How to Move When You’re on a Budget

Moving already offers enough complications on its own, but when you are on a budget, moving suddenly seems a lot more difficult. Sometimes we just don’t have the money to throw at the problem of moving, so we end up having to pinch the pennies to try to get this move done.

These tips will help you get through your move on a lower budget, and honestly, even if you aren’t on a budget, these are good moving tips to follow.

1. Get Rid of Stuff

Downsizing will not only save money in the process of moving, but it will also make moving significantly easier to do. Consider selling items through Craigslist, a yard sale, or consignment shops to get a little extra cash to ease some of the money strains of a move. If you plan on selling stuff, begin this process early, because it can take some time to sell all the items that you want. Items that you can’t sell, consider donating or throwing them away.

2. Start Packing Early

The more of a move you do yourself, the less you have to outsource any of the labor. By packing and organizing early, you make it a lot easier on yourself too! Not to mention, the next tip is a lot easier if you start preparing for it in advance.

You may speed your move, decrease stress, and ensure a smoother transition to your new home by starting the packing process early and following a well-planned moving timeline. Use this chance to be proactive and make the entire moving process more doable and fun.

3. Improvise Packing Materials

Packing materials cost a lot if you buy them from a store. It should be a crime how many places sell boxes and packing material for. Fortunately, it is easy enough to take some shortcuts to get around the expense of actually buying packing materials, and as a bonus, it is more environmentally friendly to take the following approach too.

For boxes, ask local businesses and restaurants if it would be okay if you had some of the boxes they were going to throw out anyway. For packing materials, use sheets, clothes, and newspapers to pad delicate items. Tape and magic markers are things you can buy at the dollar store to save a little extra money.

4. Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help moving from family and friends. It is the social norm to offer food and drink in exchange for help with a move, but if you can’t afford that nicety at the moment, most people will understand. You can either try to exchange favors with them, offer a rain check or tell them “you owe them one”.

5. Consider Hiring Movers

If you need to hire the assistance of movers, it isn’t the end of the world. Hiring movers is actually a lot cheaper than most people think, especially if you don’t owe that much stuff. Call around to explore different pricing options or visit Movers Corp to compare the moving rates, and try to choose one that fits within your budget.

In the end, hiring professionals to handle moving your items will also prevent the risk of hurting yourself during a move, and the inconvenience and cost of injury would add up to a lot more than just hiring movers in the first place.

6. Consider DIY Move

Even if you’re doing the labor-intensive lifting yourself, you should still be thinking about ways to relocate more affordably. There are many situations where it is not necessary to rent a truck, contrary to what most people believe.

Do you, for instance, know how much space you’ll need in a truck that you’re renting? If you choose a truck that is too small, you may wind up using more petrol because you will have to make more journeys. If you go overboard, you’ll have to pay for space you won’t use.

7. Avoid Peak Season

The cheapest times to relocate are on weekdays and in the middle of the month throughout the fall and winter months. Due to a slower schedule, moving firms may pay you more attention during these times, in addition to maybe offering reduced pricing. Additionally, try to avoid driving in the early and evening rush hours on the day of your relocation to save time.

8. Save on Supplies

You need boxes, packing tape, and packaging materials to move, but you don’t need to spend a lot of money on them. A pretty easy technique to save money when relocating is to obtain free boxes.

To get cheap packing items for your move, search online. In addition to the typical locations like supermarkets or liquor stores, local discount groups on social media networks are a wonderful area to look for free boxes. You may pack for free using your clothing, pillows, or zip-top bags to accomplish the same task as a professional.

9. Ship Your Books and Clothes

In some cases, shipping your belongings could be less expensive than moving them. This could be especially useful if you want a smaller truck and are doing some DIY. After you’ve gone through what you are getting rid of, think about shipping your books and clothes. This approach can be started as soon as you decide to relocate, which can greatly speed up the packing and organization process.

10. Make Sure You are Protected

Making sure that your possessions are sufficiently protected during the move is a crucial factor to take into account when relocating on a tight budget. To ensure that you are covered in the event of damage or loss during the relocation, you should verify the insurance coverage of any moving company you are considering hiring. Some moving companies include basic insurance protection in their moving packages, but it’s vital to thoroughly read the policy and consider adding more protection if necessary.

You can move on a budget without compromising the security and safety of your possessions by taking the time to thoroughly plan and budget for your relocation and making sure that they are protected during the move.