A Post Office Box Offers the Perfect Solution for Managing Mail and Package Deliveries

Renting a post office box is a hassle-free way to manage your mail and package deliveries. If you work from home or are away from home frequently, managing the delivery of mail and packages can become cumbersome. AAA Self Storage of Lansing’s post office box solution is perfect for a variety of individuals, including sales people who travel frequently, retirees who travel for long periods at a time, people who work from home, truck drivers, and even online shoppers who work during the day and can’t be home to accept their purchases.

AAA Self Storage of Lansing rents P.O Boxes that can solve a variety of mail and package delivery problems:

Security – Identity theft is on the rise and mail theft is one of the most common sources of identity theft. Using a P.O. Box will keep your mail and packages safe until you’re ready to pick them up, eliminating the stress of wondering if your package is sitting on your porch or if important documents are sitting in your mailbox, vulnerable to theft or even damage from rainy weather.

Convenience – Your P.O. Box from AAA Self Storage of Lansing is accessible 24-7. We can accept package of all sizes on your behalf, even those that are too large to fit into your P.O. Box. However, oversized packages will need to be picked up during our office hours. We can alert you when your package has arrived, preventing unnecessary trips. Going out of town? Don’t hassle with putting a hold on your mail or plead with your neighbors to pick it up and hold it for you. AAA Self Storage of Lansing will hold it for you. Simply pick it up when you return.

Privacy – Renting a P.O. Box is a great way to ensure your address stays private and off of mailing lists. You won’t have to worry about sales people or clients having access to your home address. Do you have kids or a spouse who snoop at the holidays or a nosy roommate who goes through your mail? A P.O. Box is will keep your mail and packages private.

Reliability – Renting a P.O. Box from AAA Self Storage of Lansing ensures that someone is there to accept delivery of your mail or packages. This is especially advantageous if you have packages being delivered that require a signature. You’ll no longer have to wait around at home to sign for a package or for that important document to be delivered.

Acceptance of all packages – When you rent a P.O. Box from the U.S. Postal Service, you’re limited to receipt of USPS and UPS deliveries. AAA Self Storage of Lansing, on the other hand, can accept packages from all carriers on your behalf.

Flexibility – You no longer need to reprint all of your marketing materials, order new address labels, or change your address on accounts if you move locally. Instead, you keep the same address no matter how many times you move.

Actual street address – Instead of a P.O. Box address, to which some companies will not ship, your address will be an actual street address. If you’re a business owner, having a street address rather than a P.O. Box lends credibility to your business.

To learn more about how a P.O. Box rental can meet your specific needs and solve your mail delivery headaches, give AAA Self Storage of Lansing a call.

When Disaster Strikes, Be Prepared with a Self Storage Unit

Surviving a disaster is never easy, whether it’s a disaster unleashed by Mother Nature, such as a tornado, microburst, or flood, or an emergency situation such as a house fire, burst pipes, or roof leak. They often strike without warning and leave destruction in their wake. While you may not be able to avoid disaster, you can minimize the stress and damage caused by being prepared. (more…)

Proper Preparation for Self Storage will Help Keep Your Belongings Safe

A self storage unit is the ideal solution when you’re short on storage space at home. Your belongings will be safe, yet easily accessible, while you have more space at home for other uses. But, without proper planning and preparation, the contents of your storage unit may become difficult to find or vulnerable to damage. Taking the time to prepare your belongings for storage will help ensure their safety.

Before you begin packing, make sure you’re armed with the tools you’ll need to pack like a pro. Following is a list of items you should have on hand; most of which can be found at AAA Mini Warehouse.

• Boxes – Make sure you have plenty of sturdy, professional-grade boxes. While it may be easy to go grab spare boxes from your local grocery store, these boxes aren’t as sturdy as boxes made specifically for packing. Plastic containers are another good option for protecting contents from dust and moisture. Try to use boxes that are similarly sized to make them easier to stack inside your storage unit.
• Tape – Have several rolls of packing tape on hand for sealing up boxes.
• Scissors or box knife – These come in handy for cutting tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, and other packing materials.
• Labels – Labels are crucial. Labeling each and every box with the contents will make it easier to find what you need later.
• Notebook and pen – Use these to keep a list of what you have packed.
• Sharpies – These work well for labeling boxes and plastic containers.
• Packing paper and bubble wrap – Wrap items in acid-free paper or bubble wrap before placing them into boxes to protect them from breakage or damage. This is especially important for fragile items.
• Paper padding – Use paper padding to wrap any items that are not going to be packed into boxes. This will give them a layer of protection and won’t trap moisture.
• Cedar chips – These will protect clothing and other fabric items from moths and other pests.
• Moisture absorbing packets – These packets will pull moisture from the air to help prevent mildew.
• Furniture polish – Applying furniture polish or wax to wood furniture will add an extra layer of protection against moisture and humidity.
• Mattress bags and sofa covers – Use these to protect mattresses and fabric furniture from dust and moisture.
• Tarp or plastic sheeting – These can be used to cover the floor of your storage unit to help protect your belongings from moisture and humidity. They can also be used as a cover over items to keep off dust.

How you pack your items will affect how easy they are to find when you need them, how protected they are from damage, and how easy they will be to unpack later. First, reduce the amount of items you need to store by weeding out items you no longer want or need. This will save you time packing as well as reduce the amount of storage space you need. Devise an organizational plan before you begin packing. Organize boxes by room or by like items. Putting a label with a detailed list of contents on each box will help you find what you need quickly and easily later.

As you begin packing your belongings for storage, keep the following tips in mind:

• Everything should be clean and dry before being placed into boxes. This will help prevent mold and mildew that could result from any remaining moisture. It will also help prevent stains from forming on clothing and other fabric items.
• Affix a label on each box with a detailed list of the contents. Make sure to designate boxes that contain fragile items.
• Fill boxes as full as you can to reduce the number of boxes required and save space in your storage unit.
• Distribute weight evenly within boxes so that they can be stacked securely.
• When organizing boxes within your storage unit, place the heaviest boxes on the bottom and stack the lighter boxes on top. Consider using portable shelving units to provide easier access to boxes on the bottom.
• Place any boxes you think you may need to access often at the front of the storage unit for easier access.
• Organize boxes within your storage unit so that there is an aisle to provide easy access to boxes in the back of the unit.

In addition to the steps above, some items require special storage preparation to prevent damage during storage:

Clothing – Launder clothing and make sure they are completely dry before packing them. Washing them will help prevent stains from developing. Be sure to fasten all buttons, zippers, and snaps. Folded clothing can be stored in cardboard boxes or plastic containers, while hanging clothing should be hung on sturdy hangers and stored in a special garment box or covered with a garment bag.

Electronics – Pack electronics into their original packaging if possible. If that’s not possible, pack it in a professional-grade box and cushion it with crushed acid-free paper. Be sure to label any boxes containing electronics as fragile.

Tools – Any tools that contain oil or gasoline must be drained before they can be placed into storage.

Appliances – Clean appliances thoroughly and drain all of the hoses completely. Leave the appliance door slightly ajar to allow air to circulate and prevent mold and mildew. You may also want to put a box of baking soda inside to absorb odors.

Dishes and other breakable items – Line the bottom of boxes with crumpled newspaper for cushioning. Wrap each item individually and use more padding than you think is necessary. Be sure to place larger items on the bottom.

Books – Avoid packing too many books into a single box to prevent the box from become too heavy to lift. Books should be laid flat and alternated so that the spines face the opposite direction on every other book to help prevent damage to the spines.

Fabric furniture – As with clothing, clean it and allow it to dry completely before covering it or placing it into storage. If possible, remove the legs, then wrap them and place them into a clearly labeled box. Cover the furniture with padded paper or a sofa bag to keep off dust.

Wood furniture – Clean it and wipe it with a high-quality furniture polish or wax to help prevent it from drying out and protect it from moisture damage. If possible, disassemble it to make it easier to store. Place all screws, bolts, and other small parts in a clearly labeled plastic bag and tape it to an unfinished surface of the item. Wrap the item in padded paper and label it.

Taking these simple steps while you’re packing your items for storage will keep them protected while in storage and ensure they are easy to find when you need them.

Groups and Organizations Can Benefit from Self Storage Units

Self storage units are a great way to give yourself much-needed additional storage space. But they can be beneficial for more than just personal use. If you’re a member of a group or organization, you know that finding storage for your group’s supplies can be a challenge. This is especially true if your group doesn’t have a permanent physical location. While you can store items at members’ homes, that means you have to keep track of what is stored where and it may be difficult to access it when you need it. Whether your group is a church, sports team, school, club, charity, HOA, or fraternal group, a self storage unit is the ideal solution. You can store everything you need for your group or organization, including supplies, equipment, displays, props, or items for fundraisers in one convenient, easy-to-access place. (more…)

Once Your Taxes are Filed, Store Your Documents in a Self Storage Unit

We all dread tax season. Even if you’re lucky enough to get a refund, the process of gathering all the necessary documents and filing the paperwork is a chore. Once you’ve filed, what do you do with all that paperwork? Properly storing your tax documents may prevent headaches later.

Unlike a utility bill or other document that can be shredded once it’s been paid or dealt with, tax documents need to be kept for several years. According to the IRS, the amount of time you need to hang onto your tax documents depends on the action, expense, or event impacting those records. You need to keep your documents for the time frame during which the IRS can audit a return or you are allowed to file an amended return. Depending on the complexity of your tax returns, the IRS recommends that you save your federal tax returns for up to seven years. In addition to the tax forms, you must keep all related documentation, including W2s, 1099s, and any documents related to itemized deductions. You should also keep investment forms, such as IRA account documents, for at least seven years. Bank statements and paystubs, on the other hand, only need to be kept for two years. Property records and other similar documents should be kept indefinitely. (more…)

Spring is the Perfect Time to Clean and Organize Your Home and Storage Unit

Spring is traditionally a time for renewal, which makes it the perfect time to clean and dispose of all the old stuff you no longer need. It’s also a great opportunity to pack away all your winter gear and holiday items and dig out your warm weather clothing and lawn and garden tools.

Many people make the mistake of spending time cleaning and organizing their home only to have it cluttered again in a week because they didn’t establish a plan for keeping it organized. Start your spring cleaning efforts by creating an organizational plan you can implement as you clean and that you can use going forward to keep everything neat and organized. (more…)

Get Your Car Back in Your Garage with Good Organization and a Storage Unit

If your garage contains everything but your car, you’re not alone. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 25 percent of homeowners with two-car garages are unable to park any cars in them because the space has been taken up for other uses, such as workshops, office space, home gyms, storage, or a combination of these uses. To add to the problem, the average garage size has gotten smaller over the years, leaving even less space to work with. But there is hope. With good organization and a self storage unit, your garage will be neat, clean, and have plenty of room for your vehicles. AAA Self Storage of Lansing has a variety of sizes of self storage units to fit any need. With their month to month leases, you can rent the storage unit for as long as you need. (more…)

Achieve Your Resolution to Get Organized with a Self Storage Unit

Every year, Americans start their year by making resolutions. For 2015, “getting organized” was the second most common resolution made. But only 8 percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions in any given year. By July, less than half of those who made a resolution are still on track. If your resolution for 2015 was to organize your home, a self storage unit may be the perfect tool to help you achieve that goal. AAA Self Storage of Lansing has a variety of sizes and types of storage units that are ideal for storing all of the stuff you don’t have space for in your home but that you need to keep. (more…)

Plan Your Holiday Decoration Storage Before the Holidays

The holidays are almost here. It’s time to dig out the holiday decorations and transform your home into a festive winter wonderland. As you decorate for the holidays, now is the perfect time to start organizing and sorting through your decorations and plan for their storage after the holidays. Not only will this help you reduce the amount of decorations you need to store, but it will also make it easier to access your decorations next year. (more…)

Prepare Your Landscaping Equipment for Winter Storage

As fall draws to an end, it’s time to store all of your landscaping equipment for the winter. Quality landscaping and gardening tools and equipment are costly. It’s important to take the time to properly clean and store them at the end of the season so that they are ready to use in the spring. Proper care and storage will also help prolong the life of your equipment. (more…)