If you happen to be looking for a versatile self storage solution for moving either long or short distances, portable storage units are an increasingly popular option for many. While moving and storage in general can be costly, plenty of online calculators are available today that can help you determine the exact cost of moving in general ahead of time, whether you opt for portable storage units or not. Since 37 percent of Americans have never moved from their hometown, according to Pew Research, these tools can be quite useful when it comes to minimizing rude financial surprises.

When moving long distances, one of the best ways to keep costs and hassles down is to declutter your dwelling, keeping only those items that are most important to you. Portable storage units can go up in price as the volume and weight of your cargo increases, so this is an important point to bear in mind for those on a budget. Notably, you should pack small valuables and mementos of importance, such as jewelry, photographs, etc. to be brought along with your personal baggage, or sent ahead via mail in a trackable package format in order to avoid any particularly unpleasant surprises later on. While moving containers and long distance moving companies generally try their best to get everything to you in one piece, it helps to minimize your risk.

While the annual migration rate has dropped to a low of 11.6 percent from its steady rate of about 20 percent since the 1960s, the addition of moving pods to the industry has made it easier and cheaper for more people to move house either across town or across the country. This is a great source for more.