Reducing the Cost of Your Move
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While moving is certainly something that most people prefer not to do, it is something you will do several times throughout your life. A new job in another city, the birth of a child or a retirement, are just a few of the reasons people move. Regardless of the reason, moving is expensive, hectic and stressful. However, there are ways to reduce the overall cost of your move and make the process a bit easier for you and your budget.
Create a Plan and Establish a Budget
Planning your move in advance will allow you to complete all the necessary things for a successful, uneventful move. Try to schedule movers at least a month or two in advance so you know roughly the cost up front. make sure that you factor in everything such as your travel expenses, packing supplies and cleaning supplies. This way when you arrive at your new home you'll have money available to make the improvements you want like upgrading or remodeling your kitchen.
Finding Reliable Movers
Everything you own will reside on the truck so it's important that you take your time and research companies ahead of time. Get at least two to three quotes and then check their record of service from testimonials of actual people who used them. You can acquire names of companies like North American Van Lines through family, friends, and co-workers of look online. Once you have the estimates in front of you, you can then make a decision based on the fees and service records. Additionally, make sure to ask about larger items you may have like a piano or appliances to see what the additional cost will be.
Consolidate Before You Pack
The last thing you want is to move into your new home and have a lot of things you either don't need or don't want. Before starting the packing process, declutter. This may take you a few days to achieve, but in the end, it will save you space in your new place to add new things. It will also save you money on the cost of the moving company by using less room on the truck. With the items you don't want to take along you have several options. You can have an estate sale and make some extra cash to apply towards the move, give things away to family and friends or donate the furnishings and clothing to a local charity.
Time to Pack
Now that you have things sorted out it's time to start the packing process. Here's where you can save a lot of money. The moving company is going to offer to supply the boxes in the allotted qualities and sizes you agreed to, however, they come with a pretty hefty price tag. Instead, a better option is to check with the local businesses in your area to see if they can save boxes for you. Even if you need to go to several places and make more than one trip they are "Free". Additionally, you can use linens, towels, newspaper and even coffee filters to wrap up fragile items, adding more to your savings. You will need to purchase packing tape but this will not cost you a few dollars versus several hundred dollars.
Schedule Your Move During the Off Season
In addition to packing your own boxes and acquiring them for free, you can save even more money by scheduling your move during the off-season. The months of September through February will give you the best rates. If you are unable to do that, then at least make the move the second or third week of the month and try if at all possible to avoid the weekend.
Moving doesn't have to cost you your entire savings. With a willingness to do some of the work yourself, decluttering and acquiring the boxes for free, you are well on your way to having a successful, stress-free move.