With summertime right around the corner and big plans on the horizon, a pressing question becomes of what to do with all that stuff accumulated throughout the year. As soon as that last bubble is filled on that final final, many are ready to bolt from their current residence to kick-start their vacation and soak up some sunshine.
For those whose summer plans take them elsewhere, paying for housing in Eugene is often unrealistic. Even so, bulky furniture can’t stand in the way of exciting summer fun. It’s a time to be resourceful and plan ahead so summer can officially start as soon as possible.
So, what to do? Some are lucky enough to arrange free storage with a friend, but most will have to move it, haul it, store it or sell it. Moving can definitely be a tedious endeavor, but there are many options available to help relocating students.
Renting a truck or trailer from U-Haul is easy and relatively cheap. A small 14-foot truck for an in-town move rents for $19.95. The rates for an out of town move vary. Guy McDonald from the U-Haul Center at 4400 Franklin Blvd. said the rates depend on the destination, current deals that U-Haul offers and the demand for trucks in the destination area.
For a one-way move to Portland, trucks are about $120, while trailers are about $60 to $70. In addition to renting the truck, 59 cents per mile must be factored into the charge, jumping to 79 cents a mile on Friday and Saturday. Summer’s escalating gas prices won’t help either.
Aside from trucks and trailers, U-Haul offers a slew of other moving services, renting and installing hitches as well as renting moving equipment such as dollies and hand trucks.
U-Haul also has on-site storage, renting 5-foot-by-5-foot spaces for $34.95 monthly and 10-foot-by-20-foot spaces for $129.95 monthly. While this isn’t the cheapest storage, U-Haul does offer some discounts to rent other equipment.
As far as storage goes, Discount Storage Mini-Storage is the closest to the University at 550 E Eighth Ave.. Discount Storage offers special student rates, with 5-foot-by-5-foot units for $36, 5-foot-by-10-foot units for $54, and 10-foot-by-10-foot units for $72 a month.
“I rent to approximately 80 to 100 students during the summer. They fill us up,” said manager Larry Barraugh. The rest of the year Discount Storage operates at about 70 percent capacity. They offer summer reservations every spring.
Moving can be costly but it can also be profitable. May and June mark the official start of the yard sale season, when people sit out on the front lawn all day negotiating deals. Just get it outside, set up a little market on the lawn and do some preliminary neighborhood advertising.
Enterprising salespeople should start advertising their goods, often furniture and technology, before it gets too late. Once June hits, many will take their exams and move on to bigger summer plans. Posting fliers around campus is a popular way to get the word out.
Those who are looking to sublet or rent a room usually put an ad in the classifieds. Classified ads are inexpensive and many prospective renters or buyers see the offer.
For the remaining unwanted items that don’t sell, Goodwill and St. Vincent DePaul’s always appreciate donations.
What to do with all that stuff?
Daily Emerald
May 25, 2006
Emerald
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