Stretching your Storage Budget

I have a friend who reminds me, often enough, that we all should have invested in storage units! Her idea is that storage units are certainly popular and appear to be well-used. I know quite a few people who have taken advantage of opportunities to travel with/for their work and use storage units to store their belongings while traveling rather than leaving them in a home or apartment that they’re not living in. Also, it certainly seems like many people have a lot more stuff than they have space for, which leads to plenty of storage units being utilized.

While extra storage space appeals to millions of Americans for a variety of reasons, it is an expense that you need to plan for, especially if you are on a tight budget. To ensure you’re getting the best deal for your storage dollars, keep these tips in mind for saving on self-storage:

• Take advantage of discounts. After searching the Internet to identify all the storage options in your area, take time to compare what they offer in terms of size and price. Consider variables like access and security, and always read the fine print on the contract before deciding which provider best meets your needs, whether you need storage for a few months or an extended period. Be sure to ask about discounts! Some providers have strict policies on pricing, but others have some discretion to accommodate customers—it never hurts to ask, and you just might end up with a lower rate or more space for your money.

• Also, the bigger the unit you lease, you generally get a better deal. If you can partner up with trustworthy friends or relatives, you might be able to maximize your purchasing power by renting a larger unit at a lower combined rate.

• Only store the good stuff! Don’t turn your storage unit into an over-priced garbage bin. Carefully scrutinize everything you put in it, and say goodbye to items you no longer use by having a garage sale or donating items to charity. Take a thoughtful, measured approach when loading up your unit. By maximizing efficiency, you may be able to downsize to a smaller unit.

• The moving industry is often as competitive as self-storage, sometimes offering discounted or free short-term storage as part of your move. Additionally, many self-storage providers offer the use of a moving truck with the lease of a unit. Take advantage of these perks if you can.

• Ask your storage facility if it has a partnership with a mover or truck rental company that offers discounts. With careful planning, you can save money by having the truck serve double duty for a local move. Also, take advantage of the free use of hand trucks and moving supplies.

Self-storage is a competitive industry. If you’ve decided that self-storage is right for you, be thorough in finding the best deal, thoughtful about what you store in the unit, and creative about finding ways to get the most value for your money.

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Catherine Cattarello is a writer, editor, and small business owner.

#storage #storagebudget #maximizingstorage