1. Let Go of Unnecessary Things
Local moves are usually charged hourly, and interstate moves are generally priced by load and by weight. Either way, the more stuff you need to move, the more your move will cost. Thus, moving on a budget means letting go of some unnecessary items. Sorting through all of your belongings can take months, so get started early.
Sell Your Stuff
Selling your stuff is ideal because the money you make selling your items can help pay for your move. Used items can be sold through a variety of venues.
For example, you can sell gently used children’s clothes at consignment sales. You can sell vintage and antique items to vintage and antique stores, and online venues are an excellent place to let go of pricey electronics. To get rid of low-priced items like books and knick-knacks, consider selling your items in a garage sale.
Give Things Away
Throwing things away can be costly if you have to rent a dumpster. The best way to get rid of items that you can’t sell is to give them away to a friend, a family member, or a charity. Some charities will take donations of blankets, sheets, pillows, food, kitchen tools, and other useful items. Call in advance to find out what items charities in your area accept.
2. Negotiate the Price
Some movers will negotiate with customers if the client is flexible about how and when the move happens. For example, a customer might get a discount by moving the relocation to the middle of the week or to a less busy time of the month. As you’re shopping around for a mover, talk to each company about how you can save money.
3. Get Free Boxes, Then Sell Them
Many people buy their boxes through home improvement stores, online stores, or their mover. These are good options if you’re in a pinch and need boxes quickly, but if you have some time to wait, you can get free boxes from local businesses.
Start with your own workplace. If you work in an office building, talk to the maintenance staff, janitorial staff, or mail room staff to find out what happens to the boxes of office supplies and other shipments that your building brings in. If you work in retail, getting free boxes will be even easier. Retail stores produce many boxes, and you’ll know how to get them when they become available.
If you can’t acquire boxes through your work, contact businesses in your area for free boxes. Grocery stores, home improvement centers, big box stores, hardware stores, and even hospitals are all an excellent source for boxes. It helps to know someone who works at those businesses (especially in a big building like a hospital), so reach out to friends and family.
When you’re done moving, you can sell your boxes through online message boards to other people who are relocating. Package your boxes together as you unpack, and then list them for sale in bundles in online forums and on social media pages. Some online services even buy gently used boxes from people, so try not to tear apart your boxes in the move. Break them down carefully so they’ll be more desirable for buyers.
4. Get Creative With Packing Materials
Packing materials like bubble wrap can be expensive. And why should you buy packing materials when you can use the materials available in your own house? Sheets, blankets, towels, pillows, used newspaper, plastic grocery bags, winter coats, hats, and other clothing can be packing materials. Before renting furniture pads, use what’s available in your house.
If you need furniture pads, tie or tap blankets to breakable items like furniture. Be careful not to allow the tape to touch the furniture itself, as it can tear off the finish.
5. Contact a Mover as Soon as Possible to Save Money
If you’re going to be moving in the next few months, contact a mover as soon as possible to get a quote and find out how you can save money on your upcoming relocation. Contacting multiple movers is important because doing this enables you to shop around. Meanwhile, contacting movers well in advance of the move date helps ensure that the rates will be as competitive as possible. Closer to the move date, the rates may rise as the schedule fills.
Do you have more questions about how you can save money on an upcoming relocation? Call Wheaton World Wide Moving. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have about how to move on a budget.
