Most Americans Have Garages And Attics Filled With Garbage 'Floor To Ceiling' They Don't Need, Says Dave Ramsey. That's Why 'They're Broke'

Financial expert Dave Ramsey does not sugarcoat things – he's very direct about America’s clutter problem. 

For instance, he recently pointed out that many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, weighed down not just by their financial obligations but by piles of unnecessary possessions filling their garages, attics and storage units “floor to ceiling.” Ramsey claims that one of the main reasons so many people are “broke” is their fixation with purchasing and storing goods.

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The argument is straightforward: excessive consumerism is hurting people's financial well-being. Instead of investing in experiences, savings or assets that grow in value, countless Americans are pouring their money into things they don't use. 

Ramsey describes clutter as wasted money and missed opportunities – both for financial growth and a simpler, more stress-free life. As one of his followers on X said, “I'm proud to say we park our cars in our garage and the attic is empty.”

Self-storage facilities have become a booming industry as more people find themselves needing extra space to store excess belongings they can’t fit into their homes. According to Consumer Affairs, the average monthly cost ranges from $90 to $290. While they solve the immediate issue of overflow, they also result in long-term financial burdens.

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If you haven't used an item in over a year, it may be time to sell it. As Ramsey says, “One or two good garage sales and some online sales could clear out the clutter AND get you out of debt.” Selling off unwanted goods can generate money to pay off debt, lower storage expenses and encourage more deliberate spending.

Still, as another commenter wondered, isn't consumerism essential for a strong economy? Don't we need to keep buying stuff to ensure that people have jobs? Ramsey and other personal finance experts would argue that instead of incessantly consuming throwaway products, healthy spending should be directed toward essentials and worthwhile assets.

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Investing Instead of Storing

Instead of renting a storage unit, you could capitalize on people's need for storage and invest in self-storage units. According to a report from IBISWorld, these investments can make you money, with potential returns of up to 41% (much higher than the 22% average across all industries). 

You can invest by buying shares in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns storage facilities or by joining a real estate crowdfunding platform. This high margin is largely due to the low costs to run and maintain self-storage facilities. 

These properties are also simple to manage because the expenses are usually predictable and there are few surprise repairs. It's a good option because they stay rented out, which means a steady income.

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