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