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One of the latest trends in the storage and moving industry is moving pods, also known as portable on demand services. A  pod is a moving container that is sent to the customer's house for storing goods.  It can be for extra needed storage at the home or can even be used while the home is being rennovated . The customer can fill this container with packed belongings and either store it at their home or it can be picked up and stored at the facility. Once the packing and loading for the move is done, the company picks up the container from the customer's house and stores the goods in their warehouse until the customer moves to the new location and settles there. Once the customer is ready to unpack his belongings in the new setup, he can call the company and have them drop off the container at his new place and then start unpacking. The container can be hired for a period of one or two months. You also have the option to keep your goods stored at their warehouse facility. If you need help packing or unpacking this pod, you can always hire labor providers from a moving company or through the pod company for a very low rate.

Benefits of Portable on Demand Services

* With a storage pod, as there is no need for a moving truck to rent, you would be saved from arranging for a vehicle in advance. This would definitely save you a lot of time and a considerable amount of money too.

* With moving pods, the tasks of loading and unloading of packed goods become not only convenient but also safer. No one can take care of your goods better than you. And it is often found that while loading and unloading goods some of them get damaged. In case of a pod, you are going to load or unload the goods by yourself; so there is hardly any chance of damage.

* With a moving storage container, you get the time you need to store your goods at your own pace. This is a great boon for very busy people or families with small kids. Once you complete the task, you can call the company to pick the container.

*You also have the option to hire laborers as a helping hand. This can be done through a moving company or even your moving container company. The labor fee is often much cheaper than the moving company costs.

* For people shifting their base to a new location, these moving pods are very useful. They can store their entire household goods in the container and this container can be safely kept in the company storehouse. Once the customer is settled in his new home and ready to unpack, he can again call the company to drop the container at his new location. How convenient the entire process of relocation is made with this storage container.

* These portable containers are designed to provide complete protection for your goods against all weather conditions.

For more information visit us at GOMINI'S

According to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) if you moved due to a change in your job or business location, or because you started a new job or business, you may be able to deduct your moving expenses. To qualify for the moving expense deduction, you must satisfy two tests. Under the first test, the "distance test", your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job location was from your old home. If you had no previous workplace, your new job must be at least 50 miles from your old home. 
The second test is the "time test". If you are an employee, you must work full-time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months right after you arrive in the general area of your new job. If you are self-employed, you must work full time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months and for a total of at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months after you arrive in the general area of your new work location. There are exceptions to the time test in case of death, disability and involuntary separation, among other things. 
If you are a member of the armed forces and your move was due to a permanent change of station, you do not have to satisfy the "distance or time tests". 
 
What expenses are covered by this provision?
 
• The cost of packing and shipping your possessions including insurance
• Up to 30 days of storage
• You may deduct the cost of travelling to your new home, one time. This includes lodging (but not meals), your actual driving costs like gas and oil or, a flat 24 cents a mile for the drive in 2009.
• The cost of disconnecting utilities at your old home and connecting them at your new home
　
Once you have rounded up all your deductible expenses, complete IRS Form 3903 (Moving Expenses), Refer to IRS Publication 521 for additional information
 
For more information on the self storage of your possessions visit STOR/GARD 

Often, factors such as employment and cost of living exert an overwhelming influence over where people are deciding to move. Many are looking for jobs whether they're employed or not. They may be uneasy over the stability of their existing employment or, just ready to pursue a new career altogether.

Forbes.com has compiled a list of 'America's 25 Best Places to Move' Alpharetta, GA at #1 has a population of 65,168 and a number of major employers including UPS, Delta Airlines, Hewlett-Packard and Cocoa Cola. Flower Mound, TX at #6 is about 28 miles outside of Dallas and has a population of 66,799. A number of global employers have facilities there including Exxon Mobile, American Airlines and Texas Instruments.

According to the Council for Community and Economic Research (CCER) an Arlington, Virginia based research firm; a person earning an annual salary of $150,000 living in New York City can expect his/her cost of living to average about $122,342 per year. Whereas the maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $405, a mere 17.2% of the costs. For Boston, MA the maximum weekly payment would cover 37.2% of the same wage earner's living costs.

Taxes and quality of schools also factor into decisions involving relocation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau the state of Vermont levied about $1,003 of individual income tax per person for fiscal year 2008. Massachusetts, for the same year, levied about $1,923 per person.

There's a lot of published information out there to assist you with your planned relocation. Your diligence can help you to make the effort economical and relatively stress free.

We understand the anxieties you experience when undertaking a move. There are so many things to plan, so many details to address. We've created this Moving and Storage Blog to help you to organize the many details and minimize the overall cost and stress that you encounter with your move.

At times, scheduling issues may dictate the need for temporary storage of your belongings. Below is a list of common questions we encounter regarding storage:

Q. How do I estimate the amount of space I need?
A. A lot depends on whether or not you will need to get to individual items while they are in storage. The size estimate chart will assist you in determining how much space you will need. Remember, because of our unique roof design, the ceiling height of most STOR/GARD® storage units are higher than at most other storage facilities, so you may be able to rent a smaller sized unit from us, and save a lot of money.

Q. Can I drive up to my storage unit?
A. Yes, there are many different size garage type drive-up units at all STOR/GARD® facilities.

Q. Do I need climate control?
A. For those items that may be sensitive to temperature extremes, whether they are personal belongings, valuable furniture, papers, photographs, important business related documents or pharmaceuticals, climate control is recommended.

Q. Do I need insurance?
A. STOR/GARD® does offer content insurance through an independent insurance company. However, most homeowners and renters policies do cover self storage to a certain limit (check with your insurance provider to be sure).

Q. Can I change to a different size unit if my requirements change?
A. Yes, at any time during your lease you may transfer to a different size unit.

Q. Does someone have to be in the office to let me through the security gates?
A. No. You will be given your own private pass code that allows you access from 6am to 9pm, 365 days a year. These access hours can be extended on an individual basis should the need arise.

Q. What is the minimum amount of time I can rent a storage unit?
A. Units are rented on a month-to-month basis.

Q. Will my lease renew after 1 month?
A. Yes, your storage lease will automatically renew itself on a month-to-month basis. You only have to notify us when you plan to vacate your unit.

Q. How will I be billed?
A. Bills are sent out on a monthly basis approximately 10 days before your due date. Your payment due date will be the day of the month that you rented your storage unit. Payment can be made by check, credit card or cash. Automatic payment can also be made using Master Card, Visa or American Express.

Q. Do I need a lock?
A. You can either bring your own lock or purchase a lock from us. In either case you will be the only one who has keys to your unit.

Q. Should I be concerned about insects or rodents?
A. All STOR/GARD® facilities are built brand new, are spotlessly clean, and are maintained with a strict, preventative pest control program.

Q. Do you sell boxes and packaging supplies?
A. Yes, all STOR/GARD® facilities sell boxes and packaging supplies.

Q. Is STOR/GARD® staff on site 24 hours a day?
A. Yes, all STOR/GARD® facilities have staff on site 24 hours a day.

For more information on the self storage of your possessions visit STOR/GARD