Moving is many things! It is exciting because it represents starting a new chapter of your life. But, at the same time, it is nerve-racking as it is time, energy and of course, money-consuming. You have to hire a moving agency, buy all the moving boxes and materials needed, hire a truck driver and many other moving-related things. Yes, if you are not careful and do not start preparing ahead of time, moving can cost you a fortune. Luckily, there are some things you can do in order for this upcoming move not to break your bank. Thus, if you are interested in some useful and creative ways that can save you money during your move, keep on reading.
Find a New Home
First things first, before you start preparing for this move, you must first find your new home. This is of key importance if you want to prepare your finances to move to a new location and save money. Just think about – you will spend a fortune if you move ahead, settle in a hotel and keep all your belongings in a storage unit while looking for a home. Paying for all of that will cost you even more than the move itself. Thus, start looking for your home as soon as possible. Go online, do market research, and check all the listings. If you have never moved before, it would be a good idea to hire a real estate agent too. And, after you have found your new dream home, get its blueprints. By knowing the right dimensions of each and every room, you will know exactly what to bring with you, and what to leave behind.
Downsize and Declutter
The next step towards moving on a budget is decluttering and downsizing. And, this is when having blueprints really comes in handy. Start by measuring each room, closet and storage space of your new home. Then, plan accordingly. Also, always remind yourself that the more items you plan on relocating, the more expensive your move will be. Thus, if you want to save money on your upcoming move, pack less. Pack only what is necessary, important, and valuable to you! And, for the rest, you have several options. You can donate the items that you do not need to your local charity. Or, you can choose to sell them online – try using Craigslist for example. On the other hand, if you have time to kill, organizing a yard sale is also a great way to get rid of your stuff and make money while doing so.
Hire a Moving Agency
Many people say that hiring a moving agency to handle your relocation will cost you a lot more than doing everything by yourself. Yes, that can be true in some cases. But, be aware of the fact that moving is a complicated process, and that a lot of things can go wrong. And when they do go wrong, there is no going back. This is when people realize that making mistakes while moving is extremely expensive. So, if you have never moved before, and you have no experience with packing and heavy lifting, it would be a good idea to hire a moving agency. Movers are trained professionals who will be able to relocate your belongings safely and in no time. Moreover, you can also save money on movers by booking their services ahead of time.
Get Help
Yes, professionals do it better, and there are many advantages of hiring a moving company, but sometimes we have no other option than to do everything by ourselves. But, do not worry, there is a solution for that too! Instead of hiring movers, you can get help elsewhere. Call everybody you know – friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues. Ask them to help you out, and in return, you can treat them to dinner, for example. You will see that with a few helping hands, everything will go a lot faster and smoother. What is more, you will not have to worry about heavy lifting and all the injuries that come with it, as there will be a lot more people helping you now. Thus, do not hesitate to ask for help as that is the fastest way to move and the best way to save money too!
Be Creative When Packing
It goes without saying that packing materials are expensive. You have to buy tons of cardboard boxes, plastic bins, wrapping paper, plastic wrap and so much more. Yes, all these things are very important when moving, but that does not mean that you need them for every single piece you plan on relocating. Use proper packing materials for items that are fragile and valuable. For the rest, you can turn to some other, creative and money-saving options. For instance, instead of buying plastic wrap and packing paper, use your old newspaper and magazines. Then, try to find moving boxes for free – check your local supermarket, hardware store or stationery shop. Those kinds of stores usually have a lot of boxes they would throw away anyway. Lastly, if you need moving blankets, just use your own blankets or even those bigger towels instead.
Move During the OFF-Season
Another thing that will definitely save you a lot of money is moving during the off-season. It is simple – all moving agencies will offer you cheaper rates if more people aren’t looking to hire them. Most people tend to move during late spring and early summer, and this is when the prices are highest. If you have the freedom of choosing your own moving date, choose wisely. The cheapest time to move is during autumn and winter. Nobody likes to move during these periods because of the weather, the start of the school, and all the holidays. But, if you want to save money, choose these two seasons. It would also be a good idea to book a moving agency ahead of time if you want to get some discounts for early booking too.
Author’s bio
Jennifer Howell is a freelance writer who writes on many different topics including relocation, and financial planning. She has worked with many different companies, including Heart Moving Manhattan NYC, which has helped her gain insight into the world of moving and real estate. In her free time, she enjoys reading and hiking.
