4 Ways To Protect Your Home While On A Long Vacation
If you’re a passionate traveler around the world, or you’re just taking a long-term job position in another country, the last thing you want to be worrying about are your belongings back home. Sometimes, you just don’t know when you’re going to return, and having a safe place for your belongings can mean the difference between losing and keeping them. Storing your stuff in a basement or a garage is fine on a short run, but give it six months and the fact that neither of the two is being climate controlled or pest-free might ruin your possessions. So what are your options when it comes to storing your belongings?
1) Yard Sale
Selling your stuff may work if you don’t have anything of sentimental value, or you’re just not planning on coming back. If you do come back, however, replacing all of your belongings might turn out not only expensive but also tiresome. Separate the stuff that you don’t actually need and sell it at a yard sale. If you’re going to be storing your belongings, there’s no need to cling to the things you wanted to get rid of anyway. You’ll be surprised how many people are actually buying stuff like this, and you might just earn an extra buck for your travel.
2) Friend’s Garage
You have some good friends and they have a big garage that is just perfect for storing your belongings. But one of many problems with this option is, friends also need a place to store their stuff too. More often than not, the garage where you stored your stuff will be used during your absence, leaving the room for damage. Besides, if you don’t know when you’ll be coming back, this might just create unnecessary pressure on you, as you’ll constantly be thinking if it’s not a big hassle on them. On the plus side, at least someone will be looking after your stuff.
3) Rent Your House Furnished
It’s a good idea on paper, but the problem is you’ll still need a place to store anything valuable, plus your personal stuff. Not to mention that some renters have a habit of destroying furniture. Unless you’re completely indifferent about your belongings, we advise you to avoid this option and actually find a safe place where your stuff won’t be used. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy your stay abroad without ever thinking about your things. And with that, we come to the self-storage units for long term storage.
4) Self-Storage Units
Storing your stuff inside a self-storage unit is the go-to option for any traveler that wants none of the pressure or stress of thinking about them. Maybe you’re thinking that it’s costly, but you can actually find some super cheap storage solutions that will suit your needs. If you’re storing wood furniture or electronics, make sure that you rent a climate controlled unit. It’s simple and cheap, and it will bring you a much-needed piece of mind while you’re away. As for the paying of a storage unit, you can pay it online or just set it on auto-debit.
Enjoy Your Trip Without Unnecessary Stress
Investing some time into organizing your stuff before you leave will save you a lot of nerves later on. Whichever of these options you choose, the most important thing is that you don’t have to stress over your belongings back home. Knowing that your possessions are taken care of will make your stay abroad more enjoyable and easier in the long run. After all, you can’t let your stuff stand in a way of having a great time. And when you do come back, you’ll either find your stuff safe and sound, or you’ll realize that you were fine leaving it all behind.
About the Author
Ian Pearson is a passionate sports fan, nature and photography addict, always trying to keep up to date with tech innovations and development.
Sauumye Chauhan
July 25, 2017These are some great tips!!! I remember my mom used to be very careful & stressed out about her stuff at home while on vacation.
View CommentAbigail
July 25, 2017Great advice, I would to worries to rejr out my home! I’d have family look after it for me
View CommentTavana
July 24, 2017I feel like I would have/pay someone to house sit that I already know. But, there are options you’ve listed.
View Commentchewoutloud
July 24, 2017Great ideas! I love the yard sale, because I”m always trying to minimize the clutter and get rid of stuff. I often donate things all the time and many times my peeps don’t even realize I’ve donated stuff that they haven’t touched in awhile π
View CommentCandy Rachelle
July 23, 2017If I were going on a long vacation, I would never think to store my personal items anywhere. I would just pay someone to come over and house-sit.
View Commentlmochoa488
July 23, 2017What great tips! I would love to take a LONG vacation so that I can use your tips. LOL
View CommentKeoshia
July 23, 2017Great tips. Will remember this if I have to travel for long periods of time.
View CommentDee Thomson
July 23, 2017Really great tips! I travel to Costa Rica for about a month at a time a few times a year to visit my parents, and I always feel a bit weird leaving my house for that long. Thanks for sharing these ideas, I’ll definitely use some of them next time π
View Commentalisonrost
July 23, 2017When I was younger, I was away from home for 3 months. When I got back I thought, pretty much all of this stuff I could do without. For me, it was a big lesson that less is definitely more, and I’ve been a minimalist ever since. x
View CommentAmber
July 22, 2017My friend used to travel a lot and she would even put her car in storage! I remember her saying that she would place it on cement blocks which I thought was interesting.
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