How College Students Save Money Renting Self Storage

With college expenses at an all-time high, students (and their parents) need to save money wherever possible. Living spaces are small and expensive, and too much stuff in too little room is not only distracting but can cause friction between roommates. Personal belongings and paperwork can get lost in the clutter, and expensive books can be misplaced.

All of this chaos leads to whiny, unhappy kids who want larger living spaces and new roommates. College is complicated enough without adding all of these problems to the mix. Parents don’t want the extra expense of large living spaces and students want a peaceful environment for studying. Everyone needs a solution, and that solution is a secure, convenient, and affordable self-storage unit. Universal Storage Group offers small, affordable storage units that will save money and aggravation.

Speaking of money, college expenses are always a concern, so we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help minimize costs when renting self storage.

How College Students Can Save Money With Self Storage

Calculate the Savings: With the cost of gas and the inconvenience of moving stuff to and from home between semesters and over the summer, the expense will far exceed the cost of storage.

Plan Early: Start your self storage search as soon as possible to get the cheapest prices and the perfect size for your needs. The smallest sizes go quickly, and you don’t want to waste money on unnecessary space.

Declutter: Before you put anything into storage, declutter. Sell old books and discard useless or broken items. Less stuff means less storage, and that means more money saved.

Find a Friend: It’s likely that you have friends in your position that would be willing to share storage. Many storage facilities will allow you to split the agreement, so you are each responsible for your portion. This will give you the most bang for your buck.

Avoid Hiring Movers: If you’re storing large amounts of furniture, movers might be easier. However, this is usually unnecessary for a college or university student. While it does take more time, using your own vehicle (or finding friends or family with trucks) can help save significant money.

Look for Discounts: Numerous storage facilities near colleges will offer discounts to students. Check self storage in your area and talk with the staff. Self storage managers are always happy to answer your questions and assist you with whatever you need.

Month-to-Month Options are a Must: With summer classes, internships, and study abroad programs, college students are always on the move. The flexibility of month-to-month self-storage makes it easy to keep expenses under control.

More than Adequate Security is Essential: It is an understatement to say that most college-age students can be careless. Any items that they don’t use regularly will be far more secure in a safely locked storage unit than in an apartment or the trunk of a car. In the long run, this will save money on lost or damaged items.

Use a Storage Calculator: Use a storage unit size calculator so that you don’t overestimate your needs. Here are some examples to provide you with a better idea of your perfect storage.

Anything larger than a 5 x 5 or 5 x 10 unit is probably too big. Keep in mind that these small units go the quickest for summer storage.

• 5 x 5 – The size of a small walk-in closet. This self storage unit holds small furniture, boxes, clothes, and small electronics.

• 5 x 10 – The size of a larger walk-in closet. This size can hold furniture, mattresses, boxes, and small appliances/electronics.

• 10 x 10 – The size of a small bedroom. This unit can comfortably hold the complete furnishings of a one-bedroom apartment (Aka boxes, appliances, furniture, etc.).

• 10 x 15 – The size of a small garage. This self storage space is large enough for the furnishings of a two-bedroom apartment (including major appliances and even a small vehicle).

Summary

When space is in short supply in college dorms and apartments, everyone needs a secure, affordable solution. Self storage is a safe, convenient, and budget-friendly way to solve the problem and keep parents and students both happy and content (at least for the time being).