American's sure like stuff. Lots and lots of stuff.
In a New York Times article on September 2nd -- titled "The Self-Storage Self" how much we like stuff became very clear.
Did you know -- there is "2.3 billion square feet of self-storage space" in the United States. The Self Storage Association (of course there is one, there is an association and conference for EVERYTHING!) notes that with more than 7 square feet for every man, woman, and child it is now "physically possible that every American could stand -- all at the same time -- under the total canopy of self-storage roofing".
Wow -- think of that for a second. We have millions of homeless people yet we all could stand out of the rain in self-storage sheds. That's alot of footage. The possession of self-storage units is double what it was 25 years ago. Post WWII was a huge consumer boom in the States -- especially coming out of the depression. But to have accumulated so much stuff that we have to put so much in storage is still quite remarkable. The current recession, foreclosed houses, downsizing, etc. -- probably has something to do with the increase. But that alone doesn't explain the 25 year trend.
There are homeless people that own storage units, yet are homeless. One particular man was using his homelessness to reduce his rather large credit card debt but he couldn't part with his possessions. He chose to put a roof over his possessions rather than a roof over his own head.
It is no wonder others see Americans as so very very rich.
This from a confirmed pack rack. I wrote earlier how I have decided I save stuff to compensate for my lack of memory. But yes I do like stuff. Fortunately I am too cheap to really buy much and I do have a rule that if I buy, namely clothes, I have to give up equal amount to Salvation Army.
Next time you go to a Starbucks -- you're familiar with them right? That coffee shop on every other corner in every major city, small town and village in between -- think about the fact that with 51,000 storage facilities in the States there are 7 times more storage facilities then Starbucks.
"Storage has been a mechanism allowing Americans to live beyond our means"
I need to go clean out my basement.
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You have met Jim right? the guy with the BARNS full of stuff? I don't think the statements above take into account people like Jim (is there anyone like Jim?) Have you SEEN our basement? We threaten the kids - they'll never be found alive if they wander down there! I don't think compensating for memory loss is Jim's issue. Our children's inheritance - buy dumpsters!!
ReplyDeleteWell at least he didn't have to buy a self-storage unit - -he just builds a new barn! One wrong turn in the basement or the barns and NOONE would be found alive! Think of all the fun your kids will have hauling everything to the dumpsters!
ReplyDeleteSome of it is worth money. We'll sell that. Everything else - no dumsters. Just light the black powder and blow it all up. Much more fun, and way less dumpsters.
ReplyDeleteI never understood the storage unit. If you are moving, and need temporary storage, I get it. But to put junk in a dingy "garage" that you will probably never go to? Why keep it? Whenever I find something at home that I'm not sure if I want or no, I think "when was the last time I used it?" Ususally, I can't remember, so I pitch it. That usually gets rid of the clutter. If it's something I may use, I think about how much it costs. If it's cheap, I often will pitch it just because when I do need it, I probably won't find it and will have to buy another, or it will drive me crazy having it sit around the house, and it's not worth the amount of money the item will cost to replace.
If the homeless have a storage unit ~ why don't they fix it so they can live there ~ keeps them out of the weather - -
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