Moving is not a cheap thing. Many unavoidable costs and moving pieces must be accounted for when budgeting and saving for your upcoming move. Fortunately, there are some areas where you can save some money if you prepare in advance. Take a look at six of our favorite penny-pinching tips.
Moving in the Off-Season
It’s not always possible to decide when you are going to move, but if you are afforded that flexibility, avoid moving during the peak moving season. That means moving before or after summer. Summer is a busy time for moving because people like to wait for the longer days and when their kids are out of school. If you can move in the winter, spring, or fall months, you will find that prices decrease and availability for storage and moving services will increase. Finding a moving company that can assist you during the off-season will be a key factor for this.
Using Common Stuff as Bubble Wrap
If you look around the house, you will probably find many different things that can be used to wrap your fragile items. Old newspapers, magazines, tissue paper, and old grocery bags are just a few different things people like to put in between fragile items like dishes. You can also use clothing, blankets, sheets, cushions, and other soft items to help fill boxes that include fragile items.
Sell or Donate Your Stuff
Hosting an outdoor moving sale is a great way to make some extra money before a move. It’s always a good idea to downsize before a move, so go through your stuff and see what items you have that are just taking up space. If you do not want to have a yard sale, see if you can find a local shelter or ministry that can come pick up your gently used items. Just remember, the more you can get rid of, the less you must pack up and move.
Ask Friends and Family For Help
You can hire companies to help you pack up your house and even carry all your furniture and boxes to your portable storage container, but they can be expensive. Ask your family and friends if anyone can help for free or for a reasonable price. If all else fails, professional labor assistance can be found, and you can work with the company to try and find a price point that works within your budget.
Meal Prep or Have Easy to Create Meals
One moving cost that tends to get overlooked when planning the budget is food. It’s hard to cook when you are so busy—especially if most of your kitchen is packed up. Plan ahead by having some easy meals and food available, so you do not have to spend a lot of money ordering take-out and delivery. Most local grocery stores usually offer a very affordable family meal off the hot bar that is healthier and cheaper than traditional take-out.
Whenever you are ready to book your local or long-distance move or get storage, give 1-800-PACK-RAT a call at 1-800-722-5728 or contact us online. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about our different sized containers and services and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote. Whatever your moving and storage needs may be, 1-800-PACK-RAT makes it simple.