According to financial guru Dave Ramsey, the average cost of a long-distance move with a moving company can range from $2,000 to $5,000. And, considering most of us will move more than once in our lives, forking over a $5,000 check is none too pretty.
This is when most people start to wonder how to save money while moving. Without cutting corners, since these are our most prized possessions, there has to be a way to chip away at that price tag.
Of course, where there’s a will, there’s a way! Start doing your shoulder and back stretches because we have your step-by-step guide to pocketing a little bit here and a little more there.
Step 1: Cull Out the Excess
First, the more you have, the more it’ll cost you to move. The more boxes your movers have to carry, the more they’ll charge you (since they typically charge at an hourly rate). Also, the more specialty items you have, e.g., a piano or antique 500 lb. armoires, the more they’ll charge you for heavyweight items.
So, if there are things you can cull out and donate to your local thrift store, start there. (Don’t forget to claim the approximate amount you donated on your taxes.) This will also remove some anxiety that surges when you look around and wonder how you’ve accumulated so much stuff and how you will pack it all up.
Step Two: Hunt for Moving Boxes
Don’t spend a hundred dollars or more on moving boxes unless there’s no avoiding it. Since there are so many places around town to scoop up empty cardboard boxes, it’s almost silly to shell out money on something you can pick up for free.
Start with the liquor stores. Those guys unload sturdy boxes around the clock. All you have to do is stop in, ask if that’s something they’d do, and then load up your car. You can do this a few times a week around town, and you’ll likely do quite well.
If you or someone you know works in an office, you can score big on printer paper boxes, office supplies, Amazon boxes, and more. So, take time to do a little bit of poking around and save yourself a Benjamin or two by picking up boxes around town.
Step Three: Scavenge for Miscellaneous Supplies
Of course, it’s not all about moving boxes (which cost a fortune) from your local stationery store. Families are also tempted to purge their bank accounts with bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Instead, salvage old newspapers and magazines.
Also, use your blankets, linens, towels, socks, and rags as cushioning for your fragile items. The only thing that’s almost unavoidable is packing tape. But, in the end, if that’s all you had to pay for, you’ve done quite well for yourself.
Step Four: Compare Moving Company Quotes
Our first three tips are under the assumption that one of the ways you’d like to save money is by packing up your home yourself. And, if you have the time to scour for recycled supplies and do it yourself, this will lower the cost of your move.
If, however, you’re crunched for time and can’t get creative like this, then, in some cases, professional movers can be more cost-effective.
Consider it kind of a bundle deal. When you pay for fresh moving supplies, secure a rental truck, and hire movers to come out and haul your boxes, you may come out on top by allowing a moving company to do it all for you.
However, you must select wisely; not all moving companies are made the same. Some charge more or less based on the number of stairs and rooms in your home. Others charge varying rates after the first hour or two of your move. Insurance rates will also vary. So, it’s essential to spend quality time price shopping.
Step Five: Choose Your Shutdown Dates Wisely
Do you shudder when you hear about friends and family who have to carry two mortgages during a move? That has to hurt. On a slightly lesser scale, it’s also a bummer when people have to pay for cable, Internet, and utilities across two houses.
If you’re able, try to shut everything down so you’re not carrying a bill for two properties. Even if this means you have to forego the Internet for a week or water for a day, try to avoid this dreadful scenario where you have to pay for services you’re not benefiting from.
Step Six: Be Wise About Personal Travel Expenses
We’re trying to do the math in our heads right now… It’s probably safe to say that an average convenience store stop for a Subway sandwich, drink, and snack will chime in at about $20. Suppose you’re a family of four. Do this twice daily for three days. Be prepared to let another $100 bill fly out the window.
This doesn’t even include hotel costs, excellent sit-down meals at a restaurant, and gas prices. Well, that last one, gas, you can’t avoid.
But food and drink can be drastically reduced. You have to invest in a styrofoam cooler, some ice, sandwich materials, snacks, and a couple of bottles of Gatorade. Travel expenses tend to be an “after the fact” thought. So, oftentimes, families forget to find unique ways to reduce this bill. But you don’t have to.
That’s How To Save Money While Moving
And there you have it! If you walk through each of these steps, you’ll come out of your latest move feeling like a champ. The rest of the world wonders how to save money while moving. Know that you can do it with this roadmap to success.
Here at Moving Relocation, we’re your go-to for free moving quotes. Just pop in your current zip code. And we’ll get you to your future zip code while saving you hundreds of dollars. Start here to begin researching the best quote for your brand-new life today.