Moving is an expensive process whether moving into your first apartment after college or buying your second home for your family. We have rounded up some tips to help lower your moving costs, in honor of October being financial planning month.
Plan Ahead
As best you can, start planning your move ahead of time. You can do things like creating a budget, and use a calendar to keep track of expenses and keep yourself on a timeline. With more time, you have more opportunities to research and therefore more chances at saving money.
Purge and Declutter
Go through your entire home and get rid of miscellaneous items that no longer serve you. Donate them to a local shelter or charity, have a garage sale to bring in some cash, or have them hauled away. Doing this in advance also allows you to be strategic with what stays and what goes. Having less items also makes your move cheaper; renting a smaller truck, using less boxes.
Get Multiple Opinions & Negotiate
If you are hiring movers or car transports, things of that nature, meet with multiple people before choosing one. Getting different quotes, timelines, opinions will help you make the best choice for your situation. Compare rates, services, and testimonials to find what works for you. Don’t be afraid to negotiate either, often just asking will get you a small discount.
Moving in the Off-Season
Often late spring and summer can be the busiest time of the year to move, and also the most expensive. If you have the choice, try to move in the fall and winter and on weekdays as opposed to weekends to find cheaper rates.
Do-It-Yourself & Ask for Help
Recruit your family and friends to help with your move, often they will take payment in the form of a cup of coffee. If you have the time, move in multiple trips or rent a truck to avoid hiring movers. Reuse boxes and containers so you purchase less supplies. Utilize newspaper, old blankets, and shipping boxes instead of purchasing new moving supplies.
Stay Organized & Pack Efficiently
Use labels and create lists in order to keep track of your belongings. This goes hand-in-hand with planning ahead, by taking the time to figure out how to maximize space and pack strategically you can save yourself a lot of money and the headache of unpacking.
