Let’s face it – moving can be expensive. You have all sorts of things to pay for, and this includes things like packing supplies, a moving van or service, gas for the moving vehicle(s), utility deposits to have your utilities turned on at the new place, and if you will be renting, you will also need the first month’s rent and deposit. These are just the basic things you will have to pay for and they can add up quickly. However, with some careful planning and the tips you will read here, you don’t need to go into debt to get moved into your new place.
Professional Movers
If you know a few people who have trucks and strong backs who are willing to help you move, great! If not, you will be stuck doing it on your own. You might think that doing a DIY move will be cheaper than hiring professionals, like North American Van Lines, to handle your move, but that isn’t always the case. Depending on when you book the move, how much you are moving, and the distance, it might actually be more cost effective to hire someone to do it for you. See, there are always hidden costs to moving, whether you do it yourself or have someone else do it. If you book a move early enough and during the offseason, you can be surprised at how much you might save. Just check around and get estimates IN WRITING, before making any decisions.
Make a Budget and Stick to It
This is a step in your move that is critical. If you don’t create and stick to a budget for your move, you might be shocked to find out what you spent, which can lead to even more frustration and debt. Moving sucks enough already, you don’t need to make it worse by not budgeting. Take a few minutes to sit down and make a list of everything that will have to be paid for during the move and how much will have to be paid. This will ensure that you are more prepared when the time comes and will have one less thing to stress about.
Packing Supplies
This is one of the easiest ways to save money on your moving expenses. You don’t need to go out and spend a small fortune on things like boxes, markers, bubble wrap, moving blankets, etc. Some of those things you might already have something in your home that you can use instead. You can use the blankets and sheets you already have to protect your furniture. You might have Sharpies already (or kid’s markers) that you can use to mark the boxes. Instead of bubble wrap, you can use old newspapers. You might also use things like Styrofoam plates to put in between your dishes as you pack them so they won’t break. You can pad your glasses by slipping each one into a clean sock. Creativity here can save you a lot of money. As far as boxes go, you can easily get them for free. Call or go to your local grocery stores, liquor stores, and even some offices to see if they have any empty boxes. Most of them will tell you to help yourself.
Get Rid of It
Moving is a great time to get rid of things you no longer need. This is one of the few times in your life that you will literally be going through everything you own. As you are packing, make a pile of things that you don’t need anymore to get rid of. You can take this stuff and make money with it by having a moving sale. You might also sell it online at sites like eBay or Craigslist, or on apps like 5Miles and LetGo. Beyond that, anything that doesn’t sell can be donated to charity. If you do this, be sure to get a receipt so you can use your donation as a tax deduction when tax season rolls around.
As you can see, there are ways you can save money on a move instead of going into debt. The ones listed here are just a few of them. If you are creative, there are so many more ways to save on your move.