6 Tips and Tricks for Making Moving Affordable
Monday, November 2, 2020, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
When it’s time to relocate to a new area, everything that a move entails adds to the stress of this big life event.
This includes budgeting for the costs that the move will entail.
This guide offers some tips for cutting those costs, so you can save on your moving budget.
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Shop for Movers
When it’s time to hire a Boston moving service, or wherever you are headed, don’t hire the cheapest or first company you find. This can end up costing you more in the long run if they’re not insured, lack experience, or provide inadequate services. It’s better to take your time and compare several different companies.
Some moderately priced companies provide better quality and more services, while also providing proof that they’re licensed and insured. Additionally, some movers are open to negotiation especially when there are other companies in the area that are quoting you a lower price. Don’t be afraid to bargain for a better deal.
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Start Collecting Boxes Early
Depending on the size of your home, you should start packing several months in advance. While a two-bedroom home can usually be packed away in a month or two, a four-bedroom home will require five to six months to pack everything up. This means you should start collecting boxes a year ahead of time.
When you collect boxes from department stores instead of buying new boxes, you can save a significant amount of money on packing supplies. You’ll still have to buy tape and plastic wrap, but getting free boxes can save on your spending considerably.
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Shut Off Utilities Early
Unless you coincide with your move date with the end of the billing cycle on your utilities, you could be charged for an extra month. You can avoid this needless expenditure by shutting your utilities off a month early. This is easier with cable television and internet services, but you can also manage without gas and electricity for one month.
Work out a plan with a nearby family member to see if they will let you prepare meals, bathe, and do laundry at their home. If you’re willing to pitch in on the utility costs, they may be willing to accommodate you for a month.
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Do Your Spring Cleaning
Before you pack anything, take the time to plan what you’re taking as you move to a new home. Except for seasonal clothes and tools, anything that hasn’t been used in six months or more should be sold or thrown away.
It’s also a good idea to go by the $20 rule. This involves throwing away anything that can be replaced for $20 or less. Reducing what you’ll take with you will help you use less space in the moving truck, which will help you get a lower rate from the moving company.
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Save on Bubble Wrap
If you’ve already been pricing packing materials, you may have noticed that bubble wrap can get pretty expensive. If you have a large amount of fragile or breakable items, the cost of wrapping it all in bubble wrap can mount up considerably.
You can save most of that money by wrapping fragile items in clothes, bedsheets, and curtains. This will also save you on the number of boxes you’ll need since your clothes will be packed away with dishes, antiques, and your other breakables.
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Don’t Move on the Weekend
The day of the week and time of the year you move will also have a bearing on how much the relocation will cost. Even if you’re just moving to another area within the same city, moving on a weekend when there’s higher demand will cost you more money. If you can move on a weekday, rates will be lower.
Similarly, planning your move for the offseason will also save you money. Movers will have lower rates, gas prices will be lower, and even hotel rooms will be available at more reasonable rates. If you’re moving to another state, getting into a hotel room for a cheaper rate may save you up to $100 or more, depending on the location.
Your ability to save some spending on your move will give you an extra cushion to cover expenses you didn’t anticipate as you settle into your new home. Being frugal with your move will help you get to your new home with less stress and more cash.
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