Five Ways To Save Money On Moving Expenses
Five Ways To Save Money On Moving Expenses
Moving does not have to be expensive and it is best when it is budgeted for. When it comes to local moving, whether it’s to another city or state, I’ve comprised a list of 5 ways you can save money while moving.
Get Rid of Unnecessary Items
To lighten your load (literally), you need to get rid of things that you no longer need. Haven’t worn those pair of jeans in a year? Get rid of it. Don’t read those old books on your bookshelf? Get rid of it. You can ask around to see if friends want some of your things, sell them on Poshmark, OfferUp or Facebook Marketplace, or donate them. The less you have to physically move, the better. Even if the items are seemingly small, don’t take for granted that it is still added weight.
Find Free Packing Materials
One thing you should rarely have to pay for are packing materials (excluding tape maybe). You can get free boxes from work, hardware stores, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Many places sell boxes but you can get them for free. Stores usually dispose of the boxes that they used for deliveries. They would be more than happy to take the extra work off of their hands by giving away their old boxes. Also, if you need a mattress bag most mattress stores will give you one for free if you just ask. They have an infinite supply of them.
Update Your Auto Insurance Quote
When moving to a new neighborhood your auto insurance rate will likely change – for better or worse. Factors such as crime rate, where your vehicle is parked, and whether you live in the city or a suburb can affect it. Before moving, contact your auto insurance company to ask them what your rate will be once moving to a new zip code so that there are no surprises.
Notify Utility Companies
You may want to contact your electricity provider to notify them when you will be moving so that they can update your address in order to have electricity at your new place. Also, when it comes to other reoccurring bills such as internet, you can try contacting your ISP to see if they can prorate your bill if you move before the end of your billing cycle. This may also be a good time to shop around to get better deals or promotions on internet or cable services.
Calculate Moving Expenses
Hiring a commercial moving company can be expensive, especially for a local move. If you have friends who can help you move, that would be advisable. To show your appreciation, you can pay them for their time (which would be cheaper than hiring a moving company) or treat them at a later date once you’re settled in. If you prefer outsourcing, you can find movers from TaskRabbit or Facebook Marketplace. When it comes to truck rentals, Home Depot has rentals starting at $20 and you can rent them by the hour or by the day. If you have a larger move, Home Depot has Penske trucks that offer AAA and student discounts. If you rent a truck by the hour, keep in mind that you can hire movers to do the heavy lifting and the rest you can do off the clock using your own vehicle.
Moving does not have to be tedious and the tips listed above should help you have a seamless move.
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