We made our first significant budget cut this year and in the process we are saving $840.
Last year I started to simplify and de-clutter my life.
As part of this process, we rented a local storage building to store our junk.
When I look back at 2011 it’s amazing and stupid at the same time that I even needed a storage building.
Over the course of the year, I made countless trips to the landfill hauling junk from both houses. I made countless trips to Goodwill donating stuff we no longer use.
I sold a ton of stuff on Craigslist.
We took a very large truck filled with goods to a local auction.
Granted, I was dealing with 2 homes full of stuff but after all of this, I still had a need to rent a 10 x 10 storage unit for all of the other junk as I call it.
When I say junk, it might as well have been. I haven’t physically touched any of the stuff I stored for over 6 months.
How bad do you really need to keep something when you don’t touch or use it for over 6 months yet continue to keep it?
I’m not talking about keepsakes and heirlooms. I’m talking about crap out of your garage and closets.
Last year we started moving out of one house and re-modeling and moving into another.
As part of the process, I rented a local storage unit for $70 per month.
Over the last 2 weeks I have been steadily clearing out the storage building.
No more monthly payments after this month. That’s $840 per year back into our family finances.
This financial move was simple and painless and obvious.
Sometimes the easy things are right in front of your nose.
Hi Steve -Thanks for another good post. We’ve gone through a very similar situation this year, with our move from Annapolis to Hilton Head, SC. First we had 2 storage units in Annapolis – just to store the clutter that would make our home look unattractive to buyers. Then we had 2 units in the HIlton Head area, for moving overflow. Like you, we’ve either Craiglisted or estate saled just about all of it. As of this Friday, we’ll finally get rid of the last of it from our last unit. For what it’s worth, there are many good charitable organizations you can donate your stuff too. Many of them will pick it up, and sell it off to support their cause. It’s a good way to deal with it. Storage units are sometimes necessary, but again like you, I’m looking for to another $800 bucks saved this year.
Ken
Way to go Ken. Getting rid of monthly payments to a storage facility is a no-brainer. They serve a great purpose, but use them and get rid of them is what I say. In my area, Habitat For Humanity will come and get your stuff.
I have a friend that is in a financial pinch right now. I just found out that he is renting 2 storage units and possibly for years. I can’t imagine the money he has thrown out the window keeping these units.
Simplify, de-clutter and put that money in your own pocket, right?