7 Ways to Stay Within Your Moving Budget

From the down payment to closing costs and lawyer fees, purchasing a new home can be costly. So it’s only natural that you’d be on a pretty tight budget when it comes to relocating. Moving supplies, moving companies, and the costs of moving your belongings from one place to another can be enough to set you over the top. Unless you have the means to leave everything behind and start over, you’re going to need to come up with a game plan to ensure that you save on moving. Here are some suggestions below:
1. Shop Around
There are probably several household moving companies servicing your area. The site for North American moving services allows you to get a quote on how much it will cost to move from one location to another. Be sure to get a detailed list of what this estimate will include so that you can make the most informed decision.
2. Choose an Off-Peak Moving Date
Instead of moving during the summer, on the weekends, or at the top of the month like most do, it is probably best for you to strategically plan your moving date. Moving during off-peak times can save you money and also ensure that you get the reservation you want. Try moving during the winter or during the week so that it doesn’t cost as much.
3. Take a Few Loads Yourself
Once you’ve got the keys to your new place, you’re free to enter at any time. Chances are if it’s nearby, you intend to travel to the property a few times to get things prepared. As you’re paying a visit to your new home, you can take a few loads of belongings with you. This will lighten the load for the moving company and save you money. Of course, you’ll want to take things that you aren’t going to need right away so that you don’t start scrambling for it later.
4. Stop Buying Groceries
As your moving date moves closer you may want to pump the brakes on your groceries. Packing perishable items and can goods only adds to the things you have to take with you which adds to the costs. Start using things around the house and get creative with meal prep so that you consume most of the food.
5. Get Rid of Things You Don’t Want
You can dramatically lower the cost of your move by simply minimizing the amount of items you have to take with you. Anything you haven’t used in a while can be donated or sold for extra cash. Try to be honest with this process as it makes no sense to transport junk that will only take up space and add to your moving costs. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in a year, chances are you’re not going to need it.
6. Get Free Moving Supplies
Instead of buying moving supplies you can save money by finding them for free. For instance, if you work in an office, it might be easy for you to get unused copy paper boxes for storage. All you need to do is let your coworkers know you’re moving and ask them to provide you with boxes as they become empty. As for protecting fragile items, instead of buying bubble wrap, you can use linens like sheets and towels to prevent them from being damaged during the move. If you have to purchase moving supplies, investing in dual purpose items like tapeless moving boxes would be ideal to save money.
7. Buy Moving Insurance
Insurance is a cost effective way to save money on a move. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your own place and finding out that your 60 inch flat screen has been damaged. If you’re not covered, this will be an expense you have to replace. However, if you have insurance, you will be protected financially.
Moving should be an exciting time for a person. They are leaving behind the old and embarking on new territory. However, if you’re not careful, the cost of moving can set you back more than you may have planned for. The above seven tips should certainly give you a head start on how you can begin moving without going bankrupt. Then you can save you extra cash for cool things like decorating your new home.