A lot of people feel overwhelmed when they realize how expensive moving can be. If you’re in this position, you should be aware that there are many ways for you to spend less. These cheap moving hacks are easy to implement, and they could wind up saving you hundreds or even thousands on your upcoming move.
Shop Around
Whether you’re renting a truck, hiring professional movers, or using another solution, you’ll want to look at lots of different options so that you can find the best deal. Get quotes early on so that you’ll have more options and plenty of time to compare costs.
Shopping around can save you a lot of money, but you’ll want to make sure you have the complete picture when comparing costs. Find out what’s included in the price you’ve been quoted and what you’ll be covering on your own. Include these additional costs in your calculations.
Explore Lots of Options
Many people spend more than they need to on a move because they’re not aware of the opportunities they have. If you try to look at a wide range of trusted moving services, chances are you might find the best deal and might end up saving a lot of money.
If you find out more about these options, you might find methods that will help you move for less. It’s smart to arm yourself with information when you’re planning out your move. Sometimes, the most affordable moving services out there are ones you may have overlooked.
Do a Clear Out
Why pay to move items that are just taking up space? A move is a great opportunity to do a major clear out. Go through everything you own, from your wardrobe to home decor items to your kitchen supplies. Get rid of everything that you don’t use anymore.
It’s important to remember that getting rid of things doesn’t necessarily mean throwing them in the trash. You should be able to sell plenty of your old belongings, and you can put that money towards your move. Donate the rest of your things. Ask for a receipt so that you can include your donation when filing your taxes.
Move on a Weekday
Moves are much cheaper on weekdays, especially if you choose to move in the middle of the week. You can also save quite a bit of money if you move in the middle of the month. Moving on a weekday isn’t something that everyone can do, but if it’s an option for you, you should take full advantage of it.
With that said, if you’re going to have to take time off work to move on a weekday, and you don’t have PTO you can use, moving on the weekend might make more sense. Crunch the numbers so that you can make a decision that works for your finances.
Make Sure You Get Your Deposit Back
If you’re renting, you’ll want to make sure you get your full security deposit back. There are plenty of quick and easy things you can do to fix problems. For example, if you have dents in your carpeting from your furniture, you can get rid of them with ice cubes!
You can fill nail holes in your walls using toothpaste. You can get rid of scuffs on hardwood flooring by attaching a tennis ball to your broom and rubbing on the mark. A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water will take care of your carpet stains. With the right strategies, you can leave your place looking better than it did when you moved in.
Get Your Packing Supplies for Free
Why spend money on making supplies when you can get most of what you need for free? Stores will usually be glad to give you cardboard boxes if you ask for them. If you need to wrap fragile items to protect them, you can use old magazines, newspapers, and even sales flyers. Just be wary of ink transferring to the items that you’re wrapping.
While cardboard boxes are great for packing, you can use other boxes you own if you run out, such as laundry baskets, suitcases, or even trash bins. One of the best ways to pack up your clothing is to use trash bags. Just leave your clothes on the hanger and cover them in trash bags. Take off the trash bags after you arrive and use them again!
Avoid Future Costs
In addition to working to spend less on your move, you’ll want to look for ways to prevent major expenses in the future. For example, it’s a good idea to take photos of furniture and other valuable belongings in advance of your move. If something winds up being damaged, you could use those images in your insurance claims.
You should make sure you shut off your utilities before you move so that you won’t be stuck with any additional bills. You should also take care of other essential tasks, like changing your mailing address. If you miss a bill and are hit with a late fee, you could wind up spending quite a lot.
Moving isn’t exactly cheap, but it can be a lot more affordable with these easy cheap moving hacks. Look for the best ways to cut costs on your upcoming move. If you plan ahead and use the right strategies, you can move to your new home without having to spend a fortune.
