A big thank you to Thrifty Reader Katie for requesting this topic. She will be moving soon and she wants to know how she can save a few pennies in the process.
Moving is a huge deal. You are completely uprooting yourself and continuing your life in a new location. Just like plants, if it isn't done correctly, it can be a traumatic experience. Let's save you from that, shall we?
Whether you are moving 3 miles or 3,000 miles, there are ways to save money. I've only moved 3 times in my entire life, and 2 of them were in the last 4 years. I don't, by any means, think I have all the answers. My husband, however, has moved more times than he can count in his lifetime, so I'm drawing on his expertise. We brainstormed and thought up several ways for you to cut the budget.
Before You Move:
Preparation is the key to making this cheap and as easy as possible. Plan routes and what all needs to be moved and what can be donated/given away/sold. Taking care of this now will obviously give you less to take with you. Let's pretend you have a dining room table that just won't fit in your new place. Give it away, sell it, or donate it BEFORE you move. Simple as that. My in-laws moved one time and they knew they couldn't afford a big move. They sold or gave away nearly everything they owned in order to make it happen.
If you have a chance to get into the new place before you move, make sure you have everything ready for when you get there. You don't want to have to paint the bedroom around a bunch of boxes or furniture. It's a lot easier to clean up your messes if that stuff isn't in the way yet.
Moving Boxes:
There are two places where you can get FREE moving boxes. Do NOT pay for them.
The mall (or any big store for that matter) has flattened boxes by their dumpsters. It's a whole separate pile so you don't have to worry about food and whoknowswhat covering this stuff. Since it is in the trash, it is free for the taking.
These boxes are generally broken down properly as a way to save space. If you go to the mall for them, and you encounter one store that just doesn't have anything, you just go to the next store. This is part of the beauty of this location. You have your pick of the litter.
To ensure nice ones, don't try going in or just after a good rain. Most people know a few weeks ahead of time that they are moving, so plan your box excursion on a sunny day.
The second place is Craigslist. If you have a smart phone, I strongly recommend downloading the CL app (whether you are moving or not). You can set up a notification to alert you whenever someone posts "Free moving boxes" in your area. I see this all the time. It's not everyday, but if you plan ahead, you have better chances of catching a post or two.
Just remember that boxes, even when they are flat, are not tiny. Make sure that when you go to pick them up that you have enough space in your vehicle.
Packing:
Make sure you grab and pack smaller and lightweight boxes. This will help you when you go to move it. You might think that you are getting more bang for your buck if you use bigger boxes. You are wrong. If they are too big/heavy/awkward, they will be too hard to carry and you'll be at risk of dropping it. If you are petite like me, test it out when you are packing. If you can't lift it and it can be easily divided, go ahead and split it up.
BE SURE TO LABEL. Moving places will generally try to sell you stickers that list items inside the box, where it is supposed to go, if it's fragile, and possibly even how heavy it is. You know what? You don't need fancy stickers to do that. You just need a permanent marker. Label label label! It will save you SO MUCH TIME if you do this ahead of time. Try to make sure that all of the kitchen stuff stays together, all of the clothes stay together, etc. Label everything you put in there. You can totally get away with putting candles, games, and dog toys in the same box as long as you list it on the outside of the box. That way, when you get to the new place, you can look at the box and know exactly what is in it. I recommend labeling all 4 sides and the top as much as possible. At the very least, label what room it goes into at the new place. And label according to the new place. We added an extra bedroom and bathroom when we moved. If I just labeled it "Bedroom," no one knew which one or where to put it. Be specific. Also on this note, try to keep the rooms together. Organization is a huge help in this time of chaos.
Enlist Friends:
You know what is cheaper than a moving company? Volunteers. With moving companies, you typically are paying by the mile and by the minute. You may think you are saving yourself a headache, but when you realize that if a worker stops to blow his nose, and you have to pay him for a minute extra, you might change your mind. Think you can't find enough volunteers to just do it out of the goodness of their own hearts, buy them lunch. Pizza for a bunch of people is still cheaper than a moving company.
A free and effective way to enlist your friends is through a Facebook event. This will help everyone understand that you are in need. Feel free to upload a picture of yourself with puppy dog eyes if you think it will help. Be sure that you point out all the incentives like free food or you'll love them forever. Maybe even offer to give away your stuff to those that help. If you go this route though, make sure you contact each of them individually. It will help them know that you need their help and know that it isn't just a mass invite.
The Actual Move:
Instead of renting a big truck, see if you can accomplish it with pickups and trailers. (These are the people you think of when you want to enlist friends) Doing a few trips with smaller loads may take a little longer, but it's far cheaper than getting a big moving truck.
If you do find yourself needing a big truck, say the distance is much too far to allow for quick trips back and forth, call around for the best price. Some companies aren't open Sundays, so you'd get an extra day's worth out of it for free. Also, make sure you pack it correctly. My husband loves to play Tetris in the back of a truck when packing it. If you pack it correctly, you will utilize the space as much as possible, you will be at less risk of breaking something, and you'll keep the gas mileage higher by packing the bulk of the weight in the right spot. This tip is useful for a big truck or the smaller pick up loads.
If you need overnight accommodations, figure out if you need a motel or if you can simply "rough it" in your new place. If it is a long distance move and you need a motel along the way, price around and see if you can get a discount through anything (ex: drivers club, AARP, military, etc.). When you book a motel, try to make sure that a breakfast is included in your stay. It will save you time and money in the morning.
When unpacking the truck, bring each box to its specific location. You and your movers should be able to tell exactly where it is based on your labeling. If your helper doesn't know where "So and so's bedroom" is, take a quick minute to show them or give them easy directions. When the Move is done, all of your boxes should be in the right room where they need to be.
After the Move:
Take care of any of the bills you need to take care of right away. If you used a moving company or a box truck, pay them as soon as you are done. It will help make sure the time paid for is as short as possible and it will help prevent against late fees.
Unpack as quickly as possible. If you labeled everything correctly, you should be able to go to each room and know exactly what is in each box. You can easily glance and have an idea for where a happy home is for that item. Anything you don't unpack should be something that can go in storage. Don't be one of those people that still have your stuff in your moving boxes two years after you move. Our house was box free after a day. When you are done with the boxes, give them away on Craigslist.
After it is all said and done, throw a housewarming party! Invite all of those friends that helped you move to further repay them.
No comments:
Post a Comment