General Articles

How to Install Assembled Kitchen Cabinets

A kitchen remodel can be done much easier if you use assembled kitchen cabinets. Many people assume it will cost less refacing the current cabinetry but that’s not necessarily true. If you take care of the project yourself without outsourcing to a professional, you can give your kitchen a face lift relatively cheap. While this is a big job, it is not as hard as you probably think.

Measure

Using a measuring tape, record the length of your cabinets. Most are a standard size and pretty predictable but you don’t need any surprises. When in doubt, don’t let your pride stand in the way of simply taking the cabinet with you to the store to compare. You are not the only person who has done this!

Purchase

Purchase your assembled cabinets as well as other supplies that you’ll need such as a power drill, level shims, wood screws, measuring tape and a jigsaw. Most of these items you should be able to pick up on sale at a discount store.

Remove

If you are replacing previous cabinets, remove them as well as your countertop. If not, you will be able to skip this step. It is important to note that these assembled packages are not exclusive to the kitchen and can be used in the laundry room, bathroom or even as garage cabinets and storage.

Install

Always install your upper cabinets first, this way you aren’t forced to lean over the lower ones when trying to work in tight spaces. Using a level, draw yourself a visible chalk line. When the cabinets are propped up on the wall, you will mount them by drilling into studs when possible. Never install your shelves or doors until the cabinets are on the walls, this reduces the weight you have to work with.

Your lower cabinets get a little tricky because fitting them has to be precise or your countertop will be crooked. Use wood shims to make sure that each cabinet is flush with one another. Keep in mind, they may not be flush with your walls since these are rarely made straight. Don’t worry about a little gap, it will be hidden with your countertop and backsplash.

Tips

While installing assembled kitchen cabinets is not too difficult, you may want to have someone help you. It is a job that goes smoother with four hands rather than two. Additionally, always make use of wall studs and anchor cabinets to one another. Lastly, cut away outlet or pipe access holes before you mount them to make your job easier.…

Self Storage Units – Popular For Storing Personal And Household Belongings

At some point in most people’s lives will come a time when there is no longer enough space to cater for all household and personal belongings.

Generally, as we get older we tend to acquire more and more belongings. Buying something to replace something else is often the reason. Whether it’s a lounge suite, table and chairs, a vehicle, bicycle, clothing or white ware, we all have a need to update. In a lot of cases, people tend to hang onto their older belongings rather than sell them. This could be for sentimental reasons, increase in value potential or the likelihood of one day needing them.

Because of the need for more space, there is now a massive demand for self storage units. Available in various cubic metre sizes, thousands of people are turning to these as a convenient, secure and cost effective means to storing belongings that are surplus to current requirements or simply won’t fit in with one’s living arrangement.

As an employee of a company that hires out self storage units, I’ve noticed a continually growing demand for them. They used to be sought after by people who had belongings all boxed up, like books, surplus footwear, kitchen ware and other small personal items. Nowadays however, people are putting all sorts of things in self storage units, including lawn mowers, electronics, washing machines, sports equipment and racing cars and priceless collector items.

The increase in the range of items being placed in self storage units can be put down to a vast improvement in the quality of the units and the high level of security that they provide. People now have more trust in placing their precious and valuable belongings in the hands of businesses, whose credibility may or may not be there for people to see.

Another great benefit of these facilities is the ability to hire them for extended periods. This is particularly convenient if you are heading overseas for a year or two. You could pay as little as $90 (NZD) per month for a 6 cubic metre storage unit, which can provide space that are equivalent to a small bedroom.

If you are looking at leaving your prized vehicle in a storage unit, you could even get the owners of the storage units to take your vehicle out for a few minutes to turn the engine over. You may even like to pay them to clean it. In most cases you should be able to find a storage facility business to meet your individual storage needs.…

Food Storage Guidelines to Help Manage Your Supplies Easier

If you are trying to store food, you need to be somewhat organized. The more food that you have stored at home, the more organization you will need to do just in case because of expiration dates and other issues.

The average family that looks into food storage is going to have a supply of around 30 to 60 days. This really isn’t that much food, but getting mixed up can cause some problems as certain foods tend to expire.

The first guideline to be aware of is to store foods that you are going to be eating soon. You don’t have to buy things that last for years then hope you never have to use it. A better option is to simply buy things that you eat on a regular basis. Put the new item into your storage bin and take the old stored item out to be used next just as if that was in your pantry. This solve most expiration issues.

Another thing to do with items you don’t use as often is to date them. Just take a marker and put a date on it to give you a general idea of when you put that into the bin. If an item has been there for six months or so, take it out and make a meal out of it after you replace it with a new one.

One huge mistake that many make with their stored food is having foods is having foods that may not be able to be cooked. If you are expecting to have to rely on your storage during a disaster type situation, make sure that you have a way to cook this food for as many days as you store it.

Lastly, don’t put all your food in the exact same place. Keep it in different areas around the house just in case something happens. This way you don’t lose all your food if that one part of your home is destroyed for some reason.…

RV Storage Facilities – Safe and Secure

Recreational vehicles are large in size and cannot be parked in your driveway safely. Though more than half the people park such vehicles next to their homes, they are eyesores for neighbors. For people who live in apartments in cities, parking on the roadside is a problem, and so is parking in the parking in authorized parking spaces. Leasing private garages is a burden because of the prohibitive costs. The only option is to select a convenient RV storage facility in your locality.

You probably would like to select a storing facility that also provides safe parking for your car and boat, and storing units for your household possessions. If you look around, you will find many such storing facilities. They all meet the needs and expectations of clients, and offer both covered as well as uncovered RV storage facilities.

Storing – Inside Or Outside

Storing your vehicle outside, of course, is less expensive in terms of monthly rental. If you can afford to do so it is better if you use inside storing facilities. Many have temperature controlled environment, ensuring air conditioning and heating as dictated by the climate. Storing inside the covered facilities saves you the expense of buying a cover for your vehicle, tire covers, and winterizing your vehicle.

In addition, using a covered RV storage facility takes care of pests, insects, and bugs; and prevents high wind, sun, hail and rain, and other damages related to weather. Using the covered inside facilities offer a comparatively higher secure environment.

When trying to locate a convenient facility to park your recreational vehicle in, you need to look at the costs, the access hours, what is included in the monthly or annual contracts, and whether the facility provides insurance of any kind. You also need to consider things like taxes, security, and whether there is an onsite manager 24 x 7 who can be contacted whenever required. It will also be convenient to select a facility that also provides battery charging, cleaning, periodic courtesy checks, as well as winterization.

If you are storing outside, you need to spend on a cover. Go for breathable covers that have zippered entry doors. This will allow you access your vehicle whenever you wish to. You may go for a water-resistant polypropylene cover that will protect your vehicle from the vagaries of the nature, bird droppings, pests, insects, and sap.

You will need to invest in tire covers as well. They will prevent your tires from rotting in the sun. Many people, who are new to this, are not aware how to go about their RV storage.

Discuss With Fellow RV-ers

There are many self-storage discussion forums where you can discuss your storing problems with other RV-ers. They can guide you about the best facility providers in your locality.

You can have open discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of storing your vehicle inside or outside. You can learn from experienced people about what to expect …

Using Garage Storage To De-Clutter The Home

Storage of excess household goods is a problem for most people because as the years go by, they tend to accumulate more and more things without discarding the old stuff. Whereas the larger goods such as furniture items can be stored in self storage units, the smaller items seem to clutter the home and are more difficult to find when they are needed. Garage storage, if organized right, can provide the right solution for this problem. Many people make the garage a dingy place full of dead space and dirt. It is used as dumping ground for items that need repair or need to be thrown away.

Using Garage For Storage

A garage can be a great asset for adding considerable amount of storage space to any home. The original concept of a garage is to use it as a place for parking the car when it is not in use, but most people leave their cars outside with the intention of utilizing the space offered by the empty garage as an extra storage space. Leaving the car in the open is also not very desirable, as it will be vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and theft. If it is not to be used for a long time, it should be kept in a car storage unit. Similarly RVs should be kept in RV storage unit and boats can be kept in boat storage.

Design Considerations

Just as a kitchen is designed to be able to use the space available in the most optimal manner, a garage should also be organized so that garage storage can be most effective and useful. A well-organized garage can be an asset and a positive selling point if the house is put up for sale. While planning the garage storage system, you can take ideas from other kitchen designs. In order to maximize the potential storage capacity of the garage, need to consider how things could be hung vertically or on the ceiling, how small cabinets can be placed to store small goods, and how the entire space can be utilized in a better way.

Garage Storage Systems

Although some people add a loft to their garage in order to increase their garage storage space, it can lead to unorganized dumping of unwanted and unused items and difficulty in finding what you might have dumped. The ideal solution is to use garage storage systems such as tool storage racks, ceiling racks, peg boards, hangers and cabinets. These storing equipments will make it easier to access the stored goods. Apart from the use of racks available in the market, use your creativity to make suitable storing equipment that will ease your storing needs. The wall space in the garage can be used to hang outdoor furniture during the winter months, and ceiling racks can be sued to hang summer wear in the winter and winter wear during summer. Drawer storage systems can be used to store smaller things …

Get the Most From Your Credit Card Rewards

Credit card companies offer you rewards in order to encourage you to spend more money in an attempt to receive the top rewards.  All rewards cards appear to be a great proposition upon initial inspection.  It is detailed checking that determines what you can really expect from these credit cards.

Many rewards cards offer no benefit whatsoever in the event you carry over a balance from one month to the next.  If you have one of these cards, you must pay the balance each month to earn bonuses.  Most of these cards will raise the interest rate on carry-over balances.

Analyze the terms in detail.  Look for key phrases such as “up to.”  Up to  – it simply means, “at a maximum of.”  This is the absolute highest reward you could earn.  That does not necessarily mean that anyone has ever earned it.  You will probably need to do some major spending just to come close to earning this bonus.  Mostly likely your reward will be much less than the advertised “up to” bonus.  You are just chasing the carrot if you are thinking of earning this bonus.

Try to estimate what the bonuses or rewards will actually cost you.  You should have a good idea of the value of the reward.  If you have to spend five thousand dollars to receive a reward with a value of twenty-five dollars, you need to ask yourself if this is a good deal.

When it comes time to figure annual fees into the equation, you’ll probably realize that striving for that bonus is a moot effort.  Annual fees usually wipe out any value there may have been in the reward.  For example, your card may attach a thirty-dollar annual fee and the rewards terms might require you to spend three thousand dollars before you earn any points towards your rewards at all.  That’s a bad offer.

Investigate the rewards restrictions.  For instance, you might earn five percent cash back on purchases up to two hundred and fifty dollars.  Any money spent over that two hundred and fifty dollars is wasted when it comes to rewards.

Check on expiration dates.  Some rewards programs discontinue after a specific amount of time or by on a predetermined date.

Never base your credit card decision upon a rewards program.  Many other factors come into play when deciding what credit card is best suited to your financial situation. …

How To Choose A Storage Facility

Self storage facility offers many benefits and by storing your personal or business stuff into storage units, you can help in freeing up a lot of space. You could have a clutter-free home or office. Before you hire such a unit for storing your goods, it is important to understand how to use a storehouse facility wisely. Here are some tips that you can use while hiring a storing unit.

Storage Tips On Choosing The Best Facility

* It is important to locate a storehouse facility in your local area in the neighborhood where you live or the area close to your office.

* The facility should offer best of facilities that make you feel confident of storing your goods and personal belongings.

* One of the first things to check before hiring self storage units is the security. Check how many layers of security checks are offered at the storehouse premises. It should offer personal security locks for each of the units, CCTV cameras for keeping an eye on everyone coming in and out of the facility and access control mechanisms such as access cards to offer safe and secured facility for storing personal or business items.

* Different storage units offer different access timings to their customers, some open quite early in the morning while some remain open until late at night. Ideally, your storage facility should offer 24/7 access to your stored goods. If that is not possible, then it is better to locate the storing facility that offers the most convenient access times to suit you.

* It is important to double-check the size of the storing unit before hiring one. It should not only fit your storing needs, but should also suits your budget. Find out the rental charged and compare between warehouses to check whether the price matches with the size and facilities being offered. Also, the size should be such that it should accommodate your present and future storing needs because you may want to increase or decrease the storing space you need.

* Rent a climate controlled storage unit only if you need it as the rental charges are much higher compared to non-climate controlled units. If you are looking for storing electronic goods, business documents, books, collector’s items or upholstery items, then climate controlled units are perfect. If delicate items are kept in a humid environment for even a few months, they can get permanently damaged.

* Cleanliness is another very important aspect that you need to consider. All storehouse units should be clean, tidy and well-lit and the facility should have professional staff to take care of all the normal proceedings. Also, the facility should be doing periodic pest control treatments in order to keep storage units in top condition.

* If you are going to hire a vehicle storing unit such as car storage, RV storage or boat storage, then such units should also offer normal cleaning and maintenance tasks for the stored …

How Can Storage Units Help Business Owners?

We know that storage units can help individuals or families during a move or downsize, but how can self-storage units become an asset to a business owner? Below are some recommendations for business owners and how they can effectively use a storage facility to their advantage and save money.

Many times businesses grow, downsize, redecorate or remodel and self-storage units provide easy access to your company’s belongings during these times.

If you own a building and are staging the location in order to sell, a storage unit will host your belongings during this process.

While you move to a new office or facility, a storage unit located conveniently around your new or old location will provide in a smooth transition.

Many offices or buildings like to create an atmosphere that agrees with the seasonal furnishings. Decorations during this time as well as appropriate office supplies are an important part of keeping your business a friendly work environment.

Trade shows and conventions are a popular part of business and it is especially important that you look your best whether its having the appropriate table for the event as well as marketing pieces to help attract business to your booth. Once you have finished with your supplies, don’t throw the out! Save them for another event.

If you own a business where you sell seasonal items for Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc… don’t throw out those items. The colors and themes do not change year to year with the major holidays. Save them in a storage unit and dust them off to be sold again the following year for a discounted price- or mark them up as a rare find!

As you can see, the possibility for utilizing a storage unit to contribute to your business is multifaceted. There are so many options and there is sure to be a location in your region. If you are interested in learning more about a self-storage unit, please go online to a search engine and type in “self-storage:” followed by your particular city or the location you most desire to conveniently hold your belongings.…

Self Storage Warehouses – An Easy Storage Solution

Self Storage Warehouses are commercially available facilities where both businesses and individuals can rent space and keep their personal belongings, business merchandise, office furniture or anything else that needs storage. Whether you are remodeling, moving or just need of some extra space where you can keep your belongings safely, storage units allow you to conveniently do just that. There are thousands of locations, sizes, prices and many kinds of storage units available. All you need is to make use of the internet, conduct search, and find them out.

Types Of Storage Warehouses

Warehouses are of two types. There are some warehouses where a customer needs to himself drive down and keep his belongings in the assigned unit. The second one is a portable storage unit. A suitable container is sent to the customer, and the customer can fill it with different stuff that he wants to be stored inside the warehouse. Once the container is full with customer’s belongings, it is packed and picked from that location to the warehouse. A warehouse can be used for different storage needs, such as furniture storage, car storage, RV storage, boat storage and a lot more.

Storage facility in a warehouse can be classified into indoor and outdoor units. These units differ from each other in the kind of facilities and services that they provide. Indoor storage units are very much similar to personalized storerooms, and are provided advance level of security. Indoor storage units are easily available, but they are costlier than outdoor storage facilities. Indoor storage units make sure that an ideal temperature and humidity is maintained so that safe-keep items that are susceptible to climatic changes do not get affected. LCDs, electronic equipments, computers, antique furniture, leather furnishings and antique furniture need weather-sensitive storage and climate controlled environment. If they get that the product will last for a considerably longer term.

Who Needs Portable Storage?

Warehouses can be used by individuals and businesses as well. Whether someone requires a temporary or a permanent storage, self storage warehouses can fulfill their needs. People staying in own homes or a rented accommodation may desire extra space to keep unwanted stuff that they neither want to keep at home, nor they want to throw them off. Most people prefer to get the container installed in their homes rather than driving down to a warehouse of a self storage facility. Common sizes available in containers are six feet, eight feet, 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, and 45 feet. Self storage warehouses generally offer customers a container size guide so that customers can have an idea of how much stuff they will be able to accommodate in a particular size container.

Anyone who is in need of storage but cannot himself make it to a warehouse can get the container delivered at their doorstep. The customers who like to store their belongings on-site can also use the same facility. However, such garage storage will …

Options for Apartment Living

It would be nice to live in a home, but some careers simply do not afford some individuals the ability to do that. This is also the case for many students, as they find themselves changing residences every year or even every semester. When faced with the dilemma of moving from apartment to apartment, some things can make this style of living a little bit easier.

One of the best pieces of advice for students in this scenario is to buy as much used furniture and electronics as they can. Take the attitude that as long as it does the job, it is perfect. Affordability and functionality should be the two major factors when furnishing an apartment that will only be lived in for half the year.

By buying used furniture and electronics, there is the less likelihood of becoming attached to any specific items, making them easier to sell off at the end of the year. In other words, save the experience of buying your first new flat screen until you actually live in your own home. There is also the added benefit of making a few extra bucks and hitting the summer running in regard to personal finances.

Adults who find themselves in seasonal jobs are also often faced with the problem of living in an apartment. If the person is returning to the same area every year, they may want to go a different route as they are surely going to collect valuables throughout their lives. Even if they are moving every six months, adults tend to want some things that truly make their place feel like a home.

The best way to address this issue is to use a storage unit when it comes time to move each season. Generally speaking, self storage units are inexpensive and allow furniture and other items to be stored and be ready to go when needed. For what will probably amount to a single month’s rent, they can have all of their belongings on location and ready to move back into their apartment when they return the next season.

Sometimes owning a home is not an option. Whether faced with seasonal employment or trying to earn a degree, there are some solutions for a person to make their money work more effectively and still have a few homely touches in their living space. Students can make a few extra bucks at the end of their semester and adults will have the peace of mind knowing that everything is waiting for them when they return to familiar surroundings each season.…