Save Money for Your Long Distance Move
Moving can be expensive, especially when you are setting up a new residence across the county. But, the good news is you might be able to save more than you think with some creativity and planning for when that big day arrives. Try going through this list of cost reducing tips to see if you can find more wiggle room in your budget for a more enjoyable moving experience.
Declutter Your Home
So, you have decided to move to a far away land. Sounds like a great adventure! Now, how will you move all your stuff? What if you had less stuff to move? Whether you are selling your home and buyers need to see a move-in ready version of your house or you are wanting to shed some items for a cheaper moving rate, it is time to host that garage sale, upcycle your old clothing and furniture online, or donate unwanted items to those in need.
Going through each drawer, closet and storage bin does not have to be such a heavy chore, though. If you have a few months, set aside time each week for decluttering one room in your home to lighten the burden. Then, try selling your gently used or repurposed items for some easy moving cash!
Declutter Your Finances
When is the last time you reviewed each dollar spent to see if your budget could shed some weight? It has never been easier to download your expenditures from your checking account, savings account and credit card account to see where the money goes. Much like tracking your diet for weight loss purposes, the key to finding savings in your budget is to be honest about all your expenditures and totaling the amount you need to spend versus what you normally like to spend.
Think you have a healthy budget already? There are usually some freebies out there you could use in place of common household goods. Check out this list of freebie finding apps to learn more and use coupon apps like The Krazy Coupon Lady to get more savings. Also, try asking for samples from companies or take a pic of your receipts to upload to a myriad of apps that give cash back or gift cards just for showing them what you bought like Receipt Hog. Use this time to challenge your family on who can save the most before the move.
Locate Cheap or Free Boxes
Admittedly, boxes are getting pricier and options to find free boxes are decreasing with recycling efforts. Check with one of our relocation specialist at Coastal Carrier Moving & Storage for used boxes or on Freecycle, a grassroots nonprofit of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Also, locally owned stores generally do not have crushing equipment, and, despite having a smaller number of boxes to choose from, they may be the perfect place to start because of their nearby location.
Move in the Middle
All moving companies, real estate professionals, and related services will tell you moving in the middle is your best chance and getting the lowest rates for a move. Whenever feasible, plan all your moving appointments in the middle of the week and in the middle of the school year. This is the least popular time to pack up the family, so your moving company, real estate professionals, and other related companies tend to be more flexible with their appointment times and rates.
Pack Light Items Yourself with Labels
There are large furniture pieces that will require extra help packing. Otherwise, if you have the time, purchase your own packing materials and wrap or box your items with proper labelling to avoid the added service fee of having the professionals do it. Then again, with the other tips in this article, you may have saved enough to relax and leave it all to the pros!
Hire a Professional
While this seems counterproductive in the cost savings department, it can actually be a huge help when it comes to your time, avoidance of physical injury, and overall peace of mind. Professional movers offer insurance for your belongings and take all the heavy lifting off your shoulders. Plus, hiring a moving company means your friends and family members are not inconvenienced or injured in the move as well. Purely speaking monetarily, you save significant amounts of money when you compare the xray costs, ongoing chiropractor fees, and missed days at work with hiring a professional moving company.
As shown, there is no shortage of ways to save money for your big move across country. It will likely still be an expense that should be calculated into your reduced budget for a while for most people. However, with these tips, the ability to pack up and live several states away is hopefully more affordable than you thought. For more savings opportunities using professional moving services, contact us today and find out if moving to your dream state is more of a reality after all.
