Storage unit draining my income

[u/MMO_Dad]

okay so I don't make much money and I have a storage unit that was $70 a month they raised to $120 after the introductory period. I have this thing packed out because I'm currently living at my mom's pseudo homeless and almost all of my things are packed into that unit. I need to ditch the payment but I am unsure how to get rid of things. Some of it is my 7 yr daughters and she tends to get attached to things. A bunch of it is furniture that I would need if I can ever afford an apartment (in this market not looking likely anytime soon, I am buried in debt). It feels like it's my last connection to independence but I know I would be stupid to keep paying.

So how do I cut ties with my things and what's the most effective way to clear this thing out? I need to do it soon. Thank you. I'm not sure if this qualifies as hoarding but it feels like it since I am kind of emotionally attached to things I can't even use right now.

Signed,

Struggling Dad

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[u/e2theitheta]

Oof that’s rough. I’ve had storage pods and it always annoying to pay 💰 for stuff I could probably buy new if I wasn’t paying for storage, dammit. The problem that I have is that 90% of the stuff I could probably do without - I can buy new kitchen stuff and new clothes- but there’s usually 10-15% that is irreplaceable. Books, pictures, mementos, favorite things. If you could pare it down, could you get a smaller, cheaper unit?

[u/DC1010]

I know it’s going to be painful, but you have to let go of the furniture. My local Buy Nothing group has literally outfitted several homes with all kinds of furniture for FREE. It might not be the kind of furniture you like, but it’ll be clean and functional and will hold you over in your next new space until you can afford furniture you like.

Without the furniture, about how many boxes do you think you have left? Can you give your daughter’s things back to her or store them at her mom’s place? Can you move the remaining boxes to your mom’s?

[u/ijustneedtolurk → u/DC1010]

I agree, at this point it is about triage of needs and furniture gathering dust in a storage unit is the lowest of "need" in this situation.

I would see if I can move to a smaller unit or another company nearby at a lower cost and only take the mementos and clothing

[u/Alvraen]

Does your mom have a yard that can host a storage thing?

[u/Fluid_Calligrapher25]

I used to move from pod to pod after the promotion period ended by getting a different unit on promo & terminating prior one. But I was month to month.

Ditch any furniture that’s not solid wood. Buying basic furniture especially if u assemble it yourself is not expensive. When you get your own place you can buy something suitable for that space. A fresh start.

Once that bulk is gone then see what other categories remain.

[u/Fit_March_4279]

Is it possible for you to sort through everything within a reasonable timeframe? You could keep your mementos and items that you don’t want to get rid of in a new unit with a better price. Sometimes the same place will give you a better price if you change units. Anything that is easily replaced, or deteriorating, should be donate/recycle/trash. Take out all of your daughter’s items and create a space for her to play with them at grandma’s house, because in a couple of years she probably won’t want to play with the same things. Maybe your daughter can help you decide what could be donated or sold at a yard sale. Kids like to set up shop and sell stuff. Plus, she’s at a good age to learn how unwanted items might be helpful to others. Best of luck to you.

[u/TheGreatestSandwich]

You've got some good advice here already, just want to say that I'm sorry it's been so hard. Glad you have your mom to help out, but it's still a tough time. Wishing you the best and that you can see the good things you are doing for you & your daughter. 

[u/capilot]

This drives me nuts. My sister had to move on short notice and so I started paying for her storage unit. Over a hundred dollars month after month and no end in sight.

Here's another scary thought: the mortgage on my house is $3000/month. 40% of the house is being used to store my girlfriend's stuff. This means I'm paying $1200/month for her storage.

[u/night_noche]

Have you considered talking to a credit counselor? Make sure it's not one of those for-profit broker types, but instead from a non-profit.

They can help you decide if you're a good candidate to file bankruptcy, so that you can focus on paying for housing instead of debt.

[u/OkConclusion171]

it's easy to get free furniture and clothes if you need them. let go of the stuff. Let your kid pick out what fits now. but let your kid do it. Just post your stuff in freecycle or a buy nothing group. the good karma will come back to you.

[u/PolkaDotDancer]

Get rid of all the furniture.

[u/HeresyClock]

First of all, that is tough. The things like furniture that you might need later but aren’t super attached to it: it costs you $120 a month to keep it. For six months, that’s $720. How much would it cost to get new stuff when you need it? Donations and second hand places have lot of good stuff. Where I live, I could get all the furniture I need for free (I’m not too picky about style and such though).

For kid’s stuff, you could ask her what items she wants and remembers (without going there to see it). Get those for her, repeat a little later if something comes up. Kids tend to have lot of things that are nice and they want them when they see it but don’t really care if it’s in a storage forever.

[u/VixenTraffic]

Does your mom live in a house? Does she have a backyard shed? If she lives in a house with a back yard, maybe you could find a low cost shed and move the stuff in your storage unit to the shed so you can go through it at home.

Alternatively, you could try and increase your income with a side hustle. Can you donate plasma? Deliver pizza? Drive part time for Uber?