Budget Friendly Moving Tips

Budget Friendly Moving Tips

So, you’ve discovered the next place you’ll call home. Now that you’ve signed the paperwork, you’re ready to begin thinking about moving. As exciting as moving to a new place can be, it can also be a little daunting. From packing to actually getting your stuff to your new home, there’s a lot to think about, including the expense. Deposits, utilities, packing supplies and more all contribute to the cost of moving. But we’re here to tell you that you don’t have to break the bank in order to settle in to your new abode. Let’s explore five ways you can unburden your budget to make your move a financial success.

Move During the Off-Season

The most budget-friendly seasons to move are in the fall and the winter. There are more vacancies at these times and you can often negotiate better deals on your rent, deposit or utilities as a result. Plus, moving companies are not as busy during these months and will therefore be more likely to give you a discount.

There are even more cost-effective days to schedule your move. Weekdays in the middle of the month are optimal for moving if you’re looking to trim your budget. This is because weekends are more popular, making it less expensive to rent a truck or hire movers during the week.

Simplify Your Life

Moving is the perfect time to declutter your life and make a few dollars while you’re at it. To organize yourself, create three categories for your belongings: keep, sell and toss. From there you’ll go through everything, from furniture to clothes, deciding what you’ll keep, sell or throw away. Once you’ve gone through everything, you can host a garage sale for the “sell” items, thus giving you more money for your moving budget. Whatever you don’t sell, you can donate.

Save on Packing Supplies

Nothing consumes your moving budget quite like packing supplies. Boxes, paper and bubble wrap can all add up rapidly. Instead of dropping your dollars on new packing supplies, why not opt for some budget-friendly options?

For instance, it’s easy to pick up lightly used boxes at the office, grocery and department stores. Your friends and family might even have a few lying around. To save money on buying bubble wrap, pack your fragile items in clothes and blankets. Finally, instead of wrapping things such as mugs in packing paper, use coffee filters, which cost less, or plastic bags from the grocery store.

Pay Attention to Utilities

Utilities are another item which can end up costing you more than necessary. Some utility companies don’t prorate your bill. This means if you only use one week of internet at your old place, they still charge you for a full month. Consider cutting off certain services a week or two early so you don’t have to pay for an extra month. Obviously, you don’t want to do this with essential services like electricity, but you can certainly survive without cable.

Compare Moving Costs

While it may seem that you’ll save by renting a truck and moving yourself, that might not be the case. On top of the truck rental fees, you also have to consider things like gas, insurance, environmental and truck cleaning fees. It’s also important to make sure you have the right size truck, otherwise you may overspend on empty space. Alternately, you could end up burning extra gas, cash and time making multiple trips with a rental that’s too small.

So, on top of researching the cost of renting a truck, you should also get quotes from at least three movers. Ask if their price is by their hour or the load and what their service entails. Once you have your quotes, compare the expense of moving yourself versus having movers.

Make Your Move Easier with Heights

Moving can present financial challenges, but with the right planning you can keep costs down. That way, you can save your pennies for a rainy day or adding to your wonderful new home.

And remember, Heights will always lend a helping hand. If you’re curious about taking out a loan to assist with your move, we have economic solutions to empower you. So, don’t be a stranger. Contact us today to get started.