| Many of us are suffering from the same | | | | shelving, pegboard, or hanging units to the |
| environmental malady: too much stuff, too | | | | inside of the unit to help you organize. Try |
| little room. Whether we live in a house we've | | | | to provide the same type of storage |
| outgrown, or we're in a tiny apartment with | | | | capability within the storage unit that you |
| next to no storage space, we're busting at | | | | would provide if your home storage space were |
| the seams.One smart solution is to store | | | | optimal. Don't forget to allow enough room to |
| seasonal items off site. Clothing, out of | | | | easily move around within the unit.Do you |
| season sports equipment - even that snazzy | | | | have a family member away at college, or for |
| little Miata convertible - can be stored | | | | another reason, for an extended period of |
| efficiently and inexpensively in a good self | | | | time? Depending on the circumstances, you may |
| storage unit. Proper use of a storage unit | | | | want to use their room for another purpose, |
| can be a great organizational tool that | | | | temporarily (as long as it won't cause hurt |
| simplifies your life tremendously.The first | | | | feelings!). Pack up their belongings, |
| trick in renting a storage unit is to figure | | | | organize them so that you (or the family |
| out how much storage space you really need. | | | | member) has easy access, and stash them in |
| Take a look at what you own, and decide, | | | | your storage unit. If you want to, provide |
| first, whether you need it at all, and | | | | them with their own key to the unit.If you |
| second, whether you need it now. That pair of | | | | own your own home, check with your insurance |
| size 4 bell bottoms from 1968 will never fit | | | | company to find out whether it covers the |
| you again; pass it along to your daughter or | | | | belongings in your storage unit. If you rent, |
| granddaughter, or donate or sell it to a | | | | you may want to buy renter's insurance, and |
| vintage clothing store. You probably aren't | | | | make sure it covers the belongings you've |
| going to need downhill ski equipment in | | | | stored off site. Or ask the self storage |
| April, unless you live in the Rockies; that | | | | facility if it provides insurance, either |
| two-seater kayak probably won't be used in | | | | free or for a fee.Use your self storage unit, |
| the winter months. Move 'em out! Decide what | | | | not just to store your stuff, but as an |
| you want to keep and where it will go in the | | | | organizational tool that allows you to live |
| storage unit, and estimate the space you'll | | | | your life more efficiently and more |
| need.Too many people, once they've rented a | | | | enjoyably. A little thought will go a long |
| storage unit, just start piling stuff in, | | | | way toward making that happen!Aldene |
| shoving stuff into the back and then moving | | | | Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in |
| forward, until they've basically transferred | | | | southwestern New Hampshire and frequently |
| their disorganized mess from home into the | | | | contributes to Tips and Topics. She has |
| storage unit. Don't do that! When you rent | | | | published numerous articles in local and |
| your storage unit, take some time to think | | | | regional publications on a wide range of |
| out an organizational plan. Store all the ski | | | | topics, including business, education, the |
| equipment together; the boating equipment | | | | arts, and local events. Her feature articles |
| together; the clothing together, divided into | | | | include an interview with independent |
| a separate area or container for each person | | | | documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and a feature |
| in the family. Check with the storage | | | | on prisoners at the New Hampshire State |
| facility to find out whether you can attach | | | | Prison in Concord. |