There is a certain mentor in my life with an affinity for fabulous millinery. I treasure her for being so inspirational and relevant to me in a ton of ways. Anne Ballard, president of Universal Storage Group, is known in our industry as “The Hat Lady.” You might even call me obsessed with this legendary figure, to the extent that one of my own nicknames at SpareFoot is “Mini Hat Lady.”

On a recent visit to Atlanta, Anne gave me a very special gift—not one but three gorgeous hats plucked from her collection. Can you believe what a sweet and thoughtful person she is? Here are seven reasons I think she’s so awesome:

1. Anne is a leader, widely respected in the storage industry as a proven marketing expert. She is a friendly, helpful educator on these topics, and her speaking sessions at industry trade shows resonate powerfully with audiences of storage business owners and operators.

2. She is a charming Southern belle who appreciates our shared native region for all of its friendliness, fun, culture and sweet tea.

3. This woman knows how to have a good time! She is one of the best dinner companions you could ever want at your table. She appreciates the finer things in life, including good conversation with friends or colleagues—they’re one and the same to Anne.

4. Anne knows herself and indulges on her favorite fashion accessory: hats. She wears them well and keeps them organized in a custom closet at her home in Atlanta. Anne’s look is always thoughtful, elegant and striking. I consider her among my style inspirations because she has such fun with fashion!

5. She is a world traveler who has spent years of her life on amazing voyages around the world, including stints living abroad. This is something that I think is super important for people to make time to do in their lives, and she has done it well. She’s currently a U.S. road warrior, bouncing around the country to speak at industry trade shows. On a related note, Anne has loads of fascinating stories.

6. This leader has cultivated a great team of employees who love and respect her so much. They have an amazing relationship and tons of fun in their office. This is the kind of company culture we try to foster at SpareFoot, and she is the kind of leader I hope to be. She is so easy to talk to and not intimidating, despite her celebrity.

7. Anne is an amazingly positive person who always has wonderful things to say about others. She balances this with being a very “real,” down-to-Earth person who is a blast to dish with on just about any topic. She is famously deft at connecting contacts in her huge network to each other for both business and friendship.

Many thanks to Anne for being a unique friend and mentor to me in self-storage!

You love paying income taxes, right? If you answer yes to that question, then you need to have your head examined. No one I know loves to see taxes deducted from their paychecks. And with all of the news lately about the IRS targeting certain conservative groups, even more people are fuming about forking over money to the government.

So, what if you could move somewhere in the U.S. where you could skip paying income taxes altogether? Good luck finding it. That place doesn’t exist (unless you don’t make enough taxable income or you’re hiding from Uncle Sam).

However, there are seven states where you don’t have to pay a single penny in state income taxes:

1. Alaska
2. Florida
3. Nevada
4. South Dakota
5. Texas
6. Washington
7. Wyoming

New Hampshire and Tennessee don’t tax your pay, but they do collect taxes on dividend and interest income.

Why are these states so tax-friendly? Alaska, for one, can afford not to impose state income taxes because it rakes in so much money from the oil industry, according to my friend Kay Bell, a personal finance writer who concentrates on taxes. Meanwhile, Florida and Texas depend heavily on sales and property taxes.

Bottom line No. 1: The nine states that don’t tax your wages find other ways to generate revenue. Bottom line No. 2: Living somewhere that doesn’t collect state income taxes could be just a psychological advantage, as you wind up paying the government one way or another.

Investopedia.com offers this note of caution: “The grass can always seem greener on the state tax-free side of the fence, but if you dig a little deeper you might find that your own state suits you better—even if you do have to pay a little bit more come tax time.”

Still, living in one of these nine states can be enticing—especially if you’re well-to-do. For 12 years, I lived in income-tax-free Texas before moving last year to income-tax-dependent California. In the Golden State, I certainly noticed the bigger tax bite in my paycheck. This spring, I moved back to the Lone Star State and was delighted to, once again, be free of state income taxes. My paycheck appreciated it, too. But I don’t know whether I’m behind or ahead of the tax game after returning to Texas.

NBA star Dwight Howard may appreciate the lack of a state income tax in Texas as well. Speculation is that Howard will be jumping from the Los Angeles Lakers in California, which has an income tax, to the Houston Rockets in Texas, which has no income tax. If Howard does head to the Rockets, he could save about $15.1 million in state income taxes on his next contract, according to Forbes.com. Geez, $15,000 extra in my pocket would be just fine with me.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whom Forbes.com called the state’s “Top Cowboy,” is speaking to the Dwight Howards of the world—as well as business tycoons—in his current campaign to lure people and jobs from the New York City area to income-tax-free Texas.

Forbes.com contributor Travis Brown argues that the allure of relocating from New York to Texas revolves around what my state does not offer, including state income taxes. “The Lone Star economy speaks best when you forget the spin and simply follow the facts,” he wrote.

Fittingly, Brown employed an NBA analogy when making the case for living in states without income taxes: “The race for the best workforce in America is on, and we are all watching the Spurs and the Heat play their NBA finals from two states completely without a state income tax. Florida and Texas are now playing in an entirely different arena, and it is time for the rest of America to follow their lead.”

Whether you agree or disagree with Brown, it sure is less taxing for me when my paycheck has zero state income taxes.

[ by Amanda Hopkins, CORT ]

In the words of Alice Cooper, school’s out for summer. If you’re a college student, you’re relieved to be finished with finals, rid of your weird roommates and away from the book-laden world of academia—at least for a while.

For many, that glee translates into a desire to travel. Maybe you’re going backpacking through Europe, or maybe you want to pull a full Jack Kerouac and spend the whole summer traversing the country. It’s far more likely, however, that you’re looking to get your kicks on Route 66 while holding down a summer job or internship, or while taking classes. Meanwhile, you may be strapped for cash.

Don’t the summer months seem to fly by? In the blink of an eye, you’ll be thinking about buying textbooks, iclickers and scantrons, and longing for these months of summertime freedom. Before August sneaks up on you, check out these road trips that are great for students who’ve got a case of wanderlust but who are low on cash. Here are four fantastic places for college students traveling on a shoestring budget.

1. Yellowstone National Park
If nature’s your thing, consider putting Yellowstone National Park on your places-to-visit list. This national park is spread out over Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, and covers more than 3,000 square miles, so it’s accessible from all directions.

For a one-time fee, you can hang out in Yellowstone for the week and enjoy the majesty of one of the nation’s oldest parks. To save money during your trip, bring your own bedding so you can skip the more expensive park lodging. (You still can use campground amenities like showers, toilets and laundry facilities.) Also, bring your own ­food so you don’t have to shell out cash at a sit-down restaurant.

2. Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nothing says “summer” like a trip to the beach, so skip the summer hotspots to save money and go to Fort Lauderdale. Its white-sand beaches are just as beautiful as any major Florida destination. With 185 miles of canals and waterways, it’s worth a look. If you do want to venture out, West Palm Beach and Miami are less than an hour away from Fort Lauderdale. And the beach—Fort Lauderdale’s best attraction—is free.

3. Asheville, NC
Visit Asheville for spectacular barbecue and practically endless mountain scenery. Explore the local art scene in various artists’ markets, go hiking in the Pigsah National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway, or scoop up discount tickets to the 8,000-acre Biltmore estate when you stop at the Asheville Visitors Center (and get some handy maps while you’re at it). Additionally, although it doesn’t exactly belong on the “cheap trip” activities list, if you’re a craft beer enthusiast, Asheville boasts some great craft breweries. Spend some time in the local pubs if you want a true taste of Asheville.

4. Monterey Bay, CA
Head to Northern California for some seaside weather and scenery, where you can hike Big Sur or stroll along the beach. (June temperatures around the Monterey Bay are in the mid-60s.) If you’re there on a weekend, explore the Marina Certified Farmers’ Market on Sundays in Monterey, and visit nearby Salinas on the first Friday of the month for the First Fridays Art Walk.

Before You Go
Before you and your friends pile into the car and hit the open road, be smart about leaving your stuff behind.

If you’re going to be between apartments at some point during the summer, taking a trip during that gap might be wise. Stash your stuff in self-storage while you travel, then come back and load everything into your new digs. If you don’t want to deal with moving into a new place and hauling all your furniture from one home to the next, consider furniture rental instead. Whether you want a full room of furniture for a couple of months or individual pieces of furniture for the whole academic year, student furniture rental is a convenient, wallet-friendly solution for temporary furniture.

Images courtesy of National Park Service, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Biltmore, SeeMonterey.com

Clutter left unchecked can pile up all around you, causing an avalanche of stress—and a waste of time and money.

So, SpareFoot chatted with professional organizer Lorie Marrero of Austin, TX, to get some advice on de-cluttering. She’s the creator of the Clutter Diet online organizing program and the author of “The Clutter Diet: The Skinny on Organizing Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life.”

Is all clutter created equal or are certain types worse than others?

There are certain things we call high-calorie clutter—items that just seem to multiply in your house. For example, things people collect like books, craft supplies, videos and photographs. People sometimes just can’t seem to get enough of these things.

When you’re tackling a clutter problem, how much of the solution is organizing versus getting rid of things?

I would say it’s usually half and half. Organizing and purging go hand in hand. But the goal isn’t always to get rid of things—it’s to make your space functional so you can do what you want to do and save time. People with plenty of storage can put items away. But if you don’t have enough space, you’ll have to make some decisions.

How often should you go through your things to keep clutter from getting out of hand?

It depends on the area of the house. In general, going through everything once a year is a good rule of thumb. But there are some spaces that need attention more often. In your home office, for example, you need to go through your papers every week. But when you live in once place for a long time, you just accumulate stuff. You have to make systems to go through it or otherwise you end up 30 years later with garages full of extra stuff that your kids have to go through.

Is moving a good time to de-clutter?

Absolutely. Moving is a huge opportunity because you touch everything you own. When you’re going to put something in a box, you have to decide if you want it to end up in the new house. It’s a great exercise to go through, and that’s why when people move frequently they don’t usually have a lot of clutter.

What role does self-storage play in de-cluttering? Can it be a good tool and, if so, when?

When you’re in transition, that is the very best time to use self-storage. What we don’t want is for people to create an annex full of belongings they don’t need. But there are all kinds of changes in people’s lives where self-storage can make sense—for example, if you’re moving or if you’ve inherited a lot of stuff and need a place to put it before you can go through it.

Do you have any tips on making decisions about what to store and what not to put in self-storage?

You want to think about the replacement cost of the items compared to the rent you’re paying for the space. You also want to ask yourself all the usual questions—do I use this, when was the last time I used it, and in what scenario can I imagine using it again?

What about sentimental items—like old high school yearbooks or letters or photos? How you do you make decisions about those?

They’re certainly worth keeping. But the question is, is there too much? Sometimes we have people give themselves a quota of space to use for keepsakes because some people have trouble prioritizing. So, you can have maybe one bin for your children’s drawings. And when that’s full, you can’t put anything else in it until you get rid of something. But really, if something is very, very important to you, then you absolutely should keep it. I think ideally you want to find a place in your primary residence rather than trying to store a lot of those items.

Do you have any final advice for people who feel overwhelmed by clutter and don’t know where to start?

Take it a piece at a time; you don’t have to do it all in one day. And you should get help from a friend. We always tell people to trade favors with a friend because it’s really hard to face a giant project alone. You can agree to help a friend clean out her garage, and she could clean out your closet with you. The friend can help keep you from getting bogged down by going down memory lane, going through pictures one by one, for example. They can keep you going and give you some objectivity on your project.

There are a lot of legendary things at SpareFoot that demand explanations: our mythical LDR team; what goes on back in the sales pit (we don’t dare to find out); how our marketing guru Rachel Greenfield stays impeccably fashionable every single day; and, of course, our notorious happy hours. Then again, maybe “happy” is an understatement or, rather, a misnomer.

It started innocently enough: Every other Friday, two randomly chosen SpareFeet were charged with the daunting task of planning a fun and relaxing happy hour for the whole office. The first few happy hours were costume-heavy, with everything from superheroes to boxes. (Yes, we had a theme that was simply “Boxes.”) But, of course, our tagline of “Work hard, play hard” quickly escalated our biweekly rituals into just one regret shy of unruly.

We’ve had some truly crazy and innovative happy hours at the SpareFoot office, all with their own tales and unique destruction. Some of our past themes include Mardi Gras, School Spirit, Karaoke & Ritas, Viva Las SpareFoot, Fly Yo Freak Flags and a deceptively untame trivia contest. Our recent ’90s-themed happy hour featured Lazer Tag; a ’90s sing-off (which included our luscious CET rockstar Albert Hood breaking it down on the dance floor); and questionable candy, including Warheads, Baby Bottle Pops, Ring Pops and Jasmine-head Pez dispensers. Throw in a bit of our Warhead Punch, and you’ve got SpareFeet losing their phones … and their dignity. No diggity.

Find yourself invited to a SpareFoot happy hour and unsure what to expect? Here’s what we can guarantee.

A wild Matt Schexnayder does a photobomb during our Greek-themed happy hour.

6:30 p.m. Hungry and thirsty SpareFeet work diligently at their desks, eagerly awaiting an email from the intrepid happy hour organizers announcing that the festivities have begun.

6:35 p.m. “Hey SpareFeet, happy hour is happening on the fifth floor!” is usually as far into the team email anyone will bother to read, never mind the “Be responsible” or “Stay out of the hallways” warnings. Chairs roll backward, computers are left unlocked (much to the chagrin of their owners the following Monday, when they find Marky Mark greeting them on their computer screens), and masses of TGIF-minded SpareFeet flee to the fifth floor to unwind from their week through whatever creative debauchery their hosts have cooked up.

6:40 p.m. If a Songza playlist called “Friday night at the office with your favorite people who all appreciate the sacred value of TGIF mentality” existed, this would be the soundtrack to all SpareFoot happy hours. This typically includes Boyz II Men, old school rock and a healthy dose of Rihanna. Punch is flowing and crab racing might be happening. If you don’t have a drink in your hand, you’ll find one soon enough–even if it’s just to hold someone else’s as he or she throws down at a Beer Pong table.

The dramatic conclusion of our hermit crab races left some SpareFeet (notably Albert Hood) unable to cope with the indelible tragedies of (happy hour) life.

6:50 p.m. You’ll find yourself gravitating to the spread of delicious who-knows-what laid before you. We’ve had incredible platters from Cazamance, shameless amounts of pizza from Hoboken Pies, and the classic standby of chicken wings from Pluckers to celebrate the Super Bowl. Whatever food ends up in your mouth, we guarantee that it will be delicious. You will be sneaking back up to the fifth floor on your way out, hoping to carry a few cartons of it home. (I am absolutely not speaking from personal experience.)

7 p.m. With food and drink properly integrated into your system, it’s time to get to know the people around you. See that guy with the wacky-but-cool Beer Pong technique? That’s Scooter Womack. And those two absolutely demolishing shuffleboard? They’re Kyle Shelton and Itzett Romero. Oh, and the weird guy lurking in the corner, that’s our social media maven, Matt Stites. Walk around, get to know people and be surprised when it’s way later than you expected.

7:30 p.m. In the meantime, the main event begins. Is it karaoke? Lazer Tag? Dancing? An epic ping-pong tournament? Good luck and be safe. Just a note, though: Do not challenge our co-founder Chuck Gordon to Lazer Tag. You might lose your life.

This is what happens when you spoil “Game of Thrones” for Chuck Gordon. Otherwise, he’s a pretty peaceful soul.

9 p.m. I was lying before when I said that 7 p.m. was the time to get to know people at happy hour. Now is the true time to get to know them, whether it be through a rowdy game of Beer Pong, a group sing-along to the Spice Girls or just an intense discussion about the new season of “Arrested Development.”

10 p.m. to 1:59 a.m. We’ll leave that up to your imagination.

2 a.m. It is physically impossible to resist Thai food at 2 in the morning. Physically. Impossible.

We’ll be honest–it’s a blessing and a relief that SpareFoot happy hours are only every other week … otherwise, we might not survive. But that’s what you get when you have the most amazing employees working above and beyond every single week. Sometimes, you’ve just got to let loose and embrace the Janet Jackson song that’s coaxing you into a dance-off.

Does this sound like something you’d like to be a part of every other week? We’re hiring, and we would love to have you! Don’t you want to join the Best Place to Work in Central Texas?

Top image courtesy of David Eli R

[ by Jamie Shalvey, GradGuard]

When renting an apartment, have you ever considered how much all of your belongings are worth? If they were damaged or stolen, would you be able to pay to replace them? If not, a renter’s insurance policy could help. For around the cost of a once-a-month pizza delivery, you could protect your personal property.

Renter’s insurance helps protect you from property damage or loss, as well as liability risks. Surprisingly, only about one-third of U.S. renters carry renter’s insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The average annual premium for renter’s insurance is about $185 in the U.S., the institute says.

Choosing an insurance policy can be daunting. As with any insurance coverage, you should speak with your insurer to review what will work best for you, but you also should do some research on your own. What should you look for in a renter’s insurance policy? Here are four common features that should be on your radar.

1. Replacement Cost
Replacement cost refers to the money needed to replace lost items, rather than an insurance company reimbursing you for what the items would have been worth. This is important because the amount that the stolen or damaged articles would be worth often is considerably less than the money needed to buy new ones. For example, the laptop you bought five years ago isn’t worth nearly as much now as it was then. So if you have replacement-cost coverage, you can afford to buy a brand-new replacement laptop.

2. Electronics Coverage
Many renter’s insurance policies place a dollar limit on any item that falls under the “electronics” category, so you have to buy additional protection to make sure pricier items are adequately covered, such as laptops, stereo systems and TVs. If you value your electronics, you should be sure that you’ve got enough coverage.

3. Deductible
Before your insurer pays your claim, you’ll likely be responsible for paying a deductible—an established out-of-pocket sum for repair or replacement of something covered by your policy that’s been stolen, damaged or destroyed.

Typically, renter’s insurance deductibles range from $500 to $2,000. If you go with a low deductible, you’ll recover more money if you need to file a claim. However, keep in mind that the lower your deductible is, the higher your premium—the amount you pay for your insurance—will be.

4. Worldwide Coverage
Worldwide coverage protects your personal property wherever it is, like San Francisco or Singapore. This coverage is available if you buy what’s known as a “personal articles” floater—added coverage for valuable items like jewelry or musical instruments. Renter’s insurance policies usually offer little coverage for such belongings ($1,000 per item, for example), so it may make sense to purchase a floater if you own high-value stuff.

Final Advice
Renter’s insurance is important for anyone renting an apartment, including college students. Be sure to do your research when looking for a renter’s insurance policy, and speak with an insurance agent or insurance company representative when trying to decide which coverage is right for you.

Remember that if you’re putting any of your belongings in a self-storage unit, you should check with your renter’s insurance provider to find out whether those belongings are covered—and for how much. If you don’t think your renter’s insurance does the job, you may want to buy self-storage insurance. This coverage is available from storage facilities and independent providers.

The sun is out, the birds are singing and the open road beckons. You’ve been waiting all winter to take your motorcycle out for the first ride of the year, and the time has finally come. But wait—not so fast. Even if you winterized your motorcycle for off-season storage, you’ll want to check out this 14-point checklist before you take to the open road.

1. Dust Off Your Bike.
Remove the cover and any blocks used to keep your bike in place during winter storage and lower the bike onto its side stand. Remove any plugs, rags or covers from the exhaust pipes and air intakes meant to keep out animals and foreign objects. Wash away any coating you may have applied to protect the frame, rims and chain.

2. Look Over the Fuel System.
Replace the fuel filter and examine the fuel tank, fuel lines and fittings for cracks and leaks. If you used fuel stabilizer, your fuel should be in good shape. Make sure by opening the filler cap and looking inside for gunk or stratification. If the fuel is consistent and clean, you can go to the next step. If not, you’re better off draining the tank and fuel lines before running the engine. You also should check and clean your carburetor. Add a fuel system cleaner the next few times you fill your tank.

3. Make Sure It’s Well-Oiled.
Many motorcycle manufacturers recommend that you change the engine oil and filter before storage and again in the spring. During storage, the oil can separate, causing a condensation build up that may harm your engine. Whether or not you changed your engine oil before storage, you’ll still want to check the oil level before riding.

4. Check the Fluids.
Check the fluid hose connections for looseness or signs of leakage. Check for cracks in all hoses and replace as needed. Check the levels and consistency of all of the fluids. Change any fluid that looks suspicious and top off any that need refilling. Always use a new sealed container when topping off fluids. Flush and replace the old antifreeze with proper coolant. You also should replace the air filter.

5. Charge the Battery.
If you removed the battery for storage and kept it charged, just clean the cables and terminals with a wire brush, then grease and reconnect. If you kept your battery trickle-charged or hooked up to a tender, it’s probably in good shape. However, if the bike was stored without disconnecting the battery or without using a smart charger, the battery will need to be fully charged or replaced if it won’t hold a charge. In either case, check the leads for corrosion and make sure they’re attached snugly. Depending on your battery, you may have to fill the cells with distilled water. Be sure the vent tube is connected and properly routed.

6. Kick the Tires.
If the weight was off your motorcycle’s wheels during storage, chances are your tires are in good shape, but you still should inspect them thoroughly before riding. Check for cracks, bulges, punctures, stress marks or flat spots. Using a tire pressure gauge, check air pressure in both tires to ensure they’re properly inflated. If needed, refill your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Inspect the wheels for dents and carefully tighten any loose spokes. Grease the wheel bearings.

7. Hit the Brakes.
Check and fill the brake fluid level, and replace it if it’s dirty. Examine the brake lines for cracks and leaks. Inspect the brake pads and discs or shoes for wear. If they’re thin, you may want to get new ones. Thoroughly clean the brake rotors with brake cleaner. Lubricate the front-brake hand lever and throttle cables.

8. Rev the Engine.
If you didn’t spray fogging oil or lubricate the top of the cylinder before storage, remove the spark plugs and pour 2 tablespoons of oil into the spark plug ports. This will lubricate the top portion of the cylinder walls before you start the bike. When you pull the plugs, check the gaps; if needed, use a gap-setting tool to set them to the manufacturer’s specifications.

9. Inspect the Frame, Suspension and Steering.
Inspect the frame and fairing for hairline cracks. Pay close attention to areas around the engine and transmission brackets. Move the forks forward and back to feel for looseness. If there’s any movement or clunking from the steering head, tighten it properly. Inspect the handlebars for cracks and lubricate the cable connections. Pay particular attention to brake-lever pivot bolts, axle nuts and drain plugs. Lubricate all bearings and grease the kickstand. Check the condition of every nut and fastener, and tighten as necessary.

10. Double-Check the Chain and Sprockets.
Check the sprocket for missing teeth or uneven wear. Test the amount of slack in the motorcycle’s chain and adjust the tension to the manufacturer’s specification. Then lubricate the chain.

11. Take a Look at the Electrical System.
Check your electronics, switches, lights and gauges for proper operation. Test your regular and high-beam headlamps, and front and rear turn signals. Test your rear brake light and ensure it lights up when you engage the brakes. Test the horn to ensure it’s working.

12. Test the Controls.
Examine the cables and hoses for cracks, kinks or other damage. Test the levers and pedals to make sure they’re well-lubricated. Test the throttle to ensure it flows smoothly and does not jam or spring closed when released.

13. Update Your Insurance Policy.
Make sure your insurance policy is up to date. If you’ve added any custom parts or equipment, you’ll want to be sure they’re covered.

14. Hit the Road.
Let the bike idle for a few minutes to get its fluids circulating. Check to see whether it idles smoothly and at the correct RPM after reaching normal operating temperature. Use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s T-CLOCS (Tires, Controls, Lights, Oils and Fluids, Chassis and Stands) checklist before you hop on the motorcycle.

Now you’re ready to enjoy your ride!

This post comes from the editors of The Allstate Blog, which helps people prepare for the unpredictability of life.

We won! We won! We won!

You’ll have to forgive us for our unbridled enthusiasm. We’ve just been named the Best Place to Work in Central Texas among midsize employers. OK, we already thought we were one of the best workplaces in the Austin area, but it’s really sweet to get formal recognition for it.

SpareFoot was among 20 finalists in the category for midsize employers—51 to 250 employees—in the Austin Business Journal’s annual Best Places to Work program. A group of nearly 30 SpareFeet—many of us decked out in SpareFoot gear—picked up the award during a luncheon Thursday (June 6) at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

So, how did we wind up with this honor?

SpareFoot and other employers were evaluated on team effectiveness, retention risk, alignment with goals, people practices, individual contributions, manager effectiveness, trust in senior leaders, trust with co-workers, feeling valued and work engagement. Each category was measured by employee satisfaction through confidential surveys conducted by Quantum Workplace.

SpareFoot CEO Chuck Gordon said he’s “honored and overjoyed” that the company he co-founded has received this award.

“It means a lot to SpareFoot and to me personally,” Chuck said. “We spend a significant amount of time and energy trying to be an amazing place to work where our tight-knit group of brilliant people change the (storage) world every day. Winning the Best Places to Work in Central Texas award is proof that our efforts are paying off.”

Chuck credited several things with making SpareFoot a Best Place to Work, including:

• Being extremely picky about who’s hired. That includes the CEO interviewing every job candidate before he or she comes aboard.

• Maintaining a “very flat organizational structure where everyone makes a difference and no one is special.”

• Working really hard and playing even harder. “I’ve heard some people say SpareFoot parties too much,” Chuck said, “but I think the proof is in the pudding that we’re doing something right.”

The award validates that what SpareFoot has done so far is working, according to Chuck.

“But if we want SpareFoot to continue to be awesome as we grow really fast, we must continue to iterate on our culture,” Chuck said. “Many of the things that made SpareFoot great at 50 people won’t work at 100 people or at 150 people. Not only do we spend a lot of time making sure what we are doing today is great, we think about how to stay great tomorrow. That’s how we continue to be a Best Place to Work.”

By the way, here were our worthy competitors in the midsize employer category:

• All Web Leads
• Bigcommerce
• Catapult Systems
• Gallagher Benefit Services
• Invodo
• Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend
• Mass Relevance
• Maxwell Locke & Ritter
• RateGenius
• Realty Austin
• SailPoint
• Sente Mortgage
• SpawGlass Contractors
• Spiceworks
• Stream Realty Partners
• Tableau Software
• Troux Technologies
• UShip
• Wortham Insurance

Oh, and in case you want to join the Best Place to Work in Central Texas, we are hiring. Check out our job openings at www.sparefoot.com/jobs.html. Just think: You could be celebrating with us at next year’s Best Places to Work luncheon. (Yep, we plan to be there to defend our title.)

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be on the SpareFoot team but don’t see a job opening that fits your background, sign up for job notification emails that will alert you when a position in your field becomes available.

“SpareFoot competes for the best talent. We have high expectations and high rewards,” said our recruiting maven, Rachel Morse. “We are amazing because of the people who work here. If we weren’t in the self-storage industry, we could do anything and be successful together.”

Falling victim to a burglary is always devastating, but having your possessions stolen from a self-storage unit usually comes as a complete shock. “Good Morning America” recently reported that self-storage theft is on the rise and that consumers who rent storage units should be concerned about the safety of their items.

But is self-storage burglary actually a big problem and are customers facing a greater crime risk than they were five or 10 years ago?

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell. There isn’t much hard data on this issue, and self-storage break-ins often go unreported, said Jon Loftin, vice president of business development at PTI Security Systems, which specializes in self-storage security hardware and software. It’s important to note that self-storage issues are gaining popularity thanks to shows like “Storage Wars” and “Auction Hunters,” so it’s possible that this form of theft is simply receiving more attention than it has in the past.

According to the 2012 Self-Storage Almanac, compiled by MiniCo Insurance Agency, 7 percent of facilities in the U.S. had reported break-ins or thefts in the previous year, down from 18.2 percent in 2010. Even with that decline, burglary remains a threat at self-storage facilities.

In the same way you may rely on alarm systems and neighborhood watch programs to protect your home from burglars, you should be proactive about preventing theft at your self-storage unit.

Choosing a Secure Self-Storage Facility
To safeguard your stored goods and avoid the cost of replacing stolen items, you always should be thorough when selecting a facility, said Andrew Schrage, co-owner of personal finance website MoneyCrashers.com. Before booking a facility, review all of the listed security features, call the manager if you need any clarification and, if possible, visit the facility in person.

Not sure exactly what security measures are necessary? If you’re able to schedule a visit and take a tour, Schrage suggests making sure the indoor and outdoor areas of the property are well-lit. He also recommends asking the manager whether the facility has an established relationship with the local police department and inquiring about how frequently police monitor the area, if at all.

Video surveillance technology can deter would-be thieves who spot the security cameras. However, Loftin pointed out that the primary function of surveillance is to help managers review what went wrong after a burglary, rather than to stop one from occurring in the first place.

If you’re serious about giving your items the highest level of security, Loftin recommends selecting a facility with an access control system and individual door alarms, which are the best tools for preventing burglaries.

An access control system requires renters to use individual codes, remotes or security cards to enter the facility. This technology not only gives self-storage managers a record of who’s using the facility at all times, but makes it harder for would-be burglars to enter.

Individual door alarms provide an additional layer of security by immediately alerting self-storage operators if an unauthorized user enters a certain unit. Loftin said that these alarms are particularly effective in protecting against a common type of self-storage theft—an existing customer clearing out another customer’s unit.

Taking Safety Into Your Own Hands
Even after you’ve chosen a secure storage facility, you still can take steps to make sure your belongings are safe.

If you have a few high-value items among your stored possessions, Loftin recommends placing those valuables in the back of your unit. Doing so can protect your most important belongings from what he refers to as a “crash and grab” theft. In this type of burglary, thieves break into several units and quickly seize whatever looks like it holds the most value. Because these burglaries often happen so quickly–usually in a matter of minutes–crooks will be less likely to snatch important items if you’ve made them more difficult to grab.

Many storage facilities also let you choose your own lock for your unit’s door. Take the time to choose a lock that will hold up against bolt cutters, Schrage said. You should avoid buying a lock with a long shackle, which is the loop that passes through or around the object you’re locking. Instead, Loftin recommends purchasing a disc lock or a cylinder lock, both of which are difficult to cut.

AUSTIN, TX—A new SpareFoot analysis of thousands of customer reviews shows self-storage renters believe that U.S. self-storage facilities they have used are “very secure.”

The analysis was performed in response to a recent report on “Good Morning America” claiming that self-storage units are “easy prey” for thieves.

SpareFoot, the online marketplace for self-storage, examined 11,997 consumer reviews of 3,467 storage facilities. Overall, those facilities earned an average of four out of a possible five stars for security. A four-star rating indicates a facility is “very secure.” A five-star rating qualifies that facility as a “fortress.”

The reviews were submitted on SpareFoot’s network of websites from August 2011 through May 2013. The analysis looked at all customer reviews published during that period. On SpareFoot.com, consumers can check out renters’ reviews of security and other features at more than 6,500 U.S. self-storage facilities.

“Certainly, crime does occur at self-storage facilities, just as it does anywhere else. However, our analysis of thousands of consumer reviews clearly indicates that self-storage crime is not rampant, as the ‘Good Morning America’ piece would lead you to believe. By and large, self-storage facilities around the country are safe and secure,” said Chuck Gordon, CEO of SpareFoot.

Online surveys completed in 2012 found 90 percent of customers who had booked self-storage units through SpareFoot’s network rated a facility’s safety and security as “extremely important” or “very important.” Nearly 900 consumers participated in the surveys.

“That’s why owners and operators spend millions of dollars on safety and security measures like electronic gates, secure building access systems, security cameras, fences, lighting and more,” Gordon said.

About 50,000 self-storage facilities operate around the U.S.; 10 percent of U.S. households currently rent self-storage units, according to the Self Storage Association.

Here are three tips for making sure your belongings are protected at a self-storage facility.

1. Before you sign a lease, ask the facility about its security efforts. For instance, are security cameras installed around the property?

2. Be sure to use a sturdy lock for your storage unit. Don’t use standard or combination padlocks. Instead, opt for a closed-shackle padlock, disc lock or cylinder lock.

3. Ask your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company whether your belongings are covered while they’re being stored. If they’re not covered, it’s wise to buy self-storage insurance.

About SpareFoot
SpareFoot, based in Austin, TX, makes renting self-storage easy. Our free marketplace lets customers find and reserve storage units online. We have the largest inventory of storage units in the U.S., with a network of more than 6,500 facilities, ranging from mom-and-pop to publicly traded REIT. We reach millions of people who need storage through exclusive partnerships with brands like SelfStorage.com, Apartments.com and Penske Truck Rental. SpareFoot brings consumers and facilities together to deliver the most convenient and enjoyable storage experience possible online, offline and via mobile.

For more information, visit www.sparefoot.com.

PR Contact
Newton O’Neill Communications
Lisa O’Neill, 512-494-6178
lisa@newtononeill.com