Have you ever felt like your house is playing Tetris with all your possessions? You are not alone. You’re not alone. No matter how many times you try to empty the laundry basket, it just keeps getting bigger. Self storage plus rentals are a magical world.
It’s not enough to pick the first storage unit you find on Google Maps. Imagine it like finding a new home for your belongings. If you have enough furniture to furnish a mansion and a studio, why would you want to stuff it into that tiny space? Size is important. You need to determine how much room you will actually need, whether you are storing Grandma’s antique dresser, or your Star Wars collection.
After you have a rough idea of the unit’s size, consider its location. You might be tempted by the cheap unit in another town, but you will end up making more trips than you would like. In the end, proximity can save you both gas and time.
Another piece to this puzzle is security. Nobody wants to have their valuables protected by a rusty lock and a hope. You should look for facilities that have good lighting and surveillance cameras. There may even be a manager on site who is willing to play Sherlock Holmes from time to time.
Let’s now talk about climate control, or as I call it “keeping your stuff out of the freezing and melting.” A climate-controlled unit is worth its weight in silver if you store anything that’s sensitive to temperature fluctuations, like electronics or old photographs.
We all have tighter budgets than the jeans we wear after Thanksgiving dinner. It’s fun to hunt for bargains (who doesn’t like saving money?) Remember that cheap is not always the best, especially when it comes to quality.
Read the terms before signing anything longer than War and Peace. There are some places that offer deals with sweeter sounding strings than grandmother’s knitting thread.
Little birdie told me once that insurance is not only something you see on late-night television ads. If life throws you curveballs as fast as a Major League pitcher, protecting your stored items will give you peace of mind.
Don’t forget the accessibility hours. Imagine you need something urgently, only to discover that access is restricted during odd hours. Cue dramatic sighs from all sides!
While we’re talking logistics, pack wisely! Label boxes clearly to avoid confusion in the future.
Remember Bob who lived down the road and packed up his entire garage in a giant box with a mysterious label “Stuff?” Don’t be Bob, please!
Trust your gut instincts! It might be a good idea to look elsewhere if walking through potential areas gives off a vibe that is more sketchy than an unsolved Scooby-Doo episode.
Storage should be less of a challenge and more like a shopping spree without the buyer’s regret. It should meet your needs without adding to the stress that daily life already heaps on shoulders!