While only a small percentage of the U.S. population suffers from compulsive hoarding, it has been noted that Americans in general tend to hold onto items that they may not necessarily need. As a result, the self storage industry in America is booming. While self storage is an excellent choice for short-term storage during a move or major life changes and can be a long-term solution for people with small living spaces, it is important to regularly assess your storage space to prevent hoarding behavior. Storing unnecessary items can end up costing you money and causing you stress. To make sure you are only storing the items you need, follow these five steps.
Set a Date to Regularly Clean Out Your Storage Unit
If you are renting a long-term storage unit, then it is possible that there are items in your unit that you have forgotten about. Regularly cleaning out your storage unit helps you ensure that you are not storing items that you do not want or need. To make sure you clean out your storage unit at least once a year, you should mark a date on your calendar to do your cleaning and sorting. Larger storage units may require an entire weekend of cleaning.
If you are regularly adding items to your storage unit, you may want to clean bi-annually or quarterly to keep your belongings manageable.
Label Items With the Date of Their Last Use
If you find it difficult to get rid of belongings because you think they are useful for you or you think that you might use them in the future, you should start labeling your items with the date you last used them when you put them in storage. Then, set a date after which you feel comfortable getting rid of an item. For example, if you have not used a set of skis in over five years, you may want to get rid of them to free up more space.
Labeling your items helps you remember exactly when the last time you used an item was and decide whether it is adding value to your life. It also lets you know when you can safely discard important paperwork without having to sort through it.
Label Boxes Clearly
While it may be easy to sort through your large items, you may find it tedious to open each box and go through its contents. To make this process easier, you should clearly label your boxes with their exact contents. For example, instead of labeling a box as "toys," you may want to tape a list of the specific toys that are in the box to its side.
Do Not Store Items of Little Intrinsic or Emotional Value
Storing items that have little intrinsic value, such as old furniture, toys, or clothing, can cost you more than simply purchasing new items when you actually need them. Additionally, these items can often be used and enjoyed by someone who needs them at the moment. For this reason, you should try to store items that are of high value or have a high emotional value for you. If you have trouble recognizing items with a high emotional value or you deem everything that you currently have to have a similar emotional value, you may want to talk to a therapist to help you sort your belongings.
Learn About Recycling Programs In Your Area
Many people keep items simply because they do not know how to get rid of them and fear that their perfectly usable items will end up at the dump. If this is a concern for you, you should find out about local recycling and charity options. You can also look into selling your items either online or at a consignment shop in your town.
Self storage provides a valuable service for many people, but it is important that you use your storage unit wisely. Regularly cleaning out your unit can make it more useful for you. Contact a facility like Arthur's Self Storage if you have specific questions about storage options.
Share11 December 2015
I try to keep my living expenses down to save money for my family. But when we faced moving from one state to another last year, I didn't know how to do so without breaking my budget. Fortunately, a relative of mine suggested that I ask a moving contractor for help. The contractor helped me plan a moving strategy that not only saved me money on boxes, supplies and transportation, they also provided tips on how to make the move easier once we arrived to our destination. I learned so much about moving that I developed this blog. I offer tips on how to move on a budget, select the right moving supplies and even how to pack your belongings properly. If you're ready to get started, keep reading. Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your move.