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February 22, 2018

Cheap Moving Tips for People on a Budget

Moving is not one of life’s little pleasures. It’s a lot of work, time-consuming, stressful, and pretty expensive.

But people still need to do it. Each year, around 11 percent of Americans make a move. Either across town or to a different country, people are continually relocating.

The good news is that, with the right help, you can make it less stressful. There are even a few things you can do to keep the cost down. Read on to learn more about budget moving.

Shop Around

Shopping around is important. All moving companies don’t charge the same rate. If you’re moving long distance, in particular, quotes can vary quite a bit.

Be smart about it. The company with the cheapest quote isn’t always the most affordable option. Some companies have hidden fees that they don’t mention up front, so ask about it.

Choose the Right Date

There is a season for everything, even moving! Most people move during the summer months, June through August.

If you can choose a date outside that window, chances are good that you will pay less.

Avoid weekends, holidays, and the beginning or end of the month. Budget moving doesn’t get any simpler than this!

Move Only the Stuff You Need

Take your move as an opportunity to downsize.

Go through your stuff during the weeks leading up to your move. If you haven’t used it in the last year or forgot you had it, don’t take it with you.

It doesn’t make sense to pay for moving things that you don’t need or won’t use. It’s also a freeing feeling to declutter and get rid of stuff you don’t need.

As a bonus, you can sell unnecessary items if they’re still in good condition. Selling items you no longer need or want is a great strategy for budget moving.

Have a garage sale, or list things online on sites like eBay or Craigslist. You may not make a fortune, but you can at least offset some of your moving expenses.

Don’t Buy Boxes and Packing Materials

The costs of cardboard boxes and packing materials add up quickly. Paying for this stuff is an unnecessary expense.

Instead of paying for brand-new boxes, find some lightly used ones. Talk to friends who have recently moved, and ask for their boxes.

Stores and businesses are always receiving packages and recycling the boxes. Ask if you can have their unneeded boxes. Liquor stores are great for this because they usually have a ton of sturdy cardboard boxes.

Use your stuff for packing materials instead of buying materials. You can use sheets, towels, clothes, and more to protect your breakable items. And they’re coming along with you anyways!