Between closing costs, security deposits, movers, moving supplies, and storage, moving isn’t cheap. In fact, it costs an average of $1,250 to move locally, and even more for long-distance moves – as much as $4,890!1 Some of these expenses are unavoidable, but with some extra attention and planning, you can cut down on moving costs. Here are some tips for moving without overspending your budget.
Move in the Winter
Summertime is peak moving time because of the warm weather, kids being out of school, and more homes coming on the market. However, moving during the off-season can help you save. Movers aren’t as busy during September through April2, meaning scheduling will be easier and rates will be lower. Moving during the week is also less expensive than moving on the weekend, since movers aren’t as busy.
Get Creative with Packing Supplies
Though moving boxes only cost a few dollars each, they add up fast when you think about how many you need to pack everything you own. Scout out free boxes for a cost-effective way to transport your belongings to your new home. Start by asking friends and coworkers if they have any you can use. Next, look at listings on social media and websites for buying and selling items. People who have recently moved will often list their used moving boxes for free or cheap. Many grocery stores, liquor stores, and other businesses that receive regular shipments will also give away boxes, so it doesn’t hurt to call around. In place of bubble wrap, you can use newspaper, sheets and towels to wrap breakable items. Saving on packing supplies makes it that much easier to stick to your moving budget.
Research Your Options
First, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to hire movers or do it yourself. Do you have friends or family that can help you move? If so, renting a moving truck and moving yourself could save you a lot of money. However, if you have a lot of heavy furniture, it might be in your best interest to hire a moving company for your larger items and only move smaller boxes yourself.
If you do choose to hire movers, get quotes from a few different companies and negotiate your price. Keep in mind, though, that the cheapest option is not necessarily going to be the quickest or most reputable. It’s more important to get your belongings to your new home in one piece than to save a few bucks, but then have to replace items that were damaged.
Have Everything Ready to Go
Movers typically charge by the hour, so it’s in your best interest to have all your packing completed and your boxes sealed and labeled. Make sure larger items can fit through entryways and disassemble your furniture in advance. Preparing in advance makes the movers’ jobs easier and shaves some money off your moving costs, too.
Toss the Clutter
It’s no secret that moving takes a lot more effort when you have more stuff. The more you own, the longer it takes to sort through and pack, and the more effort it will take to move, which means the perfect time to declutter and downsize is before a move. Go through each room and pick out the items you no longer use, won’t have room for, or that are in poor condition. This might include scratched cutting boards, expired products, old technology or notebooks, or clothes that don’t fit. Additionally, purge any items you don’t love, like old wall art or gifts you aren’t crazy about. Sell valuable items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, then donate or trash the rest.
Instant Debit Card Funding
If you’ve tried all your options and you’re still struggling with your moving budget, you might consider taking out a loan with LendNation. We offer instant debit card funding and you can get your money transferred straight to your bank account in as little as 30 minutes. Get the cash you need to move stress-free by visiting a LendNation store or our website today.
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