Moving can be a challenging time, especially when it comes to finances. You have to find a new home, pack all your belongings and move them safely, and then unpack them in their new home. This process is even more difficult if you don’t have much money, as moving costs are high. If you’re over budget and overwhelmed by the cost of moving your household goods across town or the country, here are some tips on how to save money when moving.
Sell unwanted and unnecessary things
Whether you’re downsizing or simply cleaning out your closet, selling your items is a great way to make some extra cash. Remember not to forget the cost of listing and shipping them – but if you do all that work yourself, it could end up being more than worth it.
If you want to sell something really big and heavy (like furniture), you should get in touch with local moving companies before setting foot in their office. They might offer better rates if they get the job directly from you instead of dealing with middlemen like Craigslist posters or other people who’ve already got a lot going on in their lives.
Re-purpose furniture and other items
At the end of the day, you’re going to move, and that means you need to have a plan. If you have furniture or other items that can be re-purposed, don’t throw them away or sell them just because they are no longer useful in their current state. Many things can be made into something else with some creativity and effort. Take a look at the items yourself and see what kind of options there are for them. You might be surprised! For example, an old coffee table could become a greenhouse for plants. An old lamp could be turned into a new outdoor decorative light fixture. Also, an old dresser could become a storage space for art supplies in your kid’s room.
You don’t want to buy new things just because you are moving because then what happens when you get settled again? Your money is better spent on something else rather than purchasing something that will only get used occasionally. Instead, think about how much money is already being spent on moving costs alone. Why not use some of those funds toward buying things that will last longer instead?
Make sure that when you store your stuff away, you’re doing it properly so your belongings won’t get damaged while you wait until they return to your life once more!
Use free packing materials
Here are some ideas for free packing materials you might already have at home.
- Newspaper – You can use newspapers instead of bubble wrap to cushion your furniture and belongings. This is an eco-friendly option that will allow you to save money on packing materials.
- Moving blankets – They are also a great way to keep items safe during transit. If you need to get them, the best way is to hire professional packers – they will get all the supplies for you.
- Moving pads – Moving pads are another good alternative to bubble wrap when it comes to protecting fragile objects during transit. However, they do cost more than using newspapers, so make sure they’re worth the extra expense before buying them!
Move during weekdays or off-season
Moving on the weekend is a no-no, but that doesn’t mean you can’t move during the week. You’ll probably have to pay a little more than if you moved during the off-season or one of the holidays, but at least it’s not peak season!
Moving when fewer people are moving around is another good idea. The summer and winter breaks are great times to consider moving since families may be cooped up together for weeks. If you’re lucky enough to plan ahead adequately, consider scheduling your move-around school breaks or vacations too!
Get an accurate estimate for moving cost
It’s important to know what you’re getting into before you do it. If you want to save money when moving, knowing how much your move will cost will help you plan and avoid any surprise costs. If you are getting a moving quote in NYC, make sure to get a written estimate from the movers. This will help you make sure that the price you pay matches up with the amount of time and effort involved.
If a company is offering free estimates, they may be less inclined than others to provide an accurate one – especially if they have no intention of doing any work themselves. The best way around this is by asking for an estimated price based on their labor costs or requesting that they produce a written quote, including all fees.
To sum it up…
No matter what you’re planning to do with your belongings during your move, follow these tips to make sure you spend as little as possible:
- Use a moving company. If you know the going rate for professional movers in your city, see if any local companies can provide the same service for less. For example, suppose there’s a company nearby that gives free estimates and quotes on their website, but charges more than competitors do without offering anything special in return. In that case, it may be worth hiring one of those instead.
- Re-purpose furniture and other items. If you have extra space in your new home (or even just one room), consider using some of it as storage space while selling off extra items from your old home at a yard sale or through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You should plan your furniture arrangement before the move and decide which pieces you need to move or not.
We hope that our tips gave you some great ideas on how to save money when moving. Keep in mind that you’ll be saving money for starting a life in your new home. Calculate your budget well and spend only as needed.
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