Moving is expensive!
How to save money on your move? Whenever you do things yourself, you will save money since you won’t have to pay someone else to do the job.
Pack most of your stuff yourself and then hire someone else to do all the heavy lifting. Which will save you a substantial amount of money. It’s not difficult to save on moving, but it does take a little planning ahead.
Plan Ahead to Get the Best Deal
A game plan will help reduce the cost of moving. Time will be on your side, and you are less likely to make rash decisions.
Shop around for the best deals on a moving truck, storage unit (if needed), and packing supplies. Also look around for service providers that you will need at your new home, such as internet, cable, and phone services.
Make a List and Stay Organized
Relocation can be stressful and somewhat chaotic, but it helps to make a visual list. Keep it handy and add tasks to it as you think of them. This may include tasks such as:
1. Change of address (make a list of who you need to notify that you are moving)
2. Hook up utilities at the new place (and disconnect at your old home)
3. Book a hotel (if needed)
4. Secure a moving truck and storage unit (if needed)
Get Creative With Your Packing Supplies
Save money on protective supplies by using clothing, towels, and other soft items to pack fragile and breakable items.
Coats, pillows, and other soft household items fill in those oddly shaped gaps in your boxes. As a bonus, you are packing things that already need to be packed anyway, and you won’t have as much to discard when you unpack.
Businesses often get rid of their cardboard boxes on shipment day, so you can typically get all different-sized boxes for free. Call local grocery, liquor, or department stores to find out when they get their shipments in and where to pick up the empty boxes. Or even purchase used moving boxes from a local moving company.
Get Ready for Help
Once you know that you need to move, start asking around if you will need help moving. Friends and family need to know in advance and will be more likely to help than last minute.
Be ready for when everyone shows up. Boxes should already be packed and taped up so they are ready to be loaded.
When you hire movers, you want them to be able to get started when they show up. It can take hours of work just getting everyone organized, so it’s best if they have all day or at least two dedicated sessions!
Lighten the Load
Pay substantially less by simply having less to pack and move. This is a great time to re-access what you have and to get rid of unwanted items. Less to move, you will need fewer packing supplies, and you can get a smaller truck.
Sell larger items for a few extra bucks or have a yard sale if you have the time. Donate the rest to a local charity and keep the receipt for a tax deduction.
