Michael Ruge

Philanthropy is a journey that can be immensely rewarding but also very challenging. There is no one way to begin your journey into philanthropy, but there are surely mistakes to avoid so the process can be smoother for you. Let’s look at different things to stay away from when you decide to start experimenting with philanthropy.
Firstly, you want to avoid making simple things very complex. Always think about the simplest way to achieve your objectives and avoid creating chaotic situations fo...

Self-storage is extremely useful for placing your things when you move, storing business materials, or helping to free-up space in your home. Obtaining a self-storage unit is a simple process, but maintaining it can take a bit of work. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you decide to start using a self-storage unit.
First, do not under-estimate how much storage space you will need. Usually, first-time renters find it difficult to know what size they will need for storage, as not ever...

The purpose of philanthropy, much like charity, is to improve the overall well-being of humankind. The two concepts differ in their methods and motivations. Philanthropy is focused on long-term, lasting, strategic solutions through solving existing social problems and preventing future ones from occurring. Numerous pledges and gifts over several years are components of a philanthropic endeavor. On the contrary, charity focuses on providing immediate relief to people in emergencies, either thr...

The self-storage industry has become very profitable over the past decade. With an annual industry income of $39 billion, it’s no surprise that approximately 9 percent of American families are using a self-storage facility at any time, considering most self-storage units run at a 92% occupancy rate. As far as other real estate investments, self-storage is at the lower end of the maintenance spectrum. That doesn’t mean it can be neglected, however. Units still need to be taken care of to have ...

As the pandemic continues to unfold, many people continue to try to find ways to remain active while stuck at home. One of the most common trends of 2020 has been decluttering and rearranging. Amidst all these cleanings, people have found that there are still plenty of objects they want to preserve but don’t have space within their homes to maintain all their stuff. Unfortunately, this leaves many people throwing out both essential or useful items. One of the more significant reasons people t...

Business, in general, comes with very obvious markers for how to define success. Profit margins, production amount, sales revenue– companies utilize these and countless other metrics to determine how much success a business is finding. However, businesses also have a specific goal: creating a product that meets demand and selling that product for a profit. So it’s a fairly linear path to determining success when the basic concepts of market capitalism can show you whether or not you’re succes...

As we approach the holiday season, many will want to lend a helping hand by donating or volunteering in philanthropy organizations. When we help others, we can shape other’s lives in ways that can help them. This can give you a sense of self-dignity that provides us with happiness. Compassionate acts will make us feel like we are living a purposeful life.
Canada Helps
The non-profit organization Canada Helps is one of the top giving organizations in Canada. This organization is dedicated to h...

Records are currently a prevailing trend when, for many of us, it was never really a fashion and more of a passion for collecting vintage records. From Bowie to Zeppelin, we all have our favorites, and they all hold a special place in our hearts, but there may come a time when you are running out of space in your small apartment, and you need to put some of them in storage to help free up space. So what is the best way to go about protecting your vintage records, so you don’t end up with a ru...

Natural disasters are an inevitable force, and almost everyone will be affected by one in their lifetime. Fires, floods, tornados, hurricanes; they don’t discriminate on who they affect. But what happens when they involve your storage unit? This concept is not widely discussed among those who have gotten units and had damage to their things in the event of a natural disaster. So who’s at risk? Who pays the damages?
If you happen to live in an area that is commonly prone to natural disasters, ...

As we are all trying to get by in these tough times, many people find themselves with a lot or too much time on their hands; many are trying to find ways to save them money. So what does this mean for your rental storage unit? You may be able to renegotiate your lease so that you can free up a few dollars and potentially include some things in your new agreement.
Many rental storage units have had the same lease guidelines since they opened, which could be between years and even potentially d...

While Canada is home to some of the nicest people, it is also home to a large group of baby boomers who inherited a significant bit of wealth through business creation. Along with this business creation, it walks hand in hand with a heavy focus on philanthropy. With the indigenous people of Canada getting involved in politics and the philanthropic side of things, Canada’s community of charitable leaders released the “Declaration of Action,” Which was the commitment to support the reconciliati...

While Canada is home to some of the nicest people, it is also home to a large group of baby boomers who inherited a significant bit of wealth through business creation. Along with this business creation, it walks hand in hand with a heavy focus on philanthropy. With the indigenous people of Canada getting involved in politics and the philanthropic side of things, Canada’s community of charitable leaders released the “Declaration of Action,” Which was the commitment to support the reconciliati...

Moving can no doubt be a stressful situation, especially when you have a ton of your valuables just lying around. Not only does this risk them being damaged, but they can considerably slow down the process of moving, and nobody wants that. This is why so many homeowners and businesses alike take the time to store their items away at a storage facility. Although it’s certainly simple to do, there are a few things you should keep in mind before collecting your items. Therefore, the following in...

Tiny homes have become a trend in recent years. People of all ages make the decision to simply reduce the amount of space in which they live, which also means having fewer material things. The homes typically contain less than 500 square feet of space while coming in all shapes and sizes. They may be stationary on a solid foundation or constructed on wheels for portability.
Financial Advantage
Conventional homes have grown larger and larger, which means they cost more to buy and maintain. As ...