What is a cheaper alternative to a storage unit?

A per-item service like Storage Scholars at about $13 per item monthly is the cheapest alternative for most dorm-sized loads. You skip both the truck and the unused square footage. A typical 5-to-10-item summer runs $250 to $400 all-in with dorm-door pickup, free boxes, and August delivery. Splitting a 10x10 with one or two roommates drops your monthly share to $30 to $60 but adds U-Haul costs each end. Universities sometimes run on-campus summer storage for $75 to $200 total when offered. Neighbor.com rents a stranger's garage at an average $140 a month, 30 to 50 percent under self-storage. A friend's parents' house is free if you can swing it.