Do you look around your home or office and feel like you are drowning in files and documents that you can’t throw out. Removing all the clutter in your home or workplace can help to increase productivity, clear your mind, and keep your space neat and tidy. If you’re looking for a storage solution where you can keep all your files safe and secure and still maintain easy access, place them in a self-storage unit. A secondary benefit of having your documents in a self-storage unit is having all your documents in one secure space at your fingertips. Check out the following tips for storing your documents in a self-storage unit to have a clutter-free workspace.
Many individuals have documents, such as passports and wills, that they need to keep secure. In many professions, local and state statutes require holding documents for up to seven years. This can amount to an overwhelming amount of papers, files, and folders that you need to keep. Leasing a self-storage unit can be the best solution when you don’t have space in your home or office.
Once you’ve decided to store your documents in a self-storage facility, we’ve laid out the steps to help you with the transition.
Supplies: packing materials. Gather all the supplies you need so you can tackle the project from start to finish in one session. You need file folders, binders, plastic paper protectors, packing tape, waterproof markers, and file boxes with lids or storage containers that are water/fireproof.
Document sorting: Once you have all your supplies, you need to sort through the vast stacks of documents and decide which ones you want to keep, toss, scan or shred. Documents you may want to keep long-term should get filed, such as tax returns, licenses, registrations, deeds, and titles, in addition to birth certificates and social security cards. Most people sort documents by category. Some people may categorize by year, others by project name or family member.
Packing documents: the next step is packing the documents into file boxes or binders. If you place them in binders, the binders go into the file boxes. Make sure everything is labeled so when you need to reach for something. You know exactly where to find it. Most people store documents in file boxes made out of coated cardboard. Others may choose to put them in fire-safe containers. That is a personal preference that you get to decide. Try not to overfill the box, keeping them under 40 pounds so you can move them around with ease.
Choosing your storage facility:
Putting your important documents into a storage unit can free up space in your home and office while keeping your records safe and secure. This helps ensure that you have the information you need when you need it. At Tymac, we’re a self-storage developer dedicated to building storage facilities where they’re needed most. We build state-of-the-art facilities to meet all of your storage needs. Visit us at www.TheTymacGroup.com.