How to Make Moving Less Expensive

Moving can be expensive. Even if you want to move to a less expensive place, the initial expense of moving may be too steep.

The good news is, there are ways you can lower the cost and still have a successful move.

Create a Moving Calendar

It’s easier to decide where your moving money will go when you have a plan. Create a moving calendar that includes not only when you plan to leave your old residence for your new one, but when you will do the bulk of your packing, when you will get a rental truck, when others will come to your home to help you, when you will need a to rent a storage unit, and anything else relevant to the business of moving.

This will do two major things. First, it will ensure you don’t miss anything important. Moving isn’t a time to wing it. It’s a time to make sure you have everything in order. Second, you’ll clearly see what will cost money. From there, you can decide what you really need, and what you can cut, or do yourself.

This will also allow you to pick a day, time, and route with light traffic.

Compare Companies and Prices

Yes, you may need to hire help moving if you don’t have many friends or family able to help in your area. You might need to hire a moving company, and you may need to rent a self storage unit for about two months, enough time for it to act as a staging area for your things. The great thing about having a self storage unit during a move is that you can get out of your old place in time without having to move all your things to a new city at once.

Give yourself time to compare both moving companies and self storage facilities while keeping in mind that some storage facilities may offer moving truck rental. Look for reviews, and ask for recommendations.

It’s also important to compare prices on moving supplies. Check your local self storage facilities to see what they charge for boxes, tape, and packing materials.

Pack Your Items Yourself

Many moving services include packing. If you have the money to spend, this service can be welcome. However, we’re talking about saving money. To do that, pack your own things. Allow plenty of time for this in your moving calendar. Chances are, you won’t just be picking up items and putting them in boxes. You’ll be sorting through things as well. Check the StorageFront blog for articles about how to pack many types of items. The same suggestions that apply to packing for storage apply to packing for a move.

Say Goodbye to Old Things

One thing you’ll discover when packing for a move is that you have many items you no longer use or need. You’ll need to decide what to keep, and what to discard.

Certain things will have such sentimental value that you really must keep them.

However, you probably don’t need out-of-date items and clothes that no longer fit.

The fewer items you have to move, the less work it will be. You can also rent a smaller storage unit and a smaller truck, which will save you money.

Plus, you can make money from some of those items. Craigslist and eBay are great places to sell your gently-used items. You can give those things that don’t sell to charity.

Hire a Mover Only if You Must

Can you avoid hiring a moving company? This will depend on several things. The less you have to move, the more helpful friends or family members you have, and the more time you have, the less you’ll need to hire movers. By arranging your time, you can minimize the amount of help you’ll have to pay for.

Just be careful when moving anything, especially heavy or awkward items. Use a hand truck. Tie certain items to the walls of the rental truck.

Yes, you probably will need to rent a truck. Even today’s largest passenger cars aren’t big enough to move certain items or entire households.

Plan Your Meals and Stops

Will the drive to your new location take a few hours, or a few days? Use this knowledge to plan your meals and accommodations. Save money by looking for affordable hotels or motels in advance instead of pulling into the first place you see. Purchase groceries for your trip so that you can make your own cold meals, like sandwiches.

By following the guide above, you should be able to save a significant amount of money. This could mean the difference between moving and staying put. Moving is stressful in the best of circumstances, but taking time to relax, and knowing that you’re saving money, will help.