Let’s face it, moving can be an expensive proposition. But there are several things you can do to ease the burden on your wallet. By keeping these tips and tricks in mind as you prepare for the big day, the process won’t have to be the money-draining experience you might be dreading. Any money you save is important right now, because you don’t want to crush your savings before you settle into your new location. It’s not unusual for surprise costs to start popping up from every corner. You will have to be prepared.
If you use a moving company, consider packing all your belongings yourself. This can save you a great deal of money, using the company simply for transport and hauling purposes. Obviously, if you’re going to do this, let the company know ahead of time. If they have to send all the labor, set up for one day of packing, they may charge you the same amount either way. Also, they may have insurance restrictions that prevent this sort of thing, so make sure that’s not the case before you start loading crates.
You can save big on moving supplies if you get creative. Boxes, in particular, can be expensive if you buy them from a retailer. Try to find a place that gives you free boxes. Grocery stores and liquor stores are good places to try.
Ask someone in charge if they’ll hold some boxes for you if you come back the next day and pick them up. If you don’t feel comfortable with that, check online. Auction sites are a good place to get a lot of boxes for a very low price. You can also look online for other supplies you’ll need, such as markers and tape.
A fantastic way to save some money is to limit the amount of stuff you take with you. Moving provides a good opportunity to downsize your belongings and really decide what you need and what you can do without. Host a garage sale, sell a few things online, or donate a few belongings to charity before the big day. If it’s garbage, just throw it away.
It doesn’t make sense to pay more to clutter your new house with things you don’t really need or want. By being selective in your process, you can not only save money on the move, but you can also better prepare for the next chapter in your life.