How to Save Money When Moving
Whether you’re moving across the globe or locally, moving is expensive. That is on top of finding the time and energy to box up all of your belongings, to picking a trustworthy moving service to safely transport them all from one place to the next. Any move has a lot of factors to consider.
To make it all easier to handle, here are 10 ways to save money on your next move.
Estimate the Cost
Online moving calculators are a great way to help you get a rough estimate on how much your move should cost. It’s a good place to start before reaching out to different moving companies and getting quotes, as it will give you a solid median. Knowing roughly how much your move should cost will help prevent you from overspending by going with a company that’s overpriced.
Toss, Donate, or Sell Items You No Longer Want
Consider getting rid of items you no longer need. Whether you are moving long distance or locally, the more items you have the more the move is going to cost. Make sure to get rid of, sell, or donate as much stuff as possible.
If you’re moving long distance, consider getting rid of all your heavy cheap furniture. If you do the math, you’ll find that buying inexpensive furniture at your destination will likely be less money than moving your heavy cheap furniture.
Find Free Boxes and Packing Supplies
Pick up free moving boxes from the grocery store and local businesses, and post in your neighborhood groups to see if anyone is giving any away.
Don’t Overbuy for Your New Home
This trick to moving on a budget is a mental one; you’re going to need to freeze spending. It’s easy to start clicking “Add to Cart” for everything you see on Wayfair or Amazon, but reign in the emotional spending and hold that mouse. To stay on track, commit to a spending hiatus while in the middle of a move.
Decide if You Should Spend Money on Movers.
Recruiting either friends or movers is always one of the most significant decisions you will make when moving on a budget. While you can bribe your friends with pizza and beer, it’s sometimes better to call the professionals; especially if you need to move large fragile items. Movers come with a cost, but they can save you a lot of headaches with speediness and efficiency.
Move During the Off-Season
Plan an out-of-season move! The best times are ideally between October and April. During the late spring, summer, and early fall, moving companies keep their prices high because their services and products are in high demand. Outside of those seasons, however, demand falls, so many moving services drop their prices in an effort to drum up business. If moving using the off season isn’t possible, try during the week. Saturdays are notoriously the busiest and most expensive days for moving.
Use Linens, Sheets, and Towels to Pack Items
Instead of buying packing paper, use your linens, sheets, and towels to wrap and protect some items. It’s still smart to use packing paper for your breakable kitchen items, but using what you already have on other miscellaneous items will save you on packing paper and boxes that those items will have to go in.
Utilize Media Mail
Books are often both bulky and heavy, which can make them difficult to pack and move. That said, the USPS offers Media Mail shipping as an easy and cost-effective solution to this dilemma. With Media Mail shipping, you’re able to send up to 70 pounds of books for around $40. Freeing up space in your moving truck for other items that would be much more expensive to ship.
Ask for a Deal
While it may seem unconventional, it’s not completely uncommon for moving companies to be willing to cut you a deal, so it’s always worth asking. The worst they can do is say no. Shop around and see what deals different movers or best car shipping companies will offer you depending on the type of move, and ask if they can beat or match the best deal.
Establish a Plan B
While you can try everything in your power to ensure a smooth move, there’s always a possibility that your timeline, including your move-in date, could go awry at the last minute. Having a backup plan in place can help save you money in the long run.
Make plans ahead of time to stay with a friend or family member, in case your move is delayed, that way you don’t pay expensive last-minute hotels fees. Additionally, consider choosing a long-distance moving company with flexible options that won’t charge you a fee for making a change on short notice.