Have you ever needed to quickly find the phone number or address of your storage property when you’re out and about? Or have you ever wanted to create a photo inventory of your storage unit? How nice would it be to use your smart phone to find out about recent payments, change your billing information or sign-up for auto-pay?  Extra Space Storage is pleased to announce the launch of a new app that allows our customers to do all these things and more from a mobile device!

Today we all need information when we’re the move – that means access to information at any time and from anywhere. Our new storage app provides this kind of 24/7 access to storage account info.

Extra Space Storage customers with the new app can manage their storage account from a mobile device and take advantage of these storage tools:

• Property details including directions, hours of operation and contact information
• Customer account management
  • Bill payment
  • Auto-pay sign-up
  • Account history
  • Management of account contact information
  • Storage unit inventory
    • Take and store photos of all belongings in storage unit
    • Tips for maximizing storage space

This new app is available for free download for both Apple iOS and Android devices from the iTunes Store or Google Play. Visit www.extraspace.com/awesomeapp to learn more.

If you’re planning on bidding at a storage unit auction for the first time, you’re probably wondering what to expect. It’s always best to be prepared when trying something new, so I’ve gathered a few bidding tips for you. If you missed it, make sure to check out our post Storage Auction Guide for Newbies: What to Expect  for some general guidelines on preparing for auctions.

To learn more about storage auctions, I recently talked with storage auctioneer Bryan Garbutt of Northeast Storage Auctions. Bryan is a busy, busy man. When he’s not at a storage auction, he’s usually driving to one! He conducts up to seven auctions a day, so he’s seen a thing or two. I gleaned these bidding tips and factoids from our conversation, and I hope you find them useful for bidding at your first storage auction.

Image by Liz Marie

Become a Wise Storage Auction Buyer 

• Bidding can sometimes go backwards, and then back up. Don’t be afraid to offer less than the opening bid offered from the auctioneer.

• Don’t make a bid just for the fun of it. Some people like to bid while assuming they’ll be outbid. Well, that’s a big gamble! Bryan says he often sees people stuck with storage units they didn’t expect to win.

Learn How Much Units Go For  

• If you really, really want something, get ready to pay for it. With the popular storage auction reality shows on TV, more people than ever attend storage auctions. And, of course, that means you’ll have to shell out more money than you would have before storage auctions became mainstream.

• It’s not always expensive to win a unit. While one unit that Bryan sold went for $6,500, it’s possible to carry just a couple hundred dollars with you and still walk away with a unit. On average, Bryan sells units for $125 to $200. By the way, that pricey unit that sold for $6,500 contained stainless steel restaurant equipment!

• Explore the idea of a smelly deal for as little as $1! If a unit emits an odor, many people refuse to bid on it. Will you take the chance to see what’s inside?

• Smaller storage units may go for more than larger ones. It seems odd that smaller storage units often sell for a higher price than larger ones, but it all comes down to elbow grease. Smaller units attract more buyers because they’re easier to clean after the win.

I hope that these tips have helped you become more confident about your first storage auction experience. According to Bryan, one day as a storage auctioneer is never the same as the next. I’m sure that tidbit also applies to buyers. After all, one auction is never the same as the next, so don’t give up if at first you don’t find what you want!

Is there anything in these storage auction tips that surprised you? If you’re a seasoned storage auction buyer, do you have any tips to add?

Thanks to blogs that focus on sustainability in the green business world, it’s easy to stay informed during coffee breaks or between meetings. It doesn’t matter if your office is in a tall building in New York City, or if you work from home in the suburbs, the best green business blogs will keep you in the know, and maybe even entertained too.

There are many insightful blogs focusing on green business, but I don’t always have time to read them all. I’m sharing with you the blogs I typically read each week, and I hope you’ll also share your favorite green business blogs with me in the comments.

Marc Gunther

If you’re Marc Gunther, what better name for your blog Marc Gunther? Writer Marc Gunther is a contributing editor at Fortune magazine, as well as a senior writer at Greenbiz.com. The author of four books, Marc is also prolific with his blogging. He focuses on business and sustainability, and he’s not afraid to call out questionable “green” actions taken by some companies.

GreenBiz

At GreenBiz, multiple bloggers team up to deliver the latest in sustainability news affecting businesses, plus other featured news. If it’s happening in the world of sustainability, it’s on GreenBiz! The site even includes a green job board, a sustainability consultants directory and a yearly State of Green Business Report.

Deloitte’s Sustainable Business Blog

The Deloitte Sustainable Business Blog focuses on alternative energy, clean technologies, water efficiency and other areas related to managing a business in a green economy. Deloitte consists of independent firms around that world that provide audit, tax, consulting, financial advisory and risk management services. Deloitte also recognizes the importance of a business’ reputation for environmental responsibility. So naturally, it makes sense for them to provide an outstanding sustainability blog.

Green (in the Business section of The New York Times)

Green is the place to go! Described as “A Blog About Energy and the Environment,” Green is a reliable source for keeping informed about what’s going on in the green business world. Green covers a wide range of environmental news, from electricity prices in the U.S., to eco-cities in other countries. The blog even takes a minute to highlight Matt Damon’s strike ahead of Water Day on March 22.

Triple Pundit

Why listen to one pundit, when you can have three? Actually, that’s not the idea behind Triple Pundit. “Triple” refers to the “Triple Bottom Line” (TBL). Triple Pundit explains it best: “TBL captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success: economic, ecological and social.” Triple Pundit attracts businesspeople who own small businesses, as well as corporate giants who believe in watching not only the economic bottom line, but the ecological and social ones too.

What do you look for in a good green business blog? Which green business blogs do you read?

Summer is in the air, and there are so many fun things to do in just a few short months. So why not get a jumpstart organizing for the season before your activities begin. Try these 5 sanity-saving tips to help you plan ahead and gather your gear lickety-split. Then when the mood strikes, just grab the family and go. Organizing for summer fun has never been easier!

Bag Common Necessities

Whether you’re headed to the beach or to the mountains, don’t forget to pack a few must-have sundry items to keep bugs and sunburn from ruining your trip. Find a colorful bag or container you can use all summer long to tote along necessities such as, sunscreen, bug spray, tissues, wet-wipes, first-aid items, bottled water, medicines, and more. Keep it well stocked so you can snatch it up at a moments notice.

Make Big Items Accessible

Nothing says summer quite like your favorite outdoor toys. But bicycles, skateboards, golf clubs, and scooters can take up lots of space. So save yourself the headache and hassle of shuffling stuff in and out. Try setting aside a designated space for gear that is always on the move. Remove the garbage cans from the garage, now that it’s warmer outside, and use that space to store summer gear. Or, maybe you’ll have extra space in your shed, once you’ve cleaned out the clutter and reorganized a bit.

Assemble Entertaining Activities

Keep kid chaos to a minimum this summer with games and other brain-tingling activities. Gather an assortment of their favorite trinkets, books, electronics, and whatever else will stop boredom in its tracks. Crank up the cool factor by stashing all their loot in a fun messenger bag or backpack.

Organize Digital Photos

Make time on a regular basis to download, organize, and share images from all your summer happenings. With today’s technology, there are loads of free and easy options to help you manage and share your photos with family and friends. Sign up for one of the free social media sites, or an online storage service, but be sure to read user agreements before uploading your images to a public site. Talk to friends and family members to see what software or sites they like and trust. Also check out online reviews to help you narrow the field.

Set Aside Specialty Gear

If you, or a family member, enjoy a special hobby or sport during summer months, you already know it’s a challenge to keep track of all the gear. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, or merely a weekend warrior, select a bag, box, or container that will adequately hold and keep all your large and small items together. Remember to store all the trappings in the same location, so they’re easy to find. Then make time to do regular inventory checks to make sure everything is in working order and in its place.

What organizing solutions do you use to help tame the summer gear at your house?

Picnic weather is finally here! I love picnics because they allow me to get the whole family together to enjoy a delicious meal outdoors. Picnics are beautiful and memorable, but I like to take care of nature too by planning eco-friendly picnics. Yes, picnics have carbon footprints just like everything else, but you can take steps to reduce the impact of your picnic.

An earth-friendly picnic can be easy, affordable and fun! When you’re planning your picnic, a big goal to keep in mind is to avoid disposables. That means no packaged food items like pudding cups, bags of chips or bottled water. Instead of including prepackaged food, you can have a picnic with old-fashioned flair, even without turning on the stove! Keep reading to see how.

Choose Lightweight, Reusable Dishes

Photo via Preserve

I don’t blame you for not wanting to lug around heavy, breakable dishes on your picnic, but you do have another option besides disposable paper or plastic dishes. Try reusable, BPA-free plastic plates, bowls, cups and cutlery! My favorite reusable plastic picnic dishes are Preserve. They’re brightly colored, strong, dishwasher-safe and completely reusable until you tire of them! Then, you can recycle them, or use a plate as a Frisbee.

Don’t Sweat the Basket

Consider skipping the big wicker picnic basket. Why? Well, I don’t like to clutter my pantry with items I use just a few times a year, and huge picnic baskets fall into that category. If you already have a picnic basket you love, then use it! If not, don’t buy one. Instead, use an item you already have, such as freshly washed reusable shopping bags, duffel bags or backpacks! If it will be a while before you eat your picnic, use an insulated bag with ice packs. Don’t forget to stash a few cloth napkins or recycled paper napkins in your bag for keeping those after-picnic smiles bright and clean.

Go Local

Shop your local farmer’s market for fruits, veggies, cheeses, breads and more for your picnic. Not only will the food be fresher, it will have traveled fewer miles to reach you. That means your picnic has a lower carbon footprint! Here’s a farmers market guide to get you started. Another way to reduce the carbon footprint of your picnic is to choose a location such as a park or other green area that’s close to your home. If others will be joining you for the picnic, try to select a location that’s central for everyone.

Hydrate Wisely

Don’t forget to take along a large container of water or your chosen beverage and pour it into cups. Not only will you save money over buying bottled water or other bottled drinks, you’ll not have to add disposable plastic bottles to your recycling bin. If you have a stash of reusable bottles, fill those before you go.

Enjoy Gourmet Food without Cooking 

Save energy with a no-cook picnic. Who wants to turn on the stove in hot weather anyhow? Prepare sandwiches, cold soups and fresh fruit salads. Make your picnic even more eco-friendly by selecting organic ingredients when possible and wrapping sandwiches in recycled aluminum foil or reusable sandwich wraps.

Photo via Wrapnmat.com

I hope your earth-friendly picnic is fun and tasty! I’ll see you at the park.

Have you planned a green picnic? What are your favorite picnic foods?

As with most things involving children, babyproofing can become an expensive ordeal. Alternately, with a little prioritization and a few basic supplies, the process can be cheap and simple.

Some parents opt to install locks on everything and nail anything portable to the table. Others take a more laissez faire attitude, doing just the basics first and then waiting to see what potential hazards the baby discovers and taking action at that point.

If you’re on the budget, the latter is the way to go. The first piece of useful advice is: Relax. Considering you shouldn’t be leaving your newly mobile baby alone for even a minute unless he’s in a crib or playpen, you’ll be right there to prevent accidents until you get things how you want them.

First, prioritize your babyproofing tasks, then find ways to take care of the essential ones affordably. Here’s where to start:

Stairs

The most important thing you can do is to put baby gates at the tops and bottoms of your stairs. These can get pricey, but you’re looking for sturdy, not fancy. Getting them used is the best way to go; as with most baby stuff, practically new items go for peanuts.

Furniture

One accident waiting to happen is for the baby to pull tall and/or wobbly furniture over on herself. To prevent such a disaster, secure cabinets, bookshelves, dressers, and other tall, heavy items to the wall using wall straps or brackets. This can be done cheaply by getting your own supplies—brackets or straps and screws—at the hardware store instead of buying the ready-made kits.

Install drawer latches on low drawers or, for a cheaper way to solve this problem, fill them with things you don’t mind the baby playing with, like Tupperware or table linens. As for the crib, put the mattress at its lowest level as soon as the baby starts pulling up on the rails, and take out any objects he can reach or step on to climb out.

Electrical

Put plastic safety plugs in any outlet your baby can reach and move all electrical cords out of your baby’s grasp. The plugs are very cheap and worth the small investment.

If you have a place with a concentration of cords that can’t be moved—such as under a desk—you can install a gate around the whole area. Use play-yard pieces secured to the wall to create a barrier of any shape; these can also likely be found used for a decent price.

Window coverings and flooring

If you have long curtains that hang to the floor, you don’t have to invest in shorter ones; just hang yours high and to the side. During the hours you really want them shut, the baby will (hopefully) be in bed. Another thing to look out for are the pull-cords on window blinds. Make especially certain none of these cords are near your baby’s crib.

Nonskid pads beneath area rugs will help prevent your little one from slipping, but a cheaper option is to take the rugs up temporarily and let your baby roam barefoot.

Once you’ve got these basics set, it’s time to sit back and watch your baby explore. Wait on the babyproofing paraphernalia like foam table bumpers and toilet latches, which can add up to a hefty bill. You might find that those seem like overkill once you see your kid in action and realize how closely you are always watching. Or you might find cheaper solutions, like a latch on the bathroom door.

Will it be difficult to babyproof your house? What is your best piece of advice for parents just starting out on the mobile-baby adventure?

What to do with unused rail tracks 30 feet above ground in New York City… Oh, what to do? If you’re a passionate New Yorker, you’ll save the tracks from demolition and turn them into a unique park!

That unique park goes by the name High Line, a public space owned by New York, and operated by Friends of the High Line, the group of passionate New Yorkers that helped save the tracks.

Located high above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side, the High Line was built on a freight rail line that opened in 1934. The project was meant to eliminate the accidents that occurred between freight trains and street traffic, but the growth of interstate trucking later rendered the historic rail line unnecessary.

What’s Growing at the High Line

Mother Nature herself inspires the High Line’s landscaping! When the train stopped running in the 1980s, a self-seeded landscape emerged between the rail tracks.

Today, the High Line features more than 300 species of grasses, shrubs, trees and perennials, including some of the original species that grew between the rail tracks. If you visit the High Line this spring, you can expect to see beauties like Gipsy Queen clematis and the Blue Ice bluestar.

Sustainability on the Tracks

The High Line uses LED lighting to illuminate pathways, and the drainage system is designed to reduce the need for watering plants. The open-jointed concrete planks used in the paths allow rain to drain into beds. In addition to reducing the need for additional watering, the drainage system helps combat stormwater runoff.

Making use of rain to save water is wonderful, but perhaps the biggest green benefit of the High Line is that it helps to mediate the “heat island” effect created by roofs and pavement. Instead of adding to the problem, the High Line provides oxygen and a habitat for birds and insects.

If you’re visiting New York City, I hope you’ll consider exploring the High Line. You’ll have plenty of tracks to cover. The 1.45-mile-long park runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street.

Have you visited New York City’s High Line? Did you know Extra Space Storage has a rooftop garden with view of the New York City skyline? What is your favorite park in NYC?

Visit a Public Garden in the Sky: NYC’s High Line

Maybe you didn’t want it this way, but you’re moving yourself on a hot day. It happens! However, you don’t have to sweat moving in warm weather. Just plan ahead to stay cool and collected.

It may help you feel better to remember that you’re not the only one moving during hot weather. Summer is a very popular moving time! Many houses are sold and bought during the summer season. And it makes sense: The kids are out of school, and lots of couples move along with summer weddings. Now that you know you’re in good company, start planning for your toasty summer move.

Stay Comfortable

• Keep yourself hydrated. When moving during hot weather, you’re at risk for dehydration. Be sure to carry plenty of water or sports drinks with you in a cooler. Don’t forget to offer beverages to others helping you move.

• Buy a large battery-operated fan. You can find 10-inch fans that run many hours on one set of batteries. Place your fan at a strategic spot near the moving truck for a nice breeze when you walk by carrying boxes. A battery-operated fan is also a good item to have around in case of power loss during a natural disaster.

• Set ceiling fans to rotate in reverse or counterclockwise to help cool the air. This will make things feel nicer when you walk into your new home carrying those boxes.

• Avoid moving during the hottest part of the day. Typically, temperatures are warmer between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Check weather history in your area, as well as weather forecasts to predict when the temperatures will be warmest.

• Keep your pets cool too. Make arrangements to board your pets on moving day, or appoint someone to make sure they stay cool and comfortable.

Plan Ahead

• Give yourself plenty of time. During hot-weather moves you may need to take extra breaks to cool down. Factor this time in when considering how long you’ll need to keep your moving truck. Be kind to yourself, and don’t rush too much.

• Speaking of moving trucks, make sure you load it efficiently. The last thing you want to do in hot weather is reload a moving truck! There’s a method, or even an art, to loading a moving truck. If your truck is loaded incorrectly, you may not have room for everything, or you may damage belongings. Play it safe, and review tips on how to load a moving truck, as well as tricks for how to pack boxes for a move.

• Add more bodies for a quicker move. Ask friends to help, and pamper them. Provide plenty of cool water and food, and buy gasoline for friends using their own cars. Also consider buying a special thank you gift, such as a gift card to a favorite restaurant, or offer to help with babysitting or other assistance you may be able to provide in the future.

• Make sure that moving yourself is the best option, and review tips on how to choose a moving company.

Dress for the Weather

• Resist the urge to dress in flip flops and a bathing suit. Maybe you do feel like taking a swim on a hot day, but wearing summer-fun clothing may end up making you uncomfortable, or even cause injuries.

• Avoid cargo or painter’s pants. I’ve found these pants especially annoying for moves since those “handy” hammer loops can get caught on cabinet knobs or drawer pulls as you walk by!

• Do wear comfortable sneakers with moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry.

• Select a light-colored cotton T-shirt or moisture-wicking shirt to wear with comfortable pants or shorts.

I hope these tips help you have a cooler summer move! If you have more tricks on how to stay cool while moving this summer, please share.

Have you ever moved during hot weather? What’s your preferred season for relocating?

I love cities, but sometimes they can be a bit lacking in green spaces. That’s one of the reasons I like rooftop gardens. When you can’t plant in the ground, why not plant on your roof? Rooftop gardens can be created using containers, or planted directly on the roof using a waterproof membrane, insulation and a root barrier.

Rooftop gardens have been popular for a long time in Europe, and in recent years they’re also popping up in the U.S.

View toward the east at Extra Space Storage’s rooftop garden in North Bergen, New Jersey

Extra Space Storage’s Rooftop Garden

The Extra Space Storage facility at 8301 River Road in North Bergen, New Jersey contains a rooftop garden featuring several shrubs, grasses and some flowering plants. It’s a nice green space with some great views of New York City!

While the North Bergen storage facility escaped damage from Superstorm Sandy, the rooftop garden didn’t fare as well. The high winds destroyed flowers and bushes, and took away a lot of dirt. But we won’t let this be the end. We’re planning on restoring our rooftop garden!

View of Manhattan at Extra Space Storage’s North Bergen rooftop garden

Advantages of Rooftop Gardens

So, why are more businesses deciding to install rooftop gardens, or green rooftops? There are many good reasons! In addition to the beauty provided by green spaces, the rooftops also offer other advantages. With a rooftop garden, you can:

• Grow local food, such as tomatoes.
• Cut down on storm runoff with a layer of succulents.
• Insulate your building to save energy.
• Reduce temperature of roof surface and surrounding air.
• Help clean the air.

Think about this: The EPA says that on hot days, the surface of a green roof can be cooler than the air temperature, but the surface of a conventional roof is up to 90° F warmer! A cooler roof means lower energy usage. So, rooftop gardens are not only aesthetically appealing, they also make sense from an environmental standpoint.

Would you consider planting a rooftop garden? If so, what plants would you include?

I recently moved into a new apartment that has a kitchen with about half the storage space—and floor space—as my previous one. For days, I was stuck unable to unpack several boxes because I simply had nowhere to store the gear inside.

The kitchen has the distinction of being one of the most heavily used rooms in the house as well as usually one of the smallest. All that kitchen usage requires a lot of equipment. What can you do if your kitchen simply won’t accommodate yours?

Here are a few ideas, all of which I am putting to good use in my own tiny galley. These strategies have allowed me to unpack those boxes and set up a well-organized space for myself.

1. Move things out of the kitchen

If you have extra space in the dining room or whatever room is outside your kitchen door, you can establish some storage outside the kitchen cupboards.

Buffets and sideboards are designed specifically for this purpose, but the options go well beyond such traditional pieces. You can use a bookcase, a bureau, or anything else that works.

Photo Via Home Depot

2. Hang things up

 Hanging things can be the key to making a tiny kitchen workable. First get a wall- or ceiling-mounted pot rack, then get the spices into wall-mounted racks.

You can also hang silverware in receptacles attached to a rail, glasses in an under-cabinet rack, or mugs on hooks. The world is your oyster; Julia Child hung pots, pans, and all manner of other cookware on pegboards covering her kitchen walls.

Photo via Thekitchn.com

3. Stack things wherever possible

Of course stacking your dishes is a no-brainer, but what about other possibilities for stacking? Can you store your flour and sugar in containers that stack?

Can you stack pots or serving dishes in the cupboards in such a way to make use of what vertical space you have? Or even invest in new cookware that stacks particularly well.

Photo via Kingarthurflour.com

4. Make good use of counter space

In a small kitchen, counter space is at a premium. Keep food processors, microwaves, and spice collections on other surfaces if you can.

What you do keep on the counter should be the stuff you use daily and need quickly. In our house that means a toaster, a blender, cutting boards, a bin of utensils, salt and pepper, and olive oil and vinegar.

5. Store food efficiently

Maximize cupboard space by moving food to your own containers. Invest in some uniform, stackable food-storage pieces—preferably square or rectangle—and use them to keep all your dry goods, cereals, crackers, and other groceries that come in bags or boxes.

Photo via Casa.com

What’s your best tip for organizing a small kitchen? What strategy has made the most difference in your house?