Is Renting A Storage Unit Cost-Effective?
If your home seems to be bursting at the seams with furniture, toys, clothing, holiday decor, or other items, you may be debating the wisdom of renting a self-storage unit from a company like Riverview Mini Storage to temporarily (or even permanently) house some of these items. The benefit of gaining this additional space in your home can be clear. But is the cost of a self-storage unit worth this freedom? Read on to discover several of the factors you should consider when renting a self-storage unit.
Will you be storing items you need on a frequent basis?
One of the most efficient uses for a storage unit is to house items that are used infrequently, but are still worthwhile enough to keep. For example, bulky holiday decorations (like an artificial Christmas tree or extensive outdoor lights) are only used for a short time each year, but the hassle and waste of throwing them away and buying them anew each year makes keeping these items a necessity. Paying to store these items while freeing up space in your home can be a wise choice.
On the other hand, if while cleaning you discover that you have non-heirloom items that haven't been used in the last several years, you're probably safely able to throw away or donate these items rather than spend money storing them.
What is the minimum amount of space you need?
Another way to make your storage unit more efficient is to rent only the amount of space you currently need. Although the idea of renting a larger storage unit to be ready to free up even more space in your home is appealing, in reality this often leads to the storage of items that would be better off donated or thrown away. By keeping your storage unit as small as possible (while still meeting your needs) you can ensure that you're not wasting money.
Is buying a larger home a better idea?
The thought of buying a larger home simply so you have extra space to store your Christmas tree may seem ludicrous. However, depending upon your current (and anticipated future) lifestyle, moving may win out over renting a storage unit. If your house is already too small for your needs and you are anticipating more children or planning to have an elderly relative move in, you may be better off moving now and saving the cost of a storage unit. (If your house is adequate for your future needs and just needs a bit of decluttering, a storage unit is still your better option.)