Tips for Solving the Store or Sell Dilemma

At one point or another, most of us have struggled with deciding what to keep, what to store, what to sell, and what to toss. We all have our own justifiable reasons, such as "I’ll need it someday" or "It still works". When relocating, it becomes especially important to master the art of efficiently deciding what to store and what to give up. Because both moving and storing some items can cost a great deal, mitigating these costs can significantly reduce expenses.

1. Create three categories: To approach this dilemma, it is important to first prepare a strategy. The best way to begin organizing your belongings is to group them into three different categories: Keep, Store, and Toss.
2. Set reasonable goals: With a whole house full of items to organize, it is impossible to do everything in one sitting. Set up reasonable goals that will keep you motivated and not wear you out. For example, aim to get one room organized each day or to work as hard as you can for an hour. If you have excessive clutter, aim to toss away two items for every item that you keep.
3. Ask yourself questions: We could all probably justify keeping every single item we owned if we wanted to, but that would get us nowhere. It is important to ask yourself the following questions:
• When was the last time I used this?
• When is the last time I’ve thought about this?
• When is the next time I will need to use this?
• Is this something that I could just buy brand new if I needed it? If it is too expensive, could I borrow it from a friend or a neighbor?
If your answers to these questions lean towards tossing that item away, just do it. Do not dwell on single items or ask yourself What-Ifs. Chances are a few years down the road you will forget you ever owned it.
4. Have a garage sale: Often, it is hard to get rid of items that we have held on to for so long. That is why is can be easier to develop the mindset that there is someone out there who needs this item more than you do and can actually use it instead of having it lie around in the back of your garage. Having a garage sale is a great way to both get rid of items you no longer need and get some extra money in your pocket! Remember, one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. Once you’re ready, set up a date and start advertising! Put up signs around the neighborhood. Call up friends and family and spread the word.
5. Donate to charity: If you have items left over from your garage sale, donate them to your nearest Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other charity. There is bound to be somewhere out there who needs those things more than you do.
Tip: For items that you donate, obtain a receipt and decide on a reasonable monetary value for each item. This can then be used as a deduction on your income taxes.

Storage-Bound

Now that you have tossed out what you no longer need, it is time to attack the keep-versus-store mess. It is important to organize these items so that it will be easy to find them in the future. Purchase some boxes and assign labels to each of them, such as "clothes", "Christmas", or "toys".

• Keep the clothes and shoes that you wear regularly and are in season. For everything else, box it up until needed.
• Choose a few photos, candles, trophies, and other things for decorating your house. Remember, too much can make your house look messy. For everything you don’t use, keep it in storage.
• Keep the toys that your child plays with on a regular basis, but put everything else in storage. This way, when your child is tired of his current toys, you can switch it up instead of going out and buying more toys.
• Keep towels, eating utensils, bed sheets, and any other household items that you use daily in the house. For everything else, such as heavier blankets for the wintertime or kitchenware used only for holidays, keep it stored away.
• Store important documents that are rarely used but need to be kept. Keep documents that you use often in the house, such as social security cards or bank account information.

Choosing a Storage Unit

Choosing a self-storage unit that is most suitable for you involves many factors. It is important to prioritize these factors in order to find the best option.

1. Space - Now that you have boxed up all the items you plan to keep in storage, you have a relatively good idea of what size storage unit you will need. Common storage unit sizes are five feet by ten feet and ten feet by ten feet.
2. Location - With the price of gas nowadays, it is important to choose a storage unit whose distance is cost-friendly. Ask yourself how often you will be going to this storage unit. If you plan on going often, it is best to choose a facility that is relatively close to your home.
3. Amenities - Each storage unit facility offers different types of services. If you have many valuable items to store, it is best to choose a facility that is climate-controlled. Furthermore, some facilities offer security systems to help protect your belongings.

It is important to take the contracts for these facilities home and read them carefully. Many facilities offer enticing rates to lure customers in, but go back to regular rates after a few months. Now that you have prioritized what factors are most important for you, there are many services available online that can help you find the best facility for your needs.


In his role in the self storage industry, Tim Eyre helps customers care for their cherished belongings that must be put in storage. Tim regularly visits his facilities including a Birmingham Self Storage center. He also was recently meeting customers and staff at the Denver Self Storage Center.



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