METCALF MOVING BLOG
How You Can Move on a Budget and Save Some Money in the Process
More than 30 million people move every year.
Whether you’re moving for a promotion, better location, or any other reason, you might be worried about the dent in your savings. The good news is, moving doesn’t have to break the bank.
There are several ways you can make moving less expensive and less stressful.
Read on to learn how to move on a budget and save money along the way.
Move at the Right Time
Studies show that 70% of moves occur during the warmer months of the year. That’s a large percentage and the reason for you to explore alternative seasons.
Moving during the fall and winter allows you to avoid surge pricing and help companies when business is slow.
If you can’t adjust your moving schedule so drastically, then moving during the week instead of on the weekend is another way to move on a budget.
Scale Back
An essential step in a budget-friendly move is to reduce your load. Often we hang onto things we no longer like, need, or use.
Evaluate all of your belongings before the move. It helps you to see what you have. Often people pack things away intending to use them again only to forget about them. Later they realize those things are no longer useful. Why spend the money to haul them to your new home?
Eliminate things by donating them or offering them online or through a resale app like Letgo, OfferUp, or Poshmark.
Use Portable Storage Containers
One way to move on a budget is to use non-traditional moving containers.
These containers are big enough for a 1,500 sq ft home, and they allow you to pack and unpack household belongings on your own so that you can take your time. This method of moving means you only have to pay movers for transportation.
Save on Boxes and Supplies
Packing materials can add up fast. So, look for gently-used boxes and packing materials, if possible.
Check with your professional mover as well as online websites like NextDoor for gently-used boxes. Often, those who have recently moved look for ways to pass on or recycle their gently-used boxes and will post them online.
Check your local grocery and retail stores to see if they have discarded boxes. Ask the store manager if they have any available and see if you can have some.
Get creative and use things like old newspapers, towels, and blankets to wrap up stuff instead of relying on bubble wrap.
Travel Cost-Consciously
If you’re moving far away, consider the cost of travel in your moving budget.
One way to save money when moving is by staying with people you know on the way to your new home instead of in a hotel. If you don’t have friends or family on the way to your new house, consider cost-effective alternatives to hotels like an Airbnb.
Also, instead of spending money eating out along the way, consider packing a cooler of food. That way, you keep the costs down.
Move on a Budget Today
Moving doesn’t need to be as expensive and stressful as it seems. There are ways you can move on a budget, even with the help of professional companies.
If you’re looking to move on a budget, get a free quote from us today.
