Oct
15

How to store your belongings without breaking the bank?

During their life, a lot of people have tendency to keep things. It might be something simple, like a piece of clothing, or a person can even start collecting antiques or comic books. And since we always move around, maybe because of a job, or because of love, we find ourselves having too many personal belongings. Reasons can vary, but at one point in life we need to rent out a storage unit. And of course, you want to store your belongings without breaking the bank. Simply said, you are not ready to give up on your belongigs, but you do not want to spend too much money on storage.

It doesn’t make sense if you are storing something that you do not need and paying a big amount of money for it to be stored. Also, when you are moving, maybe long distance or even to another continent - you also might need a storage unit. And since you already are spending a lot on the relocation itself, it would be great if you could save some money on storage.

Sort out your belongings

The first and most important tip is to sort out your belongings. You should at least try to go through your belongings and donate some of your things. This way, even if you need a storage unit for bigger items you can rent out a smaller space and that way save some money. Create three piles: keep, throw and donate. This way you will avoid the possibility to keep something that you really do not need.

Create an inventory list. This way, you will always know what is in storage and what is with you. Also, create a separate inventory list for your storage unit. That list should stay in a storage unit so you can know your way around it.

Check out the storage unit

One of the most important things to do is to try to search for different companies that offer storage. Feel free to ask them all the questions about a storage unit. You can ask them for advice about the size and the type of the storage unit you need. Today, you have so many options to make sure that you are choosing just what you actually need. Also, ask them about the location of the storage unit, weather it is on the first floor, upper floors or even outside. That is also something that can actually change the price of the unit.

Don’t waste money on packing supplies

This is really important, since it can make a great difference. It doesn't really matter whether you are going to store your items for a long or a short period of time. You can store your belongings without breaking the bank just by avoiding to buy packing supplies. You do not need to buy packing paper or packing peanuts to safely store your belongings. You can use some old clothing or towels that you do not use anymore.

By simply wrapping your things with an old t-shirt, you can save money. Be creative and try to use objects that you already have in your home. Instead of packing peanuts to soften the blow, you can simply use wrinkled paper. It is efficient and it will keep your belongings safe. The only thing that you should avoid is to wrap your precious belongings like fine china with newspaper. They can release the ink over time and damage your things. When it comes to boxes, you can save money by asking around. Ask your local store or your friends if anyone has any boxes that they do not need. This way, you will find enough boxes so you do not have to spend money on them.

Ask friends and family for help

You can always hire someone to move your things to storage or even pack them for you. But, this way you will definitely break the bank. You can store your belongings without breaking the bank by simply asking friends for help. They can help you transfer your belongings to the storage unit. They can also help you with the move, and you can thank them by ordering a pizza or making dinner. You surely have enough friends to transfer all of your belongings in one trip to the storage unit.

Reason for storing

When you are trying to store your belongings without breaking the bank you need to think thoroughly about the reason why you are renting the storage unit. Are you maybe going to another state or continent to live and you want to store your items? Or you simply want to declutter your home without throwing anything? The reason is making the difference since the prices vary depending on how long do you plan to store the items. You should be aware that even when you have to ship your belongings via air you can still apply the same rules. You can sort out things and bring only what you actually need and you can store the rest for a longer period of time. This way, you will save money on shipping your belongings, even if you have to store something at home.

In case you are storing something for just a short period of time, make sure that you are renting a safe storage unit. And that you have easy access to the unit, so you can take out the items whenever you need them.

Avoid saving money on the wrong thing

It is completely normal that you want to store your belongings without breaking the bank. But keep in mind that you should never try to save money on the safety of your storage unit. You need to make sure that your belongings are secure. Also, if you have the option to insure the storage unit, you should think about it. It can help you in the long run. The safety of your belongings is the most important thing and you shouldn't try to save money on it.