Alright, let’s be honest. When you got that storage unit, you were probably in the middle of some kind of chaos. A move, a cleanup, a life shift. You got everything in, you shut the door, and you felt that wave of relief. Done. And then you set up the automatic payment and… you basically forgot about it.
I get it. I’ve done it too.
But here’s the thing I learned the hard way: that “set it and forget it” mentality? It’s probably costing you money. Maybe a little, maybe a lot. And the fix isn’t some huge, sweaty weekend project. It’s a tiny habit—a 15-minute chat with yourself once a month.
Think of it like this. You wouldn’t keep paying for a gym membership you never use, right? (Okay, bad example, lots of us do that). But you’d at least feel guilty about it. With storage, it’s out of sight, so the guilt fades. But the bill doesn’t.
So, let’s build a stupidly simple habit. Grab your phone. Not later, now. I’ll wait.
Open your calendar. I use the one on my phone. Find a day that’s usually quiet. For me, it’s the first Sunday evening of the month. It’s dead time. Create an event. Call it whatever you want—“Storage Stuff,” “Check My Junk,” whatever. Make it recur every month. Forever. Set an alert. This is the most important step. If you don’t do this, the rest is just a nice article you read.
Done? Good.
Now, when that alert goes off next month, here’s all you have to do. It has three parts, and you can do it from your couch.
Part 1: The “What’s Even In There?” Game (5 mins)
Just sit there. Don’t go anywhere. Think about the unit. I mean, really try to picture it.
- What was the last thing you jammed in there? For me, it was a box of old textbooks I swore I’d sell. That was eight months ago.
- Have you taken anything out recently? If the answer is “no” for three months straight, that’s a signal.
- Is there anything in there that, if it vanished tomorrow, you wouldn’t actually miss for a year? Be brutal. That broken floor lamp you were gonna fix? That’s just a shaped piece of guilt.
This isn’t about shaming yourself. It’s just an audit. Like checking your bank balance. It’s just data.
Part 2: The Space Reality Check (5 mins)
This is where money gets saved. Pull up your last bill or rental agreement. See what size unit you have. Let’s say it’s a 10×10. Now, in your mind’s eye, be honest. Is it packed wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling? Or is there a whole empty corner? Could you roll a bike in there and still have room?
If you’ve got a ton of air in there, you’re paying for that air. Every month. Downsizing from a 10×10 to a 5×10 isn’t just a smaller bill. It’s real money back in your life. For the price difference, you could get a really nice takeout meal, or put it towards something that actually brings you joy. Storing air doesn’t spark joy.
Part 3: The Quick Look Ahead (5 mins)
Glance at your life. Any big changes coming?
- Kid graduating? (More stuff incoming.)
- Planning to swap winter tires for summer ones? (Temporary need.)
- Finally tackling the garage? (Might need space for a few weeks.)
Knowing what’s coming helps you avoid panic. It lets you say, “You know what, I can downsize now, because I know I won’t need the big space again until November.”
Here’s a pro tip almost no one uses: Talk to the manager. I know, it sounds too simple. But next time you’re there grabbing something, just say, “Hey, do you mind taking a quick look with me? I think I might be in too big of a unit.” A good manager will tell you the truth. They see this all day, every day.
I’ll give you an example. At my own storage spot, the manager, Sarah, is awesome. Last year I was doing this exact mental check and thought I could maybe go smaller. I asked her. She peeked in, pointed out how I’d stacked things all wrong, and showed me how if I rearranged, I could actually fit into the next size down easily. She wasn’t trying to upsell me; she helped me downsize. I shaved $22 off my monthly bill right then and there. That’s over $250 a year. For a 10-minute conversation.
That’s the philosophy we try for at New Burton Storage. We want you to have the right space, not just a space. It’s better for everyone if you’re not paying for square footage you’re not using.
A couple other quick things to add to your 15-minute check:
- Eye-ball your bill: Even on auto-pay, just open the email. Make sure a discount didn’t fall off. I’ve had that happen. A two-second catch saved me a $25 late fee once.
- Insurance: Once a year, a quick text to your insurance person: “My stuff in storage is still covered, right?” Takes 30 seconds. Saves you from a heartattack later.
That’s it. That’s the whole secret. It’s not a revolution. It’s just a tiny, regular pause. A little monthly mindfulness about the stuff you’re not using, so you can save money for the things you actually want to do.
Now go enjoy the rest of your day. And when your phone dings next month, you’ll know exactly what to do.
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