Moving home for summer is stressful enough, so why not make the actual moving process a little easier? Use these five helpful tips to lessen the frustration of packing and hopefully make a little extra money along the way.

1. Cash in those used books. Assuming you've passed all your classes this semester, the books for those classes are no longer needed. Sell that oh-so-yesterday Shakespeare book online or to a friend getting ready to take the class.  You'll make a much better profit selling directly to the next victim of English literature 201 than to the bookstore.

2. Turn old clothes into dough. You know those white leather pants you got from the thrift store to wear to that big Halloween bash? The ones you'll never wear again (we hope)? It's time to send them back where they came from. Donate those old clothes in the back of your closet to your local charity, or even to a consignment shop and make a little money. Don't worry - you'll be able to find more for your next theme party.

3. Create "can't live without" and "keep for later" categories. Separate your stuff into these two categories and try to get rid of as much as possible, because you never know, Mom & Dad might have turned your room into a home gym.

4. Put away your Wisconsin Cheese Head hat. The memorabilia you keep from important past college events could fill an entire dorm room. Sort through the many programs, old pizza boxes, weird team hats, game stubs and Spring Break T-shirts and make sure to only keep the items that truly hold fond memories.

5. Ditch the bright orange couch. That orange crush velvet couch that you picked up from your local second-hand store is a great complement to your tie-dyed curtains, but it won't look so lovely in Mom & Dad's living room. Dump it unless you just can't part with it. If you think it's an essential part to your dorm room interior designing, it's time to call Extra Space Storage(R).

Extra Space Storage and Storage USA offer a wide array of self-storage options in convenient locations nationwide. Their professionally managed storage facilities are the easiest and quickest, most organized and least expensive way to store your belongings for the summer. You can lease a unit to meet your summer storage needs, or longer, if necessary. 

And if you choose Extra Space Storage or Storage USA to stash your stuff this summer, they'll give you four fabulous deals to pick from: a $25 TGIF* gift card, two weeks free storage, 15% off summer rental or a $25 iTunes gift card. That is definitely not a bad way to celebrate the end of the semester.

And nowadays, there's no reason to worry about your belongings when opting to rent storage. Storage facilities today are more secure, cleaner and better equipped than in the past. The units come in all sizes and types, and can hold anything from computers to furniture. For instance, typical properties at Extra Space Storage and Storage USA offer a variety of features such as climate controlled space, computerized keypads with personal PIN numbers for gate access, video monitoring and onsite managers for added safety. They're conveniently located and you can access your unit seven days a week. Some even provide free pick-up or use of a free truck with move-in.

Call Extra Space Storage(R) for information and help with all your storage questions at 1-888-STORAGE (1-888-786-7243), or log on to www.extraspace.com to access the Student Summer Storage Special discount coupon you will need to present at the time of rental to take advantage of any one of their bonus offers.

About Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, operates over 600 self-storage properties in 34 states, including Washington, D.C. under the Extra Space Storage and Storage USA brand names. The Company is the second largest operator of self storage in the United States. Additional Extra Space Storage information is available at www.extraspace.com.