Whether you’re moving across town or moving across the country, you already know that the process can be difficult, daunting and expensive. You are probably also thinking that it would be great if you could find some way to save as much money as possible on your move. But exactly how do you go about saving money when you are moving on a budget? There are plenty of ways to go about your move when moving on a budget. However, you will need to be a little creative while doing so, if you want to save money. Here are five tips and tricks you can use that will help, especially if you’re moving on a budget.
1. How do I begin to compare prices?
When we say you need to compare prices, this concept isn’t as simple as calling a few places and making a decision. You will also need to take a few other factors into consideration, depending on your situation. If you are moving and will need to store your things, you will also need to inquire about any storage costs associated with your move. Some moving companies will store your belongings for you either in a container or at their facility until you are ready to have them delivered, but each option and each company will have their own specific set of rules, prices and timeframes. Therefore, you need to make sure you thoroughly understand how that works, before you make any decisions.
You should also decide whether or not you will need labor for your move. If you can’t or won’t be moving your belongings yourself, you will need to hire someone that can help you. Automatically choosing the labor your moving company offers might not always be your best bet. Sometimes finding a third-party to help with labor is cheaper. You could look at some of the labor ads on Craigslist, a local moving company who offers labor only services or any company who advertises manpower. Of course, you could use your friends and family to help you move and that will always be the cheapest way to get the labor you need to help you move because all you usually have to do is feed them.
2. What about discounts and coupons?
Many people don’t always associate a move with discounts and coupons. However, moving companies frequently offer some sort of discount, coupon or moving special to sway a potential customer in their direction. Therefore, you should always perform a search for a discounts on moving services before you make any decisions. However, just because you might have found a great deal on a moving company doesn’t always mean they are the best choice. You will need to vet them properly; otherwise, that great deal you thought you were getting could ultimately end up costing you more, if their moving services weren’t all they said they would be, or if there are any restrictions they didn’t tell you about, which is common with hourly moves or moves that charge by the number of people they send, which is per person, per hour. So buyer beware.
3. Where can I get free boxes?
There are plenty of places you can get free boxes. Using free boxes is probably one of the best ways to save money on your move. But where can you find free boxes that you can use for your move? Well, believe it or not, finding free boxes is fairly easy. You can look for free boxes on Craigslist, freecycle.org, grocery stores, bookstores, U-Haul box exchange, Facebook community groups, liquor stores, around apartment complex dumpsters, college dorms, recycling centers and just about any retailer. And here’s another tip, after your move, you can sell your used boxes online for a little extra cash. Some people would rather pay a reduced amount of money for used boxes rather than having to spend the time it takes to round them up.
4. How can I save on packing supplies for my move?
Saving on your packing supplies can be easy, but you have to think outside the box. Your clothes work great as packing material because they are thick, soft and make the perfect cushion for breakables. The same goes for towels and blankets as well. You probably have enough clothes in your closet and drawers to pack most of your things, not to mention all your towels, blankets and so on for your extra fragile items. There is another way to save money on your boxes and packing supplies, but it will require quite a bit more legwork on your part. You can use your laundry baskets and plastic storage containers to move your things; however, you will have to make several trips because you will need to pack them, move them and unpack them for every load you take. Now, this might seem like quite a bit of work, and it is, but, you have to pack, move and unpack regardless, so the only extra labor is the back and forth required for moving in this manner and the time it takes to do so.
5. Should I take pictures of my belongings before the move?
Yes, you should absolutely take pictures of all your things before you have them moved. If anything is damaged in the move, you will need proof that the movers are the ones who actually damaged them and that they were not damaged prior to your move. Taking pictures could save you hundreds of dollars or more if anything is damaged. Just think about how much it would cost to replace any of your big items like your furniture if it was scratched or damaged, or if you had to replace a television and so on.
What else do I need to know that could help me save?
There are many different ways you could save money when moving on a budget. Here are a few more ideas to help you save money on your move.
Make sure you read all the fine print on any contracts you sign. Always check the laws in the location you are going for plants, pets and firearms as many states have strict requirements for such. Find out whether or not you need a permit to park the moving truck on the street? Avoid peak moving seasons if at all possible. Inspect your moving truck before you leave the lot; otherwise, you could end up owing charges for damage you didn’t do. Check your personal insurance policy before electing to pay for the insurance offered you by the rental truck company. Look for a truck rental company who offers unlimited mileage as the gas used on a rental truck is usually somewhere around six to eight miles per gallon.
