Moving is a stressful process, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little planning, you can cut moving costs without sacrificing quality.
One of the cheapest ways to move is by renting a moving container. They are much cheaper than renting a truck, and they don’t require you to pay for vehicle fuel or insurance.
Do-It-Yourself
Regardless of whether you’re moving short distance or long-distance, doing it yourself can save you money and make your move as stress-free as possible. To help you out, we’ve put together 13 cheap moving ideas and tricks to help you save even more on your relocation.
Get Rid of Unwanted Possessions before You Pack – One of the best ways to save money on a move is to get rid of things you don’t need or want. Selling items, donating them or holding a garage sale can all be cost-effective ways to reduce the amount of possessions you’ll have to haul in a truck.
Use Boxes You Already Own – You’ll find many containers, like suitcases, drawers, baskets and bags, that can be used as moving boxes. Using them can help you cut down on the amount of money you’ll spend on cardboard and packing materials.
Buy Quality Tape – Not all tape is created equal, and cheap tape can be dangerous for your belongings and even hurt you or others while moving. So, invest in a good tape gun and a large roll of high-quality moving tape.
Hire a Moving Company
Hiring a moving company is one of the best ways to save money on your move. It will make the process easier and less stressful, and you’ll have more time to enjoy your new home.
The cost of hiring a moving company will depend on your needs and the amount of stuff you have to move. You should get multiple quotes from different companies before deciding on one.
If you’re going with a flat rate, make sure that the price reflects how long it will take the movers to complete the job. You may want to consider an hourly rate if you think it will take more than two hours to move everything.
You can also save on the cost of movers by donating, selling or throwing away items you don’t use anymore. This will cut down on the number of boxes you need to purchase and eliminate the costs associated with packing paper and bubble wrap.
Get Free or Cheap Packing Materials
Getting your hands on free or cheap packing materials is an excellent way to save money while also keeping the quality of your items safe. Here are a few ideas for finding these supplies without breaking the bank:
One of the most effective ways to get packing paper for free is to ask your neighbors and friends if they have any old newspapers or magazines that they’d be willing to donate. Newspapers are perfect for cushioning boxes and filling any empty spaces inside them — just be sure to use clean newspapers as ink stains can destroy fragile objects forever!
You can also get cardboard boxes and packing supplies from various online marketplaces. Check sites like Craigslist, Nextdoor, and Facebook Marketplace for offers.
Hire a Truck
There are several ways to cut your moving costs, but one of the cheapest is to hire a truck. This option is especially convenient if you have a lot of stuff to move and don’t want to have to make multiple trips between your old and new home.
The size of the truck you rent is a big factor in how much you’ll pay. A larger truck is more expensive than a smaller one, so you’ll need to determine how much stuff you have to move before booking the truck.
Besides the cost of the truck, you also have to consider gas and other expenses associated with renting a vehicle. These can include parking fees, fuel, damage coverage and hotels if you need to stay overnight in your new location.
