House prices and rental costs remain incredibly expensive. But whether you’re buying a new home or renting, moving costs can be incredibly daunting too. So how can you save money on moving expenses?
Here are several ways to cut down on moving costs and possibly redirect that cash on the new home itself:
Time For A Deep Clean
Before you start packing, take a look at the items you currently have in your home and decide whether it’s worth holding onto them in your new house. On average, households in the United States have 300,000 things in them, many of which end up as clutter that sits around without being used. Take it one room at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself with the size of the task, and soon you’ll have far fewer items you need to worry about moving to your new home.
Moving On The Off-Season
Planning your move for sometime in the next few weeks? You may want to consider putting it off, if possible. Moving during the off-season can help you save on the cost of hiring movers. Most Americans choose to move in the summer. In fact, 1 in 4 of all moves occur in June and July. December is the least popular month to move overall. By choosing a month during the off-season, you’ll be able to take advantage of lower costs offered by movers looking to draw in business year-round.
Network With Family And Friends
If you live near friends and family now or are going to be moving into an area where you’ll be near loved ones, see if you can ask them for some help with your move. You don’t necessarily need to rely exclusively on friends for moving help — sometimes a hybrid move is what you need to get the job done. Friends and family can help throughout the move, or just during one part. Invite some friends and family over to help you pack up different areas of your home, and you’ll be able to look through all the memories you keep in your home while you’re packing. Just be sure to thank them for the help once everything’s done.
Get Creative With Packing
Packing supplies might not seem like a huge cost at first, but they can quickly add up and make your move expensive. Instead, get a bit creative with how you’re packing up your belongings. Look for boxes you may already have around your home to start. Also consider using blankets and pillows to secure fragile items. You’ll be able to skip on paying for extra packing supplies, while still keeping your items safe during the move. You’ll also be creating less waste overall, making this a greener way to move.
With more than 45 million houses occupied by renters in the US, saving money is a reasonably high priority. With that in mind it’s no wonder everybody wants to know how to save money on moving expenses! The reality is, moving costs can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Thankfully, keeping your move organized and affordable reduces stress while you’re settling into your new home.
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One comment on “getting creative with packing.” If you are thinking of hiring a moving company, keep in mind that some movers frown on you supplying the majority of the boxes on your own. Check with them before you go this route. Mine objected to multiple size boxes that I picked up here and there (from friends, back of grocery stores, etc) and charged me extra for them. When it comes to boxes, these guys prefer uniformity.
Good tips. Thank you, Len!
Thank you, Kristen!
Unless it has sentimental value, sell off a lot of your stuff before the move. Most of your things are just used goods and can be easily, quickly and cheaply replaced by hitting a bunch of moving and estate sales in a rich neighborhood near where you move. A young woman moved into a house which she had bought in our neighborhood. She had nothing but her clothing. As she fixed up the house she bought furniture at yard sales, estate sales, moving sales and thrift shops. She painted almost ever single piece of good quality wood furniture white. She bought inexpensive used accessories at house sales in bright jewel tones. She painted the ENTIRE house white inside. When the house was finished and decorated sparsely and tastefully with her recycled stuff she put the house up for sale and it sold quickly for her price. Immediately she held her own house / moving sale and sold all her furnishings for what she paid or a profit. Kathy then loaded her clothing into the back of her car and drove off to her new house with NO moving cost! Used goods are mostly worth pennies on the dollar of the cost when purchased new. Sometimes it’s better to dispose of them before a move, save a pile of cash on moving costs, and buy nice preowned stuff at the new house.