Dollars & Sense: America’s storage unit obsession

What to Know: The United States has far more self-storage space per person than most other countries.Life changes, limited space at home, and emotional attachments help explain why people rent storage units. What starts as a temporary storage solution can become a long-term expense, especially when monthly rental rates increase. ORLANDO, Fla. – Have you ever heard of döstädning? No, that’s not a typo; it’s actually a Swedish word. The philosophy behind döstädning is that as you get older, you begin sorting through and reducing your possessions, giving away, selling, or discarding things you no longer need. The Swedish term translates roughly to “death cleaning.” Here in the United States, the practice is more commonly known as Swedish Death Cleaning. Harsh, but there’s a story behind the name. The practice was popularized internationally by the 2017 book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson. And aside from making your home easier and more pleasant to live in,