If the popular A&E show "Storage Wars" is any indication, people put a lot of stuff in self-storage units.
Many of those people assume it saves them money in the long run.
But as Newsy's partners at WCPO found, it might be more costly than you think.
The station reports a 10-by-15-foot storage unit costs $120 per month on average.
That adds up to over $1,400 a year.
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That doesn't include taxes or extra insurance costs.
And climate-controlled units for anything valuable — like collectibles, books and furniture — are even more expensive.
But, alas, renting a place to put your stuff is sometimes a necessary evil, especially when you're moving and need a temporary spot for your belongings. So, what's the best way to go about it?
Consumer Reports suggests getting rid of things you don't need.
One organizing consultant told the magazine, "If an item doesn't spark joy, get rid of it."
But you don't have to throw everything away. WCPO suggests having a yard sale or storing some smaller items that you really need at home.
Here's another strategy. Put all of your clothes in a box for a year. If you need something, remove it from the box. After a year passes, see what's still inside and donate what you haven't used.
