e.hardy@thisisengage.co.uk, Author at Cookes Storage Service

You might not be able to tell right now by the slight chill in the air, but we are speeding swiftly towards the summer holidays. We’re all hoping for some sunshine, but at the same time, the unseasonal weather is a reminder of the impact climate change has on our countryside and wildlife.

With the holidays being a time when parents are stretched trying to find activities for the children, and our wonderful British weather always being a little hit-and-miss, we thought we would put together a list of greener activities for you and the kids to enjoy this year.

Sustainable activities for children.

Plant some tomato plants

Tomato plants are a very easy and fun plant for children to grow. You can get some baby plants from your local nursery and some supermarkets. Tomato plants don’t need a lot of space, and some varieties do well in hanging pots, which makes them a versatile option for balconies, window boxes and patios. Not only do your children have the fun of planting and caring for their growing plants, they can eat the tomatoes straight off the vines, which is when they have the best flavour.

Join a clean-up event

Organised clean-up events are becoming more popular as we become more aware of the devastating impact of plastic and litter on our countryside and beaches. Take a look online to find details of events happening near you. Clean-up events are usually hosted by volunteers who will welcome your contribution to the effort, and it’s a great way to teach children about caring for our green spaces.

Even if there are no events near you, you can always organise a picnic in your local park and take a bin bag to have a mini litter pick of your own.

Build a rocket

If you grew up with Blue Peter, you’ll be familiar with toilet roll rockets. There are a lot of craft ideas online, so gather together your scrap material, cardboard boxes and leftover paint tins, and see what you can create.

We love the idea of toilet roll puppets, and then you can turn a cardboard box into your very own theatre and put on a show. Or maybe you can cut up some old clothes and make a collage of family portraits. In fact, we’re sure we saw plastic jar lids around here that would make some wonderful windchimes.

Hop on a train

The wonderful thing about our country is that even the biggest city is always surrounded by beautiful countryside. Plan a day trip out to your nearest green space and enjoy a hike. All that fresh country air is good for your health, and exercise has the added benefit of helping the children sleep all night long.

Sew yourself some new bags

Being Britain, we know there will be wet days ahead. But that’s okay if you have an indoor plan. Get together some old clothes and see what you can turn them into with a little sewing. Make your shirts into cushions or cut up some jeans and create a new denim tote bag. Recycling old clothes is a good way to learn about upcycling. And, if your children don’t feel like sewing, just enjoy dressing up and throw a costume party.

Make a bird feeder

Collect the fat from your morning sausages, the last of the peanut butter and buy some birdseed to create your own birdfeeders. All you need is some pinecones, which you can find on your next woodland walk. Roll the pinecone in the fat or peanut butter, sprinkle in birdseed and hang them up in your garden. It may take a day or so for the birds to find the new food source, but soon they’ll be swooping in, so you can keep a note of which wild inhabitants you share your garden with.

Plan a toy swap

If your children are getting a little bored of the same books or outgrowing their toys, plan a toy and book swap. Talk to other local parents and bring together all the toys they no longer want. Your children will learn about recycling and reusing items and have something new to play with. It’s also a fun way to build a sense of community and meet some new parents.

Offsetting your carbon footprint.

If you are heading abroad in search of some sunshine, (and we wish we were, too), there are ways you can offset some of the carbon footprint caused by air travel. Climate change is already impacting our wildlife, with The Woodland Trust estimating that spring now comes an average of 8 days earlier. It doesn’t sound like much, but it has a serious impact on nesting birds and their food sources.

The Trust is actively working to restore some of the ancient woodlands that used to cover Britain by improving the condition of those remaining and replanting native species. You can help by donating to the Trust or even dedicating a tree as a gift for a family birthday. All the funds go towards supporting the fight against climate change.

Enjoy your summer.

With six weeks of cycling and picnics, pond dipping, learning to compost and enjoying the local parks, we know you’ll find plenty to do. Whatever your plans for the summer, we at Cookes hope you have a wonderful time.

You’re leaving your student house for the summer – or maybe even planning a year of travel. There’s just one problem. You’ve got bikes, clothes, textbooks, hiking boots, TVs, pots and pans and all your other possessions, and nowhere to put them.

Of course, you could pack it all up and take it back to your parents’ garage. But if you’re a long way from home, without transport or don’t have the time to pack and carry it all before you head off for summer fun, that’s not always the easiest option.

This is when short-term self-storage units are a great solution. You’ve got the space you need – the equivalent of an extra cupboard up to a shed, or even a garage if you think you need it – with flexible contracts and plenty of security. If that sounds ideal, here are some great tips for making more of your self-storage.

Top tips for student storage

Share with a friend. If you’re in between study years and staying with the same housemates next term, consider getting a storage unit together. You’ll both save on costs.
Ask the storage company for advice on how much space you’ll really need. They have the expertise, after all. Remember that you need to think in terms of height as well as floor space, as you can stack your boxes up to the roof of your unit.
If you’re looking for ways to save on costs, then picking the cheapest unit isn’t always the best solution, especially if it’s farther away from your rental and you need to hire a van to move your belongings. It’s an expense that you need to factor in.
Ask your storage company if they offer help to collect belongings or have deals on van rental or the cost of boxes. Our bo x shop contains all the packaging supplies you will need to safely store your items.
If you choose a self-storage provider with outdoor units, you’ll need to factor in damp and, potentially, rodents as part of your packing plan. Indoor facilities should be dry and rodent-free.
Pack carefully, so nothing is damaged in transit. Clothes and shoes should be clean and dry, kitchen items may need to be bubble-wrapped and most storage companies won’t allow food items. In outdoor units, pack fabrics in plastic containers to keep rodents out.
As you stack your items in storage, place the heavier items at the bottom. Although cardboard boxes may seem an expense, buying them from your storage company means they will be sturdy and a similar size, making it easier to stack them. Good packing and stacking make the most of the space you have available.
Remember to ask about the notice period to end your storage. When you come to collect your items, ready for your new term at university, you don’t want to pay for an extra week of empty storage.

Our student self-storage options have been designed with you in mind. If you’re looking for summer storage, or something a little longer while you explore the globe, then we’ve got flexible terms at great rates. Give us a call on 0121 250 5055 or email u s to find out more.

We all talk about being stressed. It’s common terminology that describes feeling overwhelmed, anxious, irritable or angry. If you ask why someone is stressed, they will likely associate it with work, or a major event such as family illness or organising a house move.

However, other things can trigger feelings of stress, and our environment is one of them. Living or working in a cluttered and messy environment raises the hormone cortisol – and that triggers anxiety and tension.

How does clutter impact on your workday?

If you’ve ever worked in a busy and noisy environment, you’ll know how hard it can be to concentrate. The constant noise and distractions are obvious interruptions to your work.

Clutter is less obvious, but the impact it can have on your ability to work is just as big. A cluttered desk or workplace is full of stimuli, all impacting on your brain and preventing you from getting things done or being creative. A clear, empty desk or a calmer environment will allow you to concentrate more.

Being distracted isn’t the only irritant. Clutter impacts on practical aspects of your job. It will take longer to find things you need or impede your movements around the workplace.

Whether it’s slowing you down physically or impacting on your concentration, clutter is reducing your productivity and preventing you from doing the job to the best of your ability. And, with that leading to backlogs, getting behind on targets or just feeling like you’re not working at your best, it all adds to your stress levels.

Living in a cluttered environment

Living in a cluttered home may cause similar issues. How often do you have to hunt about for your keys, or search cluttered worktops for items you need? Just small moments like this can lead to frustration.

But, when piles of stuff around your home grow too much, they don’t just irritate. Piles of boxes or stacks of magazines, bags of clothes and other clutter start to take up a lot of space. That makes your home feel smaller and restricts your exercise and moving about. If walking about your home becomes a hurdle, you are less likely to do it, reducing your physical movement but also impacting on your enjoyment of your home and your quality of life.

The overstimulation from clutter in your home will be pinging your brain at all times. That prevents you from relaxing and getting a good night’s sleep. Poor sleep quality leads to low mood and depression.

The emotional impact of clutter

Whether it’s your workplace or your home, stress caused by clutter piles up on your emotional wellbeing. Trying to think coherently when your brain is constantly overstimulated is exhausting and leads to mental fatigue.

Sharing a home that is filled with stuff can have negative impacts on your house mates as well. Clutter and lack of space leads to arguments and may cause a breakdown in friendships and relationships.

People who live in cluttered homes report feelings of guilt and embarrassment, and in extreme cases it can prevent you from inviting people to your home, leaving you isolated. Loneliness can have a serious impact on your mental health.

Taking control of your clutter

While it’s true that some of these scenarios may relate to extreme cases, even small amounts of general clutter negatively impacts on our emotional wellbeing. Stress from work, a lack of enjoyment in your home and a lower quality of life are all going to lead to poor mental health.

And while the solution may seem clear, the act of decluttering can feel like a huge step. We hold on to things for many reasons – sentimentality, the feeling of comfort they bring, the emotional connection to memories or as a promise for the future, such as your piles of travel brochures.

The thought of decluttering is overwhelming, and there is safety in keeping everything the same. But, if you’re already feeling down or depressed as a result of your environment, even a small change may have a big impact.

When getting rid of everything is too much, then a self-storage unit can be a great first step. Start by creating piles, one for items that can go in the bin, one for charity, and one for items that you want to keep. You’ll also have a fourth pile, which is for items that you cannot decide about. Move these items to your self-storage unit. At Cookes we are on hand to help with whatever your storage needs – get in touch with our team today to see how we can help declutter your space.

Once you have more space in your home, you’ll feel better and have the time to choose what you need, and what you really do not miss. Then you can take your time choosing what you need once your home is clearer and your mental well-being has improved.

Further support on mental health and decreasing stress can be found on the Mind Charity website here.

One of the hardest parts of moving house is the packing. Let’s be real – you’ve got a mountain of possessions and it’s all got to be gathered up, put in boxes, transferred safely without breakages and unpacked again at the other end.

It’s enough to put you off from moving altogether.

But don’t worry – we’ve got some great tips for you here to make your packing as hassle-free as possible.

It’s time to declutter your home.

Before you even start to pack everything, it’s time to decide if you really need to keep everything. Moving home is a great time to finally do that huge declutter you’ve been thinking about.

Start with one room at a time – or even one cupboard if you find it easier – and separate everything into keep, bin or charity piles. Have bags with you, so that you can take everything straight to the recycling or the car boot, ready to be dropped off at the charity shop. If you’re organised, you can start putting the ‘must-keep’ items into packing boxes at the same time.

Save on packing materials.

Before you fill your home with cardboard boxes and bubble wrap, take a look at places like eBay or Facebook Marketplace for second-hand moving boxes. If someone else has just moved into your neighbourhood, they are likely to have a pile of boxes they want to get rid of. But before you start saving up all your Amazon boxes, remember that stacking everything in the removal van will be easier if most of the boxes are the same size, so it’s not a case of any old banana box will do.

Although your delicate ornaments are best secured in bubble wrap, you can always use towels and sheets for other, sturdier items that you don’t want sliding about in boxes. You have to pack the sheets anyway, so it’s a cost-effective solution.

Pack the heaviest items first.

It sounds very logical, but as you eye up the huge bookshelf full of heavy paperbacks, you understandably want to leave that job till later. Tomorrow even. But we’re afraid that the books must be packed first, in sturdy smaller boxes.

We recommend smaller boxes because a stack of books get very heavy. But, if you create a pile of small, equally sized boxes, they will form a nice solid base for everything else to stack on top of – like little cardboard bricks.

Save space with rolled clothing.

If you’re an intrepid traveller, you’ll already know that you can fit far more in your backpack if you roll your clothes. It isn’t the best approach to easily creased fabrics, but the majority of your wardrobe can probably be rolled before packing, which will reduce the number of boxes you need.

Don’t pack everything.

If it’s already in a box, or a drawer, why pack it into a different box? If you’re taking the whole dresser, just pull out each drawer, wrap it in clingfilm so nothing falls out – and it’s packed. It save you having to unbox it all at the other end, too.

Label everything. Everything.

Labels are your friend. The more clearly you label a box, the easier it will be when you are searching for the TV remote. As well as summarising contents and which room each box should be moved into, you can also decide if it’s an ‘urgent’ unpack immediately or ‘can be left till next month’ box. After all, unless you are moving in December, you don’t need to unpack the Christmas tree till last.

Use a professional moving company.

It will be cheaper to pack everything yourself – but it will be faster and less stressful to pay a professional company to do it for you. As expert packers, they will have you all wrapped up and ready to move in a day, and the removal van carefully stacked to keep the furniture at the bottom and the china wedged in the corner.

Utilise self-storage as a safe stop-off point.

The benefit of putting the majority of your home into self-storage during your move is that you can sort the essential items first. Put the sofas and beds up, unpack your kitchen and settle the kids’ into their bedroom with plenty of space in your new home, because those less-used items like the books and the lawnmower can wait in self-storage until you have the time and enthusiasm to unpack them.

And, if you’re downsizing, it gives you plenty of time to decide what you want to keep in your new home and what can go on eBay. For further information about how we can support your move, contact us at 0121 250 5055 or info@cookesstorage.co.uk.

Plan your pet move in advance.

There are a few things that you don’t want underfoot on the day you pack the removal van. If you can, leave the children with friends and the animals with the grandparents. If that’s not possible, see if there is a kennel or cattery nearby that will keep your pet overnight for you.

If your pets are more exotic – or delicate – such as an aquarium of tropical fish, it may be an idea to get proper advice from your vet or pet shop on how to transport everything safely. It can be done, but it will take planning.

Pack a box for moving day.

Kettle – and lead. Cups. Coffee, milk and a spoon. A ready-made pot of chilli and a bottle of wine for the evening. There might be a few other items you will want as soon as you arrive in your new home – like the toiletries and a pair of scissors for opening boxes – but we think we covered the essentials.

Plan for your first night in your home, making sure everything is within easy reach. You’ll be a lot happier at the end of a long day. If you need any packing materials, check out our Box Shop for all your moving needs.

Give us a call – we’re ready with your self-storage options.

You might think we’re a bit off course suggesting you use self-storage as a tool during your house move – why unload everything twice – but it’s actually a very popular way of taking the stress out of moving. And with our flexible, low-cost, short-term contracts, you’ll find it’s easier than you think. Just give us a cal l to find out more.

If you watch the financial news regularly, the idea of getting on to the property ladder may feel like a distant dream. But, putting aside the doom and gloom, it doesn’t have to be as daunting as you might think. Buying your first home is exciting – you just need a little preparation and you’ll on a firm foundation to find the perfect place.

How to improve your credit score

If you are currently renting, it might feel that every penny is going to your landlord’s bricks instead of into your own. It’s frustrating, but with some adjustments, you can still save for your deposit.

The first thing you need to do is calculate your finances. As a guide, there are mortgages available that require you to put down as little as a 5% deposit on a property. Mortgage lenders will also want to be sure you have a good credit score and can afford the monthly payments. So, start by obtaining a copy of your credit score and see where it might need some help. You can get this from Experian or Equifax online.

Your credit score is based on your history of borrowing. You can improve it by tidying up your finances, closing down any credit cards you don’t use and ensuring you pay your bills on time. Register on the electoral roll to prove where you live and check there are no mistakes on your credit report. All of these things help boost your score.

Tips for understanding your expenditure

The next step is to identify how you can start saving towards your deposit. You’ll need to understand your financial picture by taking an honest look at what you spend.

Calculate all of your outstanding debts. Do you have credit cards, overdrafts or loans? Work out your monthly payments and the interest you are paying on each. You may be better off consolidating everything into one payment.
We often stick to the same credit card for years for convenience. However, interest rates change and offers are available all the time. It might be worth transferring your balance to a card with a lower rate, even when you consider the transfer fee.
Go through your monthly statement for at least 3 months and be honest about which purchases were a necessity and which were a luxury. By looking at a longer period you can account for times like Christmas or key events and still have a fair assessment of how much you spend.
Think of ways you can cut down on unnecessary spending. Are you paying subscriptions to Netflix, Prime, Spotify and so on? If you were to cut down on one channel a month, that could go straight into your savings or clear your debts faster. Or, instead of eating out every weekend, plan dinners in with friends, with everyone contributing to a course.

Decide which type of property is right for you

The exciting part of stepping on to the ladder is exploring which property you might choose. Will you choose a flat or a house? Do you want to be close to work or is the commute a consideration? Do you prefer to be in a lively town, or close to the countryside? And, how much space do you need? It all depends on your current circumstances and your future plans, as much as your budget.

Buying isn’t always the best option. While owning your own property will be a good investment in the long term, renting can be a better proposition if your finances are not in the best shape. With a rental, you won’t have house repairs or maintenance to worry about. It’s quicker and easier to move into a rental than buying a property, as you won’t have legal costs and other expenses. And, if you don’t like the area you are in, it’s also easier to move again.

However, when you own your home, there are other advantages. You can decorate as you choose, have all the security of knowing that no one can ask you to leave, and as the house increases in value, you benefit rather than the landlord.

It’s not always as hard as it might seem to get yourself into a buying position. There are various schemes in place to help first-time buyers get started, so it’s a good idea to do some research before you begin house hunting.

For more house owner tips, make sure you read our blogs. We’ve been supporting house moves for years, storing your belongings when you’re in a chain, downsizing, in short term rental or merging two households into one, so we’ve got plenty of tips and ideas to help you navigate your way to your perfect home.

So you’ve just been offered your dream job overseas, and you can’t wait to get started. But there’s something big you need to consider. What will you do with your home?

Renting out your property while working abroad

The obvious answer is to rent your home out. That way it’s continuing to pay for itself and hopefully bringing in a little income while you are gone. There are a few things to decide, though, and that may well depend on how long you will be working abroad for.

When you’re likely to be gone for a few months, you might decide to put your home on a holiday website such as Airbnb or Travelnest. That gives you flexibility in how long you allow other people to stay in your home, from weekend breaks to month-long rentals.

Travelling abroad on a long-term basis.

If you plan to be much longer, choosing to let your property to tenants on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement can be a simpler choice, with rental agreements commonly running from 6 months to years.

You will need to read up on the regulations or ask a professional agency to assist you. Becoming a landlord has a lot of legislation that you need to understand, including:

Amending your mortgage to a Buy To Let mortgage.
Ensuring your property is fit to rent out, with the appropriate Gas Safety certificate, Energy Performance Certificate and Electrical certificate.
Adding carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms as required.
PAT testing any electrical equipment.
Performing appropriate checks on prospective tenants including referencing and identity checks.
Joining a Deposit Protection Scheme.

Letting your property furnished or unfurnished

When your home is a holiday let, your guests will expect the home comforts to be in place, such as beds, sofas and tables, a wardrobe to hang their holiday clothes in and a kitchen equipped with the basics; cutlery, fridges and a microwave.

However, your home is likely to be filled with personal items from your life that you won’t be taking abroad. Will you leave these out for your guests’ use, and run the risk of them becoming damaged or lost?

If you’re letting your property as a landlord, your choice is a lot simpler. You might choose to rent your property as furnished, but even so, that includes furniture and, possibly, white goods such as fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. It does not include your small items, so you will need to pack away everything you own, from pictures on the walls, clothing and ornaments, to saucepans, plates and books.

An unfurnished property is exactly that; empty. In many ways, this is the simpler option, as you don’t have to arrange PAT testing for every electrical item your tenant may use, and you don’t risk any damage to anything you own.

Storing your belongings for safekeeping

Now you need store your items. While a friend or family member may be able to accommodate a box or two, anything more will be using space that most people don’t have spare. Using a self-storage unit is a simple and cost-effective storage solution – and it offers you peace of mind. Our indoor storage option has state of the art security and, being indoors, your belongings are kept safe from damp and rodents.

Storing the contents of an entire house may sound daunting. However, you might be surprised how little space it actually takes when boxed and stored properly. Beds, tables and other large furniture can usually be taken apart and stored as ‘flat pack’, clothes folded, books and ornaments packed away into boxes, and there will always be items that can be donated, sold or thrown away.

When you come and speak with us about our storage options, we can also advise you on the best way to stack your items. If there is one thing that many people forget, you always end up with plenty of room at the top. Carefully packed, a storage unit can be filled from floor to ceiling, with the heaviest items at the bottom.

As a guideline – the contents of an average one-bed apartment would fit into around 50 sq. ft. – or a 5×10 unit, while contents of an average two-bedroom home would need 100 sq. ft. of storage, or 10×10 unit.

Thinking about unit sizes can be confusing, but it’s something we do every day. Just give us a call on 0121 250 5055 or email us at info@cookesstorage.co.uk and we will be happy to advise you on how much space to rent, and our flexible contract terms. With locations in both Stratford upon Avon and Sutton Coldfield, Cookes has the perfect storage solution for you.