Let’s be honest. Nobody likes to move. In fact, it's
probably one of the most dreaded events in your entire life, next to a root
canal or a kidney stone. Yes, moving to a new place can be exciting. And the
thought of decorating a new house can open up doors of creative potential. But
the actual process of having to move from point A to point B can be stressful
at best, and an absolute nightmare at worst. Plus, it's expensive. In fact,
according to the American Moving and Storage Association, a typical in-state
move can cost you as much as $1200. Whereas moving to another state can cost
you up to $5700. And these are average estimates. So, how can you save yourself
money and stress during your move?
In this article we will share with you a few
tips on how to save money and maybe help keep you from going insane.
Move During Off-Season
When you decide to move during off-season, you can save big
money with moving companies. This is because during peak moving seasons, moving
companies are in higher demand and will up their prices. However, if you
decided to move, let's say during the winter, you can save yourself a bundle.
Yes, no one loves the idea of moving during the winter when the temperatures
are freezing and there's ice on the sidewalk. But, compared to the hundreds of
dollars you'll spend otherwise, it may not seem in such a bad idea.
Another way you can save money by moving during off-season
is by moving on a weekday or avoiding moving at month end. Again, this is
because during weekends moving companies are in higher demand, as well as the
month end. So, opt for a week day moving date and shoot for the 2nd week of the
month.
Avoid Guesstimates
Moving companies sometimes love to give you vague rough
estimates about how much a move is going to cost. So, avoid any surprises and
make sure you nail down a contract with the moving company before you even have
them come and pick up your items. Also, be aware that there are Ponzi schemes
out there, and some moving companies are neither reputable nor reliable. So, do
your research and find a reputable moving company that will help you nail down
an exact moving price. So, you can avoid guesstimates that end up costing you
hundreds of more dollars in the end.
Lighten Your Load
One of the best ways you can save money when you move is by
lightening your load. This means taking all those items that you honestly no
longer need and donating them to places like Salvation Army or Goodwill. Or,
you can even hold a yard sale that will help you bring in extra income for your
move. By having fewer items you'll be able to save on your move because you
won't have to purchase as much space in a moving truck, or you can rent a
smaller truck.
Find Free or
Inexpensive Shipping Supplies
One expense many movers fail to include in their moving
budget is shipping supplies. Shipping supplies can add up over time, so do your
best to find cheap or free supplies that can help you make your move. For
instance, you can find free boxes at almost any local grocery store or box
store. By finding free boxes alone, you can drop your shipping supplies budget
almost in half.
When you take beds, tables, and wall units apart yourself
and then put them back together, you can save yourself quite a bit of money.
This is because fewer services are required of the movers and therefore it'll
cost you less on your rate. For example, if you're taking your bed and
furniture apart to resemble upon delivery, you can take off as much as 10% to
15% of the total price.
While moving is never necessarily a fun endeavor, it doesn't
have to be overly stressful or break your bank completely. By following these
tips and planning ahead, you can save yourself time, energy, and sanity along
the way. Happy moving!
