Moving is very rarely associated with the words ‘frugal’ or ‘budget friendly’. You’re dealing with one of the largest investments you’ll ever make in a lifetime and it comes with a hefty price. But, with these 9 low cost moving tips, you can move without putting a dent in your wallet.
1. Make Some Money from Your Old Belongings
One of the best ways to save money from your move is to make money in the meantime. You’ll be going through your belongings anyway, so you might as well make some money off of the things that won’t be making it to your new home. Host a garage sale or post an online ad for your old belongings and decrease your moving expenses by making some money.
2. Build A Budget Without a budget, you’re more likely to spend more than you need to.
Build a budget and allocate funds to each portion of your move. Determine how much money will be needed for packing materials, how many you’re willing to spend on a moving truck rental, and moving supplies. If you have extra funds available, set money aside for professional movers.Knowing how much your move will cost and where the funds will go will help you achieve a low-cost move. The trick is to stay within the lines on the spreadsheet.
3. Track Your Expenses
In order to stick to your budget, you have to know where the budget is being sent. Since you already have a budget set out, it’s time to start tracking absolutely every expense that pertains to your move. A pack of moving tape may seem like a minor charge but everything adds up. So, track your expenses so you can see if you’ll be staying within budget or worse if you’ll be well over it.
4. Make Changes as Needed
As you start to track your expenses, it’s important to revisit your budget and make any necessary changes. If you see that you’re spending more on your move than originally planned, you may have to cut back on some luxuries.
5. Move When It’s the Most Affordable
Different seasons come with different prices for moving. Choose a time of year when most people don’t want to move, such as in the fall or winter. You’ll likely receive a discounted price for moving services and rentals when moving outside of peak season. You also get the benefit of flexibility with scheduling and availability.
6. Don’t Move on Special Holidays
With the prior mentioned, if you are moving during the busier season, try to do so on a day that isn’t as common. For example, avoid moving on the weekend, on long weekends, near special holidays or at the beginning or end of the month.
7. Do Your Research
It’s tempting to book the first moving truck you can find especially if you’re in a rush. However, every company is different and each offers different price points. So, do your research and find a company that provides services within your price range.
8. Use Your Own Packing Supplies
Your home is full of materials that can be used for packing. So, slash your moving costs significantly by using the things you already have, such as flyers and newspapers. Just be careful where you use them, as you don’t want to risk damaging your prized possessions, as this will cost more in the end.
9. Call on Your Friends and Family for Help
Professional packers and professional movers are great, as they take care of all the tedious tasks of moving. However, they come with a price. Save on your move by calling on your friends and family for help. A case of beer and some pizza is significantly cheaper than hiring professionals. Although, the job may not be done as efficiently and effectively. If you’re worried about your items being damaged during the move, you may want to spend the money hiring professional packers and movers.
There are pros and cons to each money saving tip. Decide what’s most important to you and discover the various ways you can save on moving day.
