

 Written By:  Maurice Schell, Automotivation Inc. - Lombard, IL

What moves you?  Your Car-It’s second nature to us.  We rely on our vehicles for everything from retrieving living essentials to vacationing.  During long distance moves or interstate moves, the maintenance of a vehicle is more important than ever.

Now that your Moving, did you give any thought as to whether your car is ready?  Have you been regular in the repair and maintenance of your vehicle?

Before you move you should do the following maintenance to your vehicle:

• Complete Visual inspection
• Check tire pressure, tread depth and age of tires
• Inspect brakes for wear and fluid leaks
• Pressure check cooling system for leaks and hoses for weakness
• Inspect Serpentine belt or fan belts for cracks
• Check physical condition of battery and cables.  Load test battery and alternator output
• Perform starter draw test
• Check engine oil-should be fresh or clean
• Check transmission oil-should be red without “burnt smell”
• Check that the engine is in the proper state of tune
• Review all lights and signals
• Scan vehicle computer for codes.  Any “check engine” light requires repair before your move

REVIEW VEHICLE HISTORY

Have you kept good records of your vehicle repairs and maintenance?  Did you have a relationship with your repair facility that can provide you a “history” of repairs with dates along with mileage?  Having a good history will help you when the time comes for your next repair.  Should a part previously installed in the vehicle fail, you might have a warranty; otherwise having good records can provide you peace of mind in your new town.  This preventative medicine can help your long distance move flows a little smoother and reduce your areas of concern by one.

There are a few different types of vehicle storage; so the first thing you have to do is figure out what level of service and what price point you need.  There are substantial differences between the needs of a out of season landscaping vehicle, and a vintage muscle car.  The following are the different types of storage for vehicles and the aspects of each.

OUTDOOR VEHICLE STORAGE:

This can be either covered or uncovered and can be either paved or gravel.  This option is the least expensive, has the least security and usually is the best fit for short term storage or when condition of the vehicle isn’t a concern.  Many times people who choose this option purchase a cover to protect the vehicle. 

INDOOR GARAGE SPACE:

This is another option for storing a vehicle.  This option costs a little more, has more security, and the vehicle is inside out of the elements but not usually climate controlled.  There is generally garage door access.

CLIMATE CONTROLLED VEHICLE STORAGE:

This is the most expensive and most secure.  It’s an indoor storage facility, kept between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit and is the best fit for vintage or expensive vehicles that need the highest level of service.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING VEHICLE STORAGE:

1.  Are there size restrictions in the facility that you choose?  Generally, the outside vehicle storage facilities don’t have the height or width restrictions that the 2 indoor options do.  Many times garage door height is a factor.
2.   How often do you need to take the vehicle in and out of the storage?  If the vehicle is to be stored and left for months it doesn’t matter, if you need to get at the vehicle regularly ease of in and out access and hours of operation of the facility are two important things to check.
3. See if the vehicle storage facility charges monthly or if charges can be prorated to the day or week.  Also, see what the facilitys’ liability is, if there is any damage to your vehicle.

Like other storage, storing a vehicle is a prospect that should be tailored to each individual need.  Due diligence and some shopping is a good idea.