5 Tips for Moving on a Shoestring Budget
Moving is stressful enough, even without looking at the financial side of things. But when you throw money into the equation and start adding up all of the costs associated with selling a house, packing up, renting moving equipment, buying a new house, paying taxes, fees, and insurance, switching jobs, and doing all of the other things it takes to make a seamless transition, it quickly becomes expensive and (sometimes) unaffordable.
Is it possible to make a move without draining every last penny from your savings account? Yes…but you’ll have to get creative.
5 Cost-Friendly Moving Tips
Whether you’re transitioning to a new place across town or moving from coast to coast, there are always some practical ways you can cut costs and make your move more affordable.
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Here are a few of them:
- Don’t Hire Movers
Unless you’re moving for business and your employer offers to pay for it, don’t hire professional movers. Seriously! Professional movers are expensive and typically don’t add enough value to your moving experience to justify the cost. Some might appear to offer good deals, but by the time they include all the added taxes, fees, and insurance, it’s usually outrageously expensive.
When you pack and move yourself, not only will you save a few hundred bucks, but you get the added benefit of being able to organize your belongings so that you know where they are when you arrive.
- Choose a Good Date to Move
Regardless of whether you choose to conduct the entire move by yourself or you decide to hire a professional service, selecting the right moving date can save you hundreds of dollars (or more).
“The most expensive times to move are at the end or beginning of the month because that’s when leases typically run out,” Houston-based property management company Green Residential explains. “Weekends and holidays, particularly during the summer, are also peak moving times. Rates for moving trucks and other moving services tend to be higher during these times. You can save 10 percent or more on trucks and supplies by moving during an off-time.”
- Get Rid of What You Don’t Need
If you didn’t already realize it before, you’ll start to notice how much junk you have when you begin packing up. There’s no need to bring this junk with you. Now is the perfect time to get rid of things you don’t need and simplify your life. Not only will you save money with less weight and space, but you’ll save the time and effort associated with hauling around needless junk.
- Get Free Moving Boxes
A big move requires a lot of moving boxes, packing tape, and other supplies. Instead of heading to the nearest store to buy a bunch of cardboard boxes – which adds up quickly – look around and see if you can’t find some free alternatives. Craigslist is a good place to start, but you may also have some luck if you check near dumpsters behind local businesses.
- Deduct Expenses on Tax Return
Finally, if your move is for business purposes and surpasses a certain distance requirement, you may qualify for a deduction on this year’s tax return. Look into this option and discuss it with your accountant.
Save Your Money
A move can be expensive in numerous ways. And while there isn’t much you can do about the cost of housing and living in a new city, you can always save some money on the move itself. By cutting costs in this area, you can establish savings that may be applied to your new house. While it takes a little creativity, saving money on a move ultimately comes down to discipline.
Try some of the pointers discussed in this article and see what you think.
Author: Anna Johansson
[…] Moving on a budget can be tough. If you can’t hire professional movers, you’ll need to get creative in packaging and planning for your move. In this instance, you’ll need a little creativity. Laundry bins, old baskets, even empty beer boxes can prove efficient and cost-effective alternatives to buying expensive suitcases or backpacks. Just make sure if you use cardboard that the box is stable –– you wouldn’t want a container full of glassware to fall apart in your hands […]