It’s incredibly easy to get overwhelmed while moving. It’s expensive; it’s hard work; and there are tons of tough decisions to be made. Fortunately, whether you’re moving across the country or just across town, the task can be made much easier and much cheaper than you may think. With a bit of organization and a handful of tips, you actually CAN move on a tight budget with a little less stress.
Source: Responsible Moving
This is the very first step you should take. Figure out what you really want to take with you to your new home, and get rid of the rest. The more you’re able to get rid of before your move, the easier and cheaper your move will be. Most professional moving companies charge by weight and/or square footage, so the less you have, the cheaper it will be. Consider large furniture for example. You should probably measure your biggest items to make sure they are going to fit in your new home. If not, you may want to sell them and purchase new pieces when the time comes. Additionally, selling your unused and unwanted items at a yard sale can even make you some extra cash before your big move!
Source: Moving
This is a no-brainer. Why would you pay for something that you can get for free just as easily? If you hire movers, you’re more than likely going to have to pay them for boxes as well. Instead, start saving boxes from purchases and shipments. Take empty boxes home from work. Let your friends and families know that you’re collecting boxes so they can start saving for you as well. Post on social networks that you’re in need of moving boxes. Ask local business, such as grocery stores, liquor stores, and clothing stores. You’d be surprised by how many people are more than willing to get rid of their empty boxes!
Source: US Storage Search
If you don’t have much to move and you’re not moving too far away, you should definitely consider moving yourself, rather than hiring professional movers to do it for you. Even if you would rather hire a moving company to transport your belongings, you should at least do all of your packing - and maybe even your loading and unloading - for yourself. This saves an incredible amount of money, as many professional moving companies make a great deal of their money on packing rates. Just be sure to pack your belongings very carefully, as you cannot hold movers accountable for damage to items that they didn’t pack for you.
Source: Huffington Post
Summertime is the most popular time to move. Because of this, it is also the most expensive time to move, as the demand for movers is very high. If at all possible, avoid moving in June or July. The farther away from these months, the better. Rates tend to be lowest between September and May, and this is when you have the best luck negotiating with moving companies about their rates. Furthermore, moving on a weekday instead of a weekend also saves a few pennies!
Source: Bruce Howard Realtor
If you’re moving for any business purposes, ask your employer to cover some of your moving costs. It is not uncommon for employers to help pay for some of the moving expenses, as long as the move is business-related. Even if your employer does not help pay for any of your relocation costs, you can still deduct some of your moving expenses on your income tax return. Just be sure to check the exact IRS rules surrounding this. Your best bet is to keep track of all of your moving expenses and then meet with a tax advisor or accountant in order to get the most advantage.
Despite all of the hard work and tough decisions, moving can actually be made a bit cheaper if you put your mind and efforts to it! With the right mindset and these five helpful tips, you’ll find that moving can actually be cheap and fun! Good luck!
