ad hoc MOM

Aug9I Can’t Believe How Much Money We’ve Spent On Our Stupid Storage Space
Paula

I can recall the exact date we were told by our management company that we were to receive a coveted storage space in our building’s basement.  The waiting list was a mile long. . . something akin to getting your kid into an exclusive Manhattan pre-school or maybe an alligator Hermés birkin bag. The date was April 10, 2003.  Seriously, we were beyond thrilled.  If you are wondering why I would remember the date so clearly, it happens to be the day after my husband proposed to me.  Naturally we were really happy to be engaged and all, but I must admit I would be lying if the thought of having a storage space didn’t add to the joy.  A wonderful fiancée and marriage to look forward to, a shiny new engagement ring – and holy mother of god A STORAGE SPACE!  Life was good.  Really good.

I could have bought this kick-ass bag with the money I spent on my stupid storage space.  Well, not quite.  But almost!

Fast forward six years – and an ungodly amount of money later, and I can’t help but wonder, “what the hell???”  This was years before a kid arrived on the scene, there were no pack and plays, car seats and baby clothes to store, so what could we possibly have needed this storage space for?  Our apartment is not large.  I’ve mention this before, it’s 735 square feet – and yet, we have five closets.  So, again, “what the hell?”  I’m not a pack rat either.  I practice Feng Shui!  I’m a big fan of clearing and purging, so what could we possibly have in there that’s worth the enormous price tag we’ve accrued?  Not to sound all Suze Orman, but we’re looking to cut down on expenses, and the storage space seems like something to consider.  We’ve decided we’re going to hire a sitter one Saturday, figure out what’s in there for once and for all, and get rid of it.  There’s just no way it can be worth the amount of money we’ve paid to store it, especially since I COULD BUY IT ALL AGAIN TWICE with the amount of money we’ve paid to keep it.  It’s scary getting rid of it. . . really really, scary.  But I’ve decided to SAY NO TO STORAGE.  Anyone want to buy a coffee table from Pottery Barn circa 2003 or a wool coat from J Crew circa 2001?  I didn’t think so.  And the funny thing is, I don’t think I want them either.

Related posts:

  1. Will Write for Money Apparently, being a freelance writer is NOT where the money is. Sure I’ve got the glory: I won a Harvey Milk DVD from one of...
  2. Part Time Gig: Gone If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it does it make a sound? If a mom loses a part-time job does...
  3. Child-Friendly Shogun I keep avoiding my mail. Not because of bills (although I’m not too fond of those either) but because I am pretty sure the furniture...

Tags: ,

Filed Under: Money Matters

ShareThis

6 Comments

  1. Tonya says:
    August 9, 2010 at 5:15 pm

    I don’t even want to think about how much we’ve spent on storage or, even worse, what we are paying to store. It’s just sad.

  2. deborah quinn says:
    August 9, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    Did you see the article in the Sunday Times Business Section about downsizing? The whole do you really NEED 12 pairs of shoes? 4 coats? all those knick-knacks? both children? 2 sets of champagne glasses? It’s enough to make a gal wonder… I figure if I haven’t looked in a box in five years, well…I don’t need to look in it now. Truck it off to goodwill…

  3. regina says:
    August 9, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    you ladies need a cheap husband. he loves me and we don’t have a ton of stuff! stop laughing out loud, ken…

  4. Paula/adhocmom says:
    August 9, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    Deborah, yes, I did see that article in the Times. Saw it this a.m. My husband freaked, thought I was going to limit us to “100 items.” Um, HELL NO. But I am seriously horrified by how much money I’ve spent to store our crap. I can’t wait to get rid of it. I’m seriously starting to regret not going into the storage business. Those people have a good gig going!

  5. Patricia Merath says:
    August 10, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I almost wish we had to pay for storage, we have a basement full of “stuff” that we haven’t even looked at in 10 yrs. or more! I am sure if we had to pay it would be gone!!!!!!!!!! Either way, lesson learned get rid of old crap, if you don’t use it out it goes! I just wish I would take my own advice.

  6. This Fall I’m Taking Things Bird By Bird « ad hoc MOM says:
    September 6, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    [...] Maybe wall by wall?  Who says a living room has to be painted in a day?  And that stupid storage space that’s sucking the cash right out of my checking account?  Maybe I just empty it box by box?  [...]

Give us your two cents

CommentLuv Enabled
 

© 2010 ad hoc MOM. All rights reserved. Powered by WordPress. Designed by Carrie Harvey.
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS).