Travel the World or Pay Storage Company?
I have always contended that outside storage can be a huge waste of money. I received this letter from a fellow blogger, who serves up a hefty helping of further evidence. Enjoy.
Dear Matt,
Have you ever used a storage company? Have you ever had the fees automatically debited from your credit card? Well I have. At the time it seemed like a good idea. My mother lived and died in Ohio. I was living in Connecticut. For almost a year I spent a week each month in Ohio flying trying to put everything in order (she was disorganization personified). When a buyer for her condo wanted to move in immediately, I quickly had all my mother’s remaining belongings carted off to a storage facility. I planned to go through those things at my leisure. And then I never did!
A decade later the storage company changed their billing policy. They now want one year of fees paid in advance. $1595.00! Holy Cow! Yes, they did raise the rates incrementally over the past ten years but I’ve shelled out close to $15,000.00 for 4 tin walls and roof to guard some furniture I’ll never use and a few boxes of papers.
Here’s what I could have done with the money:
- Taken my entire family on an African safari for 2 weeks
- Flown first class to Iceland with my husband and stayed in a darn nice hotel.
- Bought 2 brand new dirt bikes.
- Donated the money to Mill River Wetland Committee
- Driven cross-country with a friend and seen the Grand Canyon
- Hiked the Inca trail
- Gone to Costa Rica and learned how to surf.
- Build a potting shed in my backyard.
I am only telling you this Matt because your hair is already grey and now that I have revealed my deep dark secret to you, I plan to clean that place out ASAP!
Damn! I will never doubt the value of a professional organizer! Look for a few post cards in the upcoming decade!
A Reader of Your Blog Who Had an ‘AHHA’ Moment,
S. G. Gasser
Gay Gasser is the owner of Mirth In A Box, a company that sells a wide variety fun and unique novelty gift boxes. Learn more at mirthinabox.com.
Out of sight sure became out of pocket! Definitely agree with you that having a professional organizer like Matt Baier is the way to go when you need to clear out a house. Great article.
“Out of sight, out of pocket.” I love it!
Gawd! I can’t believe it took 10 years to notice that money leak!
Don’t feel bad Gay. I can assure you, you are in very good company. Thanks so much for sharing. Perhaps you will encourage others to get help.
Gay, hopefully others will read and learn from your insight!
Thanks for posting Matt.
Wow — $15,000? Hard to believe, and yet I can easily see how it would happen. Terrific post! Everyone should be aware of this…