Seven Self Storage Hacks That Will Save You Time and Money
How did we once survive without self-storage facilities?
Whether you need to put your items into temporary storage while you move home or you need a space to store excess stock for your business, it makes sense to rent a self-storage facility.
But before you do so, make sure you check out the following seven hacks for saving time and money.
1. Compare Different Self-Storage Facilities to Find the Best Deal
When it comes to saving money on self-storage units, the best method is to shop around.
For example, there are currently forty-eight storages in Austin, Texas, within a fifteen-mile radius. By comparing each one, which you can quickly do with a self-storage finder site online, you can find out which ones are most affordable and which ones are best for your requirements.
2. Do Not Leave Your Self-Storage Unit Empty
If you are planning on regularly using a self-storage unit, you may rent it on a long-term basis. Renting on, say, an annual basis can make sense if you have a business that needs to store excess stock. But if your unit is standing empty for periods of time, you are throwing money away.
If saving money is a priority, it is much better to just rent units for as long as you need them and not for longer periods.
3. Store Your Items Effectively
One way of saving both time and money is to ensure you store your items effectively. Rather than simply throwing all your belongings into the unit, carefully consider the space available and how you can pack the unit so that you can store more items.
That will allow you to place as many items as you can in a single unit rather than having to pay out for an additional unit.
Store things in an organized manner and it will be much easier to locate specific items when you need them, too.
4. Get an Extra Pair of Hands to Help You
With regards to saving time, you can quicken the packing of a self-storage unit or the emptying of a unit when you have an extra pair of hands to help you.
So, ask a friend or two to help you with the process.
When you have someone else to assist you in moving items to or from your car, and in packing the unit itself, the process could take half the time in comparison to doing it all by yourself.
5. Park Closely to Your Unit
While it is important that you do not block any other renter’s unit with your car, you should park as near to your self-storage unit as possible.
By doing so, you will shorten the time it takes to transport stuff from your vehicle to your unit. Even a distance of just a few feet can have a significant impact on how long it takes to pack a storage unit.
6. Get Rid of Items That You No Longer Need
Do you really need to store everything you are planning to put into storage?
By taking time beforehand to analyze your storage needs, you could cut down on the number of items you need to place in storage. In turn, you could save money by getting a smaller unit.
Also, when you store fewer items, you may not need to hire a large van or make as many trips in your car. That will save you both time and money.
Furthermore, you could even make money by selling your unwanted items at a garage sale or on eBay.
7. Share Your Self-Storage Unit with a Friend or Family Member
If you have a friend or family member who also needs a storage facility, you could save money on your unit by sharing the self-storage unit with that person.
For instance, it could be cheaper to rent one large unit between the two of you in comparison to renting a smaller unit each.
Just bear in mind that the other person will be able to access your belongings as much as he or she can access his or her own items. So, if you choose this route, ensure the person you share your unit with is completely trustworthy.
