If you’ve had the experience of conducting a move at least once in your life, we’re pretty sure you must have been surprised at just how expensive the entire ordeal surmounts to be. From packing to loading and then transporting, moving is costly, and this is the reason why a lot of people postpone opting for a move for as long as they can. But the good news is that not all moves have to be expensive.
Since moving encompasses a lot of steps, it also makes sense that each of them presents opportunities to save money. Luckily, we’re going to help you spot these opportunities and make the best of them. Stay tuned for the best tips for a cost-efficient move so the process doesn’t have to end up costing you a lot!
Start by shedding.
There is no bigger favor you can do your future-self during a move than getting rid of items that no longer serve you. A bigger load means a greater cost, this is because most moving companies change according to weight, and if you’re just letting things pile up without considering that they might be trash, you’re just piling up cost. Moreover, you’re also skipping on a very useful opportunity to generate some cash to help with your move.
Decluttering isn’t only helpful in terms of trimming fat for a move but also because it can help you identify items that you can sell. Something that might no longer be of use to you could be something that someone else would be ready to give you money to have. Be smart in figuring that out because, ultimately, you’re going to need all the extra cash you can get to afford the move. Remember that hoarding is the number one enemy of a cost-efficient move.
Don’t spend on moving supplies.
Having good packing supplies is a must, but that does not translate as you having to spend a lot of money to procure them. You’ll be shocked at just how willing people and businesses around you are to give away boxes and packing equipment free of cost. That’s mostly just eating up storage space for them, and people love to be of service to others during a move. Since there are a lot of options in terms of people to ask from, you’ll have many choices in terms of quality too.
The only thing you need to be mindful of is to refrain at all costs from over-packing; this will help you get by even if the quality of the supplies you’ve received is on the lighter side. Make sure to save cost on packing supplies but don’t let that backfire by over-packing and over-stuffing boxes. Nothing can compensate for prudent packing, and it ends up becoming the number one determinant of a smooth move. A cost-efficient move is all about finding opportunities to spend less and make smart choices too.
Skip on the movers.
Movers certainly sound like an attractive option, especially when the thought of packing your entire universe and then having it transported to another location comes to mind. But when you look back, it’s an unnecessary cost that you can definitely do without. Call upon the help of family and friends for tasks that are too demanding for you. Or, ask them to babysit your children while you get all of your moving tasks in order.
Neighbors are also more than willing to help out with a move, so remember that there is no harm in asking. Another technique is to distribute tasks within the family to refrain from over-burdening just one or two people. All in all, remember that there are a lot of alternatives to professional assistance during a move. They’re a lot cheaper and just as efficient, too, if you have the right people around you! Don’t put all the pressure on yourself as you try to navigate a cost-efficient move.
Pick an off-season moving date.
This might be brand new information to you, but moving costs change from time to time. Certain sections of the year are more busy and popular when it comes to moving and naturally make for must costlier estimates from moving companies. Seasons when the weather is most pleasant or times that are largely spaced apart from holidays are regarded as the most popular for a move. You can save by opting for times of the year when other people don’t consider it best to move.
Business is slow for moving companies as compared to other times, and thus, they can assist you with moves and transportation at much cheaper rates. Do your research and figure out when moving will end up costing less in terms of your own area and the moving company you want to hire. The best tip for a cost-efficient move is to consider multiple dimensions when picking a moving date, and pricing should definitely be at the forefront of that.
Save on food.
One thing which moving won’t deter in your everyday life is the human need to eat. You’re going to need to have meals fixed for the whole family, and lots of people end up eating out or ordering takeaway during some days before the move and lots of days after it too. Takeout food is not only unhealthy but incredibly expensive too, which means that it will end up contributing to the cost of your entire move.
An easy way to avoid these unneeded moving costs is to plan meals in advance and freeze them. You can make bigger portions of the same meals and have them stored for use at a later time. This will also come incredibly in handy when you’re absolutely tired and famished on a moving day and have a homemade meal hot and ready to be eaten. Remember that saving money during a move is all about identifying sneaky hidden costs that might seem small but eventually build up to become a very expensive affair.