A Twelve Step Program For Mini-Storage
The last time we moved was August of 2006. We were downsizing at the time, and we were very fortunate (and lucky) to have sold at that time because as things turned out, this was precisely the peak of the market in Winnetka. Unfortunately, we also purchased in August of 2006 but we did purchase a much less expensive home.
Many of our clients find that culling through all of their stuff and getting rid of much of it is a difficult yet cathartic experience. It’s been said that many people feel a sense of a weight being lifted from their shoulders when this process has been completed.
This was not our experience.
We essentially packed everything, and whatever didn’t fit in our house went to mini-storage. We had a lot of “stuff”. Susan started out as an antique collector and eventually started her own antique business. We had a lot of inventory from the business.
I wouldn’t say that we are hoarders, but we did save every art project, diorama and stuffed animal that our three daughters had ever assembled or collected.
We had all kinds of furniture that wouldn’t fit in the new house and we knew that our children would soon be moving into their own apartments and would cherish the old desks, dining room tables and bed frames that we couldn’t possibly give away.
We ended up renting two mini-storage units that were each 10 x 20 and were totally packed from wall-to-wall and floor to ceiling.
We’d visit the mini-storage every few months to search for something in particular or just to visit our “stuff”.
We were on an auto-billing system so while it was posted on our credit card statement, we didn’t receive a bill or have to write a check every month. The initial price seemed somewhat reasonable, but every six months or so, we would receive a notice that the price was being raised 4-8%.
We have been slowly taking things out of both units. Our children have actually brought some of the furniture to their apartments. We have filled the SUV on many occasions and donated things to various local agencies.....We even through some things away.
We have been talking about and working toward consolidating the two units for the past several years.
Fast forward 92 months. Today was the day.
Have you heard the expression….”The happiest day for a boat owner is the day you purchase the boat and the day you sell the boat”?
This may apply to some mini-storage tenants too.
(For full disclosure....some of our closest relatives are in the mini-storage business. In the past I have been an investor in their business. It is a wonderful business and our personal addiction to it should not be construed as anything other than our own issue).
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