Storage is truly evil.
Stuff accumulates.
Clutter is like sand in the gears of life.

Here is what happens:

You use something and it still has value.
You have storage space in a closet or a file cabinet or the garage or the basement or the attic.
The the marginal cost of storage is zero since you have space anyhow.

So you store it.

Then, when you need it, five years later:

• If you remember you had it.
• If you can find it.
• If it still works.
• It’s obsolete.

So what can you do?

1. Stop and think before storing anything. Yes, that is difficult, but do it.
2. If you are sure you will use it within a year, go ahead and store it. This lets us save Christmas decorations. (wink)
   Otherwise:
3. Sell it. Use Craigslist or one of the many local FaceBook market places. If it actually has value, consider ebay or Amazon. Have a garage sale, but don’t accumulate things for that purpose. Consider using a consignment store. Some people just pawn it and never pick it up.
4. Give it away. The Salvation Army and Goodwill may even come and pick it up. Many families with growing children set up a hand-me-down chain. Here in Cedar Rapids, you can donate to the Habitat Restore, Bridgehaven, or Central Furniture Rescue.
5. Trash it. This is the toughest alternative, but it is still better than storing it.

Having said all that, keep in mind that it is not hoarding if it’s cool stuff.