6 Tips To Save Your Moving Funds

 

There’s no doubt that, while exciting, moving can be an expensive process – and although that may be true, there are steps you can take to save funds during your move. All it takes is a little planning and some insider knowledge. Keep reading to discover the simple ways you can stretch your moving budget.

Estimate the Cost of Moving

Coming up with a reasonable estimate of all the costs involved in moving is a good place to start when trying to save money. Do your best to make a list of associated expenses and price it all out. For example, find out how much professional movers cost in your area for the size of your home. And calculate how many boxes you’ll need for each room of your house. If you’re moving yourself, some costs to consider are the price of a moving van and gas, packing supplies, and cleaning supplies for after you’re finished. If you’re buying a home, don’t forget to include closing costs and real estate fees. After you calculate the total estimated costs, then you can create and start sticking to a workable budget for your move.

Choosing the Right Time Frame to Move

Did you know it’s actually less expensive to move during certain times of the year? It can depend on the city, but generally, it’s cheaper to move from late September to early April, as the summer is the most popular time to move, especially for college students with expiring leases. This means that moving costs go up in the summer when demand for services, such as professional movers, is higher. You’re more likely to get a deal if you schedule your move for an “off-peak” time.

Consider a Portable Storage Pod

You may have considered moving by yourself to save money, but you aren’t sure you want the hassle. For example, you may have a lot of stuff and are making a cross-country move. If this is the case, consider renting a portable storage pod. A storage company will drop off a pod at your home that you fill with everything you want to take with you. Then, they come to pick it up on the specified date and move it to your new location. While this is a little less convenient than hiring professional movers, it allows you to save some funds on long-distance moves.

Save on Packing Supplies

It may not be necessary to purchase all new packing supplies for your move. Ask friends and neighbors to donate their boxes to your move or ask local businesses to put a few aside for you. You can also utilize soft items, such as towels and bedding, to cushion delicate items instead of buying rolls of bubble wrap or packing paper.

Save Costs on Moving Day 

If you decide to hire professional movers to move across town or if you're moving long distance, make sure you plan and pack strategically, as many moving companies charge by the hour. Save time and money by measuring your furniture against the points of access in your home and planning for any potential challenges. This way, movers don’t have to spend extra time disassembling sofas or taking off table legs. It also saves time to have all your boxes packed and ready to load on the truck when the movers arrive, allowing them to focus on the actual move instead of packing up your home.

Sell What You Don’t Need

Go through all your belongings, such as clothes, toys, and furniture, and decide what you can sell and what you want to take with you. Not only will selling some things you no longer use give you a little extra money for your moving budget but moving with less stuff also means you save money on packing supplies. And as an added bonus, when you reach your destination, you won’t have to worry about finding places for things you don’t really want or need.