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Moving to the Piedmont Triad Area with Children

Family with children playing during a move

Whether your new home is in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, or a surrounding city, your new Piedmont Triad home is in one of the most family-friendly areas around! Your children will grow to love this area, but initially moving to a new city or town can be overwhelming for any child. And while you can’t totally eliminate the challenge of moving with kids, there are tips that can help ease the process. Here are our top tips for helping kids transition into your new life.

Give them something to be excited about. In the midst of saying goodbye to familiarity, do some research into the Piedmont Triad area to find events or attractions that will get them excited. There are a variety of family friendly attractions in this area that are open year round. You should have no problem finding something for everyone to enjoy at any age.

Involve them in the process whenever possible. Even the littlest task can make a difference in your child’s feelings towards their new home. Allow them to help you run a yard sale before packing. Give them markers and stickers to decorate their moving boxes. Let them help pick out decorations for their new room or choose where to eat dinner after a day of house hunting.

Give them space to say goodbye. Before your move, make one last trip to say goodbye to some of your child’s favorite places. You can also host a party at your old home as a celebration of the time your family spent there. Invite all of their closest friends for a special goodbye. 

Pack a “moving day” bag for each child. Pack a bag for each child that includes several of their very favorite belongings. Keeping these items close by can provide assurance throughout the move and allow access as soon as you arrive at your new home. You and your family are going to love the Piedmont Triad area! Zippy Shell is here to take the stress out of your move allowing you to focus on your family during this exciting time.

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Showing Appreciation to Your Piedmont Triad Friends and Family Who Help You Move

Mother and daughter pack for a move

Are you moving in or around the Piedmont Triad area in North Carolina? Having help from family and friends during the sorting, packing, and moving processes is a great distraction and more importantly it makes the work go faster. But how do you thank them for sacrificing their time and muscles for you? Follow these tips to help show your loved ones how much you appreciate their help.

So often people want to help, but they don’t know how. Not everyone in your life has the physical ability to help you move a couch up a flight of stairs. Asking friends and family to help in ways that play to their strengths will be appreciated! You can ask for assistance in organizing, packing, providing meals, watching children or pets, bringing supplies, or just providing company during the long hours you have ahead of you.

  • Provide water and snacks for your helpers. For those that are with you for the long haul on moving day, make plans to provide them with a meal or even two. The Piedmont Triad area has delicious food delivery options that can feed your moving crew!
  • If you’re moving, chances are you’re purging also. Offer your helpers first dibs on any items from your donation pile that will not be making the move with you.
  • Once you are settled, throwing a housewarming party is a great way to thank your friends for all the hard work. Nothing says “thank you” like yummy food and drinks.
  • Return the favor. Offering to help your family and friends with something in return is one of the simplest but best ways to show your gratitude. 

Make your move easier on yourself and your helpers by using portable storage units from Zippy Shell. You load up your belongings at your convenience, and we will simply move them for you! Contact your local Piedmont Triad Zippy Shell today to get a quote.

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Don’t Let Mosquitoes Ruin Your Summer Fun

Family having dinner in backyard

Is there any insect more annoying than a mosquito? And central North Carolina definitely has our share of these annoying pests! While there are other insects that rank pretty high on the annoying scale, mosquitoes are infamous for spreading harmful diseases. Meaning they can leave behind more than just itchy, red bites. Your best defense is to make your Piedmont Triad yard as inhospitable to them as possible. Don’t let these pesky pests ruin your summer fun!

Tips to Reduce the Amount of Mosquitoes in Your Yard

  • The number one way to achieve mosquito control is to reduce the amount of standing water on your property. Without water, mosquitoes don’t have anywhere to lay their eggs. Buckets, toys, tarps, watering cans, and other containers that can collect water should be stored indoors or emptied at least twice a week.
  • Clean leaves and debris out of roof gutters so that water flows freely and does not attract mosquitoes.
  • Fight off these pests with strategically placed fans. Flies and mosquitoes are not strong fliers and do not like moving air. As an added bonus, the breeze tends to dissipate all the body odors and the carbon dioxide that people give off which attracts mosquitoes.
  • Place specific plants in your yard to naturally deter mosquitoes. Here are a few to try: lavender, garlic, sage, eucalyptus, mint, basil, citronella, marigolds, and lemon balm.
  • Frequently change the water in wading pools, bird baths, and other outdoor water features. Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
  • If you have a mosquito infestation that persists despite your best efforts, it is always best to call in the professionals. A reputable pest control service can evaluate and treat your yard accordingly.

Use these tips to enjoy a magical Piedmont Triad summer without the risk of bites and potential infections. We live in a fast-growing area and your local Zippy Shell of the Piedmont is here to meet all your moving and storage needs!

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It’s Time for a Summer Clean Out!

Family cleaning their home

One of the best things about Summer is the longer days giving us what feels like more time to tackle projects. If you have been wanting to take on a big clean out or full force home organization project, now is the perfect time. We have the best tips for getting your home organized at the beginning of the North Carolina Summer, giving yourself time to relax in a tidy home the remainder of the year!

But first, here some positive reasons to get cleaned out and organized:

  • It makes for an easier to clean your home.
  • Everyday life will become less stressful when you know where to find your stuff.
  • You may save money by not shopping for items you already own.
  • You will be able to use the space in your home to its full potential.
  • An organized home just feels peaceful.

Make a plan.

Sometimes with less glamorous projects such as this, the tendency is to let it fall to the wayside after the initial excitement wears off. A plan will help you stay the course and see this project to completion. Think about the work that needs to be done in each room of your home and make a master list. Remember this list whenever your enthusiasm wanes and check items off to fuel the feeling of accomplishment!

Commit to a timeline.

Look over your plan and realistically set a start and end date. You can even break your to-do list down into smaller sections with a deadline set for each. Refer back to the positives listed above when procrastination rears its ugly head.

Find motivation in a playlist.

Create a playlist of fun, upbeat, energy inducing music to play for the sole purpose of cleaning out and getting organized. Figure out the amount of time you have each day to devote to this project and choose the amount of songs needed to cover that time. Crush your organizing plan by playing this list loud and proud during each clean out session. Did you know: Zippy Shell’s portable storage units are perfect for storing items from the home, giving you more space to clean and organize. Check us out today for answers to any questions you may have and a free quote!

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It’s Time for a Summer Clean Out!

Woman carrying picture in home

One of the best things about Summer is the longer days giving us what feels like more time to tackle projects. If you have been wanting to take on a big clean out or full force home organization project, now is the perfect time. We have the best tips for getting your home organized at the beginning of the North Carolina Summer, giving yourself time to relax in a tidy home the remainder of the year!

But first, here some positive reasons to get cleaned out and organized:

  • It makes for an easier to clean your home.
  • Everyday life will become less stressful when you know where to find ALL the things.
  • You may save money by not shopping for items you already own.
  • You will be able to use the space in your home to its full potential.
  • An organized home just feels peaceful.

Make a plan

Sometimes with less glamorous projects such as this, the tendency is to let it fall to the wayside after the initial excitement wears off. A plan will help you stay the course and see this project to completion. Think about the work that needs to be done in each room of your home and make a master list. Remember this list whenever your enthusiasm wanes and check items off to fuel the feeling of accomplishment!

Commit to a timeline

Look over your plan and realistically set a start and end date. You can even break your to-do list down into smaller sections with a deadline set for each. Refer back to the positives listed above when procrastination rears its ugly head.

Find motivation in a playlist

Create a playlist of fun, upbeat, energy inducing music to play for the sole purpose of cleaning out and getting organized. Figure out the amount of time you have each day to devote to this project and choose the amount of songs needed to cover that time. Crush your organizing plan by playing this list loud and proud during each clean out session. Did you know: Zippy Shell’s portable storage units are perfect for storing items from the home, giving you more space to clean and organize. Check us out today for answers to any questions you may have and a free quote!

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Decluttering Tips to Turn Your North Texas Home into a Sanctuary

A clean and immaculate kitchen

Keeping a tidy home feels like an impossible task at times, especially if you have kids! Our homes should be our sanctuaries, a place to rest and relax after a hard day. A cluttered home can make relaxing out of the question. It’s time to bring peace back to your North Texas home! Continue reading to discover how to tackle your clutter once and for all.

A Place for Everything

If every item in your home does not have a designated space, guess what is going to happen? It is going to end up as clutter. Try giving items that normally turn into clutter an assigned place, and then adjust as you learn more about what works well and what doesn’t.

Identify Clutter Traps

Kitchen counters, night tables, coffee tables, entry halls, and bathroom counters can all be a battleground for endless, visible clutter. Consider using attractive baskets and containers in these areas to house items you like to have at your fingertips. Just remember to purge these containers frequently to avoid pile-up.

Purge Again and Again

Don’t take up valuable space and mental energy with items you no longer use. As you are purging, think about the last time you really used the item and the emotional reasons you may be hanging on to it.

Baby Steps

If your house is extremely cluttered, it might be easy to get discouraged. Make it a point to deal with a little clutter every day. Dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to clutter busting with no distractions. Focus on one area at a time. Set up a box for donations and haul it away as soon as it is full.

Out of Sight

If you own items that you don’t have room for, but you want to keep – a mobile storage unit may be the answer you seek. Pack your extra items in a Zippy Shell and send them off to a secure, climate-controlled storage center. Then sit back and breathe a sigh of relief in your clutter free sanctuary of a home!

If you are looking to declutter your home and need some extra storage, give Zippy Shell a call today to see how we can help you!

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De-Stress Your Move to the Piedmont-Triad Area

happy moving couple

The Piedmont-Triad area of North Carolina is made up of three major cities: Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem. And we understand why you would want to move here! It is a fast growing, economically thriving area with a wide array of entertainment and recreation options.

After the initial excitement of making a move, the emotion that sometimes takes over is stress. Zippy Shell aims to make your move to the Piedmont-Triad as stress free as possible with the following tips:

Accept the inevitable: Let’s make it clear from the beginning that at some point along your moving journey, you will feel stressed. Recognize the stress, but don’t let it overwhelm you or deter you from the tasks at hand.

Plan ahead: There are many steps involved in the moving process and you need to give yourself adequate time to devote to each one. The more you leave to the last minute, the more stress you’ll inevitably feel.

Stay organized: Make a detailed list of all the tasks you need to complete by the day or the week. Keep all the important documents required during a move organized and in an easy to access place. Devise a system for packing and labeling boxes that will make your belongings easy to find when needed. There is no such thing as too many labels! You can also consider an inventory list for this task.

Ask for help: Having help from family and friends during the sorting, packing, and moving processes is a great distraction and more importantly it makes the work go faster! Also, lean on your family and friends for emotional support when you feel overwhelmed.

Take care of yourself: We know it feels like the moving process takes over your life, but don’t let your healthy habits suffer. Continue to eat a balanced diet to give yourself energy and make time for an adequate amount of sleep.

Zippy Shell wants to help de-stress your move to the Piedmont-Triad area. We offer affordable and convenient options that will simplify your move. Having someone in your corner who cares about your belongings just as much as you do should definitely cut down on your stress level!  

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How to Store Winter Clothes and Coats

winter clothes closet

No matter the temp outside, it’s always a good time to declutter your living spaces, attics and garage, creating more usable areas for entertaining and storage for seasonal items. Zippy Shell of North Texas offers portable storage units that are delivered directly to you and picked up when you are ready. Then, we store them in a climate-controlled facility until you need something.

One of the best ways to utilize a Zippy Shell portable storage unit is to store all the winter items you no longer are using, thus making room for summer stuff that is more useful to us here in Texas.

Storing winter clothes: First, wash your winter clothes, polish those boots and match up those thick socks. Storing your clothing and footwear when fresh and clean will help maintain their appearance until late fall. Second, repair or mend any items that look a little ragged. It’s a great feeling to pull out your favorite sweater in December and have it look and smell great! Rather than storing it with that pull, go ahead and mend it now. Third, pack them properly in plastic storage containers. Your Zippy Shell portable storage unit has a lot of room for your things and using plastic containers can maximize that space. Mark each container with a colorful marker so you’ll know what it contains (shoes, sweaters, workout clothes).

Storing winter coats: Even in North Texas we need heavy coats sometimes, but they sure take up a lot of space. It’s a great idea to store them in your Zippy Shell unit, as well. The type of coat makes a big difference in how you prepare it for storage, but for all coats, what is universal is that they need to breathe. Zip them up or button them up and lay them flat or hang them up. Don’t stuff them into plastic storage boxes or fold them. 

One of the best ways to preserve your winter clothing is to ensure a cool, dry, dark place for their storage. A Zippy Shell unit is ideal for this purpose. When cold does come our way again, your clothes will be ready! Check Zippy Shell out today to see how we can help you!

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4 Reasons to use Portable Storage for Your Move in the Piedmont Triad Area

Moving boxes

Whether you are moving to the Piedmont Triad area for the first time or moving to a new location within the area, either way you have made a very wise decision! In this area, we enjoy great weather, family friendly activities, a wide array of entertainment and recreation choices, a thriving economy, and a strong sense of community. What’s not to love? To make your move as seamless and stress-free as possible, portable storage units are definitely the way to go.

Here are 4 reasons you should use a Zippy Shell portable storage unit for your next move:

Convenience: We come to you. Your portable storage unit will arrive in your driveway or on your street ready to be loaded. You gain the convenience of packing up your storage unit right from your original destination. Our innovative design allows for placement in tight spots and at tough angles.

Flexibility: Life happens. Your closing date changes, an inspection causes delays, your moving helpers reschedule, your new job starts early or later than expected – any number of things out of your control can cause chaos during a move. Zippy Shells give you flexibility during that chaos. Delivery dates and storage dates can all easily be rescheduled when you use a portable storage unit.

Security: While on your property, a block will be placed on your Zippy Shell hitch that only we can remove to prevent anyone else from taking off with your valuables. While in storage, your container will be held in a secure, climate controlled indoor facility.

Simplicity: Leave the driving to us. Leave the storage to us. Leave the stress to us. You have more important things to attend to during a move!

Zippy Shell of the Piedmont Triad area will make your move simple and convenient. This is a fast-growing area and we look forward to meeting your moving needs. Visit www.zippyshell.com today to learn more about the services we offer.

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Top Ideas for Summer Fun in Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Moving to Philadelphia? There are so many fun things to do in this historic city. As the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and is rooted in tons of community involvement. The city is home to the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence and is famous as the birthplace of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. With five counties, there are endless things to do: parks, museums, parks, historic sites and amazing food. Welcome to Philly!

Festivals

There are tons of festivals to attend during the summer months. From music to fashion and cars and more, you’re sure to find a festival that calls to your passion. Get out there an mingle!

  • Manayunk Arts Festival, Saturday, June 22, 2019
  • Wawa Welcome America (Philly’s multiday birthday party), June 29 – July 4, 2019
  • Concacaf Gold Cup Quarterfinals, Sunday, June 30, 2019
  • XPoNential Music Festival, July 18-28, 2019, July 26-29, 2019
  • East Passyunk Car Show and Street Festival, Sunday, July 28, 2019
  • Opening of the Franklin Square Fountain Show, Summer 2019 (TBA)
  • BlackStar Film Festival, August 1-4, 2019
  • Made in America Music Festival, August 31 – September 1, 2019
  • Fringe Festival, September 5-21, 2019
  • Kennett Square Mushroom Festival, September 7-8, 2019
  • Fashion District Philadelphia Debut. Summer TBA

Rediscover Nature

Philly boasts some of the most scenic parks in the area. Enjoy hiking, biking, jogging paths, gardens and more.

Sports Fans

Steeped in more than 100 years of hanging out with professional sports teams, Philadelphia offers a host of sports-fan fun. Check out these top picks for sports fans in Philly.

Nightlife

No place does nightlife like Philadelphia. From hipsters to jazz, everyone has a favorite spot in this incredible city. Take some time to review this list of top picks for nighttime entertainment in Philly before you head out. Add to this list music, theaters, dance and shopping and you have the full range to create a very busy social or hobby schedule this summer. Have fun!