Author Topic: Storage purchases  (Read 7411 times)

benjaminrogers

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Storage purchases
« on: May 07, 2014, 09:20:16 AM »
If we were looking to upgraded all of our storage to one type of tote and build racks to store said totes on, how would this qualify under Mustachian Principles?  Is this something that because there really is no return other than neatness would violate the non-spending principles or is this justifiable somehow? 

I'm working on setting up a 10 year plan to pay off close to $100k in debt (huge student loan) and I'm not sure where this would fall!

Thanks,

Ben

Greg

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2014, 09:27:20 AM »
A strictly Mustachian approach would be to get rid of the stuff you propose to store. 

Shelves are not really needed for tote boxes usually, they stack and nestle fairly easily.  If you think you'd be accessing the stuff in the totes often, and therefore that unstacking and restacking would be a hassle, then maybe totes aren't the thing.

benjaminrogers

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2014, 09:29:28 AM »
The racks are really about keeping things of the old stone floor and wall basement.  The items in question are holiday decorations and camping gear.  Things that do not need to go.  Although if we went with the totes the concept would be to go through everything and sell what we don't need.

Villanelle

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #3 on: May 07, 2014, 09:35:06 AM »
Aside from getting rid of it, I think it comes down to spending within your values on what is important to you.  Would this really improve your life in some meaningful way?  Maybe, or maybe not.

If you can wait a while, generally the large storage bins go on super sale after Christmas.  I'd try to wait and stock up then if you decide you must do this and you want only one type of bin. 

For keeping stuff off the floor, can you just lay down for bricks as feet/risers under the bottom tote and then stack?  Not only do you save money on shelves, but you actually use the space more efficiently because there are no gaps where the totes don't quit align with the measurements of the shelves.  If this is tuff you access regularly, it might be a pain, but if it's annual stuff, the stacking shouldn't be an issue.   And you can always put the more frequently used stuff on the end stack at the top. 

benjaminrogers

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2014, 09:51:19 AM »
The bricks and a couple pieces of wood are a really good idea.  I think we will wait until totes go on sale and maybe by just enough to do a little bit and then wait again to get more.  Spread the cost over time.

Thanks!!

Prairie Stash

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2014, 08:57:01 AM »
Living in a mess isn't frugal, it's cheap.  Building some shelves from scratch isn't hard and doesn't need to cost much.  For myself it would come out of my entertainment, it sounds like a fun weekend project.

We have a lot of plastic totes in our basement, also cardboard boxes (free).  I see them as protecting my stuff from potential damage, for example basements can flood in my area.  If you can't store items in a safe and practical manner you shouldn't have them.  Improper storage also falls under cheap, it's basically wasting your money by allowing damage to occur to gear that was presumably in good condition.

I think it's justifiable to build something.  I would use cardboard boxes as much as possible until you either find cheap totes or realize they work well and never bother upgrading.

benjaminrogers

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2014, 08:59:10 AM »
For us in Ohio the cardboard boxes are invitations to mice.  Like I said previously and you also mentioned I'll wait for the totes to go on sale and buy 5 and then use funds from entertainment for the shelving/elevation portion!

Thanks Prairie Practicality!

Ben (aka The Granola King)

dragoncar

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2014, 03:38:42 PM »
I have a system with stackable clear plastic boxes.  They go right on the ground since they are plastic, and will not rot or be susceptible to rodents (well, maybe if I put something like food in there).  It's not the most mustachian, but for things I'm not letting go of, I want to protect those things and have them easily accessible. 

Something like this -- I like ones with locking lids although the airtight ones with rubberized lids may also be good:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-16.5-Gallon-66-Quart-Latch-Box-Set-of-6/20699702

momo5

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2014, 06:14:46 PM »
I think proper storage systems contribute to quality of life. while I would not hire a closet company to come and build me a custom storage solution, there are things that I do need to store and I dont want to be tripping all over my stuff all the time. in addition, proper storage means you know where your stuff is when you need it so you dont wind up buying what you already have but cannot locate, and proper storage can extend the life of your stuff.
all that said, I store my kids outgrown clothing (for hand me down purpose) in tote boxes, and I just stack them. no shelves.

MrsPete

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2014, 08:26:26 PM »
I think plastic storage bins are a worthwhile purchase.  I've packed things away in free copy-paper boxes brought home from work, and they do break down after a while, making it difficult to bring things down the attic stairs. 

I've been working on buying plastic storage bins a few at a time (when they're on sale) for a couple years now.  I only buy one inexpensive brand.  I did foolishly buy an extra-extra large box for clothing storage, and once it was full I couldn't move it easily, nor would it fit up my attic stairs.  I ended up using it for some things I took to Good Will.  Now I buy only 18-gallon tubs because they're big enough for everything I need to store, but I can still carry them easily.

I'm trying to color-code them:

Silver boxes for my college child's storage needs
Dark blue for my soon-to-be-college child's storage needs
Red/green for Christmas decorations
Dark green for camping items
Orange/black for fall and Halloween decorations
Teal for birthday gifts purchased ahead /wrapping paper

I plan to buy pink or another pastel for Easter items and something bright for summer things . . . and that'll be about all I need.  I figure they should last the rest of my life.  It's not like I use them heavily. 

horsepoor

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2014, 08:37:59 PM »
Go through the stuff and determine what you want to sell, first.   Then sell it.  You might find that you want to sell/donate more once you start getting rid of stuff, because it feels so good to see the clutter diminishing, especially if a wad of cash is taking its place.  Then, when you're really down to what you want to keep, I think plastic bins are fine if cardboard won't do. 

ljp555

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2014, 09:03:58 PM »
Also try goodwill for stackable plastic storage.

Mr. Frugalwoods

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2014, 09:19:59 PM »
We're coming up on moving season.  Here in a major college town there are plenty of discarded plastic bins on the side of the road (along with almost anything else you could ever want).

You might see if you can scrounge some before buying new.

On the other hand I do like a well organized storage space.  If it isn't organized then you'll never get use out of the stuff.  And then you gotta ask why you have it in the first place!

SJS

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2014, 09:24:12 PM »
Sell the extra "stuff" that you don't really need - declutter and simplify!! 

benjaminrogers

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #14 on: May 09, 2014, 06:04:20 AM »
Thanks everyone!  I use a simple 10 second rule when we go through stuff.  You have 10 seconds to determine the following: keep, sell, trash.  If it's a keep we figure out what tote it goes in and go on from there.  I really want to have a big yardsale this spring so hopefully there is a lot of sell.

When you have the yardsale does the cash go towards a bill or into entertainment?  I'd think budget wise it would make sense to pay off a bill.  How much did you allot for an entertainment/fun budget?

Thegoblinchief

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2014, 07:00:49 AM »
Typically the yard sale $ has gone into the general bill fund, unless we're selling something to fund an upgrade (pre-MMM days).

For actual storage bins, if you don't need airtight or clear plastic, hard to go wrong with the giant Roughneck totes. Easy to stack, can stand up to outdoors weather even, and not expensive for the amount of storage you get.

Waiting for a sale is fine (unlikely) but it's also a good thing to use random Target/Wal Mart/Lowes/Home Depot gift cards you may have laying around.

soccerluvof4

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #16 on: May 09, 2014, 07:23:37 AM »
One note for those that do get water in there basement . I have seen first hand where i use to live one of my neighbors plastic totes floating and obviously turned over in a flooded basement. While this is a drastic scenario make sure there heavy enough to not float so for like x-mas stuff or? put a brick in the bottom. If you get water higher than the lid you have other issues to worry about. (obviously this is if your putting on floor and or not high enough on shelves). I do like totes and use different colors for different holidays and you can accumulate and find cheap all the time. But as others have said get rid of the stuff your not going to use.

MayDay

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #17 on: May 09, 2014, 07:39:32 AM »
For us in Ohio the cardboard boxes are invitations to mice.  Like I said previously and you also mentioned I'll wait for the totes to go on sale and buy 5 and then use funds from entertainment for the shelving/elevation portion!

Thanks Prairie Practicality!

Ben (aka The Granola King)

We had some friendly mice get into our cardboard box of bubble wrap last winter.  They made a cozy, well insulated nest, and raised their babies in it. 

If you have a damp basement, cardboard boxes are no good.  But honestly, in a damp basement, a plastic tub won't work well either- the contents will end up musty smelling which is extremely hard to get rid of. 

OldDogNewTrick

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Re: Storage purchases
« Reply #18 on: May 09, 2014, 08:00:07 AM »
I've collected plastic storage totes over the years, they are unreasonably expensive to my mind, so I keep an eye out for deals. Right now I only replace what disintegrates.

As others have said, sell or donate what is not useful.

Pinterest and other sites have tons of suggestions for DIY cheap shelving to hold storage totes. The best one I've seen involved PVC pipes to create a framework. Cheap, DIY, and very effective.

Inside, on top of each tote I have a paper list of all items included in that storage bin.