Comments on: america, stuff, and self-storage

By: erin

erin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:31:05 +0000

I commented below already, but I wanted to comment on your post in particular. I have a storage unit, and I remember one of the first times i went there, I was/AM convinced there is someone living in one of the units. These units are in a giant warehouse that is temperature controlled. Granted, it is probably kept at 60 in the winter, but it is shelter for someone who cannot afford a home. I also think it is illegal, but if he doesn’t get caught…. so sad!! And even as someone who stores stuff (which I desperately want to stop!) I agree that it is sad that we can pay for things like storing junk but not house the homeless!

By: erin

erin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:27:04 +0000

I AM one of those people who has a storage unit! I got it 2 1/2 years ago when I got married and my husband’s family came over from Ireland. I pay $50 a month to store those items! It was supposed to be temporary while they were here, but when I realized how nice the house looked having all that stuff out, it was just so easy to keep paying the fee! Let me tell you what, it is the WORST investment EVER!! I know I have my camping stuff in there as well as my Christmas ornaments, but other than that, I have NO idea! The worst part is, I sorted through my stuff and stored the stuff I wanted to KEEP! I just realized that it feels natural to continue this in the “my story” area….Anyway, storage units are a waste of money as we all know, so don’t get one just keep reading this blog!!!

By: December 2009: FB Blog Features « Fabulously Broke in the City

December 2009: FB Blog Features « Fabulously Broke in the City — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:03:14 +0000

[...] Here’s a post I liked in particular: America, Stuff and Self-Storage. [...]

By: Simple Llama

Simple Llama — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:01:02 +0000

It blows me away that people actually pay to have their junk stored. I have my share of junk / stuff that needs to be purged ( we all do ), but seriously if it doesn’t physically fit in my house, why on earth would I want it?

By: Craig Bailey

Craig Bailey — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:22:09 +0000

Amazing. It’s funny that we think storing stuff is a ‘solution’ to our hoarding and clutter. The last point you mention is the key. It’s the same mentality that starts with us creating ‘Miscellaneous’ categories in our filing cabinets, email programs and computer directories. We think we are getting organized, but all we’re really doing is putting off making a decision…

Self-storage is the ‘Misc’ category for our lives. I don’t want to make the hard decisions (eg spend less, buy less, get rid of clutter, etc) but I do want to feel I’ve been proactive in some small way – out of sight, out of mind :-)

By: Jana Bosma

Jana Bosma — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:43:18 +0000

Grace – I was thinking about that too. How so many people live in terrible conditions, and we worry more about keeping our possessions safe and dry than their welfare. It really is sad.

By: Grace

Grace — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:21:05 +0000

It is shameful that we can house stuff but we can’t provide shelter for the homeless. I propose we add communal running water and toilets and use those storage units as shelters for the homeless. Beats the streets. The storage units surpass the conditions that most people in third world countries live in.

Grace

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:33:23 +0000

It’s amazing to me… So many people I know are storing their grown kid’s furniture (kids who have now bought homes of their own), old junk, etc. It’s cleary stuff they don’t want enough to keep in their house, so why pay to store it???

By: Joe Walmach

Joe Walmach — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:33:37 +0000

Self storage units have been popping up all over in my area. If I wasn’t putting my kids through college I’d buy property and make my own. It seems a great way to make a buck. Dereck Naylor is right, people are too lazy to move the stuff out once it’s in. Incredible, they pay for the junk to have it in their posession and then pay a monthly fee to keep it.

Joe