When you are moving things can get quite expensive quickly. That is why it is so important to create a moving budget and to try to cut costs whenever it is possible. There are many things that you can do to cut your costs and stay on budget when moving.
Below are some strategies that will help you to succeed with your move and save money.
Choosing DIY Or Moving Yourself
Many people automatically assume that they should do their moving. They think that a moving service will be more expensive than what they can afford.
However, often you will spend more renting a U-Haul and moving the stuff yourself than you would have had you just went ahead and hired a professional to move your belongings. Check the prices of moving companies around your area, and then compare it to how much you would spend if you move everything yourself.
In most cases, you will find that hiring a moving company will help your budget more than you moving the items yourself would.
Save Money on Boxes
Never pay for moving boxes. They can be very expensive and are a waste of money. If you look around, you will have no trouble finding moving boxes for free. Look at your local yard sale groups online to see if anyone is giving away moving boxes. You can also go by retail stores and grocery stores to see if they have any boxes. Go by your local liquor store as well. They will have heavier boxes that are great for moving fragile items.
Declutter Before Moving
One of the best things that you can do before you move is to declutter your home. Get rid of items that you do not use. You can sell these or donate to a local charity or thrift store. When you declutter, you remove a lot of things that you will no longer need to pack up. This will help you not to have to pack these items. A good rule of thumb is that if you have not used an item within six months, you should get rid of it.
Ship Your Books
If you have a lot of books, consider shipping them to yourself. USPS has shipping with US Media Male that is cheap. Shipping your books will save you room when you move initially, and help you have more space for your other belongings. You can ship over 20 pounds of books for a little over $11. While it is just a small thing, this will help you to get your books to your new home securely while saving money.
Reusable Wrapping
Instead of going out to purchase expensive bubble wrap to protect your items during the move, consider packing everything with extra clothing, sheets, curtains, and other linens. This will allow you to avoid the cost of packing material and even help the environment. Make sure that you wrap everything securely, and you should have no trouble with this option.
Moving can be expensive, but there are ways that you can save money during this process. Make sure that you take a look at all of your options when you sit down to make your budget. Following the tips above will help you to lower your budget, and have more money to live on once you move.