Moving can be stressful, but it’s made even more stressful when you’re worried about how much it’s going to cost. The good news is that your move doesn’t have to cost as much as you think! Here are eight tips that will help you keep your moving costs low so you can keep more cash in your pocket.
Don’t Pay For Moving Services You Don’t Need
It’s true that you can save a lot of money by doing all the moving yourself, but that doesn’t mean you should. You can save yourself a lot of time and prevent a lot of headaches by hiring a professional moving team like Suddath Moving Company to help.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money either! You can get affordable rates for your furniture shipping needs when you’re careful about which services you pay for—and which services you don’t.
For example, if you’ve got the time and ability to pack your own boxes, save on packing services and just pay for moving services instead.
You’ll also want to plan ahead so you rent the exact truck you need. When you know how many boxes you have and approximately how much room your furniture will take up, you can spend less on a smaller truck.
Don’t Let People Get Away With Causing You Financial Stress
Even if you take the DIY approach to moving, outside influences could seriously harm your financial situation. A severe example would be encountering a truck accident that wasn’t your fault during a long-haul move. If this happens, professional teams like Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP can help. Their ability to help you gain compensation for damages to your assets as well as medical bills will support your finances. Moreover, it saves you from stressful situations.
Companies trying to charge you for services you’ve now ended at the old home is another issue to consider. Likewise, you should argue any unfair late fees or hidden expenses throughout the move. Otherwise, it may leave your family starting the next chapter in a financial mess.
Consider Flexible Services
Don’t be afraid to ask your mover what kinds of deals and specials they have going on. They will often work with you by combining services, or they may offer flexible services.
For example, if you’re willing to be flexible about when your furniture is delivered, you could get a great deal on professional moving services.
You can also save a lot of money with curbside delivery services if it’s available. Instead of bringing your belongings inside, movers simply unload the truck and you bring it all inside yourself, so it costs a lot less than door-to-door service.
To plan your budget effectively, request a detailed moving cost quote to understand the expenses involved and choose the services that best suit your needs.
Pack Strategically
It’s not a good idea to pack your belongings randomly. Items are likely to get broken or damaged if you just toss them into boxes. But packing your boxes strategically also has the potential to help you save money.
First, when you pack boxes carefully, you’ll end up with fewer boxes. That means you have fewer boxes to pay for, and you have less packing material to purchase.
It also means you may be able to rent a smaller moving truck. Fewer boxes take up less space, which means you won’t waste the space and money on a larger truck.
It could also help you save if you’re paying for professional moving services. With fewer boxes to carry, your movers may charge you less money since it will take less time to complete your move.
Source Free Packing Materials
There’s no denying that buying boxes from a professional mover is convenient. It’s also a great way to ensure you get sturdy boxes, but if you’re looking for ways to save on moving costs, it’s well worth your time to see if you can find free boxes.
A few places to score free moving boxes include:
- The Nextdoor app
- Craigslist
- U-Haul Box Exchange
- Facebook Marketplace
- Stores, like bookstores and grocery stores
You can also save on other packing materials by using what you already have. For example, newspapers and even plastic bags can provide cushioning so you don’t have to spend money on bubble wrap.
Even if you can’t find all your boxes and packing materials for free, even just having a few can reduce the amount of money you have to spend on brand-new materials.
Declutter Before You Pack
There’s no use in packing up and moving stuff that you no longer want or need. It takes up space, and space equals money.
Take the time to declutter before you pack up and move your belongings. You can donate what you no longer want or pass items on to friends and family members.
If you really want to reduce the costs of your move and you have a little extra time, consider having a yard sale. Not only will you get rid of the extra stuff you don’t need so it doesn’t have to be packed, you can also make a little money to put towards the cost of your move.
Use Media Mail
If you’ve never heard of Media Mail before, it’s worth your time to check it out before your move.
It is offered by the United States Postal Service as an easy and cost-effective way to ship items that are traditionally bulky, and therefore often expensive to move. It allows you to send as much as 70 pounds of books for as little as $40.
It’s an especially good choice if you’re moving across the country, as it can be much cheaper to ship these heavy items using Media Mail than loading them onto a truck. It’s also a great option if you’re doing the bulk of your move yourself, but you could use a little help with heavy books.
Time Your Utilities Right
The cost of utilities is something most movers don’t think a lot about until they check their bank account. It can be extremely costly to pay for utilities at two different places at the same time.
The trick is to time the transfer of your utilities just right. You should shut off electricity, gas, water, and internet to your current home shortly after your move and turn them on at your new place right before you move.
Chances are, there will be a little overlap, but the trick is to lessen the overlap as much as possible. That way you only pay for the utilities for two places for a few days instead of a few weeks or months.
When the process of moving is already stressful, the last thing you want is to add outrageous costs onto what you’re already dealing with. Instead, look for ways to keep costs low. When you know exactly how to save money on everything from boxes to moving trucks and utilities, you can move into your new home with plenty of cash in the bank.
