using storage units for hobbies

Posted on: 28 April 2015

Packing and unpacking every time you move can be daunting tasks, especially for people who tend to move frequently. According to the Census Bureau, as many as 1 in 6 Americans move every year. Of those, 1 in 3 lived in rental units and had moved the previous year. If you are a renter and expect to only live in your new rental unit for up to one year, you may dread packing and unpacking your belongings. You probably also dread how the move with affect your finances. In this mini-guide, you will learn a few tips and tricks to make things easier.

Get rid of what you don't need

If you don't use something regularly, there's no sense in packing it and taking it with you. Chances are if you haven't used an item while you lived in your current location, you probably won't need to use it in your next rental unit. Sell these items or donate them to charity.

If there are things that you just cannot part with, consider getting a self storage unit to keep those items in. That way, you'll only need to pack them up once, and move them once. This can help cut down on the costs of moving when you hire a moving service.

Pack according to seasons

Instead of trying to unpack your things all at once, pack everything up according to seasons. Then, at the beginning of each season you can unpack those items and pack away items from the previous season in the same boxes. This can help save you time for the next time you move. One thing to be sure of is that you have the storage space necessary for the off-season boxes. If not, consider keeping the boxes in a self storage unit.

If you do choose to put some of your things into a self storage unit, have the moving company you hire for your move transport those items into the unit. One thing to keep in mind is that you may want to get small boxes for the items in the unit so they are easier to transport back and forth without needing to hire the moving company again to do it for you.

An additional benefit to this method is that you will not have too much clutter in your new rental unit, since non-seasonal items will be out of sight. Examples of seasons items includes clothing, holiday decorations and items used for seasonal activities such as hiking boots and fishing gear.

Be prepared for additional utility expenses

One thing that many people have trouble adjusting to is the different ways that utility companies send out bills and the costs of setting up services. Your current Internet service may charge you for services already rendered, but the new Internet service may bill you for the next month. That would mean that you would need to pay two months worth of services in the same billing cycle, which could be challenging if you are living paycheck-to-paycheck.

If you are moving locally, try to retain the same utility companies for your electricity, gas, Internet and other services. This is particularly important for you if you have bad or poor credit. Many utility companies want people with bad or poor credit ratings to pay a deposit in addition to the connection fees.

If you paid a deposit for your current services, don't rely on that money to pay for your new services in your next rental unit. It may take some time for the deposits to be returned to you when you disconnect your current services.

Moving from one place to another can be challenging. But, with a little planning you may be able to reduce the stress. Plan the move and be prepared for additional expenses due to the move. 

Check out sites like http://redondovanandstorage.com to start searching for local movers.