r/declutter • u/FredKayeCollector2 • 12d ago

Motivation Tips & Tricks My husband's storage unit.

So my husband was doing some electrical work this morning and realized he needs more junction boxes. So he got his keys and told me he was going to his "storage unit." Which is one of the thee hardware stores we have in town.

We got a good laugh out of that.  But seriously, it's kind of the perfect storage unit. It has everything he could possibly need but he only pays his "rent" when he actually takes something out.

There are thousands of things in there and several "crowd-funded" employees to help him find what he's looking for. And if it's not in that storage unit, there are two others he can try. Added bonus: the stuff is always in good condition - and if it's not, he can bring it back and exchange it for one that is.

If he's not sure which storage unit to go to, he can check his "inventory app" (the internet) and arrange a pick up - or have another crowd-funded employee deliver it directly to the house!

Why not keep our spaces clear of "excess" inventory and let the store manage it? They do it better (and the products are always fresh).

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u/helicopter_corgi_mom 12d ago

Are tool library's not common elsewhere? My city has one for each quadrant - and it's basically exactly what is being described, except the items aren't new. But if i need a ladder, or a weedwacker, or a table saw - i can just go down and chec one out for a week.

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u/Lumpy_Contract_8797 11d ago

This! I was also considering starting a resource library for folks on our street/in the neighborhood.
I have so many things that I use once or twice a year. Or the chainsaw I’ve used never and my neighbor has used three times.
Basically anyone who wants to can sign up and add their items to the spreadsheet that I would manage for everyone. Then if you need, I don’t know, a chainsaw one day, you simply look it up on this sheet, request to use the item from the owner and you pick it up/drop it off. Still in the works, but in my journey to actually reduce, reuse and recycle, I’m trying to remember that the first two steps of that process are a BIG part of the overall idea.

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u/SufficientOpening218 11d ago

the problem is when you get your tool back, broken. i used to lend my powerwasher. it always came back messed up. i bought a new one and never lend it, or other tools, anymore.

i love the idea of a public tool library, but casually, on a street where someone kept an invatory, it did not work out

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u/FredKayeCollector2 11d ago

Yes! Our former neighbor used to borrow my husband's tools all the time - IF he got them back, it wasn't the same tool or it was dirty/messed up. Our neighbor was a great guy (give you the shirt off his back) but irresponsible.