A friend’s house is not the same as a permanent storage solution.

Nothing will make you come face-to-face with the sheer quantity of stuff you have like being between addresses. Even those who consider themselves to be minimalists usually collect all manner of belongings that they just can’t bear to part with when the time comes to move out of a place. If you don’t have another fixed home to transport these things to, that leaves you with the dilemma of figuring out where they are going to be in the meantime.

For most people, storing their things with a friend or family member who has some free space is a no-brainer. It is usually free and easy to access. The downside is that sooner or later, people get tired of housing these belongings. If their owner doesn’t get their act together, their motivation to continue the favor is going to run out.

While it isn’t something that is accessible to everyone, it is often a better idea to just rent a storage unit. So long as you keep up with the payments, you are less likely to face an awkward conversation with somebody who is tired of not being able to move around their house without bumping into things that they don’t own.