Moving is not cheap, but there are ways you can save on moving costs. There is no need to spend more than needed with the following tips. Regardless of whether you are moving across the town or across the country, moving will be stressful if you don’t do things right. Most of the people underestimate how much it will cost them, and they are forced to borrow or use money meant for other things. There are some unavoidable costs, but there are some areas you can easily save on provided you put in a little-time and effort.
De-cluttering Before Packing
You can save a lot of time, money, and space if you de-clutter before your move. Getting rid of some items you don’t use is going to save you a lot. You will be surprised at how much you can get rid of. Go through all your stuff from clothing, cookware, and even furniture. Note down items you have not used for a while because you aren’t going to need them any time soon. People have no idea about the amount of stuff they own until they note them down. You can conveniently save yourself hundreds of dollars in moving costs by downsizing. Movers charge by the hour. The less belongings you have, the less time it is going to take.
You can also make some extra money by getting rid of unwanted items. The cash you get will be used for your moving costs, which lowers how much you have to spend from your own pocket. There are different methods to sell items. An easy way is using online platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. A garage-sale is a good idea if you have enough time. If you don’t want to sell the items but want to get rid of them, consider donating them.
Booking Movers at a Strategic Time
You should know the cost of hiring movers varies from time to time. The amount you can expect to pay on the weekday is not the same as the weekend, on-season is not the same as off-season, and end month is not the same as mid-month. You can expect to pay less when you choose affordable moving companies on a weekday, off-season, and mid-month.
Movers charge less for weekdays because many people prefer to move during the weekend. Monday, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays have the lowest costs with the highest availability. The last weekend of the month tends to be the busiest and the most expensive; avoid it. If you can schedule your move during the off-season, you will save yourself a lot in moving costs. Choosing a less busy day to move can save you 20-30% of your moving costs, which is a lot. Figure out the least busy days, and you can save a lot.
Speaking with The Internet, Cable, and Utility Providers
The last thing you want is to pay twice for your mortgage or rent, internet, utilities, and cable. You should try your best to avoid such a situation. You need to align the beginning and end dates for accounts, and this will involve calling your provider and asking about proration. Many internet and cable companies have impressive deals for new accounts, take advantage of such deals.
Be Creative with Moving Supplies
The cost of moving supplies – this includes tape, boxes, padding, and bubble wrap – is going to add up fast. Thinking outside of the box can help you save hundreds on moving supplies. Before you can buy packing material, make sure you have utilized every baskets, hampers, and suitcase. Towels and socks will save you on bubble wrap because you can use them to pad delicate items.
There are a lot of places you can easily find boxes for free. Local businesses and big-box retailers usually have cardboard boxes that they need to get rid of. You can also ask your friends, family, and neighbors, whether they have moving boxes. You can easily save hundreds of dollars while benefitting the environment at the same time.
Pack It Yourself
You can save a lot by packing things yourself. Packing takes a lot of time because you are not as experienced as movers. Packing is one of the most expensive aspects of moving because it requires a lot of time and work. The movers will load and unload your belongings. You can have the movers deal with furniture because it is the most complicated part of the move.
Start packing early because it will allow you to be done with everything when the day of the move comes. You can choose to pack one room at a time, starting with items you don’t use regularly.
Prepare Meals in Advance
Take outs and pizza have become part of moving, but doing that over a couple of days or weeks will add up. Many people don’t realize how much they spend on their foods, which is why most of them don’t give it much thought. Planning your meal allows you to eat healthy while saving a lot. This can be as simple as making a lot of food before the move and putting them in the freezer. All you have to do is take them out of the freezer and into the oven. Moving doesn’t have to be that expensive. The tips above will go a long way in helping you lower the costs of moving and save a lot.